I don’t know about you… But yes in the words of Taylor Swift ‘I’m feeling 22.’

And in my yearly blogging ritual I feel the need to continue the tradition of a small life update…

The past year has been completely phenomenal – since turning twenty-one I have discovered parts of Africa, South America and even Antarctica. I have had countless adventures alone, with my wonderful mother and with a pretty fantastic Dutch Man. It has been a year of exploring and I can only reflect on my twenty one year old memories with some pretty extreme happiness.

Turning twenty two was not as scary as turning twenty and not as milestone-ish as turning twenty-one but it was definitely just as exciting.

I am lucky enough to be spending my early days as a big twenty two year old in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Moving to The Netherlands has been a pretty fantastic life decision and between cycling around windmills in clogs I have been very busy falling in love with the canals and the rain.

I thought I was spoilt rotten last year but I think I was spoilt even rottener this year…

On Friday evening I was told to pack a bag, leave my phone at home, and was taken on a mystery weekend getaway. After two train rides, two bus trips and one boat ride we made it to Schiermonnikoog – the smallest island (and voted as the prettiest place) in The Netherlands. We collected our bicycles and spent the weekend exploring. We rode through forests, farmland and coast. We picnicked on the beach in the sun and visited war bunkers and cemeteries in the rain. We ate raw herring and smoked salmon and drank way too much wine, beer and cider. We partied at the island nightclub (where the DJ played happy birthday to me at midnight as a surprise) and I giggled every time I saw a man wearing clogs.

I am so so spoilt and so so rotten. But most of all I am a very lucky twenty two year old.

Here’s to another year of adventures and exploring and the happiness along the way.