Tuesday, May 8, 2012

A Look Back at My Twenties

It's my last night of being a twenty-something.  Call me crazy, but I find this incredibly exciting.  Tomorrow will my mark my 30th year in this world.  How cool is that?  I've been watching friends and former classmates turn 30 for the last few months and completely understand why entering this next decade of our lives is somewhat terrifying.  Growing older is a scary thing.  So is the idea of Ben & Jerry's discontinuing Chunky Monkey or Half Baked, so it's important to keep things in perspective: Aging Is Not That Bad.

I've been reflecting on my twenties lately and was thinking about all the things I didn't do that I wanted to.  Well, I'm going to take this time to look back on all that I did accomplish in my twenties.


  • I earned two college degrees
  • I've had ten different addresses
  • Lived in 2 states / 4 different cities
  • Got a cellphone
  • Overcame a major issue with stage fright
  • Overcame an even more major issue with a 14-year eating disorder
  • Drove to Alaska (and back) twice
  • Learned to LOVE running!
  • Hitchhiked during a marathon
  • Learned sign language well enough to become an interpreter
  • Was maid of honor in my sister's wedding
  • Welcomed an awesome brother-in-law into the family
  • Welcomed three nephews and a niece into this world
  • Met up with some wonderful ladies in Las Vegas 
  • Saw Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace (a m a z i n g)
  • Was the designated driver for my 21st birthday
  • Wrote between 80-100 songs
  • Performed LOTS of gigs throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa 
  • Was introduced to Lori McKenna's music on my birthday -- 10 years ago tomorrow!
  • Saw Lori McKenna in concert in Chicago 
  • Had dinner on top of the Space Needle -- Twice
  • Auditioned for American Idol -- Twice
  • Drove to Kanas City for one of the Idol auditions with two lesbians I found on Craigslist (saved a lot on gas... but... it was kind of awkward walking around with a girl with a mullet and a coonskin hat with antlers tattooed on her chest)  
  • Auditioned for America's Got Talent
  • Converted to Mac/Apple
  • Produced two CDs that are available on iTunes
  • Made $15.00 off of digital sales!  (See Above)
  • Started doing photography -- something I had no interest in until Age 26 
  • Traveled to Belize, Italy, Mexico, and Canada
  • Climbed Mount Etna 
  • Performed in a songwriting showcase in Nashville
  • Rode The Raging Bull a few times at Six Flags
  • Slammed into a parked car and totaled a Chevy Cavalier I had only had a few months
  • Became a Packer Backer
  • Began the "Craft Weekend" tradition
  • Added a few new scars to my collection
  • Still have the same guitar I've been playing since I bought it when I was 18 (hopefully that will stick with me through the next 30 years, too!)
  • Fell head over heels for sushi
  • Went on way too many blind dates
  • Chaperoned 2 youth mission trips -- St. Louis, MO and Grand Rapids, MI. 
  • Went to the top of The Gateway Arch 
  • Flew on float planes
  • Stood on the Mendenhall Glacier
  • Stayed at the creepiest motel in Spences Bridge, BC 
  • Have had 7 roommates
  • Have had 7 vehicles
  • Have had 1 speeding ticket -- also 10 years ago!
  • Got sucked into The Harry Potter series
  • Was introduced to Blogging
  • Was introduced to Facebook
  • Still have no clue #whatthisisallabout and don't care, either
  • Drove with my two little sisters back from Alaska when I moved home
  • Have one remaining grandparent - Grandpa Larry 
This is where I'm going to cut it off for the night.  I might have to add to it, though . . . 

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