Monday, January 23, 2012

It's A Wild Ride

Thus far I have ...
  • Moved across the country twice - both coasts!
  • Watched my 100 year-old elementary school, where my mom and the rest of my family went, be torn down, and a new building built down the block.
  • Survived a horrible three years in one of the roughest middle schools in my districts.
  • Managed high school without the help of my best friend when she moved away after 9th grade.
  • Achieved some major personal girls in high school, which included making the cheerleading squad (with no gymnastics or dance background) and becoming an editor on my school newspaper.
  • Rebelled against my family and chose to attend Iowa State University instead of University of Iowa, successfully converting several Iowa fans into ISU fans. Go Cyclones!
  • Wrote for my university's newspaper my freshman year, then decided I didn't want to major in journalism anymore and chose the oh-so-practical department of fashion merchandising and design (sarcaaaasm).
  • Joined a sorority, and after living in a house with 52 girls for a year and a half, deactivated.
  • Earned my bachelors degree and moved away from home to a larger midwestern city.
  • Through a sorority sister, I found a very young company that I fell in love with and stayed with for the next five years.
  • Moved back to my hometown temporarily on a pit stop before moving again. This time to South Carolina.
  • After almost a year in South Carolina, I felt the worst kind of homesickness and loneliness. I knew I had to move back home.
  • Quit working for a company that I was head over heels in love with. Luckily, a position opened up again a year later and I began working for them again.
  • Two months after I got my old job back, the company's owner (another huge corporation) announced that they were closing all stores and liquidating.
  • At this time I decided to switch careers. For two years, I worked for another company, but meanwhile was planning how to earn a degree in education to become a teacher.
  • After a horrible Christmas working retail (2010) I quit my job and began graduate school full time
  • I also began substitute teaching at this time, which solidified my choice to pursue a career in education.
  • Today, I am ... happy, energetic, hopeful, wiser, optimistic, realistic, and excited for what the next few years may hold....
  • Today is my 30th birthday, and that? Blows my mind. It feels completely impossible, but I am insanely curious to find out what my thirties has in store for me.
I can chalk this up to these two, simple words.

Time. Flies.

19 comments:

Becky said...

Time does fly! I hope you have an absolutely wonderful day today - you more than deserve it! xoxoxo

Ashley said...

Woah, you've definitely had a lot of changes over the years. Happy birthday!

Erica said...

Wow, happy thirtieth Amber! I didn't know many of those details!

Kate at Green Fashionista said...

Wow! You've had a lot of amazing life experiences! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :0)

MK said...

The more I read your blog, the more I see how alike you and I are. When my big bday comes, I should write a similar post ... 9 months to do that :)

You've come a long way! I hope this year is good to you!

HS @ Our Debt Blog said...

Happy Birthday! what an amazing life. I'm in my 30's and so far, no complains, things are better and I enjoy life more!

HS

Suz said...

Happy Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fabulous day! Welcome to 30...it really isn't that bad!

Peter said...

Happy birthday!

(I have a close friend who went to Iowa...)

San said...

Happy 30th birthday, lady! I hope your 30's will be wonderful! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!! I think our 30's are going to blow our 20's out of the water!

Amber said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my lovely friend!!! You have had a great 30 years so far! I think your next 30 (or just your next year) are going to be amazing!!

Time really does fly doesn't it? As I get older it seems to fly faster and faster! It really encourages me to slow down and be present more.

I hope you have a great day today doing things you love and treating yourself :) XO

Ashley said...

Happy Birthday!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Happy Birthday! You have done a lot! I hope the next 30 are just as great!

Anonymous said...

Happy 30th Birthday!!!!

Miss Sweet Tea said...

Wow, what a great 30 years! Cheers to the next 30! Happy Birthday!!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Welcome to the 30s. So far, it's been such a better decade than my 20s were. I am confident this decade will hold many wonderful things for you. can't wait to watch it all unfold!

You sure packed alot into those first 30 years. Especially the last 10! Lots of adventure, trials, and tribulations. But all of it has made you the strong, wonderful, compassionate person you are! So here's to a fabulous 31st year! :)

Shoshanah said...

I know I'm a few days late commenting, but still wanted to throw you another happy birthday message! Hope you had an awesome day!!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!!!