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Thoughts from a Thirty Year Old

3/27/2017

I have officially entered into the third week of my thirties...Wait who said that? Oh wait, it was me!
Yes, I am thirty years old! And yes, I am still getting used to it (that explains the million and one birthday posts!)! But I must say, I am very excited about it, and I actually feel magnificent! Not only physically (which I have my healthy lifestyle to thank for), but as a complete, well rounded adult!
Indulge me a bit, and I will tell you why I am just so gosh darn excited about my thirties, and why you also, should not be shuttering at the thought of becoming a thirty year old (for those of you already in or past your thirties, wohoo for you!).

Like most, I spent my twenties trying to "find myself", and discover who I really am. I frantically searched for my life's calling, and for my purpose here on earth. "What am I meant to do with my life?" I constantly asked, hoping the answer would not forever elude me. Now don't get me wrong, I loved my twenties! I had a complete blast traveling, and being an immature little turd who didn't care what others thought about me! But, a great part of it was spent in uncertainty.
Now that I am in my thirties, I feel I have reached a level of maturity that I am proud of, which is to say that I am more mature in some ways, but still super silly and a total child at heart (just take a look at my cake smash pictures if you don't believe me!) in others.
I also have a better grasp of my emotions (which is amazing!), I have started speaking slower, and more deliberately, choosing my words carefully, so as to better convey my meaning, and I have felt happier and more at peace than I have in years!

Yay for 30!

As a thirty year old, my life is no longer clouded with uncertainties; I am married, I know who I am, I know what I am meant to do, and what I want to do, with my life. That is not to say that there are no uncertainties, for a life without uncertainties, is certain to be dull.
I feel so excited to be entering into this new era, with a plan for the future, and hopes and dreams I look forward to accomplishing. If I accomplished so much, and had such a blast when I was twenty, broke, and searching for answers, I believe there is no limits to what I will achieve, and the fulfillment, and prosperity I will be basking in, in the next decade of my life! In this next decade, I will have the advantage of the accumulation of twenty nine years of; tragedies experienced, lessons learned, strength gained, will power tested, and a whole lot of life experienced. I will use these lessons to continue growing as a person, giving as I should, loving as I was meant to, and being the force to be reckoned with, that I know I am.

So that's my spiel thirty years in the making!
A few more things that I'm super excited about being thirty; I think I look better than I did in my twenties, I finally feel like a woman (as opposed to a 19 year old girl, like I have for so long), and I am so much smarter, wiser, and confident than I was as a youngster! It is a great feeling!

And now here's a little peek into what we all did for my multiple birthday celebrations!
It all began on Saturday morning, when I did my epic cake smash photo shoot. Be sure to check out all the cake smash pictures!

Then later that night we went to a party in Akron, that was thrown by some friends of ours. It was a private party, thrown in a warehouse that is owned by Lebron James. He actually had his Halloween party there last year! And this party was epic! It had a huge bar with a tv behind it, there was a dj and a dance floor, smoke machines, multiple beer pong tables, couches and recliners scattered around, and a basketball court in the other room!
This party was for multiple people's birthdays, and when they found out it was my birthday also, my name got thrown into the mix, and after midnight the dj announced that it was my birthday. He said, "I'm not gonna tell you how old she is, but she's hot, and that's all that matters!" We had such a blast dancing the night away, drinking jello shots, and celebrating! We crashed at our friend's house, falling asleep at about six in the morning.

We got up at ten, drove home, and slept a couple hours more. When we woke up, it was time for Nick's special birthday surprise for me. We hopped in the car, and started driving. Where to? I had no idea, but I was excited!
We ended up in Cleveland, where Nick combined two of my favorite things; big cities, and mystery novels! He asked me a series of questions, and every question I answered led us to a different place in Cleveland, where we did a different activity! I loved the mystery of it, and being in charge of our fate, even if I didn't know exactly which fate I was choosing!

We began our night by eating at Noodlecat, and I am in love! I had never been there before, and I was so excited about eating Asian noodles! Mine had tofu, and a bunch of veggies!

