28 on the 28th

Well, yesterday was my birthday and my "golden" birthday at that - I turned 28 on the 28th.  I am starting to feel a bit old but this year has so many good things in store!  Saturday was the perfect omen... I had one of the best days I have had in the past 3ish years.  It was anxiety free.  Stress-free.  It was wonderful.  I had a relaxing train ride, got to meet my friend Nancy's twins (who are ADORABLE), chicken piccatta & a delish bottle of vino for dinner, and finally I got to see the musical I have been dying to see ... WICKED!  Sunday, I took time to reflect on just how good the day was.  Just how good I felt.  Just how happy I was ... genuinely happy. 

No Dad ... that is NOT a map of Mordor & Wicked is not a nightclub.

Which leads to me to my 5 over-arching goals for 28!  What do I want to accomplish this year?

1) Get healthier; physically, mentally, and emotionally.  These have been goals of mine for as long as I can remember.  But, I have only ever been able to focus one at a time before.  No mas.  This time, I am going to simultaneously make it work.  I am well on my way for it currently, and I even ate VEGETABLES last night at my birthday dinner.
2) Have HEALTHY relationships with men.  This is something we all know I have not had since roughly 2009ish.  I have let the past couple of guys I have dated treat me pretty damn shitty (good work, KK). Ashley once told me once you're out of the thick of the forest, you start to see the sky more.  While I am not rushing, I am going to trust my intuition more (it's already helped me out once!) and not ignore red flags.  If they quack like a duck, they're a duck.  If they moo like a cow, they're a cow.  And, if you think they're a bad egg, they probably are and will be a rotten egg.
3) Complete my newest project. So maybe I won't complete it, but I want to get a damn good start on it!  I have mentioned this project before and I am not quite at the point of full disclosure but I am doing it.  I have no idea HOW to do it, but I am.  I have even recruited a few people to help out.  I couldn't be more excited!
4) Get rid of toxicity in my life: things, people, and places.  There are so many toxic things in my life and this year I want to focus on getting rid of them!  I have already gotten rid of a few people and places, and now I just need to continue.
5) Work on my life plan. By this, I mean actually form a life plan.  I will be done with my Master's.  I will get some more certifications, I am going to be taking classes for my new project, etc.  So, what is my next step?  Professionally and personally.  Do I want to continue to travel?  Do I want to stay in Pittsburgh?  If not, where should I move?  All things I need to figure out before 29!

As I left the Gershwin theater on Saturday night, one of the signs really resonated with me.  It said, "Reality Straight Ahead."  Naturally a great photo-op, but it was very true.  I was leaving this fantasy land where I spent over 2 hours singing, dancing, and (of course) crying.  I had to get back to reality.  But, my reality doesn't need to be the same reality it was prior to walking in that theater.  It doesn't need to be the reality I have known for so long.  I can change my reality, make it something different.  In the words of Elphaba (who is kinda my soul sister): it's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and LEAP.