29 Things Before I Turned 29

Last year at this time, I had just finished up a big life project of mine, “28 Things to do Before I Turn 28.” This project was incredible for me in so many ways, but terribly stressful at the same time. For a few weeks after my birthday, everyone kept asking me what I was going to do before I turned 29. What I wanted to say was: “Are you kidding me? What have *you* done in the last year?!” But I just told them that I needed a little break from the self-imposed pressure.

Now, it is my 29th birthday and I’ve been reflecting upon this last year of my life over the last few days. I realized that even though I didn’t set out to make a list of things I had to do, I’ve still done some amazing things this year. And so, I present…

29 Things Before I Turned 29:

Traveled on our first family vacation in over a decade to Italy
Made a wish at the Trevi Fountain
Saw multiple Michelangelos
Explored the ancient city of Pompeii, where I’ve been dying to go since the ’90s

Ran into a nice gentleman I knew at a bar and started running into him on purpose
Rode a Vespa
Carved a pumpkin for the first time
Realized I don’t actually hate Philadelphia like I thought I did
Made it to 5 Pointz just two days before the surprise white-washing

Spent a New Year’s Eve in Times Square (although in an apartment and not on the street)
Traveled to New Orleans
Drank at the oldest bar in the country
Had a life-changing experience (times 3) with chargrilled oysters
Spent an unexpected but awesome day in Atlanta

Wrote for a website that wasn’t my own
Organized a team to run in a charity race for work
Started a new role at work that has been my favorite in seven years at my company
Passed my Series 63
Passed my Series 79

Became a regular at the oldest Irish bar in New York City
Won money while betting at my first horse race
Ate one of the best steaks and the absolute best bacon I’ve ever had at Peter Luger’s Steakhouse
Embraced my childhood fear of ghosts and went on a ghost tour of the West Village
Finally made it to Governors Island

Had a “sisters” weekend in Philadelphia
Discovered my love for Firepit Fridays
Celebrated three good friends’ marriages at their bachelorette parties
Was asked to be a bridesmaid in two of my dearest friends’ upcoming weddings
Played about 1,000 rounds of “Cheers to the Governor” with my favorite people in the world

I’m already looking forward to my 30th birthday so I can look back at everything I’ve done in this next year. Considering this year will start off with free first-class flights to Hawaii, I have some pretty high expectations. Don’t let me down, 29.