1 year left till the dirty 30...

Tuesday I turned 29. As a single gal I've always feared this birthday because its a constant reminder that I'm no where near starting a family and when I should be 'settling' down, I'm still out having fun. It's taken me a LONG time to finally adopt the mentality that my life is freakin' awesome without a man or a child, but I finally have arrived...

• In 6 months I will have finished my 50 state quest- forget the running aspect of it, very few people get to say they've been to all states, let alone by the time they're 30. 
• Although we have some distance between us, I have such a supportive family who will drop anything if I should ever need it. 
• I have a great job with plenty of opportunity, and even found out on Monday I got a promotion.... makin' that chedda! My co-workers make me WANT to go into work, and oddly enough, I miss them when I'm on PTO. 
• I live in a great city filled with tons of music, good beer, food, and entertainment... but not only that, some GORGEOUS views for my runs (could do without some of the hills) 
• I have different pockets of friends, but over the last year, I've really gotten out of my comfort zone to expanded my social circle. 

I always dread my birthday because I never do anything that great and it kind of feels like just a different day. I'm proud to say this was HANDS DOWN the BEST birthday of my 20s ASIDE from turning 21. 

Over the weekend I joined  my gf Emily and all her friends for a 3 night / 4 day weekend trip in the mountains accompanied with white water rafting on the Ocoee River which is outside of Chattanooga for the first time... memories to last a lifetime. 

The ladies...

(yes i'm the only one rocking the $5 water shoes)

The Men...

The Group before... 

Getting ready to head out

Soaking wet after

I only knew Emily and her husband prior to trip, but by Sunday we were all throwing around inside jokes chumming it up- cannot wait till I can hang with them all again.

Came into work on Tuesday and my desk was all decorated complete with a tiara and crown waiting for me

Got tons of different treats throughout the day... the 'cupcake' was actually pineapple dipped in white chocolate, milk chocolate, and sprinkles... genius

After work I headed to my fav rest / bar for some drinks and dinner-- 1st round of Christmas in your mouth shots with B!

Photos with my fave country gals

Me and the roomie

Me and the old roomie

And probably the most hilarious gift I've received in a few years... a bottle of fireball whiskey. Basically over the weekend in cabin if you lost in your game of beer pong you had to take a shot of fireball. I took it like a champ and even willingly finished the bottle (and i don't normally do liquor, but it goes down so smooth) 

At the risk of sounding cheesy, looking back on these last few months there has been so much fulfillment / love / happiness back in my life. I'm in a place of contentment and I just know big things are going to happen for me before I turn 30. I know they say life begins at 30, but I plan on squeezing as much experiences as I can from my 20s before that happens!

Do you have a favorite birthday?

being that its the summer, most birthdays I've had, friend are always out of town on trips. it was nice to get everyone together and just goof off without having to go downtown/ clubbing / getting out of control