“Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.”
Sitting down to write this post I feel it is only appropriate I have a glass of wine because obviously that signals maturity. Alas, I am lying in bed with a flannel shirt, glass of milk and a portion of coconut cake (“slice” would be an understatement).
Cliché but here is my review of the past year and my hopes for the future.
As I was reminded by Vanessa’s birthday card, I began my 22nd year in a drunken stupor. I was 22 and getting ready to graduate college. I did not have many expectations for my twenty-second year. It was a busy year full of cupcakes, miles, airplanes, and emotion.
I graduated college and moved away from Orange County. Traveled to Italy to visit my close friend Elizabeth. Said goodbye to my hometown, my state, my friends, and my family and moved 1,831 miles away to Iowa City. Began my first of my career as a Graduate student. Fulfilled my lifelong dream on February 15, 2008 when I sat down at the United Center and 5 strong women walked out – Mel B, Mel C, Emma, Geri, and Victoria – The Spice Girls. I began training for a marathon (more on that another day).
My glass is half-full. My twenty-second year was a year of growing up. I have become more settled with me. I love my little apartment because it is my own. I am setting roots in here in Iowa City for at least the next five years; this is not like the life of transition found in college.
I had a wonderful birthday. Highlighted with typing papers, the library, birthday wishes, cupcakes, and a cemetery visit. I began my birthday celebration staring at my computer realizing it was midnight and I was typing a paper. I poured a drink of rum crème and milk at 1:30am then I typed until 3am. The next morning in the library, my studiousness continued with Valerie bringing me a very fitting birthday card. I wore my “Make Cupcakes Not War” t-shirt.
I love all the birthday cards and calls I received – Natalie, Valerie, Vanessa, Ryan, Helen, Janna and Mike, Trisha, Mom and Dad, Boof, KK. I took the evening off. I went to dinner with Chris and a walk to see the black angel at the cemetery. Received a delicious cupcake and “Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.”
Went to bed a happy camper and then woke up bright and early to present my research at the Women and Gender Symposium. Spent the day listening to speeches and came home to a slice of coconut cake, more birthday cards and a glass of milk.
“Birthdays are occasions for looking forward to the making of plans, for dreaming dreams, and hoping they will come true.”
