Birthday Thoughts & 35 Things Since Turning 30...5 Years Ago

While most people are celebrating Valentine's Day- or cursing V-Day because they are single- I am celebrating another trip around the sun, and the day that I made my debut to the world. 

I don't have a whole lot planned for today...I usually take a day to pamper myself, relax, and spend time celebrating with friends. I was hoping to celebrate with someone today, but I had something come up that will prevent that from happening. I'm disappointed...but what can you do? I'll still have a good day- I'm meeting a friend for lunch, and I will take myself on a little shopping spree at Indigo. My sister took me out for breakfast on the weekend, and my sweet friend Terri had a thoughtful, flamingo themed gift sent to me. 

Over the years, I have written a post about being a Valentine's Baby, and I have acknowledged my parents (An Important Day...Thanks Mom and Dad, and An Open Letter To My Parents On my Birthday) - without them I wouldn't exist.

Five years ago (WHAT?!) I was celebrating 30 and shared 30 Things In 30 Years. The past five years have been an adventure-with ups and downs- and have been five years filled with great accomplishments, once in a lifetime experiences, and  amazing memories. 

What have I been up to between turning 30 and 35? (Listed in the order that they came to me.)

1. Met Jason Priestly- We were at the Pan-Am Opening Ceremonies and I had the chance to talk to him and get a picture. He was SUPER nice, and my teenage self was dying- I MET BRANDON WALSH.
2. Travelled to Moose Jaw- I have a goal to visit all Canadian Provinces and Territories. I spent 3-ish days in Saskatchewan, mostly in Moose Jaw but I also spent a few hours in Regina. I got to see Mac the Moose! This was such a fun trip...a lot more fun than I thought Saskatchewan could ever be!
3. Travelled to Ottawa- I had surprisingly never been to Ottawa. The first time I went was in March of 2016. I have since been back at least once a year for both personal and professional reasons.
4. Visited the National Art Gallery- This was the number one thing I wanted to do when I went to Ottawa the first time. 
5. Participated in 150 Pointes- This was a project done by the National Ballet of Canada (NBC) in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. A pointe shoe was sent out to selected participants to bring to a point in Canada, be photographed and returned to NBC to be part of the project.
6. Attended the Opening Ceremonies for the 2015 Pan Am Games- This was such an amazing experience! My dad was considered an official host of the games, so we got to attend the opening reception for dignitaries, before being escorted to VIP seats to watch the ceremonies. I also got to attend the Canoe/Kayak events.
7. Joined a Book Club- A friend from high school started a book club 3.5 years ago, and we are still going. It's been fun to connect once a month for a night out and to chat about the book. Plus being introduced to books, authors, and genres I never would have read if it weren't for Book Club!
8. Met Canadian Olympian John Montgomery- I had the opportunity to hear him give a keynote at a conference, and then I had the chance to meet him afterwards- and I got to wear his Gold Medal!!
9. Had a private tour of Parliament- I was a guest of an MP. I met with him in his office before he brought me over to Centre Block for a tour by him. I got to see different parts of Parliament that are not part of the public tours- including seeing the senate plaques where my great-great-grandfather's names are engraved. I also got to attend Question Period-which is very theatrical, so it was fun, entertaining, and interesting to be there. 
10. Rideau Canal Boat Cruise- It was fun to take a tour cruise down the canal and learn about the history, as well as the landmarks near the canal. Rideau Canal is the only UNESCO site in Ontario.
11. Went to Point Peelee- Point Peelee is the most southern point of (mainland) Canada. 
12. Visited Laurier House- This a Canadian Historic landmark, that was home to Sir Wilfred Laurier (one of my favourite Prime Ministers) and William Lyon Mackenzie King (one of my dad's favourite Prime Minister)
13. Connected with Graham aka Drunk Astrology- Graham is such an amazing and talented person. He is so funny and so much fun...seriously one of my favourite people. When I think of Graham, I think of something he said to me- "Human to Human...everyone deserves to be valued." This was life changing for me. These words got me through a tough time, and helped me set myself on a path that was better for me, and path where I would be valued and respected. Forever grateful to Graham.
14. Ate escargot- A friend was doing this thing where she challenged herself to do something new every day for 100 days. Eating escargot was one of those things, and I did it with her. It wasn't as gross as I thought it would be.
15. Attended the Women's World Hockey Championships- This was another VIP experience that I was lucky to have. And I got to see Team Canada play!
16. Built an Event App- I work in the event industry, and I had the opportunity to explore event apps, and then build an app to be used at one of my events. It was such a great addition to my event, and it was so well received.
