Last months of my 20's

I've come to realize over the last few years that this process of leaving my 20's has some real implications for concern and reflection. I have around 5 months left and feel myself starting to kick into critique mode. Am I happy with where I am in my life? What do I want to accomplish in my life?

I have always been a very driven person, and some of my friends have encouraged me to slow down, but I like this pace. I like to feel accomplished and to push myself (even though at times it drives me nuts). In general, I like to keep things moving. I feel the clock ticketing and want to get the most of out this life.

If I look at 30 from my 25 year old self I am somewhat surprised by the amount of time things take. At that age I was also more excited to reach this age, because I had so many friends that were turning 30. I was also hopeful that I would have more figured out and I suppose I do, but it all hasn't gone as planned. Certain things that I thought I would have accomplished by now I haven't, like starting my own family, a more developed career path, more money in the bank, the list goes on. However, I am in the process of all of those things, which is a great place to be. It turns out that things just take longer than I thought they would.

I did accomplish some things that I planned on: being engaged, finishing my master's degree, starting a career, leaving Florida, and I'm sure there are more.

And then there are things I accomplished that I wasn't ever planning on doing: learning to run, completing a 5K race, completing a triathlon, living in California, learning to drive a bus, getting my MFA, being someone's boss, being able to give someone a job, and confronting countless fears.

As I get closer to 30, I am starting to accept it. It will be a new chapter of the same book with more twists and turns. I will keep making lists, setting goals and accessing my trajectory. I will have to accept that there are many things that I will not do while in my 20's, but really those were also tough times. I learned some hard lessons in my 20's that I am happy to be leave behind.

In February of 2013 I will update on the visceral changes and realizations that come with being a little older and hopefully wiser.

My 28th Birthday

This year for my birthday was vastly different than last year, as I was heavily consumed with my first solo-show opening at Side Street Projects. There are 3 pieces featured there, including a 3/4 acres outdoor installation that will remain up for 1.5 months. This installation was very time consuming and a new feat for me. I did however, take the day off of installing for my birthday, but did spend most of the day at school in class.

At the end of the day I came home to my awesome partner in life that had a home-made cake waiting. To continue the celebratory feel, we went to a local wine and tapas restaurant called Brix in Silver Lake, CA. After sampling a few flavors and some wine we headed back home to cut into the cake, opening some presents and rest a little before the next day started again.

This birthday I gave myself one of the best birthday gifts, a successful opening!

My 27th Birthday!

On Feb. 10th, 2010 I turned 27. I couldn't feel more comfortable and solid about this. Ever since the new year, I've been feeling that this year is going to be a good one, which it is definitely shaping up to be. I feel grounded and ready for what ever will come my way.

This year I decided to have a low key birthday, without a party or friends around. Since my birthday feel on a Wednesday I first had to go to class to talk about my thesis, which was actually a treat. Next I got home, changed into an evening dress and James took me to dinner at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Pasadena. The food was great, and the company and conversation even better.

After dinner we went home where James had a homemade cake waiting for me. It was chocolate with white cream cheese icing, totally made from scratch. That man is just amazing, and gaze me a wonderful day!