My 20s

So...I thought I should reflect on my 20s.... keep in mind some things happened "pre 20s" so they are not counted here. These are also not in any particular order of importance, and I can't say it's a comprehensive list...It's just some thoughts =)

~I lived in 4 states and visited several more (enough to earn a couple free flights along the way)
~I graduated college (twice)
~I bought a house
~I bought and owned (woowhoo!) two cars (RIP Ginger)
~I started my career and have worked for two companies (the second being much better than the first)
~I've learned the difference for sure between THEN and THAN...it took me a long time but I'm comfortable in my skills now, and I know that's sad

~I received my endowments in the Las Vegas Temple and have visited many other temples as well

~I've made a lot of new friends and stayed close with several I made pre-20s

~I visited Hawaii a couple times, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Mexico (technically my body was also in Italy, but I didn't run out and touch the soil)
~ I rode in a helicopter, went snow shoeing, learned to knit and crotchet, made a quilt completely by myself, went snowboarding, ate sushi, and several other things on my 100 things to do in life list
~ I've had added 9 nephews (there's a half in there if you are confused), 1 niece, 1 brother-in-law and 1 sister-in-law to my family
~I lost a grandpa- the greatest man in my life till that point
~I've gotten food poisoning 3 times...let's not repeat any of that in the next decade!
~I had a ton of roommates....over 25 but I don't want to count them all officially hahah
~I've lived in 9 homes/apartments
~I've had a variety of hair colors
~I've had several boyfriends...not gonna list them lest people should say "What?! Why aren't you married then?! You must be "too picky" Nope! I just haven't found the right one
~I did some really good kissin' (yes I felt that floaty, leaving the ground feeling) and been in love (I can honestly say that it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all)
~I had some rough heart breaks- I cried quite a bit for some, laughed during one break up, can barely remember one break up (I was on a lot of medication at the time), and always, always ended up feeling very much at peace about them all
~I've learned to appreciate the arts. I enjoy the opera, art shows, and symphonies
~I've learned that I feel more productive when I #1 make a list and #2 get up early
~I've hiked a lot and I ran a lot--  several mountains and several 5Ks
~I've learned to run the spell checker more than once and to save often
~I had surgery once and 3 "major" injuries/ health problems
~I learned to dance salsa, waltz and a few others dances. I'm not the best at them but feel comfortable with the basics. I still shake it while cleaning the house and am now comfortable with others seeing that
~I laughed till I cried on several occasion
~I've read the Book of Mormon several times but I also have never counted. At least once a year for a long time...
~I've passed several tests and failed some as well
~I learned that Caesar salad dressing gets its flavor from anchovies, red velvet cake is just chocolate cake dyed red, and pineapples don't grow on trees...all things I perhaps should've learned pre-20s but didn't
~I learned to say "I love you". My family really didn't when I was younger, but now I say it all the time and I don't just say it to my family, but I also say it to my friends (and I mean it!)
~I've learned to cook pasta from an Italian
~I've learned to cook tortillas from some El Salvadorians and a Mexican
~I've attended more weddings and receptions than I can count (and loved them all with the craziness that sometimes happens), and I've actually been a bridesmaid in 2 weddings (some not in my 20s mind you)
~I've seen amazing sunrises and sunsets on a few continents and in a variety of states
~I've learned that I love love love good hugs! I know I need them often
~I've had moments where I've said, "Natalie, this is a moment you will never forget!" and others where I've specifically knew it was turning point decision in my life. I've also made several decisions that I honestly didn't know would be a big deal but realized they were in hindsight
~I've learned a lot about secular things and a lot about spiritual things, but I have definitely learned, as Steven R. Covey has said, "The more you know, the more you know you don't know, and the greater need you have for faith." AMEN!
~I've attended several movie openings at midnight....3 to be exact
~I went to both Magic Mountain and Disneyland for the first time
~I know that the best bras really do come from Victoria Secret- they just DO! Resist the urge to buy cheap ones. It's not worth it.
~I've learned that I still don't like yams or plain eggs, but I now enjoy onions and peppers though I shunned them in my adolescents years
~I've learned that organic milk is worth the extra money but that the cheap brand of Fiber One bars is better
~I've learned that I can I either be "a good example or terrible warning" and have been both at some points
~I've fallen asleep in a class but been very engaged in most
~I've stayed out until the sun came up
~I've gained personal confidence. I can go to the store without makeup, I can wear my hair in a ponytail, and I can answer the door in mismatched pajamas. I'm comfortable in my own skin. I know I just need to be grateful for and take care of my body
~I've learned that I feel better when I eat better, but that it's totally OK to have a piece of chocolate, sometimes... daily... if needed to get me through (this might change in my 30s haha)
~I've learned to say "Thank you" when given a compliment instead of excusing it away or changing the subject
~I've learned that I must wear sunscreen and have accepted the fact that I do not tan....hence the blessing of spray on tans when really "needed"
~I've learned several of my shortcomings and have learned to be grateful for those who kindly correct me. I also am working on fixing them and making them better
~I've finally learned to just say, "I don't know"
~I've learned to just take food at a restaurant as it is without subtracting stuff (like please hold the x,y,z)
~I've learned that people can change their mind, and so can I, and that's OK
~I've learned honesty really is the best policy and  sometimes that means you just have to lay it out there and be direct
~I've learned that I enjoy being spontaneous and that some moments never come again...I'm grateful for the time I rolled down hills in a shopping cart, when I danced without hesitation with Kenyan's late one night, or when I've stood by the ocean during a storm (yep all during my 20s)
~I went skinny dipping...a couple times hehhe
~I've learned that it is better to read the instructions first even if I don't end up following them because it's about awareness of the 'right way' that matters
~I've learned that anytime and every time I have really "needed" someone, there's always been someone there to say the right thing, or do the right thing, and that I want to be more like those people
~I've learned some patience...I'm not completely patient but I've learned to worry and stress a LOT less than I used to
~I'm beginning to learn more every day....
~Most importantly, I've grown in my testimony of the Gospel. I've learned that the Lord really WILL, CAN and DOES help me with things I think are hard. I know that if I honestly give something my best effort, as limited at times as that may be, He will always fill in the gaps. He is the reason for any success I've had and He's helped me through my failures. I know He knows me. I know He loves me, and it never ceases to amaze me how generous He is with me.

Here's hopin' that in the 30s I will at least add that I got married and started a family because I did notice the absence of those in my 20s. That being said, my life has been very blessed, and I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had nor would I doubt the Lord's ability and timing.