On St. Patty’s Day, I turned 23! (: Woo! Maybe 23 doesn’t seem like a big year, but it can also be referred to as the “Jordan Year“, Miley Cyrus’ “23” Year, and I celebrated my birthday in a completely different country with so many different people! So, I would say this was a big deal. I’m a bit of a weirdo, and like to celebrate my birthday for an entire month and spoil myself with different treats and purchases. I don’t ask other people to celebrate with me, but I like to think that the entire month of March is for celebrating! I know, you can call me conceited. Here are 23 things that I’m thinking about, have thought about, or am worrying about as a new 23yr old.

1. Jordan yearrrrr! Miley Cyrus’ “23” year! This should be the best year ever, according to Urban Dictionary. *ahem*
2. I’m living my life in Spain and celebrated another year of growth and development in a completely different country and even in a different language! Whut. I am feeling pretty good as a 23 year old.
3. Serious Question, but when do you start feeling like you’re getting the whole “adulting” thing right?
4. Also, when do you start to know what you want to do for the rest of your life? Or, is this just a concept that social society has created and ingrained in our minds?
5. Cake, cake, cake, cake *clap clap clap clap*

   

6. My students thought I was younger than I really am. I asked them how old they thought I was, and the answers ranged from 18-20. Do I really look that young?
7. Does this mean that when I’m old, everyone will think that I look a few years younger? Bueno, podria trabajar con eso [Well, I could work with that].
8. There is more love in my life than I believe, and let myself believe. I’m a lucky gal!
9. Being away from family and friends from home while celebrating your birthday is pretty tough. I was semi-sulking the entire week before my birthday, thinking about how I miss my family and friends and wish they could have been here to celebrate with me.
10. The Spanish culture here is that when it is your birthday and you invite people out, you pay for all of that. What?! That’s nuts! I just want free drinks and shots!
11. Well, deciding to celebrate my birthday as an entire month has definitely left my bank account crying in pain and emptiness.
12. Receiving cute handmade cards and letters from all of my students left my heart feeling so filled and happy!!
13. Having my adult English class surprise me with two homemade cakes and even candles, and singing “Happy Birthday” to me in broken English almost left me in tears!
14. Getting sent Reese’s from my sisters and my best friend for my birthday was all I needed from the United States! So happy to have these delicious nuggets to snack on in Spain, especially since they don’t exist here.
15. I ended up having four homemade cakes and brownies to snack on from my classes, students, and private lesson classes. Sweets galore<33
16. Usually, I like to have a big party for my birthday to celebrate with everyone. This year, I had a dinner with an array of Spaniards, Americans, and people from the UK. What a mix, right?
17. I’ve learned that each year, I learn one important lesson that I add to my “life’s mantra”.
18. It’s not really about where you are or what you’re doing (well, that’s important too) but I’ve also learned that the people you surround yourself with can really impact how you feel
19. Spring spring spring is coming in Spain, which means summer is quickly approaching!
20. As the middle of March quickly left and now I’m posting this in April… I’ve got two more months of work in this program. Wow.
21. You’d think that at 23 I’d really know what I want to do or where I want to go, I just hope I’m moving in the right direction
22. Goodbye to the age of 22, where that year taught me that I need to be a bit more confident, a bit more assertive, and a bit more fierce – because I can definitely rock it, and no one should tell me otherwise.
23. Cheers, to being 23 and all the adventures, awkward moments, and new experiences I will have this upcoming year!

And, to add to all the cliche-ness of this post. A quote from Pinterest – because who doesn’t like those?! And I actually like this one (: