I'm 30 and I know it

So this past Sunday I turned 30. I didn't melt or go have a midlife crisis, I don't feel like my life has ended nor did I sit around making a list of all the things I want to do in my next 30 years. I spent my weekend with the people I'm closest to here in Australia. I spent my saturday celebrating the first year of a beautiful little girl who I get to share my birthday with. I had dinner with friends who have become my family. And I celebrated my little cousins birthday. ( I'm 4 days older than him) I spent my first week at being 30 helping my friends and work mates get to their next adventure. Not much has changed from bring 29 to 30. But I do love saying I'm 30. I'm not sure why. I didn't suddenly become any more wise and amazing than I already was.

My 20's we're a decade of change. I left my home town and totally changed my career path. I traveled to more countries than I ever thought. I made heaps of new friends who are labeled family. I got married, changed countries, added a new member to our family and even changed my hair. It was an amazing 10 years packed with so much I can't really believe it.

If asked what my 30's will look like whoa man I can't even imagine. I hope they are a little slower going than my 20's I'm getting to old to move that fast. But I sure hope it includes adding more friends from all over the world. I would like to show my son the world instead of just showing him pictures from a book. I hope to learn to love more and give of my self more. To continue to believe in who I am and always rise to a challenge and fight for what I believe in. I hope my voice becomes louder and stronger with out having to say a word.

Thank you to all who helped me usher in this new decade!

Lessons I've learned in the last week

So this week had been one of the craziest and busiest weeks I've had in a very long time. I volunteered for the job as visa gopher for our office as we are preparing for a trip to S.E. Asia for 19 people. At the start of this adventure I thought I would take a train up to the consulate and then wait to days and go up again. I was wrong, very wrong. It ended up taking me 4 days, 16 train hours and lots of patients to get the job done. But as I look back on this fun but slightly stressful time I see I have learned what could be very useful life lessons.

#1 the train ride is long and deodorant is optional for some so breathe out of your mouth.

#2 even though the consulate tells you one thing always bring extra copies of EVERYTHING!!

#3 eating while walking may save time but it just makes you tired and sick feeling

#4 no matter how hot, a large bubble tea is never needed

#5 any bag carrying that much money,papers, and passports in the summer heat is going to be hot so just pick the one that makes you look less like a tourist and more like you belong in the business district.

#6 there are never public restrooms when you need them so just act like you know what you are doing and walk in to any place of business or conservatory and act like you belong.

#7 make friends with the security guard, you never know when you need them to print out papers for you.

#8 children are only going to be sick right before you leave so never dress in what you really want to wear. Wait till after you leave then change on the train.

#9 it takes less than 16 hours to read 400 pages, buy 2 good books.

#10 never volunteer for the visa run again
( joking I've really enjoyed my adventure)