So what's all the fuss about turning 30, anyway?? I have yet to understand why people fuss because quite frankly, this has been the best birthday I have ever had. I got to go to Israel (thank you thank you! what an awesome gift!!), I got to spend last night stuffing my face and having the *best* time with all my closest and most amazing friends, and tonight I will spend yet more celebrations with my family and friends! How is any of this bad???

I know some people really freak out about the number itself. 30. oooh!! 30!! But personally it has yet to bother me. As far as I can tell people most often get freaked out about turning 30 if they are unhappy with their lives at that point. Perhaps they have not reached their goals that they figured they would by then, or maybe they are directionless and still trying to figure out what they are doing. I myself am looking over the last year and finding that it has been one of my absolute best. I have grown and matured and evolved so much that I am finding now, at this magical age of 30, that I am starting to finally really like myself. It has taken a long time, but I am in a very good place right now, and look forward to whatever may be in my future.

I am surrounded by a group of friends whom I adore and have stood by me over the years; these are the friends that I have little doubt will be with me for many more years to come. I have worked hard to refine my group of friends to include only people who influence me positively and who support me unconditionally (and I them) and let go of friendships that do not. We respect each other and most importantly we can laugh and cry together. They are my extended family.

I have a small but close family. Like any family we have our dysfunction, but in the end we always watch each other's back, and we love each other unconditionally. My family is another area that over the past year I have been putting some focus on to make better, and have seen some progress. Families, as we all know, can be very trying. But they ARE your family, and always worth the effort. My family, like myself, is a work in progress.

Anything beyond that is just gravy. I have a good job, a nice home and a nice new car. All those things that society says a successful person should have. And I live in a beautiful country that I love very deeply and am grateful everyday for all that I have here. But for me, it's still about the family and friends. And in that respect, I am one of the richest people alive. Life is good, and turning 30 only serves to remind me of that.