10 years in Denver (or, can I legitimately display one of those native stickers yet?)

TEN YEARS — in one place. Whooooooooooooooa. Today — June 18, 2017 — is quite the milestone as it marks 10 years — or 120 months, or 520 weeks, or 3,650 days — of living in one location. Also, because of when this period took place in my life (from my mid-20s to my mid-30s), it feels a bit like my coming-of-age period.

When I rolled into the mile-high city on June 18, 2007, fresh off of a 12-year stint of volunteering (aka, broke AF) with all of my possessions packed into my Pontiac Grand Am, I had no idea what lied before me and that I would still call this amazing city my home 10 years later. I was excited but completely clueless about the city and without a job, a place to live or any friends here.

But here I am — 10 years later — very much in love with the city I’ve now called home for a decade. And, while I have no clue what the next 10 years will bring or if I’ll still be a Denverite, I do know that over the last 10 years I’ve had a lot of fun, shed some tears, made some mistakes and learned a lot of lessons. I’ve included some highlights below in list and photo form.

The last 10 years:

• bought my first home solo
• completed master’s program #2
• said goodbye to my remaining three grandparents
• made an impact + was influential at a company
• took a big career risk + accepted a position at a new company after nine years in the cooperative energy world
• promoted twice
• discovered my love of public speaking + presenting
• lived downtown
• loved + had my heart broken + (unintentionally) broke a few hearts
• celebrated entering another decade (30)
• SO many concerts
• made new friends + said goodbye to others
• wrote in Paris
• practiced yoga in Costa Rica
• discovered my strong inner wanderlust
• took my first international trip (outside of Mexico)
• traveled to many new countries
• wrote my manifesto
• grew exponentially, both professionally and personally
• learned a lot of lessons (and I’m sure there are many still in store)
• made quite a few mistakes
• met the love of my life
• bought three cars
• discovered a therapist whom I adore + worked through some major shit with her
• lost weight + gained weight + lost weight + gained weight
• ran my first half-marathon
• started my first blog (nicole’s narrations)
• moved to my current blog
• read a lot of books 
• learned to ski + spent a lot of time getting better ta it
• served as president on two nonprofit boards
• gave back
• discovered the gloriousness of solo travel in Costa Rica
• played softball again after a 10-year hiatus
• completed multiple certifications
• met many financial milestones
• discovered the amazingness that is mindfulness + meditation
• learned (and continue to learn) so much about myself
• attended, and was in, A LOT of weddings
• lived in one house/apartment for longer than 12 months (learned to stay)
• celebrated + grieved + laughed + cried
• learned my body can fail me (knee issues)
• career path: writer –> project manager –> manager –> leader –> internal communications –> intranets
• went on my first (and only) cruise
• witnessed my nephew and nieces growing into amazing little humans
• took a lot of classes
• cooked — as in actual recipes and adult foods
• improved upon my photography skills
• celebrated with friends as they expanded their families (and threw a baby shower or two)
• successfully kicked Whole 30’s ass — twice
• struggled with what my life is + who I want to be
• went on many bad dates — and a few good ones, too
• took an epic road trip with my bestie
• lots of beer tastings + breweries visited
• joined a few book clubs
• started a creative writing group
• bought a piano + began playing again after many years