After we ate our fill, we ended up at Jacks Casino!

We ended our night going behind the rock and roll hall of fame and looking out over Lake Erie. It was such an incredible and special way to celebrate my birthday!

The following Friday night, Nick and my mom threw me a wonderful 50's themed surprise party! It was such a surprise, and so perfect! We ate, took lots of pictures, and played games!

My husband is Elvis

Thank you so much for taking time to look at all my birthday pictures, and thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes, it is much appreciated!
Also, be sure to check out "My Top 30 Moments of my 30 Years of Life!"

Peace Love and Thoughts from a Thirty Year Old
Jess <3

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My 30th Birthday Adult Cake Smash Photo Shoot

3/20/2017

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Well, my birthday week is now over, and I have been a 30 year old for a whole eight days! How am I feeling about this? I actually feel wonderful! My multiple birthday festivities were dreams come true, all stretching out over a weeks time! So right now I am really looking forward to a week at home, relaxing and recovering!
I'm not going to get into too much detail right now, because I am working on an article planned for next week, about how I am feeling about the big 3-0, and what I all did for my birthday celebrations, so I will explain it all then!
For now though, I am going to share with you the absolutely perfect pictures from my 30th Birthday Adult Cake Smash Photo Shoot!

My 30th Birthday Adult Cake Smash Photo Shoot

I'm this many!

Just in case you couldn't tell; I had way too much fun!

The details;

Photography- The beautiful Alexis of Sage + Sol Photography. She is seriously amazing, but you already knew that from her pictures! We had such a blast doing this shoot! You can find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Tutu- I got this tutu that's fit for a princess (or a birthday girl) from Princess Tutus Boutique on Etsy. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Cake stand- I actually made this cake stand from articles I found at our local thrift store. Go me!

Cake- Giant Eagle bakery, believe it or not!

Balloons- Party City, and Party Place.

Pink Backdrop- The wonderful Alexis provided it.

Also, be sure to check out my post, "My Top 30 Moments of My 30 Years of Life."

Peace Love and My 30th Birthday Adult Cake Smash Photo Shoot
Jess <3

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The Top 30 Moments of my 30 Years of Life

3/12/2017

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Well everyone, today it is official, I am 30 Years Old!!!
That is such a crazy huge milestone am I right?!!
So in honor of that milestone, I wanted to do something special. I decided to take a look over the last 30 years of my life, and reflect, and give thanks for the life I have had the privilege of living. I have decided to write out here for you (with pictures of course!) The Top 30 Moment of my 30 Years of Life.
Are you excited? I'm excited! Let's begin!

Little Me

1. My Childhood
The entirety of it can be summed up as the best years of my life. My siblings, my parents and I had a complete blast; Riding bikes, swimming in the creek, playing kick the can, jumping on the trampoline, Super Nintendo, hanging out with an assortment of barnyard creatures, climbing the mountain, playing grey wolf with all the cousins, playing in the mud, and living the best life a kid could ask for.
2. The day my little sister was born
I was seven years old, I already had two brothers, and I wanted nothing more than to have a little sister. I was at school when my mom was giving birth, and that is all I could talk about all day! We didn't know the sex of the baby yet, so I was even more excited! I got the phone call later that day, and when my Mom told me that I had a little sister, my life was complete.
I walked back into class, on cloud nine, and told everyone that I had an announcement. Some wiseguy goes, "We all know, your mom had a baby." and I said, smiling from ear to ear, "She had a girl! I have a little sister!"
3. My Dad telling me I can be anything I want, and accomplish anything
I believed him, and I did!

