Hey guys, I guess this will be my last blog… No, not my last ever, just the one that I will be writing as a twenty something. Yes, I will be moving into the world of the thirties. The decade where I might start to notice how fragile my body actually is. The decade where I start taking vitamins. The decade where I finally consider myself to have a career. The decade where I need to look for that special someone to have kids and settle down… Well, maybe I have a couple more years for that last one, but I have truly been reflecting on life lately. I have come to the following conclusion: I am happy where I am at now. I have achieved many of the milestones that I had set forth for myself, including moving in another Country, securing a great job I enjoy, and travelling more. Things I need to start to think about more are retirements savings, house savings, college savings… Man, I guess I need to start spending less and saving more. Is that what turning 30 means, balancing fun with the need to save and prepare for the future? Let me know your thoughts, I hope to hear from those of you older and wiser, younger and computer savvy, and then those in their prime, the early 30’s! I also wanted to share some funny quotes I found with you guys: "The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits." - Hervey Allen "30 is the new 20, unless your 20, then it's the new 40." - Dane Peddigrew "At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment." - Benjamin Franklin For those of you who may not know, I have had three strong role models in my life, my mom, my dad and Benjamin Franklin. Yes, Ben makes my list. The reason I am impressed by this man is how me made a life for himself. He worked hard and thought strategically about what he wanted. He started planting seeds at a young age, to prepare himself for the future. If you need inspiration to do anything, read about him. It is petty interesting (PS. Thanks for the Ben Franklin Action Figure Kate!) Well, yes, I might be getting older but the fun does keep coming. Last week I went scuba diving for my first time with my friends Athena and Kim. It was a great time, and now I am contemplating becoming certified in order to be able to go myself. This past weekend, I ended up going ziplining in London (yes in London) at a place right outside the city. It was my third time to go, but it never gets old. Now, I am looking at planning a white water rafting trip in Scotland by the end of the year. Good times, good times. I know I probably could have planned these things back home, I just finally feel I am in a city that can handle Belton! Living in Milwaukee was great, but when you feel like you have been to all the restaurants around, and you know ½ of the city, then it’s time to move on. I had a brief stint in Chicago, where I thought I might be able to see myself, but when the opportunity in London arose, I jumped on it and have had not regrets. It is such an exciting city, that is full of life. The one thing I do get annoyed with at times is the fact that there are people continuously leaving. For example, my friend Leanne moved here after me, now she is already back in the states. My friend Alex came and went. Now my friend Ryan is leaving in October, followed by my friend Olivia in November… At the same time, London has a consistent influx of people from all around the world. People who move here and are open to making new mates (e.g. friends). It is a great thing. Looking at my group of friends in Chicago, I miss how close we were. I missed our 8th Annual Wine and Cheese this year. I missed my friend Courtney’s wedding. I missed Thanksgiving with my second family, the Judd’s. I missed Christmas with my family. Wow, I guess there are a lot of things I miss, but the ability to travel to many European cities is just so exciting. Especially since I know I will be back someday. My VISA was just extended until 2015, so I will be here for at least another 4 years, but then who knows! Maybe I hear Japan calling! Thanks for reading and hopefully this entry did not bore you. It was not my typical, but since I am travelling less, I thought I would just write about my thoughts. Talk to you all soon! Belton
