One Month Away

That would be, we are just 4 weeks away from my 25th birthday. Ahhh. That just sounds weird to me. I seem to be building up my 25th birthday just as much as my 21st. I'm not quite sure why. The only perk of being 25 is not paying an extra fee when renting a car. Otherwise, it just means I've arrived to being mid-twenty.

I think that 25 does have some perks though, especially when I reflect back on the past [almost] 5 years and how I've grown as a person. It's definitely better than 20 :)  I'm sure I'm not the only one who sets goals and looks forward to things. That's half the fun of making it through a workday, your least favorite season, or busting your butt to achieve a goal you set for yourself.

I'm not really dreading a "quarter-life crisis." Been there. Done that.  Instead I feel like I know a little bit more about the direction I want to go, am another year wiser but not necessarily as fulfilled as I had imagined I'd be at this age (when I was a kid.)  Of course, managing those expectations is part of life and being in my mid-twenties is something to celebrate, no matter how it compares to my childhood dreams!

In honor of my last few weeks of 24, I am launching a 5 Before 25 Challenge for myself. I want to challenge myself to have 5 new experiences - whether it's doing something out of my comfort zone or experiencing something new or different - before my birthday to help usher in my mid-twenties year in style.

My first 5 Before 25 experience was this past Saturday, when I explored the US Botanical Garden at the Capitol. I'd never been and can't imagine why!

I have other things in mind for the next few weeks and will be sharing each new adventure in addition to my normal blogging. Would anyone else like to join me for the challenge? It's all about exploring the place where I live and opening myself up to new experiences!  :-D


Back to reali Monday, where I was up and at 'em a bit earlier than usual this morning. I got in another hearty bowl of blueberry / chia hot cereal and then I was off to my first physical therapy appointment.

I learned a few great things in my session and got a bunch of exercises to do to get my left foot, leg, and hip back to normal. I'm definitely excited to rebuild my strength and get back to my old self. I'm close though and will hopefully be a good patient and diligently complete my exercises each day!

My breakfast held me over for 4 hours (!!) and I finally broke for lunch. I had leftover kale chips and zucchini and brown rice topped by a beet greens dish I made yesterday. It was topped with some fat free feta and hot sauce. There was also a cup of strawberries - yum!

My lunch left me searching for a snack a few hours later so I picked up this garden salad from the Union. After work I had the 2nd part of my snack - an apple with some nut butter and cinnamon.

Not feeling ready to settle in for the night just yet, I took a walk to [another] grocery store farther away to get in some exercise and have a nice long chat with my bubbye. I always love those calls - we've been really close since I was born.

Dinner upon my return was quick and exactly what I was craving: a salad with some kim chi on top (new find at Whole Foods this week) while I got my veggie burger ready. Topped with 1/2 slice of 2% cheese, hot sauce and BBQ sauce, and broccoli slaw with the last of my nut butter rutabaga fries. It hit the spot! My cravings lead me to believe that summer is finally here!!

I have a few things to work on tonight and hopefully I'll get in bed early and read.

How was your Monday?


Is there anything you're looking forward to? How are you challenging yourself / celebrating that goal?