4. My first international trip
I was 14 and I went to Costa Rica. We zip lined through the rain forest, went white water rafting, rode around in the back of cars, and I stayed with a local family that only spoke Spanish! It began my obsession for travel.
5. Giving the salutatorian speech at my high school graduation
I donned the silver robe, silver cap, yellow sash, and my Converse. I proudly marched down that aisle, got my diploma, and then I gave an epic speech. I said something special about each person in our class, talked about our futures, and then closed with the quote, "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine (I believe I substituted Mountain Dew for wine!) in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming Woo hoo what a ride!" And I most definitely fist pumped as I screamed "Woo hoo!"
6. Living in Colorado
I moved there after high school. It was exactly what I needed; to get out of the small town I grew up in, be free from parents, meet new people, and experience life on my own!
7. The night we crashed a wedding
While living in Colorado, me and some friends stumbled upon a wedding. We signed the guest book, watched the first dance, took pictures, and ate some cake before being interrogated, and subsequently asked to leave by some members of the wedding party.
8. Backpacking Fiji, Australia, and Vanuatu with my best friends when I was 19
What more could a 19 year old ask for?!!

9. Jet skiing in the ocean off a private island in Fiji
I was flying through the water, the warm tropical wind was blowing, the sun was perfect, and I looked down, and I could see forever. A never ending ocean of brilliant coral, schools of fish, and the crystal clear water that looked like a glass floor beneath me.

10. The two weeks I spent in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of a ton of tropical islands. lt is actual paradise. The first week was spent swimming in an infinity pool with a swim up bar right beside the ocean, napping on the sand, drinking out of coconuts, and exploring the local villages and markets. The second week we spent in Takara Village, a village that was hours from civilization, had no electricity, no running water, and was located directly on the beach. We ate the native food they made us, wore their clothing, slept on mats on the floor, used squatty potties, helped prepare food in leaves (picture 2), met the chief, and played with the children. We also played volleyball on an old World War two landing strip, hosted a party for the women and children, where we did skits, prepared food, and had a wonderful time. We got to visit a small island by boat, where we explored, and went out to the middle of the ocean (picture 1) and jumped off of coral. Eventually we got around to the real reason we were there; we funded and helped build a water tank to catch and store rain water, so the villagers wouldn't have to walk miles to a dirty stream to collect their drinking water (picture 3). Oh! And I went octopus hunting (picture 4)! And we ate it for dinner! This surreal trip ended with me getting baptized in a waterfall in the middle of the jungle.

11. The taxi ride from the airport to my new home in Xi'an, China
I had gotten stranded overnight in Chicago, and then again in Beijing. I was sleep deprived, and nervous as could be, but on that ride I knew I had made it, and I knew what I was made of. I wasn't even 21 yet, but I believe that on that ride, I became an adult.
12. Seeing the Olympic Torch being passed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Not only did I get to experience this super historic event, but the way I made it there is one of my favorite stories about myself! I hadn't been in China very long at all, couldn't speak the language, and had no idea where the passing of the Olympic torch was going to take place. I waited at the bus stop, saw some Chinese people decked out in Olympic gear and flags (as was I), followed them onto a bus, and got out when I saw the throngs of people standing in the street!

13. My 21st Birthday
I turned 21 a month after moving to China. Sure there's no drinking age so I didn't get carded, but there were fireworks, a Korean Bbq, Chinese beer, friends, and drinks! It was also very memorable, because it was my first time talking to a stranger in Mandarin. I told the lady at the bar that I liked her hair, and I was so overcome with joy, and so proud of myself for being able to say it!

14. The week we spent in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia
A couple of months after moving to China, an earthquake hit. I survived, but was pretty shaken up (Read all about the earthquake here). That night we had to sleep outside because the aftershocks were so bad it wasn't safe to sleep in a tall building. After that night the aftershocks kept happening, and every time, I felt like the earthquake was happening all over again. We decided that dealing with culture shock and aftershocks at the same time was just too much, so we packed up, and spent a luxurious week in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
We got to explore the jungles, bask in the beaches, go wakeboarding, and we stayed at a resort with an infinity pool. It was a beautiful time of rest and rejuvenation.

