The middle.

Fourteen days from today, I will turn 34. Thirty-four. Um.....What?
I am not afraid of that age, but literally have no idea how or when I got to my mid-thirties! Seriously. WTH?!
I should have connected this when I turned 33 because that is really when you enter the mid-thirty range. Or I should have been aware of this when my little brother turned 32, two months ago. But nope, it took completing my taxes to make the realization! My taxes. Ugh. That grown up thing you do as soon as you start to bring home a paycheck. Life, but not the fun part.
Once this reality hit home, I've started to reflect a bit. Reflect on where I'm at and where I've come from and where I want to go.
In this process I've made the following realizations:

• Since turning 30, I have lived in three different regions of the country
• In the last 6 months, I have lived in 4 (5 if you count the "fake address") homes
• In the last 6 months, I have lived with 3 different families. (An amazing experience, I would not ever change and one that I will be eternally grateful for.)
• Four months ago, my family of 5 turned into 6 when my chubby, perfect nephew became the newest little dude. (I am obsessed with his cuteness and love him more than words will ever express.)
• I have had my autoimmune disease for 10 years. (not a favorite fact but a true one.)
• I met a guy who was a 'good one' and it ended. Sad, but good. And reminded me that falling for someone can be a really good thing!
• Five months ago, I left the company that was 'home' and moved to new city to start a new job.
• Four months ago I found my home. The place where I plan to hang my hat for a long time. Both the city and the actual place! (After reflection, I am done paying to move myself all over the earth or even down the street! I can think of WAY better things to spend money on!)
• In the next six months, both my parents will be retired; the house I grew up in will be sold; the cottage we loved will be part of someone else's memories; and my parents will be living in the house they built together, the house my mom calls "their old folks home".

That's a lot of life to reflect on. Life: it is ever- changing. Much of it is happy and filled with silver linings, even the not-so-good stuff! The above doesn't even begin to cover the full 33 years. I'll save that deep reflection for the next decade. You are welcome. ;)
But as I reflect on my thirties so far, I really like what I see! I've always been self-assured (save the occassional moments we all have) and been driven. But reaching my thirties, I have found I am sure about who I am, what my strenghts and weaknesses really are; sure about the people I have in my regular life; about people who I need to not keep in my life; and so much more. I like it. In fact, I should say I love it.
So, as I enter the middle part of my mid-thirties and look ahead to where I want to go, I have come up with a small list of things I want to focus on before my 35th birthday (when I'm smack in the middle of my thirties!).
I am not one to make New Year's resoltutions. My thinking has always been, why not make that change when you're ready. Why does the new calendar year mean so much? But I do set goals, though I don't always share them outwardly. But this time, I will and we'll see how it goes. Life happens, circumstances change and these are felxible, but the following is a list of things I'd like to work on in my 34th year of life:

1. Once a month, try something new/revisit something old - a new class at the gym, join a pottery class, ice skate again. Whatevs, no rules, just try something different!
2. Aim to walk 55,000 steps every week. This is inspired by two dear pals who started their own journeys for different reasons. I have been inspired! As a person that sits for work, I don't move as much as I should and am inspired to change that! The end goal may change, but I feel like this a good place to start. Maybe 1/2 way to 35, I'll bump it to the ideal 10,000/day, but for now as I begin I want to be realistic about any limitations with time and more importantly, my wonky body.
3. Join a gym. Really, this should have already happened but it hasn't and it needs to, especially because with negative temps and mountains of snow, one really can't get outside to be active!
4. Join a dating website and actually participate! I am sinlge

Basically, I think the list comes down to two things: getting more active and meeting new people.
But broken down to the above four items, it is tangible and measurable. It becomes something to work toward rather than just think about.
So, cheers to the adventures that lie ahead for the middle of the mid-thirties!