Take a breath, reflect on what you've been through.

For the past several weeks, I have been doing absolutely nothing. When I say nothing, I mean sitting on the couch, watching every episode of Parks and Recreation on Netflix and eating pizza for lunch and dinner (because I sleep in too late to eat breakfast). Am I lazy? Not generally speaking. Could I be doing better things with my time? Sure. Do I really care? No, no I do not. For as long as I can remember, I have always had some sort of plan. Go to college: done! Graduate: check! Land my first "big girl" job: nailed it! BUT WAIT! Here comes the page turner...quit my job to go do volunteer work on the other side of the country. [Insert loud gasp here.] "Wait, you mean you quit your job, which paid you money, to go work for FREE?!" Yes I did; and I must say, it was the BEST decision of my life. Then, my 1 year program finished and I found yet ANOTHER volunteer program to do. Well, life happens and I am back in the great state of Texas and the not so thrilling city of San Antonio.

For the first time in my life, I don't have a plan. I don't know what I am doing, I don't know where I see myself in the next year (even less so in the next 5 years), and I don't know what I really, truly want. The only thing I'm sure of is that I want to be happy. I'm not one to acknowledge major accomplishments in my life--I'm a bit of a minimalist--but I am all for doing things that make you happy/feel accomplished/become a wiser person. As I sat on the couch earlier today, I started to think of everything I've accomplished and been able to do/experience so far in my life. I know we're all tired of the ridiculous amounts of lists that people have been putting out, but since I will be turning 24 next week, I decided to write down 24 things. In no particular order, the list goes as such:

1. Received a full academic scholarship to college
2. Joined a sorority, dropped my letters, and made some AMAZING friends
3. Got on the Dean's List for more than 1 semester
4. Failed a class...then tracked down my teacher to make up the work to change my grade
5. Graduated college
6. Moved to a different state
7. Volunteered for an entire year
8. Rode the NYC metro with no pants
9. Had a pillow fight in Washington Square Park
10. Played unconventional BINGO
11. Made it on my own in New York City
12. Attended a global silent dance party
13. Overcame my fear of public speaking (for the most part)
14. Performed in a talent show...twice
15. Became a licensed Zumba instructor
16. Obtained my SAMA, CPR and First Aid certifications
17. Had my first big girl job doing something I actually loved
18. Became a serial dater
19. Fell in love and fell right back out of it
20. Laughed so hard I couldn't move
21. Helped raise a child
22. Rented my first apartment
23. Found that my students could teach me just as much as I could teach them
24. Learned to love myself

Although this list isn't anything extravagant, I'm extremely proud of every single item on it. I don't know where I'm headed, but I know that the journey will be amazing and the destination will be worth it.