Happy Tuesday!
I think we can all agree that Tuesdays are not as great as Fridays. However this Tuesday is my last day as a 24 year old which makes me feel the need to commemorate this incredible year. So here is a list of 24 things I did or accomplished in my 24th year of existence. I can only hope that 25 will be just as fun, challenging, and joyful.
24 Things I Did When I Was 24
1. Threw my very first birthday party
2. Made new friends and rekindled old friendships back home
3. Spent many weekends with my best friend in Orlando and St. Pete
4. Celebrated my sister’s graduation in Boston
5. Flooded my car in epic Hurricane Debby
6. Started training my first personal training client
7. Was awarded the Exceptional Contributor of the Year at work
8. Celebrated an amazing Fourth of July with my family and best friend at the beach
9. Enjoyed an incredible week in the mountains of North Carolina with my family
10. Moved to China!
11. Took a cruise to Japan
12. Joined a Crossfit gym and fell in love with the sport of fitness
13. Joined a net ball team (and was hit in the face with the ball too many times to count)
14. Became a columnist for American Women’s Club of Shanghai magazine
15. Celebrated Thanksgiving in Shanghai with fellow expats
16. Mourned my dog Holly’s passing
17. Skied the Alps and celebrated New Years in Italy
18. Completed the 365 photography project! One photo every day for 365 days in a total of 4 countries!
19. Moved to Malaysia!
20. Spent a weekendon a beach in Langkawi, Malaysia with friends
21. Graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition
22. Launched my very own health coaching business
23. Celebrated an early birthday in Thailand on the Phi Phi Islands
24. Learned how to scuba dive in Thailand
Wow. What a year!!
I lived in 3 countries, traveled to 6 countries, and basically jumpstarted my life. I was stuck in a rut for a while but it all turned out ok in my 24th year. While I did many fun things with family and friends back at home, moving to China was the moment when my entire life changed.
Life as an expat is definitely not easy but it has thrown me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to try new things. I have officially caught the travel bug and want to visit as many places as I can and photograph the crap out of them.
It is amazing to see all the things that I have done and accomplished and it motivates me to make 25 even better. Who knows what this next year will bring but I plan on making it AWESOME.
Bring it on 25. Bring it on.
Kirsten Captures 
Great post! Many of the things on your list relate to our current story and experiences! How awesome that you have also taken a leap of faith and have experienced life as an expat. I don’t think there is anything better! Looking forward to reading more of your travels. (we will visit Langkawi in a few months can’t wait!) 🙂
So happy you found my blog! I love connecting with other expats. We are certainly kindred spirits ;-). Just checked out your blog and am drooling over the photography. Cannot wait to keep reading!
So cool that you are headed to Langkawi! I can’t say much about it because we really only spent the short weekend at our hotel. But I have heard great things about the island hopping tours and hiking trails to the waterfalls. It should be wet season when you go so there will actually be waterfalls to see (when we went they were all dry). Whatever you do, you will have fun on the beach I am sure.
-Kirsten
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying our blog. We are super excited to head to Langkawi this year.
I would love to learn more about your experience living in Malaysia. Are you working there? How long will you stay? It’s a place we have considered but not sure how to go about finding work! -Tara
Tara, I have been in Malaysia for 2 months working online for a company back in the U.S. and starting an online health coaching business. My boyfriend has been here for 4 months, he works for an international manufacturing company. We will be here till December.
We enjoy living in Penang because of the wonderful opportunities to travel around SEA. However, if you want to live in Malaysia, definitely look into Kuala Lumpur. Penang is kind of boring! There are not many expats here and the island is very small and industrial.
I am not sure about the best way to find work here in Malaysia. I would suggest teaching like you already do or go find work with an international company. Since you are Canadian (my mom is Canadian! woohoo!), definitely look into Canadian companies with branches in Malaysia.
Good luck.
That’s a really good set up you got going on there! Sounds like it will be so much fun. We will eventually relocate, Malaysia has always been on our minds ever since we traveled there. It’s so amazing! Glad your enjoying yourself. Keep in touch and thanks for the advice. 🙂 -T
Hi Kirsten, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, The reason that I’m late with birthday wishes is that I hurt my knee inTuesday evening’s combat class. At the end of the class as I was twisting I must have damaged the knee as I felt a pull at the back of the knee.At the hospital, the ex ray was good , nothing tore but the Dr. thinks that I hurt my cartilage & must be off my leg for 4-5 days. So, now I’m applying ice,elevating the leg & taking Advil 400mg.(2 pill q4hrs.) Hope your party was a success. You certainly have accoplished in one year what a lot of people have not in their life time. Lot of love & kisses Aunty Edith & Uncle Dave
Thank you for the birthday wishes Auntie Edith!! It is fun to look back on this year and put everything into perspective.
I’m sorry you hurt your knee! Please feel better and definitely rest up. We need to take a combat class together when we are in Florida for the wedding! You could probably teach me a few things 😉