December, 2015.

This year, I turned 26; I hit my “late twenties,” and life certainly is different than what I anticipated. Yet, I have no sadness about getting older – birthdays, and the subsequent celebrations hold a special place in my heart, and always have.

When I turned 22 abroad while traveling on The World Race, I’ll admit it was one of the best weeks of my life. Consequently – I cataloged the entire week, and remember it fondly.

Of all of the birthdays to date, this one still stands out above the rest.

It began on a gorgeous day in Romania with the most marvelous breakfast ever to be eaten. Home made French toast with apple & grape syrup, oatmeal, fresh juice (complete with pineapple pieces), and hash browns. There was only one word to describe it: sublime.

From that moment on, my birthday lived up to every expectation I could possibly have imagined. In the course of a few days, I watched an orchestra perform, attended a local soccer game, witnessed a Hungarian wedding, visited the 15th century Corvin Castle, and wandered the Transylvanian town of Sighisoara (home of Vlad III the Impaler).

I hope to celebrate another birthday abroad, and cannot wait to see what these next years hold.

Where have you celebrated your birthday? Where do you hope to be in 2016?