[disclaimer: this post was written by Candida’s ego]

It’s no surprise to most of you that my birthday is my favorite holiday of the year.  My whole life I have shared a birthday with my older brother, and now most recently my niece and god daughter.  We always had joint birthday parties growing up and as much fun as they were I always felt shorted out of having my own special day.  (Though it’s still a treat to spend it together!) When I was old enough, and far enough away to celebrate separately I would take the opportunity to be the queen for a day. In the last 7 years I have spent my birthday somewhere different.  Often in the presence of friends, sometimes in the presence 

I turned 21 in Los Angeles and spent an entire Memorial Day weekend filled with beach parties, flip flops, bonfires, and bars.  I indulged in sushi, cocktails, and dance parties, and I’ll be damned if I could provide more detail.

I turned 22 in Las Vegas amongst friends, pool parties, dance clubs, and the craps tables.  I would share more but it stays in Vegas 😉

I turned 23 in Newport, KY at the Hofbräuhaus taking shotskis of tequila with family and friends until the night became a beautiful blur.  The next day I flew to Germany and celebrated again with schnitzel and dunkel.

I turned 24 one week after I moved to Iowa and two weeks after I spent a beautiful holiday in Goa, India pre-celebrating on white sand beaches with Russian cocktails, and navigating the coastline through large markets with little mopeds.

I turned 25 with a champagne brunch in Paris, France followed by a crab rangoon and pho in Lisbon, Portugal.  I spent the next 8 days between Lisbon and Porto drinking wine, eating fish, and taking in the beauty of the country. 

I turned 26 in Cozumel, Mexico.  I had just been scuba diving for the first time and spent the day on a 30-mile bike ride along the island.  I ate excellent Mexican food and relaxed at a poolside bar, before backpacking down to Belize.

I turned 27 in Dayton, OH.  I couldn’t quite pull off a trip, but I was surrounded by friends and family, made new friends, ate cake, and drank more craft beer than necessary. 

This year I turn 28.  It seems every year has brought more happiness. I can’t imagine what this year holds but to recap- I finished my 4th and 5th Ironmans with a 30 minute PR.  I shaved my head.  I raised $5,000 for charity in 10 days.  I opened a new small business.  I started grad school.  And oh, yeah, I changed careers, sold all my stuff and moved to Kenya.  Where I will be celebrating my birthday with my new Burn “family” and friends. 

Nothing beats the love of my family at home, but having a group to call family here is pretty cool.  Happy Birthday to Josh, the big brother who I’ve always been happy to share a birthday with, and my god child Sloane.  If we share any of the same stars, I hope your future is filled with brilliance and adventure.  Cheers to an annual Crasto celebration!