A Milestone Birthday!

Five years ago, I wrote about turning 25. This year, I write about turning 30.

Allow me to start with a reflection, and a thank you note:

Five years ago, I had just entered into this world. It was a decision that I truly feel has changed my life’s trajectory - in a good way. My rationale was rooted in the possible practical benefits: the time to study for admissions testing, the opportunity to acquire resources that would allow me to comfortably pursue my personal career goals, plus the experience of travel and greater social connection.  Creating the infrastructure for reaping those benefits has proved much more difficult than I expected. But with some discipline, strategy, and skill, I’ve realized all of them and more.

Of course, I have to acknowledge that I’ve been on the receiving end of a healthy dose of luck… and so these years have been filled with a lot of fun and a lot of magic! 

As confident as I have always been in myself, I am far from feeling entitled: it has been my privilege to have your attention. I am so lucky to have attracted the best people. I am so thankful to have had so much support from long-time lovers. Your support has fortified me; it has protected me from harm, from the ill intentioned, and it has allowed me to focus on bettering myself in many ways. My desire has always been to add pleasure and delight to your life - a “return on investment” that is as much or more than the sum of what you have poured into me. 

Even within the past year, I have made new friends. We’ve already shared some incredible adventures and experiences together in the short time we’ve known each other. I am amazed at how intense our connections have become in such a short period of time. I hope you will stick around and we can continue to construct our own world - one that gives free rein to your imagination; one that conjoins experience and desire.


This year is a milestone birthday for me. Consequently, I feel both sentimental about the past and excited for the future. As I take stock of the memories and the feelings that I have experienced so far in life and think about what I want to remain sempiternal, these are things come to mind:

  • What makes an experience unforgettable is the feeling it inspires.

  • To maintain a sense of urgency when it comes to spending time with family, friends, and lovers. 

  • It is important to remain free of debt, malaise, and stifling rigor, else you risk hemorrhaging happiness. “Fantasies and desires - mine at least - demand a minimum of serenity and security to manifest themselves.” (From one of my favorite books: The Notebooks of Don Rigoberto, by Mario Vargas Llosa)

  • The pursuit of pleasure to continue being a guiding force in my life. Curiosity, adventure, and playfulness should always be favored over orthodoxy

And what do I want for the next year, or the next five? I want to continue to curate a constellation of wonderful people, incredible experiences, and material comforts. If you’d like to contribute:





  • We live in the moment, but I love to capture some memories on camera for us to look back on. The Peak Design travel Dufflepack 65L and Peak Design small Travel Cube are essential travel organizers that will ensure I’m always prepared. The Sony 90mm f/2.8-22 Macro G camera lens is great for food photos or detail shots. Additionally, the Atomos Ninja V and the DJI OM 5 are tools necessary to ensure that the one shot I get the chance to take is the best shot I can make.





  • I’ve been living a FI/RE lifestyle and making some strategic investments in an effort to future-proof my finances. If you’re feeling generous, drop some bitcoin in my wallet!

** If you are an established friend, please reach out to Natalia for an address to send gifts to.

Some of the things on this list, and many more, can be easily gifted via my Amazon wishlist!**




Thank you, again, for another wonderful year. Cheers to 2023 and the new memories we will create together!