28

This past Wednesday, I officially entered my late-twenties. You'd think that would freak me out more, but I have bigger fish to fry.

(In the above gif, I am playing the part of Ellie Goulding and my problems are playing the part of the offscreen target that I'm not looking at, but hopefully will still hit because dang that's a missile launcher.)

I say problems when I really mean something more along the lines of "exciting challenges to tackle and conquer." These include my continuing journey with The Barrington Collective to #edfringe this August, followed by a showcase in NYC with Drama UK, and then a figuring-out of where my life is heading...geographically, financially, and all those other -llys.

So here's where I should list some goals for 28, right? 

Yeah, see because of the nature of the coming year (shall we say...a bit uncertain?) I don't feel the need to tie myself down to specific expectations. There a few specific things I want: have a great Ed Fringe run, solid showcase performances, a JOB. There are bigger, less concrete things: to love God, to live in bravery, to be "successful."

But instead of putting a list together here, I think I'll just leave some inspiration. A few gifts from the internet that will put the coming 52 weeks into perspective. Let's begin, shall we?

(doesn't need to be July 4th for this to motivate)

That's a start, I think.

To not freaking out over aging,

How to Finish Your First Year of Grad School

1. Have your amazing roommate and friends throw a lovely birthday surprise day for you.

2. Put on a kick-awesome 4th of July party to show your European classmates how Americans celebrate freedom.

3. Perform your end of year show (which just happens to be an all-female Shakespeare comedy that you play accordion in) at the Cockpit in the heart of London.

4. Somehow say goodbye for the summer to these amazing, beautiful, talented, lovely people you get to call peers.

My first few days back in Texas have been extra sweet, but (as you can see from above) I was well-prepared for this homecoming. 

To summer and London and East 15 and Texas,

My 26th

Some inspiration for the coming year:

This.

And this. (courtesy of a former prof)

And of course there's this.

To (hell with) being on the wrong side of 25,