I am celebrating early this year. My birthday is May 18th but somehow this year I haven't been able to limit it to a specific day. I seem to just barely be able to contain it within the month of May. It's been pretty great (and today is only the 16th).

[caption id="attachment_2810" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Friends at My Birthday"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01690.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2810" title="Friends at My Birthday" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01690.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

29, oh, 29.  I've nearly completed my 20s.  Soon I won't be a twenty-something. But I am not worried.  I think that 29 is going to be better than 28 and it's not even my actual birthday yet.  Okay, okay. Maybe I am counting my chickens before they've hatched but really, 29 is off to an auspicious start!<!--more-->

[caption id="attachment_2811" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="My AC/DC Ticket"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01671.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2811" title="My AC/DC Ticket" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01671.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

This month I've seen AC/DC in Sofia. It rocked. Enough said.

[caption id="attachment_2812" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Me and My Bulgarian Tutor! "]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01687.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2812" title="Me and My Bulgarian Tutor! " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01687.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

I celebrated my birthday with friends at Memento. Everyone was amazing. I feel really lucky to have spent my birthday with my friends.  It was great fun. I mean, heck, check out these beautiful cupcakes my friend A. made.

[caption id="attachment_2816" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Cupcakes! "]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01680.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2816" title="Cupcakes! " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01680.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

They were almost too pretty to eat. But just <em>almost</em>. A rainbow of pinks, greens, oranges and blues. Lovely, lovely, lovely.  They were also delicious. Delicious, delicious, delicious.

[caption id="attachment_2813" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Birthday Cupcakes! "]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01681.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2813" title="Birthday Cupcakes! " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01681.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

And, I am going to Paris next weekend. I hope that volcano doesn't ruin my plans. Fingers crossed. I've never been to Paris before.  I'm looking forward to sight-seeing, museum going, lots of eating, strolling and hopefully enjoying spring in Paris.

[caption id="attachment_2817" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Language School Friends! "]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01720.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2817" title="Language School Friends! " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dsc01720.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

Yep, it's been pretty great already and I don't actually turn 29 until Tuesday.

Some people worry about getting older. Not me. I am thankful for all of the great things I was able to do last year and I am looking forward to everything that's in store for me as I navigate 29! It's shaping up to be a great year.