28

Today is my 28th birthday! I feel like it's a BIG DEAL year so I'm really happy that it's starting off in the best possible way. My friend took me to a bakery for delicious cupcakes last night, I've received 3 bouquets of flowers here at work today (making working on my birthday not so bad at all, actually) - and even some chocolate-covered strawberries.

Feeling loved with some Big Sugar Bakeshop cupcakes

I think it's normal to use your birthday to reflect on the past year (and the whole of your life, really - Wendi Hansen wrote THIS spot-on article just today about her life lessons learned by 28), and to put down in words your hopes for the future. But, really, I don't even know where to begin! What do I hope the last years of my 20s will bring? I'd like to keep learning new things, to love deeply, and to see more of the world. I'd like to really feel like I'm making a difference in my community, that my career is growing in the right direction, and I'd like to say yes to every opportunity that comes my way. I want to live without regrets, and I'd like to learn how to make Eggs Benedict. 

My life has been such an adventure -- I couldn't have predicted my life would turn out this way. If you'd told me 10 years ago (or even 3 years ago!) that I'd be living in Los Angeles working in TV, I'd have called you a beautiful dreamer. And yet, here I am. (So thank you, beautiful dreamer!) 

Still, I've got to say, 28 is shaping up to be the greatest year ever. I've got 3 big trips around the US and Europe coming up before the leaves even change. I'm going to be able to see friends and family that I haven't seen in years -- and even be able to watch a very good friend get married to the man of her dreams in August. I'm going to keep taking my tap classes, and I'm going to take a few more acting workshops. Maybe I'll relearn how to sew or to make sourdough bread. I'd like to get back into writing and I'd like to try everything the world has to offer.

The sky's the limit -- and life is really good. Here's to high hopes for a good year!