Love, bubs and life on our little farm

It's my 30th tomorrow. I am fine with that. But I am a reminiscent person at the best of times so of course I am sitting here reflecting on my twenties.

Wow I don't think I will find a decade with quite so many big milestones in it again.

Age 20 - Partied myself into the ground all year but managed to still finish my Bachelor of Science.

Age 21 - Completed my Honours year with First Class Honours in Microbiology/Molecular Biology, had my first scientific paper published.

Age 22 - Started my PhD.

Age 23 - Got engaged, spent five weeks in Japan working in a laboratory, paid for completely by the Japanese government.

Age 24 - Got married, had the most beautiful honeymoon in Samoa.

Age 25 - Finished my PhD and farewelled 7.5 amazing years of university with great friends and lots of fun. Had my PhD thesis accepted with minimal changes. Backpacked around Japan and Europe with Jase. Presented my PhD research at an International Conference in England. Packed up and moved 1000kms interstate, got my first "real job" working in Infectious Disease Molecular Epidemiology for the government, loved it. Bought our first home - not only that but it was our dream acreage property. (HUGE year - such a memorable one for me)

Age 26 - Bought myself two new horses to complete my dream of returning to competition horseriding. Watched my horses become sick with Equine Influenza and learnt how it felt to live on a quarantined property. Fell pregnant with our first child. Awarded a promotion and permanancy in my job.

Age 27 - Elka was born, I experienced being a stay-at-home Mum and decided it wasn't for me. Returned to work part time - the perfect balance.

Age 28 - Had my dressage horse back in training to a level of winning ribbons in Open events and placing in Showjumping and completing Cross Country events. Fell pregnant with our second child. Succesfully completed two research grants as Chief Investigator.

Age 29 - Had a babymoon with Jase, leaving Elka with my parents for 5 days, whilst we celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. Bronte was born, I took 8 months maternity leave before returning to work part time. Returned to a promotion again - am now the head of the Molecular Epidemiology laboratory. Extended our home to double its size and built our dream entertainment deck. I had my 8th scientific paper published. Have my dressage horse back in competition and won a ribbon at our first event back.


It has been a wonderful, exciting and sometimes surprising ride. I have also evolved from a broke uni student to a family with a healthy disposable income. Needless to say, everything from cars to clothes has changed a lot in this time!

But most importantly I know that the 20 year old me would be very happy with where I am and what I have done. I am quite surprised to say that I have achieved all the goals I would dream about when I was spending endless hours in the lab slaving through my PhD. Which means that I get to dream up a whole new set for my thirties!

I feel so blessed in so many ways but most of all that I have my amazing husband by my side, my gorgeous girls in my arms and my beautiful parents and brother behind me the whole way.

Growing old is not a right, it is a privilege. And I feel so very privileged!