So, I lied to my third graders.
I initially told them my favorite weather was “sunny” in order to win brownie points, seeing that was unanimously the popular opinion. However, my ideal weather can be perfectly explained in a day like today. It’s been balmy and warm for the last week or so {as in dresses and t-shirt weather}, which I undoubtedly enjoy. But today I woke up to soaked pavement and a drizzle in the air. It’s still warm enough to keep the windows open in the office, but I can hear the rain as it splashes against the roof. There is a coziness to the classroom, and for once the children are relaxed and calm. It’s a perfect spring day in my eyes. And therefore a perfect day for blogging.
The weather over my birthday weekend was unlike the weather I see outside today. It was comfortable, cool, and sunny. I couldn’t have asked for more suitable weather to enjoy turning 27 {and in South Korea nonetheless}.
Turning 27 was a big one for me. I mean, I probably say that every year. But there is a significance about this age that is very personal to me. It is nearly impossible to explain because I, myself, cannot really understand it.
I have officially entered my late twenties. That on it’s own is something I can be appreciative of. It is always around my birthday that I reminisce on the lives of two dear friends of mine: Courtney and Mariah. Neither of them will get the chance to turn 27, and both were taken from us much too young. They are the reason I look forward to growing older, instead of avoiding it at all costs. For example, I can’t wait to turn the dreaded, dirty 30. It’s all about perspective.
Another reason this birthday is one of significance is because I am celebrating it in Asia, an area of the world that at one point I refused to visit. It had nothing to do with Asia, and everything to do with me. Prior to moving here, I was intimidated of Asia. It wasn’t until last year that I felt as if I could tackle living in a foreign country with such a cultural difference from my own. I knew in order to grow, I needed to push myself further and further out of my comfort zone. And let me tell you, South Korea did just that. Turning 27 here in South Korea proved to myself, once again, I am capable of anything if I have the correct mindset.
And finally, I turned 27 in my 27th country! This one still blows my mind. I never imagined my life where it is now. I simply had other plans. But I am grateful those plans fell through, and as a result, led me here. I have absolutely zero plans of slowing down anytime soon when it comes to traveling the world. There are so many things to see, people to meet, and adventures to be had. And I won’t let societies idea of what a 27 year old woman should be doing with her life, stop me from living the one I was meant to.
I have learned so much being in this country. I am humbled every single day. The people here have welcomed me with arms wide open, and to them I am forever indebted. My birthday weekend was filled with friends, dinners, festivals, sunsets, blossoms, {too many} drinks, and a copious amount of laughter. I have to shout out the people that made an effort this weekend to make my special day {read: four days} the best it could have been. I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better, and the people surrounding me are some of the kindest, most considerate, hilarious humans on this planet. I’m lucky to know them.
I feel older. I feel wiser. I feel 27.