turning 26

Today I start my new job as a Social Media Manager for a company that makes TVs. I know! Millennial dream job! Absolutely nothing like what I went to university for! I am nervous and super excited.

Oh yeah, and I turn 26 today.

It doesn’t feel that substantial. I expected more intense feelings when I turned 25 last year, but I was adjusting to life with a new nugget, watching my friends prepare to leave Bishkek and feeling like my mind was in another place altogether while we were figuring out how to leave Bishkek ourselves.

Things are different now. I’m experiencing a golden age in my life, for sure. We live in Belgium, and yes, living in Europe is pretty much every bit as awesome as you think it might be. I watched an episode of Parts Unknown where Anthony Bourdain visited one of the show’s crew members in Granada; he kept talking about how Americans dream of moving to Europe and having an idyllic, European life, but here was his videographer actually doing it. I feel like that these days. I mean, my life rarely includes a midday siesta or free tapas with my nightly boozing (in fact, it rarely includes boozing), but still. I’m living the dream. My own charming rowhouse, awesome cheese and chocolate, fresh frites every week, social services that make my life easier, a picturesque and historic downtown area, a two-income household and a toddler who makes me realize that the “all-joy-no-fun” part of infant-hood does, in fact, become fun at some point.

In other words, everything’s coming up Kirstin and I’m looking forward to see where things go from here. Happy birthday to me!

18 replies on “turning 26”

  1. Happy Birthday Kirstin! I turned 26 last weekend so we’re almost twins haha. So glad life is so sunny for you in Belgium (if not, you know, literally!) – any day with Darwin in must be a good one. Good luck with the new job xx

  2. Sounds like an amazing and lovely life. 🙂 Congratulations to you on achieving it!

    I think I was following your blog before, maybe, but basically I’m new here after a personal rough time and starting fresh on my own blog. But I do remember your episode of House Hunters International and I probably even mentioned it when I found your blog before because I love that show and want to live everywhere! Anyway, was just going through the expat blogs website and found your blog again. Hope your week is going well! ^^

  3. Happy Birthday! Love all the pictures you take of Gent, the weather has been so amazing lately – I might actually be in one of those pictures, haha! 😀

    1. thank you! What a bummer that the rain is back 🙁 but yeah, when the weather is nice it seemed like the entire city was out and about to enjoy it!

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