15. Visiting an underground hip hop party/rap battle in China
I knew you wouldn't believe me about this one, and that's why I put this picture here, because truth be told, if I didn't have actual documented proof of it, I probably would have thought I had dreamt it!
So one night some Chinese friends of mine tell me we're going to a party. We're walking downtown and suddenly they turn down a dark alley, we go into a side door, then proceed down I don't even remember how many flights of stairs. A lot! We get to the bottom and I literally could not believe my eyes (or ears!). There was a dj spinning some mad hip hop beats, several people were off to the side break dance battling, and then in the center of the room, were the rap battles. I felt like I was in 8 mile, if 8 mile were in China, and Eminem was Asian! All the rap battling was in Mandarin Chinese, and I couldn't understand anything they said (hey I can barely understand people rapping in English!)! So I'm listening to this guy (pictured above) rapping, when all of a sudden, I realize he's talking about the other dude's Mom! As soon as he mentioned this guy's mom, everyone starts going "Ooooohhh!!!" It. Was. EPIC.

16. Visiting Beijing for my 22nd Birthday
Could a girl ask for a better way to celebrate a birthday than to climb the great wall, visit the summer palace, be with friends, karaoke, and stuff her face with glorious street vendor food?! Nope!
17. Riding an elephant through the jungles of Thailand
18. Floating down a river on a bamboo raft in Thailand
19. Drinking Thai tea in Thailand
Every day we were in Thailand, we would walk from our hotel to a little tea stand in the middle of nowhere. We would buy two teas each. One for the walk back, and one for when we got back to the hotel!

20. When my band played for a Mini Cooper Event
This was me and my band's first gig, and it couldn't have been any cooler! We got to eat all the free food and booze we wanted, plus, we got to play onstage for a Mini Cooper event! I felt like a complete rockstar!

21. When I was a live model
It was for a weekend long open house at a Real Estate company. I got paid to dress up fancy, drink wine, mingle with the guests, and sit and look pretty! Best. Job. Ever!
22. The week my mom and sister visited me in China
It meant more than words could describe, that my sister conquered her fear of flying, and they both flew across the ocean to come see me. We had the greatest time ever!
23. When I moved back to Ohio after living in China for two years
It was the most incredible reunion with my family and friends. Lots of happy tears!
24. The day I met Nick
Changed my life forever.

25. When he proposed
The moment every little girl waits for!

26. Our wedding day
My fairy tale wedding finally happened! And it was perfect!
27. The day after our wedding
Such relief! Such joy! Such love! Such happiness!
28. Our first year of marriage
I'm not going to lie to you and say it was all roses and sunshine, but wow was it a wild and crazy ride! And also, neither of us had ever lived with a significant other before, so that made it even more special!

29. My Mom's 60th Birthday
Me and my husband planned it for her, and it was literally the coolest thing ever! It was a Medieval theme, and we had the best time ever decorating, dressing up, hanging out, and celebrating the amazing lady that is my Mother with our friends and family (See all the pictures here!).

30. The blissful week of our one year anniversary in the Dominican Republic
All inclusive. Pools. Sun. Ocean, and each other. Bliss.

30 year old me

Wow.
Writing this list has made me realize just how incredibly blessed I am.
I have met and loved so many wonderful people and creatures, explored the most beautiful corners of the globe, and experienced living life uninhibited, free, and my way.
So on this crazy day marking my 30 years of existence on this earth, I am not only truly grateful, for all that I have experienced, but also proud! I am so proud of myself, for most of these experiences would not have happened without my determined mind, hard work, bravery, and wild and carefree spirit!
I am so excited for what the next 30 years will bring...

I want to give a huge shout out to Alexis at Sage + Sol Photography for these unbelievable images of me. They are all perfection, and I will be giving you a post with the rest of them next week! Yay!
And also to Princess Tutus Boutique. They provided the tutu for this shoot, and it was, as you can tell, dreamy!

Peace Love and My 30th Birthday
Jess <3

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Thoughts from a Thirty Year Old

My 30th Birthday Adult Cake Smash Photo Shoot

The Top 30 Moments of my 30 Years of Life

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