29 is Mighty Fine!

Birthdays are awesome. Really. Anyone who doesn't like their birthday is just kind of lame in my opinion. And this week was my birthday! Woohoo! My students tried to guess how old I was, which was amusing until they started guessing way too high (seriously, I do NOT look 42). The thing about high school kids is that they think they're funny. And honestly, they're usually not. The times they are funny is when they don't mean to be. But most jokes that come from high schoolers just aren't funny. I try to explain that to them but they don't get it. It's all about subtlety, timing and wit, guys.

So what happened on my birthday? Well, I woke up super excited (of course!). Then, while straightening my hair, I burned my neck with my straightening iron. I've never done this before, but who hasn't heard that excuse? Seriously, I just laughed because who was going to believe me? But I really did! So I wrapped a scarf around my neck because the burn hadn't revealed its color or form yet and I didn't want to take any chances. It turned out to be a funky triangle-shaped burn that no one could misunderstand. Whew! Close one! I got a text from my dad at the exact minute I was born, 5:57 am. Isn't that sweet? What a guy! And my sister in law texted soon after. My mom called before school, even my brother texted me! I didn't know he knew how to text!

Of course there were about 60 obligatory facebook messages wishing me a happy day, year, etc. I choose to believe that every one of those people already knew it was my birthday and was planning to message me anyway. Facebook didn't have to tell them, they just love me so much that they know when my birthday is! :) I also choose to be honored by all of the messages and take them as genuine messages of love, not obligations. So I felt very loved by my facebook community!

After school I bought a birthday cup of coffee and a birthday scone at Coffee Slingers because the oatmeal, donut, Taco Bueno, potato chips and M&M's I'd already had weren't enough and all food is calorie free on your birthday (You think I'm lying. Look it up! It's true!). Then I went to Shop Good because I work there on Wednesdays. The night was pretty good. We made some great sales and some really fun people came into the store. When I got done for the night, my dear sweet friends gave me a home cooked vegetarian dinner, two cupcakes, and a pleasant evening sitting on the porch and relaxing. What a great day!

I was a little nervous about turning 29 earlier in the week, but then I realized that I don't really have a desire to stay in my 20's forever. The 20's have been quite tumultuous! I've been through a lot of crazy stuff, and I don't really have much of a desire to go through it again or keep going through it. I wouldn't go as far as to say I've gained a LOT of wisdom, but I'm not nearly as dumb as I was when I was 25. I mean seriously, who was that crazy girl? Not a genius, that's for sure. And selfish. I'm glad to be coming out of some of that. Granted, I'm still pretty dumb sometimes, and I fight my selfish nature daily. But I'm much more self aware than I was at 25. So I've decided that instead of lying and staying in my 20's forever, I'm going to stay 30 forever. It seems much less dramatic. I'll be thirty and flirty and thriving! :)

I'm sure other stuff happened this week, but none of it really matters, because it didn't revolve around my birthday! If you forgot to wish me a happy birthday on Wednesday, you're still allowed to make that up within the next 28 days. A nice gift would go a long way toward me forgiving you too. Don't worry, I'm not super greedy. All you need is a 25 dollar Starbucks gift card and forgiveness is within your reach! In the meantime, if I forget any of your birthdays in March, you have to forgive me because mine pretty much takes precedence over any and all "important" events for the rest of the month. But I'll wish you a happy birthday right here and now: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARCH FRIENDS! Consider yourself wished and privileged to share in my joy.