The Siberian American: Cheers to 26

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Cheers to 26

Today, I turn 26. I loved being 25. It was an exciting year for us: Christopher finally graduated medical school, and we went on some great trips—our fall foliage cruise, New Year’s Caribbean cruise, and California road trip.


This year was also really difficult—Christopher traveled all over the country from October to February, and we spent months wondering where we would be living. The initial results were shocking, and we had to adjust to many changes in a short time.

The biggest lesson I learned this year is to let go. I am a huge planner, so it was difficult to have no control over my life. At first I occupied the waiting time by looking up neighborhoods in our top five choices, but eventually, I had to just stop. All of the what ifs were driving me crazy. Honestly, once I started viewing this move as a big adventure, things got so much easier. Though I miss my friends, my family, and my job, I quickly fell in love with Chicago and truly feel like this is where we’re supposed to be this year.

So cheers to 26! I can’t wait to see what adventures this year will bring.

18 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! What a good lesson to learn at 25... who knows how wise you will be by the end of 26 :)

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  2. Happy Birthday!! Hope 26 is even better than 25! :)

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  3. Happy birthday to you Olya!! You've learned some great lessons at 25. I hope 26 is amazing!

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  4. Happy Birthday, Olya! I hope 26 treats you as well as 25!!!

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  5. Happy Birthday friend!!! May you have your best year yet :)

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  6. Happy birthday, and I hope that your big adventure in Chicago makes 26 outshine 25!

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  7. Happy birthday!! I hope you're doing some major celebrating. :) I'm glad you're loving Chicago, too!

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  8. Happy 26th babe! This year will bring more adventures and more lessons.

    liz @ sundays with sophie

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  9. may this be your best year yet. happy birthday!!

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  10. Happy birthday! What a great year with so many lessons learned. Cheers to Chicago for a year :) {And how great your birthday's on a Friday this year!}

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  11. Happy birthday girl! I'm a huge planner as well and sometimes you just gotta let go. Glad you're loving Chicago!

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  12. Happy belated birthday! I'm so glad that you are loving Chicago. It is a pretty cool place. :)

    Mandie ~ http://badbrewpack.blogspot.com/

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  13. Happy birthday, Olya! Cheers to 26!

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  14. happy birthday, it sounds like you had quite the adventurous year!!

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  15. Happy belated birthday! I'm so happy that you are quickly adjusting to your new city. It seems like a great ride to be on.

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  16. Happy birthday, friend! Cheers to this being your best year yet!

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  17. Happy Birthday! I hope 26 brings you many wonderful memories!

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