turning 30 ...

So I turned 30 years old today. I half expected to wake up 50 pounds heavier, my hair having migrated to my back, and in serious need of a walker. Considering some of the physical abuse (and some of you know what I am talking about) I've taken over the last couple of weeks, the walker would not surprise me in the least. I woke up, however, more or less in the same physical condition I was the day before, still 140 lbs (since I was 14, good lord!), the hair still on my head, and well ... in need of a walker. Like most of us, life has definitely not turned out how I thought it would when I imagined myself at 18 or even 25. And thats not to say that its turned out bad, just different. I've learned a hell of a lot, both good and bad. I've made a lot of friends and lost some along the way as well. I've learned how to deal with many of the poor choices I've made and regrets I've acquired. I've gotten the chance to experience a ton of different things that when I really take the time to think about, they've all had a positive effect (hopefully I used the right one there) on me. That hasn't always been immediately obvious, sometimes it took years to realize but in the end everything seems to have turned out alright. And now here, at 30 ... I've got a great family, two awesome dogs who constantly drive me crazy (my parents know what thats all about, HAHA), 3 of the best friends I could have asked for, countless other very close friends that have made the days from start to finish bearable, a great job that has allowed me to work with some of the craziest, most intelligent, most talented people this planet has to offer, I live on a tropical island for the next 3 and a half months(you know that has been a real hardship if you've been following this blog at all), and some interesting possibilities for the future that I never expected but look forward to getting the chance to figure out. I guess really all I am saying is that these first 30 years have in no way been a disappointment and I can't wait to see what the next 30 have to offer. I'd still rather be 29 though :) ...