Announcement:
It’s my birthday tomorrow. It’s also Kalyn’s birthday tomorrow.
Crazy, right?! One of my favorite bloggers shares a birthday with me!
That means you have one more day to send us presents/cards/virtual hugs/etc.
… Just tryin’ to be helpful.
Other than our birthday, we have other things in common, too. Like the fact that we both look amazing in oversized sunglasses.
But seriously, I am so excited that my birthday buddy (or Kalyn, as other people may call her) agreed to do a little joint-interview with me the day before our big day. I mean, not only is Kalyn beautiful, but she’s an amazingly entertaining and honest blogger, a kind human being, and a very special person all-around. I really, really hope you’re already following her adventures on her blog, ‘Geez, Louise’. She’s one of those bloggers who writes what life is really like, you know? Well I promise that you’ll instantly be able to relate to her and the stories she shares with the internet. Honestly, I never miss a post of hers.
So let’s get on with the ‘interview’, shall we?!
Most importantly, how old are you turning tomorrow?
Kalyn: I’ll be 24!
Lisa: Gosh, way to make me feel old, Kalyn. In my mind I think I’m 24, but really I’m not… I’ll be 28 tomorrow, which is like, super-close to 30. I’m officially in my late 20s! (I considered 27 to be in my late-mid 20s.)
How are you celebrating?
Kalyn: Tomorrow I actually have a clinical rotation (8 hours at a hospital) and a presentation due, but when I get home, my boyfriend and his parents are taking me out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants!
Lisa: I have to work, too. What’s with that?! I’m thinking I may work from home if I can get away with it. I may shower, but that’s not likely. I may go to Pure Barre to get my sweat on, because no birthday is complete without a workout. Other than that, the Husband and I have church group in the evening so I’m excited to have the opportunity to spend my birthday with great friends!
How do you WISH you were celebrating, if there were no “real life” restrictions?
Kalyn: Oohhhh that’s tough… there are so many things I’d love to do. I’d really just love to get down to the beach with Derek (my boyfriend) and have a relaxing weekend where we can sleep in and be lazy and eat good food.
Lisa: Well it’s 30 degrees here, so I wouldn’t want to go to the beach (way to make me jealous, Kalyn!), but I think I’d go running, eat frozen yogurt with all the delicious toppings, order in food to eat on the couch with all of my favorite people, cuddle with Ozzie and the Husband, and spend some time reading a great book. If I wasn’t pregnant, I’d totally throw in a great martini or glass of wine, too!
What’s one thing on your birthday wishlist? (Besides world peace and the actual important stuff like that.)
Kalyn: Besides everything I posted on this wishlist, I’d also love to go see ‘Lion King’ on Broadway. It’s coming to Atlanta later this month. I’ve never seen a Broadway show before and I feel like it’s fate and I just have to go!
Lisa: Gosh, I honestly don’t know. My wish list is quickly just becoming a ‘what I need for this baby’ wish list, which isn’t really the point of a birthday wish list, right?! I think a new pair of flats (or maybe seven pairs, actually) would be on my immediate wish list. And books. I can always use more books.
What do you think this year will have in store for you? Is there anything you’re most excited about?
Kalyn: YES! I think this year will bring MANY changes. Derek and I have talked a lot about taking the next step in our relationship (just waiting on that magic question right now!) and buying our first home together this summer. It’s something that I’ve always wanted and I just can’t wait to see what’s in store for us!
Lisa: I’m crossing my fingers that you get that ring SOON, lady! This is going to be your year, without a doubt. It seems like we’re both going to have a transitional year ahead of us. Personally, I’m so excited to be 28! I love even numbered years, so that alone makes me optimistic. This year I’m going to become a mom, so that’s a pretty big deal (and really, it’s terrifying). My husband and I are also traveling to Europe and have plans to see family and friends at different points over the next year and we’re welcoming other friends’ babies into the world and basically I anticipate lots of celebrating happy events! I’m making the transition from worker to SAHM (supposedly) so we’ll see how that all works out!
What year/age has been your favorite so far?
Kalyn: I would have to say 22 was my favorite year… I graduated nursing school, moved to the “city” all on my own, started my blog, and just had a really good time being a “grown up” for the first time. I have high expectations for 24, though.
Lisa: Ah, I think I remember being 22… and 24… hahaha! I love every single year. I would say that turning/being 26 was amazing because that was right after we got engaged and moved in (just the two of us) together. We also got married and went on a spectacular honeymoon to Africa and Istanbul. I mean, yeah, there were some stressful times in there, but when I look back, it was truly such a special time my life.
…And which one would you want to re-live again (maybe to do something differently)?
Kalyn: That’s tough! I don’t know that I’d want to re-live any years to change anything because I am one of those people who believes everything happens for a reason and we learn and grow from all of our experiences. I WOULD go back and re-live my 20th and my 22nd birthdays though, because they were definitely the best! Oh, and my third birthday, which was Barney themed and there was a hayride and a pinata!
Lisa: Honestly… probably my post-college pre-Husband years. I was a trainwreck! I had a lot of fun. A LOT OF FUN, but I had no real direction and my life was just not where I wanted it to be. Plus I was living alone, and while it was an important learning experience for me, it just wasn’t super-fun.
What are five things (not necessarily the most important) you’ve learned in your 20+ years of life?
Kalyn:
1. Always stand by what you believe. You may feel alone sometimes but there aren’t many things worth compromising your beliefs and values for.
2. Sometimes going commando is the right thing to do.
3. Call people by their names. It catches their attention and they’ll be more attentive to what you have to say.
4. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but that’s usually something we have to find out for ourselves.
5. I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes. “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” (Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
Lisa: Those are such great answers, Kalyn! Although, I’m intrigued as to what situations it’s really ‘right’ to go commando. I mean, it makes sense in theory… but there aren’t many days where I decide not to put on my undies. Maybe I’m more conservative than I thought! My five things:
1. Not all friendships are supposed to last forever.
2. Marry the nice guy. Or at least date him.
3. Don’t spend too much time and energy being anxious about the future, but make sure your life is headed in the direction you want to be in.
4. Travel often.
5. Don’t wear a light-colored shirt if you plan on eating Thai food that day.
If your 10-years-younger self could see who you are now, what would she be most impressed or proud of?
Kalyn: I think she would be proud of my independence, the fact that I’ve gotten to this point in my life and still stood firm in my belief that I can do anything I put my mind to, even if it means doing it by myself. Not that I’ve had to do a lot of things by myself (I have a wonderful family and support system) but that I could if I needed to!
Lisa: Trust me, your 14-year-old self would think you’re kicking booty at this life thing! You’re a fantastic lady. I think my 18-year-old self would be impressed that I managed to get married and get knocked up before 30! Actually, my 18-year-old-self probably expected this, but I think she’d still be relieved to know it happened. I think she’d also be impressed with me getting a ‘real person’ job right out of college and the amount of traveling I’ve done, both by myself and with loved ones. She wouldn’t be at all impressed with my cooking skills. Those are still shamefully underdeveloped.
Do you feel like you know a bit more about us now?! We hope so 🙂
If you’re still trying to think of a birthday present for Kalyn I have a suggestion! Following her!
You can follow Kalyn on Bloglovin’, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Cheers!
( Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook )
