My 25th birthday

December 21 marks my 25th birthday, the third birthday I’ve celebrated since starting my blog. Here’s what I wrote on my 24th birthday and on my 23rd.

Looking back, I can hardly remember what it felt like to be the person that wrote those entries. As I get more comfortable with the reality of living life online, my writing has become more personal and less afraid.

For the past two years, I made my birthday blog post about the past year’s accomplishments and the future year’s goals. I guess now, it’s a tradition.

This year I:

Attended five cons: Magfest, Katsucon, Anime Boston, Otakon and Anime USA.
Got my first real job as a web developer in downtown DC.
Fell down an escalator and attended Katsucon in a wheelchair.
Got a little help and redesigned my blog with a custom theme and enhanced SEO.
Became a more vocal feminist, blogging about geek women’s issues here, here and here and even submitting a proposal for a feminist anime convention panel.
Was interviewed as a source for The Washington Post’s controversial article about Otakon. I wrote about that in two parts: one and two.
Summoned the courage to enter Forbes blogger Susannah Breslin’s contest for young female journalists–– and won.
As a result, got the chance to write for Forbes about maids, cat ears and furries.
Then I got lucky, really lucky. Daily Dot editor Owen Thomas read it and offered me a job on Twitter. I’ve been working for him ever since.
Traveled to San Francisco to meet my Daily Dot co-workers.
Reconciled my identity as both a fan and a journalist and compiled it into a handy manifesto.
Became an adjunct college professor and learned just how challenging–– and rewarding–– teaching can be.
Gave back to the DC otaku community by volunteering as Anime USA’s press liaison.
Moved to a new apartment with the love of my life.

Next year, my goals are to:

Find my online/offline balance: occasionally read books on paper, write instead of type for a change, knit more socks, go on nature walks.
Keep my design and tech skills sharp by undertaking projects that employ them. Maybe edit a vlog, format an e-book in InDesign, or learn and implement HTML5.
Resume a consistent blog-posting schedule, with regular weekly features.

This year, I didn’t take time off for my birthday. I just had a quiet dinner with my family and my boyfriend. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I needed a party. After years of angst and uncertainty, I’m finally sure that I’m in the right place and doing what works for me. And that’s a celebration enough.