I just turned 28. I don’t know why, but it sounds good to my ears.
No, I’m not nervous about being almost 30. I’m excited, actually.
I am loving this moment in my life, when everything seems to be flowing - new place, new people, new routine, new hopes. Oh, and spring is showing up at her best here in Belgium!
Last year was hard. I felt lost and frustrated most of the time. I didn’t feel like myself and I just couldn’t see how things would turn out.
But I was aware that I was going through a crisis and that I just had to be patient and give it time.
Patience and time always work wonders and every little thing is finding its place and purpose. We have a beautiful apartment and love living in Ghent, my Dutch is improving and I’m sure I’ll find a decent job soon.
So this year I wanted to celebrate my birthday as the beginning of a new cycle and as a reminder to always be true to myself.
I decided on simple yet meaningful things:
Eat and drink something new. We initially thought of snails (escargots) because I never had the guts to try them before. Unfortunately we didn’t find them in the supermarket and I ended up trying (and not liking) these crab sticks:
No, I’m not nervous about being almost 30. I’m excited, actually.
I am loving this moment in my life, when everything seems to be flowing - new place, new people, new routine, new hopes. Oh, and spring is showing up at her best here in Belgium!
Last year was hard. I felt lost and frustrated most of the time. I didn’t feel like myself and I just couldn’t see how things would turn out.
But I was aware that I was going through a crisis and that I just had to be patient and give it time.
Patience and time always work wonders and every little thing is finding its place and purpose. We have a beautiful apartment and love living in Ghent, my Dutch is improving and I’m sure I’ll find a decent job soon.
So this year I wanted to celebrate my birthday as the beginning of a new cycle and as a reminder to always be true to myself.
I decided on simple yet meaningful things:
Eat and drink something new. We initially thought of snails (escargots) because I never had the guts to try them before. Unfortunately we didn’t find them in the supermarket and I ended up trying (and not liking) these crab sticks:
The drinks were easy to find and easy to like. A friend had given us some Ukrainian vodka and we did shots with the cranberry flavoured one. Ah, good times.
The other drink was a bit more challenging, since my boyfriend has been trying to convince me for years: whiskey sour. What’s the challenge, you ask me? The foam on top is made with raw egg white and the very thought of drinking that made my stomach turn. But I faced it. And it tasted nice!
Go out and dance. I do like sitting at cafés, having a nice chat with friends and going to bed early. I love that. But I miss the dance floor sometimes – moving, singing along, sweating, laughing and not noticing how late it has become. I really needed that boost.
Go somewhere new. I thought I needed a healthy dose of adrenaline but my stomach disagreed. We went to Bellewaerde, saw adorable animals and went on some wet and shaky rides. That’s when I realized I’m never going on a rollercoaster again. Ever.
I guess the point I was trying to make is that we should never stop challenging ourselves. In big or small ways. For self-improvement and growth or for the sheer fun on it!
By the way, the Kingdom of Belgium decided to give me the best birthday gift ever: my resident identity card. I have only stared at it 385 times since yesterday.
How did you (or will you) celebrate your birthday this year?
Go somewhere new. I thought I needed a healthy dose of adrenaline but my stomach disagreed. We went to Bellewaerde, saw adorable animals and went on some wet and shaky rides. That’s when I realized I’m never going on a rollercoaster again. Ever.
I guess the point I was trying to make is that we should never stop challenging ourselves. In big or small ways. For self-improvement and growth or for the sheer fun on it!
By the way, the Kingdom of Belgium decided to give me the best birthday gift ever: my resident identity card. I have only stared at it 385 times since yesterday.
How did you (or will you) celebrate your birthday this year?
