Happy 30th Birthday to me! Most people dread leaving their 20s; they feel like they now have to be an adult and their fun years are behind them. I find this humorous because my age will not define who I am or how much fun I am having. The moment you change your perception, is the moment you rewrite the chemistry of your body. In my 20s, I immersed myself in every single thing possible and learned a lot about myself and others. I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me. With this next chapter of my life, I will continue to only surround myself with those that light my path. I am eternally grateful for my loyal friends and family who have been there for me every step of the way. With this next chapter, I will continue to braver, stronger, and more fierce. I will continue to be unstoppable.
I know you just must be so curious about how well I did with my 30 Before 30 list so here goes:
My 30 before 30:
1) Get in my best shape- This is still a work in progress. I did manage to weigh the most I ever have weighed because of studying for the NAVLE, which I luckily quickly dropped.
2) Heal your past and move on
- My past has made me the incredibly strong proud woman I am today, why look back now?
3) Get a small tattoo or new piercing
- I purchase and am learning henna. I realized that there aren't any piercings that I currently want and I'm still too indecisive to get a tattoo.
4) Travel to a new country
-The Dominican Republic for Thanksgiving last year! Let's see where I end up this upcoming year! I am going to try to continue my tradition of traveling a new place every year.
5) Get better at yoga
- I did Adriene's 30 Days of Yoga and I have noticed a small increase in flexibility. I did also notice that I'm so busy and constantly wanting to be active that I really have to force myself to relax for at least 40 minutes a day.
6) Go a day with no electronics, including phone.
-This is something I wasn't able to do because of school. My notes are on my computer; I need my phone when I'm on call; I need my email for sending job applications, etc etc. I hate being so reliable on technology.
7) Learn medical Spanish.
-I bought a book to help learn, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
8) Go to a nice restaurant alone
- I did this several times and I would do it again. It's enjoyable being able to take yourself out and just enjoy your own company.
9) Eat every food on the LA food list
-I have ate everything on the list except couche which I heard isn't really a LA thing anyway.
10) Pass the NAVLE
-Unfortunately, this one I did not do. I will be retaking the NAVLE in April and will pass it then.
11) Find a new regular drink
- I don't have a new "Regular" but I did try new local beers that I would order over my usual Blue Moon. Abita (especially the strawberry) and Sweet Water are two new favorites.
12) Try one new recipe each month
- I tried different types of chicken recipes, sides, and even salmon. I am going to try to continue to make at least one new recipe every month.
13) Attend a LSU football game
- I was able to attend three games! The energy of the crowd at tailgating was very contagious but my heart will forever remain with VT. Geaux Hokies ;)
14) Get involved in a church I love
- I did not find a church that I love, but I did attend two different ones and I did join a Facebook group of the females of one of them.
15) Do something for 30 days
-I ended up doing yoga for 30 days. Although it was hard during my Oregon externship since I was with a house full of other people and I didn't get any privacy.
16) Take better care of my nails
- I have tried several different polishes and techniques in the past which never seemed to work. I decided to try again and they do seem to have gotten stronger.
17) Read a self improvement book once a month.
- I wasn't able to read one once a month due to studying, but I did read a few.
18) Attend a new cultural experience
-New Orleans.....enough said...
19) Adopt a pet
-I did it. I gave in and adopted Anya (Anastasia). The timing might not have been perfect, but when is timing ever in our favor? Something pulled me towards her and I couldn't have asked for a better dog. Check out last week's post for more information on her.
20) Figure out what I'm doing after I graduate
-This is still in the works. I know that I'm looking for a job at a practice that sees small animals and exotics. If I find the right internship fit for me, then I will take it but for now, the search continues.
21) Go to a drive in movie
-Unfortunately, there are not many of these left and none in Louisiana. I will continue to be on the hunt!
22) Donate blood
-Whenever there was a blood drive, I was on my rotation and unable to take off. No that is not my excuse to get out of it, I will put this on my next bucket list.
23) Get psychic reading
-I got my tarot cards read and it seemed pretty accurate, but generic. It was still fun!
24) Make your own pizza from scratch
-I did it and it was delicious! Probably one of the best pizza's I've had so I will make some again.
25) Create a signature dish
-I think I have a pasta dish with chicken that can pass for my signature dish. I've made it for a few people and it always turns out pretty enjoyable.
26) Finally get rid of the clothes that you don't wear/don't fit
-Yes! I finally was able to part with my clothes that I've had since high school. I'm never going to fit into those pants/shirts again, so why keep them around?
27) Update my nectar list
-It's updated!
28) Learn a new prop for belly dance
- I haven't had any time to do any belly dancing let alone another prop. I am hoping that once I have more free time, I will be able to learn more fire!
29) Realize everything on this list: 100 Things 20 Something Year Olds Need To Realize
-Check!
30) Create a 40 by 40 list.
-It is started! You can check it out on my side posts.
This long week on ophthalmology we saw an enucleation, a bilateral medial and lateral canthoplasty, and two retinal reattachment surgeries. Next week I start my dermatology rotation! From here until gradation, I will only have two week rotations. It's getting closer!
