Another year older, another year wiser...

I once saw a quote that said “Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.”  It’s kind of crazy to think about that.  A little scary too!  Life is moving quickly and I am the youngest I will ever be again. (Physically, maybe not mentallyJ).  I’m not saying that getting older is a bad thing, because with age comes even more blessings every day, I just find it interesting to think that I’m another year older and supposedly another year wiser.

Each year I get older means that there will be another year full of surprises, challenges, heartache, love, joy, and knowledge.  I think I get excited about that.  The part that makes me sad about getting older each year is that life has really started to move quickly.  I’ve already been married for almost 11 months- which is crazy because I feel like I just started wedding planning. I’ve already graduated college- something else that blows my mind because I feel like I just was studying for tests and practicing presentations. AND I’ve already lived in Japan for 7 months- 7 MONTHS.  I remember when Arthur applied for this job, I remember finding out he got accepted, I remember our going away party, packing, the last couple days before leaving.  Now we’ve already been here for over ¼ of our time.  It’s just crazy how fast things can go by.  It seems like day by day nothing is really happening and then when you look back- everything is so different.  That’s the part that makes me sad about getting older.  Time is moving too fast. 

This year I turned 24.   I can hear Arthur’s voice in my head telling me I’m getting old and my child-bearing days are over.  Now that I think about it, wasn’t I just 18?  Didn’t I just turn 21?  Where are the years going?!  I have to say, I’m really excited for this upcoming year.  A full year in Japan.  My first full year as a married woman.  I have a job, I’m learning to cook, be a wifey, and growing as an individual. I’m still sad that Taylor Swift hasn’t made a “23” song and a “24” song yet (you lucked out Uncle Galand), but I can still sing the song… “I don’t know about yo’, I’m feeling twenty-fo’”. Catchy.   

The longer I live, the more I grow to understand myself.  I learn what makes me who I am today, and I learn what good and negative characteristics I have (I have negative ones?!).  The longer I live, the more I also understand those around me- especially those in my generation. I think that I am very similar in ways to my generation in that we are never quite satisfied.  We don’t focus enough on the present and we live for future moments, day dreaming about the next thing every chance we get.  I have to catch myself because often I’ll wish away the week because I’m looking forward to the weekend.  But the weeks can be just as great if I allow them to!  If I focus on each moment for what it is, a chance to spend it will friends, with my husband, working (even work too, can be great if you let it), etc. then I really start to appreciate each day. 
 

I’m extremely guilty of this “not being satisfied” thing. I’m always looking for the next big adventure. However, this is not always a TERRIBLE thing because doing so kind of led me to Japan.

Living abroad is so interesting.  I think people tend to assume that it’s an ongoing adventure that never stops.  I think that’s what I assumed before moving here too. And I have to agree somewhat because living in a different country comes with many adventures and challenges.  But I have to admit that it’s not like living adventure to adventure here.  Just like living anywhere else, I still wake up to an alarm clock, I still get frustrated at traffic on my morning commute to work, I still get home from work tired and with no plan of what to make for dinner, and I still spend many nights curled up on the couch watching TV and movies.  These “normal” moments are what make Japan seem like home to me.  Somehow, I’ve come to really appreciate all those “normal” moments.  I’ve realized that not every moment can hold an adventure or the ones that do would start to lose their magic.

I’ve started to learn that all of these little moments are actually pretty wonderful too.   I don’t have to be swimming in the ocean, skydiving, or trekking through the jungle to be living life to the fullest.  Living life to the fullest can also include breakfast in bed with my husband, Skype dates with family, or dinner with friends and laughing all night. 

I’m thankful for this life and for the people God has placed into it.  I’m thankful for this opportunity to live in Japan with my husband and how it has grown us.  I’m so excited for what the future brings but for now, I’m just trying to focus on the present and how wonderfully incredible that is, too.

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