Yesterday, I turned 27. This was actually a huge deal for me, which I had been dredding for months. One, because I have a real fear of getting older, and wasting my life. (Almost 30) And two: 27 was the magic year my younger self had settled on to have full filled all of my goals by. (Mainly being married, finishing my doctorate, starting my career, buying a house, having a dog, and starting a family.) And, at the beginning if the year, it seemed like I might have at least been able to check off a few if these, but things don't always go as planned. I got married seven months ago, which I am thrilled by, and I got my Master's degree. So I was at least getting somewhere. Sadly, the job market for Astronomy Educators is rougher than even I anticipated. I do not own a home. We're living in one bedroom in my husband's families home, out of boxes. It's cramped, and I can't even find a part time job to keep me afloat while I await more rejection letters. I have no dog, no money or way too take care of one. I hated graduate school, and have no plans for a doctorate. I also have no current plan to ever start a family. So this birthday made me confront a lot of childhood goals, with seemingly epic failures, on top of facing myself rapidly aging. I'd gotten terribly depressed, and never wanted June to come. Thanks to my best friends and husband, I was able to remember that growing older isn't something I should dread, and life never goes how 6 year old you wanted it to. And that's okay! I mean, the me right now kinda sucks, but it's only temporary. That's what is great about time, it flows, things change, nothing is forever. And that is part of what makes life, and the universe beautiful. So, I got new birthday makeup. Went out on the town, and really enjoyed myself. I'm glad I have people who love me, and didn't let me spend my birthday crying at home. Sorry for the long post, I hope you guys know you have time to meet your goals, and going at your own pace will get you there. Also, goals change. Don't stick with something you no longer want. Love your life for you, and enjoy each year that goes by!