I’m 29. It doesn’t feel too much different than any other 20-something.  But the warning signs of old age feel closer and closer. I wake up with mysterious body aches, my knees can predict the weather, and I recently conceived a stone in my right kidney. Only 2 of those 3 are true… But what’s worse! A couple weekends ago I returned to Addis Ababa for the first time in 6 years. It was a whirlwind of partying preceding a 14-hour, 2-day drive to the north. I am as proud to say I held my own (in true form) for 24-hours straight as I am ashamed to admit to the worst 2-day hangover of my life! I seem to still have all the guts to party like I’m 21… But none of the recovery game… In other news, I had an overwhelmingly positive response to blonde hair… 

The last two months here in Nairobi have been two of the happiest I’ve had in a long time. The more adventure I seek, the more I seem to find it. In addition to successfully convincing people to hang out with me, I’ve made a few besties who are stuck with me for life (whether or not they know it). And they are just some of the people who made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

While I would normally boast a trip to some exotic land, I’ve been blessed to travel so much lately, that being home seemed right for a birthday party. I made two piñatas, got manis and pedis with the girls, shopped for costumes and accessories and successfully pulled off another birthday celebration, this time dressed as Miss Piggy- in line with the theme, “Timeless” – Things that never get old. My liquor cabinet is surprisingly more full than it’s ever been, and my heart full of gratitude for the great people I have in my life. It seems I’ll be sweeping up confetti for a while to come, but each shimmering piece of plastic comes with a half smile, and half a memory 😉
I spent the whole of today, fighting age and nausea with a long afternoon snooze (beauty rest?) sandwiched between mimosas, grilled seafood, and macaroons while brunching at a chic hotel, and finished the evening with Prosecco and shisha in the quiet gardens of one of Nairobi’s many hidden treasures. Naturally I took some time to ponder what the next year needs to look like to accomplish all those many things I said I’d do before I turn 30. Replacing bad habits with good, getting more sleep, having my shit together… Yaya yada yada… Where did I save those buzzfeed lists based on proven scientific studies…?

It goes without saying that despite the many blessings I’ve almost lost count of, there are two very special people, across the world, which have my heart for the day. Happy birthday to my (older) brother, Josh, my “twin”, who until this day still looks younger than me! And Sloane, my beautiful godchild, may you both have a wonderful birthday as well!