17. Went to Quebec City- I had previously been to Quebec (Montreal), but this was the first time I had been to Quebec City, which is one of the oldest cities in Canada. I was in old Quebec, and it was so neat to be surrounded by so much history. I had a great city tour, went to Chateau Frontenac, saw the Tall Ships...I did a lot in a couple of days.
18. Music Trifecta- I saw and met my three favourite musicians- Joel Plaskett, David Myles, and Royal Wood- in the same year. I had previously seen and met David Myles and Royal Wood multiple times, but it was the first time I saw Joel perform live and meet him.
19. Tweet published in Elle Canada- I had tweets previously published in (now defunct) Flare Magazine and Town and Country Magazine.
20. 98 events in one year- In 2018, I had 98 events take place, and was working on 20-25 events for 2019. This was hands down the most events I have ever worked on in a single year. The previous record was 60-something events in 2017 (up from 30 something events in 2016).
21. Biggest event of my career- A live broadcast, that included a keynote from the Hon. David Onley. The broadcast was seen by over 1500 people in 12 locations.
22. Meet the Premier- I had the opportunity to meet Premier Kathleen Wynne (when she was Premier), and talk to her about my work. We were at the same event, which we chatted about, and then she asked me what I did, so I told her. 
23. Live recording of Grown Ups Read Things They Wrote As Kids- This is hands down my favourite podcast! It was so fun to attend a live recording with two of good friends. If you are unfamiliar with this podcast, give it a listen...it's hilarious.
24. Traveled by myself- I had previously traveled by myself but I would meet someone when I arrived at my destination. But I truly traveled by myself. I went to PEI by myself and spent about four days there by myself. It was such an amazing and fun experience to travel, explore and meet locals. 
25. Went to PEI- This ties in with the above. I traveled to this Province for the first time- PEI has always been the number one place in Canada that I wanted to visit. I saw Anne & Gilbert The Musical, I visited Anne of Green Gables, and explored Charlottetown. 
26. Went to Nova Scotia- Another Province I can cross off my bucket list. I stayed in Halifax, and did day trips to Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg- which is an UNESCO site- where I had a horse drawn buggy tour of the town.
27. Attended the Canoe Polo World Championships- Another VIP experience, attending the Opening Ceremonies and getting to watch the games from the VIP deck- which allows you to see the entire pitch. I had never seen Canoe Polo before, but this is now my favourite sport!
28. Stayed at The Lord Elgin Hotel- This is one of the most historic (and fancy) hotels in Ottawa. I never thought I would have the opportunity to stay here, but I did! The hotel is gorgeous and the staff is hands down the best hotel staff I have ever encountered. 
29. Stayed at a Bed and Breakfast- This is where I stayed when I was in Charlottetown, PEI. I had never stayed at a B&B before...it was a very different experience from staying in a hotel, but I enjoyed it and would do it again!
30. Stayed at the same hotel as the Prime Minister- When I was in Halifax, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stayed at the same hotel as me, and on my floor! I didn't see him, but I did see his security team. 
31. Burning Man- In celebration of a friends life, we had a huge party at his farm and did a burning man in his honour- it was something he always wanted to do, but never had the chance to do, so we did it for him. 
32. Dinner at the Canadian Canoe Museum- We had dinner in the middle of the museum, surrounded by artifacts and displays. This was a once in a lifetime, unique dining experience in a unique venue. Dinner was catered and delicious, followed by a mini, private, interactive tour. After the tour, we got to tray paddle and soap stone carving. Seriously one of the best experiences of my life!
33. Artwork on display in a government building- This is not as impressive as this sounds. My dad, a politician, has his office in a government building. I made a painting for him and I have forced him to display it in his office. 
34. Worked with Royal Wood (kinda)- I am a huge fan of Royal Wood and I had a goal to work with him. Unfortunately, I won't have the opportunity to see this event through to the end. But, I got the company to agree that they should host a Royal Wood concert, I made the connection, negotiated the contract with Royal and the venue, and was working on promotional material. I got the ball rolling, so I am going to count this. One day I will do an entire start to finish event with him.
35. Bought a Condo- Just over two years ago, I became a homeowner. It feels so good to have purchased and own my own place. It took me months to find the perfect-for-me home. I am still as in love with my condo as when I first saw the real estate listing. It's really nice to have my own space, and a space I can do whatever I want with...no landlord to worry about (just the Condo Board, which I am on). 

I wasn't sure that I was going to come up with 35 things that I had done between turning 30 and 35. Looking at this list is a great reminder of how lucky and blessed I am. I have done a lot of the past 35 years, and a ton of stuff since turning 30! I know I have done so much more, including the most perfect, life changing day...but I picked some great highlights for this list!