Peace Out 27... Helllllooo 28!

Me and the Longhaul Survivor

OK, I know many girls don't like to tell their age, but yes today is my 28th birthday!  Not 25th, like a few in Mason City would like to think, but 28.  The big 2.8.  I have been alive for 28 years. I have filled over 245,000 hours with either sleep or memories - some good and some bad.  28 years ago I was being brought into this world.  Still is hard to believe.

Hanging by the Lake in Clear Lake

My 27th year of life was one with many ups and downs.  I was settling into my new home in Dubuque, which I would also move from in the same year.  I was trying to meet new people while working in new communities with new volunteers.  I was learning a new part of Iowa - one that was filled with many hills and valleys.

Getting our Zip On in Dubuque

There were many new things that happened this last year, but some things stayed the same while still changing.  I continued to grow my existing friendships while letting some go.  I continued to be involved in the fight against cancer and then deciding to take a break from it.  I continued to try and better myself and while continuing to try and find the meaning of life - all while I was still trying to find myself.  And in the middle of this all - I got in some truly great biking!

Sir Hudson

This last year I was able to travel to Golden, CO; Bayfield, Trempealeau, Madison, and New Diggins, Wis; Galena, Ill; Sioux Falls, SD; and many places in between.  I celebrated many birthdays of my friends along with engagements.  I saw my dad be inducted in our Royalton High School Hall of Fame.  I watch the little ones in my life grow taller and taller and said final goodbyes to former teachers and friends who passed away.  I got closer to some familiar friends and met some amazing new ones.  I moved back in with my parents and became a member of my hometown once more.  I bought a new car and left an old job.  I attended many Relay For Life events, downtown Dubuque concerts, sold a few beers and learned "youes guys" is part of the English language - well at least in Dubuque it is.  And did I mention I got in some great biking??

A Sunday ride with Eric and Chris

I rode my bike 30 days in a row.  I rode some of the largest hills my handle bars have ever seen.  I became part of cycling groups and even help start a new one.  I rode my bike in a new state - Wisconsin.  I was able to ride around an island with my mom.  My bikes survived hundreds of miles on the top of my car and even a freak snowstorm or two.  I learned how to ride as a group, as a unit trying to working together.  I even rode with the boys (and kept up!).  I started a blog about my biking lessons (ps - thank you for reading it!) and learned that bonks do hurt, but you still have to get up that hill.  I have almost been killed while riding - kids, don't text and drive, especially on county roads.  My cycling taught me a lot this past year - lessons learned on the road, memories made after the wheels stopped turning and the beer was opened, and friendship formed in between belly laughs and several, "Oh s**t that is a big hill!"  I wear my RoadID ever day on my wrist and every day when I look at it I think of all the memories that have been made because of it.    

My dad and I kayaking on the Mississippi

When I think back over this last year, one filled with so many changes, and look at the pictures I took and think of the memories I made, all I can think is what will year 28 bring?  A new job?  A new home?  New friends?  Learning new things?  I hope so to all of those while also I hope it lets me continue to grow in my relationships and in my life.  I hope my 28th year continues to bring my challenges and successes.  I hope it continues to fill my days with fun memories and tearful goodbyes.  To continue to give me some Yin here and some Yang there.  I can only hope that my 28th year is simply filled with life.   

My mom and I at "A Prairie Home Companion"

Thank you to everyone who made my 27th year a memorable one.  You have filled the last year with so much joy and so many blessings.  Thank you to my parents for the increased support this last year and for also giving birth to be!  Thank you to all my family and friends - you fill my heart and remind me why I this life is so very worth it.

Good bye 27, hello 28 - I can't wait to see what you have in store for me!