On My 27th

The Best Roommate Gift Ever

Last week, I turned 27.  It is an age that, up until about 6 weeks ago, I was terrified of.  Then I started thinking about what a crappy age 26 was, and how 27, though perhaps scary in size, could be pretty fantastic.  I'm living and thriving in one of the most incredible cities in the world, I'm doing things that I love, I have a list of goals miles long, I have friends and family that care about me, and I'm happy.  Suddenly, I am excited for all it has to offer.

It just wouldn't be a birthday without looking back, and seeing all the knowledge I've gained to take forth with me for this next year of adventures.  I've learned that:

Cats should never eat marshmallows.  If you have them in your house, they will more than likely find them, and eat them.  The ending result of that is not pretty.

People will come in and out of your life.  There isn't necessarily always going to be a reason for it at the time, but the purpose will come to you eventually.

Playing in the summer rain should be done as often as humanly possible.

Bouncing along to the music in your headphones while walking down the street, while making you look funny, makes every step so much more enjoyable. 

The subway is a terrible place to fall asleep.

I am worthy of more than I give myself credit for, in every aspect.

The people who matter stay in your life, no matter what.

I have a good poker face when I actually play poker.

I love Sushi.  Especially Masago.

Timing is everything.

Never give up on the things that you love.

Broken hearts absolutely heal.

Casinos at 10am are incredibly depressing.

Volleyball is my spirit animal.

I am allergic to bug bites.

Losing yourself for the benefit of another is absolutely never worth it.

Neither is waiting for something or someone to come around.

Moving on feels incredible.

Do not give change to a homeless person asking for a dollar.  They will yell at you, and maybe start to run after you.  Also, never put it in a coffee cup.  There might be coffee in there.

Running is awesome.

So are funny YouTube videos.  And tap dancing.

Taking pictures is also awesome.

Never regret the mistakes you've made.  They are what make you who you are and the person you are destined to be.

45 year old men think 26 year olds are good for dating.

Adopting a 4 week old kitten is always a good idea.

Adopting a 4 week old kitten is insane, but I love him anyway.

Strong Bad never gets old.  Ever.

Taking care of yourself can be one of the greatest things you will ever do.

Renting an apartment is stressful.

You are always worthy and deserving of love.

I'm sure there will be more and more to add, but for now, this pretty much captures the highlights.  I'm excited.

The Little Things

Lately, I've been trying to focus on the little things.

Walking to the L with confidence.

Blasting the new Regina on my morning commute.

Taking the ferry home from work.

New experiences.  New people.  New boundaries.  New mindset.

Eating a fresh beefsteak tomato - in one sitting.  Raw.

Accidentally spilling an entire waste container filled with bright blue, yellow, and pink ink from the copy machine all over myself.

A new phone cover, courtesy of Vera Bradley.

A Mr. Softee dip cone.

Having a conversation with a lonely older woman on the boat ride home.

Seeing my apartment building from the water.

Spending 3 hours eating and chatting in a famous-but-new-to-me pizza joint in a neighboring neighborhood.

Summer beers garnished with oranges.

Walking through the lit up park on a late summer night.

Stooping.  It's a thing.

The blue moon.

Rediscovering an old dress.

Rediscovering myself.

Driving with the windows down singing at the top of your lungs.

Walking past a kid playing with a 6 weeks old white kitten.  The same kid you walked past the week before, playing with the same kitten.  The kitten is bigger.

Watching Strong Bad Emails at work

Not changing the station when The Thong Song comes on the radio.  And remembering all the words.

Finding and loving new music.

Realizing you have 934 individual purchased songs in your iTunes.

Knowing where you are supposed to turn right, but going straight instead.  And continuing to drive.

Finding the entrance to a secret beer garden.

Learning about a secret bar, that is located behind a secret door in a secret phone booth with a secret dial code.

Retrieving the last thing that smells of you.

A sleeping kitten.

Learning that everything, and I do mean everything, is about timing.

A train ride to Moms new home.

A rainy train ride back with a good book and a new giraffe.

Finding the first fall leaf on the ground.

Noticing that the pink buildings I used to pass on my long NJ commute are still pink

Sitting on my giant roof, staring at the sky, the moon, the planes flying by.  Not seeing stars.  Knowing I know just where to go to find them.

Someone painting the word DREAM on the door to the roof in big bold capital letters.  DREAM.

Noticing the forgotten on my walks home, and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary - the things unseen or unnoticed.

Catching up with old friends.

Catching up with new friends.

A hug and a kiss from a Sweet Caraline

A hug and a kiss from Mommy.

How nothing ever changes.

How everything changes.

Spending the last summer weekend with family and friends, eating and drinking, barbecuing and laughing, getting eaten alive by mosquito's and not knowing it until the following morning.

Finding the moments of happiness in between all the rest.

Expunging the negative to make room for the positive.

Enjoying a night of complete inner peace, and hoping for many more to come.