Somehow, I'm 35. Shouldn't be surprising. I celebrate my birthday for a whole month every year, it's not like this one just crept up on me. I've made a mantra out of embracing every day and living life to the fullest, being open to opportunities and running (and eating) all over the world. I've raised my hand to take on more and chased down promotions and PRs. But every so often, I'm still amazed that this is where I am. That I can love my life this much. That I can be this happy. While my general nature unfolds to a sense of optimism, it wasn't always this way. When I was young (still in middle/high school), I thought "being whatever you wanted to be" meant choosing a defined career path, choosing a partner, getting married, buying a house and popping out 2.4 kids. I didn't think about things like grad school or big jobs in big companies or moving to new cities, countries or continents (on an average of <1.5 years in one place), or even being flexible in what my career actually looked like in terms of success. I didn't think about filling a passport or taking leadership roles in charity organizations or being an advocate for women's equality in the work place and in life. I'd never even considered running a marathon, crushing Boston, or winning a half marathon. Essentially, dreaming big was confined to parameters of what I thought my path should be as opposed to what I really wanted, but didn't yet know that I did. I struggled in my late teens and early 20s. Not in what I imagine is a unique way for people at that age, but I couldn't seem to find my place. Looking back now I definitely also struggled with depression. Eating too much to make myself feel better. Not exercising. And just generally feeling lost. Crushing sadness would flood over me at times but, mostly, it was just an empty feeling. It was leading me to ask questions about what I really wanted and what was actually the right path for me. What would make me actually happy? And out of that sadness I discovered a previously undefined path. One that has led me to the most wonderful experiences by choosing happiness. (A story for another day, but I literally followed sidewalk chalk on a path to interviews for a Disney internship that moved me to Florida my Freshman year of college and forever altered the course of my life. The proclaimed "happiest place on earth" provided me a key to unlocking my own: through independence, adventure and perspective.) If you had asked me 15 or 10 years, hell, even a three months ago where I'd be spending my 35th birthday, I wouldn't have said South Korea, at the Olympic games. But that's exactly where I celebrated my 35th trip around the sun, with the man I love more than I ever thought possible. Exploring a new country - by way of running and eating, of course. I took a 4-day weekend away from a job that I love, that challenges me, and that gave us the opportunity to make this move to Japan. All of it should feel like a "pinch me" moment... but now, this is just my life. The trip was amazing. And cold. I mean, it was the winter Olympics so I should have expected that. We spent a lot of time outside, either running (in both Seoul and near the Olympic village in Gangneung), attending Olympic events, or walking miles exploring (usually searching for food). The cold makes me tired though (or maybe it's just because I'm 35 now...) so I gladly took a quick nap each day too. We were there during the Korean new year so it was actually less crowded than it would normally be and quite pleasant for sight seeing. We got in late Wednesday night and kicked off my actual birthday Thursday morning - with a 10 mile run. We didn't really have a route planned so we just ran. We went out in search of food in the late afternoon and ended up at a market with stall after stall of delicious local foods. We ate a lot. And then took a nap before venturing out for dinner. We caught the final order at Samwon Garden, a Michelin star bbq place that was mouthwatering. We tried to go out in the Gangnam district after but that place was dead due to the holiday. So we found a cocktail, then called in a night. The rest of my birthday weekend was spent at the Peyongchang Olympics (actually staying down by the coast in Gangneung). In our haste to book this trip very last minute, we didn't have a lot of choice in where to stay. We were fortunate that some - what we believe to be college age girl - recognized this money-making opportunity and threw her very old and small apartment up on Airbnb. It had heated floors, which was redeeming. Well, that and the fact that it was literally 10 meters from the Olympic Village. It was a bargain to get it for ~$250/night. We cuddled really close in that twin/single size bed and got comfortable with the trickle of water that counted as a shower. #adventure Being at the Olympics was surreal. We ended up seeing Germany vs Sweden in Hockey (Sweden won), Women's Super G skiing (USA did not win - but Ester Ledecka (a snowboarder!) from CZE did and it was awesome) and the Women's finals in Skeleton. That sport is insane. People throw themselves headfirst down a mountain. On purpose. And you can get right up next to the track to watch! Again: it was all really cold, but worth it. Seeing the best athletes in the world compete was a privilege. As with any travel - there are abundant opportunities to learn and gain perspective. And it doesn't have to be in a museum, it's in the culture - surrounding you. My perception of people in South Korea is that family is important and spending time with them - while fully taking a holiday (New Years) is something that will be done... Even if it means shutting down your restaurant during the Olympics when you could be making money. I can't imagine this happening in other places but it was certainly interesting and in a way refreshing. (Even though that meant eating a lot of concession stand food for us.) One fun surprise bonus of the trip is that we got to see Jen and Stu and their daughter, Charlie. They are my favorite Canadians who I met during my MBA in Hong Kong back in 2011. They live in Shanghai now and I haven't seen them in years. We had a quick reunion at our sprawling Airbnb over food we could scrounge from a convenience store and it was perfect. They helped me celebrate my 28th birthday years ago. A lot has changed in 7 years yet so much felt the same. That's when you know you've got good people in your life. You can grow and achieve and go separate ways but that friendship foundation that was built on the same experience - especially abroad - is pretty solid. So here I am. 35. This is what 35 looks like for me. Married to my favorite person. Living in Tokyo. Working at an incredible company. Running multiple days a week - using this passion to make new friends and also stay connected with others around the world. Having trips booked for the US, Mexico and Spain (and that's just through May). Launching a run coaching business. Taking care of myself (through good food, less shampooing of my hair and flossing). And taking back some things I've previously loved but have drifted from - like reading. And, of course, continuing to choose happiness.
#thisis35
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorA Midwest girl gone global. I choose happiness everyday: I run, eat well, travel, and love completely. Archives
March 2022
Categories |