Over the Hills and Far Away

I honestly can’t believe we’re in the 2020s already. Last time we were going into a new decade (2010), I was in eighth grade and worrying about going into high school, my future, finding a boyfriend...etc. I am very lucky to be able to say that although not everything was perfect and I did have some not so great times in high school, nearly everything since then has been amazing and I think 13-year-old me would be so happy to see where I am right now. The things that happened in the 2010s that would have surprised me the most if you had told me back then:

- I’ve learned two new languages (Spanish and Italian) and have working knowledge of several more! I discovered my passion for linguistics shortly after starting high school and I still practice every day. Hoping that by the time 2030 rolls around, I can add at least one more to that list :) 

- I’ve picked up a shitload of new hobbies and learned so much exploring what I like and what I’m good at. New hobbies that I got into in the 2010s and still do regularly include guitar, violin, archery, embroidery, jewelrymaking, running...I’m sure I’m forgetting some.

- I lived in NYC for college! I was definitely apprehensive about choosing a place to study and was overjoyed when I finally arrived at NYU. I’m now back in DC but I still visit often since it’s pretty close and I wouldn’t trade my time there for anything. 

- My parents moved to London and are loving it. They’ll probably come back soon, but I remember being super surprised they were making such a huge change when they told me they were considering it. It’s been almost two and a half years since then and my brother and I have been so lucky to be able to visit them and explore the rest of Europe while they’re over there.

- I got an amazing job and I really enjoy what I do. I’m still learning a lot but my team is amazing and I feel that I could stay at my current employer for quite a while if things keep going well. My two year anniversary of being hired full time is actually this Wednesday. Time really flies. 

- I reconnected with, started dating, got engaged to, and moved in with my childhood friend. <3 Alec and I met in 2008, so that didn’t happen this past decade, but I would have been so surprised if you told me at the start of the 2010s that we’d end up together haha. We have both changed a lot since we first started dating in early 2013 - we’ve had amazing times and grown so much as people together as we went through our teenage years and are now adults. We can’t believe how lucky we both got in finding each other so early on in our lives and making things work no matter what, even when I was living in NYC for three years and we had to do long distance. It makes me feel really old to say that we’ve been together for 7 years now and have been friends for nearly 12. The other day I realized we’ve now known each other for almost half our lives. We are planning to get married either late next year or in 2022 - we’ve been together so long that we’re in no rush since already feel like we’re married. :) 

Anyway, that’s my summary of how I feel about the 2010s...I guess the 2010s was likely the decade of my life with the most changes and key life events since I went through my teenage years, high school, college, and started working during them. Sometimes I still feel like 23 is too young to be considered a full adult, but I turn 24 in three months and then I’ll officially be in my mid-twenties, which I used to think was super old. Lol.It’s strange to think that when the 2030s start (oh god) I’ll likely be much further along in my career and have kids...I’m hoping that when that time does come, I’ll be able to look back at the 2020s with as much excitement and fondness as I can with the 2010s.