Turning 41: My Top-10 Highlights of the Past Year
Forty has been a pretty amazing and memorable year for me, so as I turn 41, I thought I’d do a swift review of my personal top-ten milestones of this past year.
10. My First Marathon!
Technically, this was a year and one week ago. I ran the Paris Marathon one week before turning 40! It was a pretty exhilarating experience.
That G-Bear dude looks fun. Well done, mate.
9. Travel to England, Wales, Switzerland, Italy, and Turkey!
I feel so fortunate to be able to travel as part of my job! This year I got to assist on two Rick Steves’ tours: Best of England in 14 Days and Village Italy in 14 Days. I also got to do some travel through Switzerland between tours, as well as some pre-tour solo travel in Istanbul, one of my most-favoritest cities in the world. A highlight of those six weeks of travel is that I got to explore quite a few places I’d never been to before, such as Conwy, York, Zermatt, Lugano, Assisi, Lake Orta, Civita di Bagnoregio, and more.
8. Launched my travel blog! Yippie!
This past September, I finally got around to launching my travel blog! Yay! My very-first blog post, It’s about Damn Time, is pretty aptly titled. I’d only been thinking about starting a blog for about seven years prior. Well, better late than never. Right? π
7. Blog featured on the Rick Stevesβ Travelers CafΓ©!
I was pretty darn stoked to have my blog added to the Rick Steves’ Travelers CafΓ© not long after launching it! Yay!
6. From “Saturday Stef” to “Ass Man!”
When I started working at Rick Steves’ Europe, I was part-time staff, working only on Saturdays. Thus I earned the nickname, “Saturday Stef!” In March of 2015 I switched to full-time staff, and last month I was promoted to “Ass Man!” Or Travel Center Assistant Manager. Pretty cool, except for the new nickname! π
5. More European Travel!
2016 was kind of a crazy year for me, because I ended up traveling to Europe three times in one year. (Yeah, I still can’t believe it.) This third trip I got to catch up with some old friends in Amsterdam. And then I spent some time with friends and family in Germany. The big highlight was getting to spend time with my 85-year-old aunt as well as my cousin and his wife. Plus, I got to do the German Christmas Market thing! Ja wohl!
4. Amazing Friends and Family!
One of the best things about this past year is having been able to spend time with amazing and wonderful friends and family! That pretty much makes everything else that happens so worthwhile! I’m also so grateful to have gotten closer to a long-lost sibling (long story), my older half-sister, Karin, who I am so glad to be in touch with! Also, I got to hang with my beautiful sister, Anne-Marie, recently. She lives in Wyoming, so we don’t get to see enough of each other — but it’s always special when we do!
3. My Baby Bro became a Pappa!
This one is so crazy for me to wrap my head around! My little bro (who is much bigger than I am — he towers over the rest of us at 6’3″ tall) became a dad! I will never forget the day my mom brought him home when I was ten years old and he was three weeks old.
Cutest. Baby. Ever.
Until now, that is. His little baby girl, Aria, is pretty stiff competition!
2. Got to visit my Folks!
Getting to spend time with my mom and dad is the highlight of any year! I’m so glad that I got to spend time with them down in Arizona this year. Plus I got to see my auntie and uncle down in Arizona too! It was also so special and meaningful and important to me to be able to share with my parents in person the experience of the next thing on my list —
1. Finding my Moroccan Roots
I’ve put this one down as the number-one highlight of my year. If you’ve read the background story and how it all culminated in the journey of a lifetime this past November, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. It was such an emotional and heartwarming experience for me to be able to connect with my birth-father’s family in Morocco.
For all of us, every year is full of ups and downs, but hopefully we can remember to take the time to appreciate the wonderful things that happen all around us! I wonder what the next year has in store?
What have your highlights been this past year? I would love to hear more in the comments section!
Life is so rich, it’s good to slow down once in awhile and count all the good things we’ve experienced. Morocco is on my must see list. Thanks for sharing.
So true, Suzanne! And thank you! πππ½π
Omg!!! Your reunion story brings tears to my eyes every. Single. Time. What an incredible year! I’m so glad you finally made your blog, love reading your stories!
Thank you SO MUCH, sis! It means so much to me that you’ve been following along with me!! And I’m still so glad I could share it with you, mom & dad in person! Love you and miss you and hope we can catch up again soon!!! <3
Whew! Sounds exhausting! But you are probably exhilerated. Makes me wonder what this year will bring. Can’t wait so see what you’re gonna do next.
For me, of course getting back in touch with you and our other 2 sisters and a bunch more family and old friends and finally being able to give the Appalachian Mountains a real whirl this year. πππβ
We need to have a proper catch-up, Karin!! I’m curious as to what you’re up to these days! I hope all’s going well! Take care, best of luck, and much love! π