Last day of 26

So today is my last day in being 26. How do I feel? Well, I always thought that after 25 it's all the same. I was so excited about being 25 and always referred to it as a quarter of a century of life experience. But I still believe that the twenties is the best decade in life. Childhood is fun of course, especially if you had a very happy childhood like me. But it is like unplanned, dependent fun. Then through the years until you're 20, it's time for immature fun. You know, when you think you love every boy you meet and spend hours listening to Brian Adams' "Everything I do I do it for you" :) . But the twenties, this is the time when you realise it's the prime of being young and you really have planned, mature fun that is only interrupted by the stress of studies and exams. For the record, I also think that the thirties are probably the worst years of life because you will be reminiscing about being twenty, you will probably have a family to take care of, your career responsibilities will definitely be more stressful (or worse, you wont have either a family or a career to worry about). Then comes the forties which I think you will come to terms with the level of achievement it brings to your life and you start having fun again with a more enthusiastic spirit. As for the fifties, well.. I didn't really think that far.

But I have to admit this new beginning of a new year in my life is extra special. Of course it all has to do with where I am and what I am doing. Apart from the fact that I am living in a place I always wanted to visit and I am doing something I love, it seems that I will be also fulfilling another dream of mine. I always wanted to have my PhD degree by the time I am 30. It's like a closure of both an academic era and a stage of life and the beginning of new ones. Sounds like I've been thinking about this a lot, right? :)

Anyway, I know this will be a very happy year in my life.
WELCOME 27.

As for my final words from the 26th year of my life, well, I can't find better than Robert Browning to say it all:

Grow old along with me.
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith 'A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half: trust God: see all nor be afraid'.


p.s.
I just noticed that this is also the 101 post on my blog, more reasons to celebrate. Happy 100 bloggings to me too :)

Mai