The first year that I realized birthdays aren't always a big deal was my 17th. It's always worth celebrating, of course, but celebrating in a different way than you did when you're younger. Sixteen was fun because I got a car and loads of freedom, but then seventeen was just... normal. It was great, but I went to school, then I put on my scrubs and went to work like I did every other day. It was my first weird birthday.
This year, the big idea was "chill." I didn't want to do anything big or flashy, just quiet and small and happy. And you know what? I think I'm onto something.
About a thousand great things happened today. A lot of them aren't related in any way to it being my birthday, but doesn't that just make it better?
I didn't even notice when it hit midnight and the calendar flipped. I didn't notice until I got a text at 12:03. And then I spent the next hour, passing my actual birth time of 12:40, doing design homework in a quiet apartment while watching the late night Sportscenter loop for the third time. It felt right, somehow.
I woke up to the news that William and Kate are having another baby.
I also woke up to a basket full of my favorite things, including but not limited to diet sunkist and sharpie pens.
For lunch, I went to Taco Bell. Because it was spontaneous and yummy.
While I was sitting at the kitchen counter eating said Taco Bell, a postman delivered a big red tube with my name on it, revealing the cutest illustrated print of Boston landmarks. With no clue who it was from, I spent about three hours wondering who sent me such a perfect mystery gift. Which was fun in its own sense.
Also on my lunch break, I discovered that One Direction pulled a Beyonce and dropped a new song today out of nowhere, also announcing that their new album will be out in two months.
I wore two of my favorite outfits—it was actually for required events, but still. you should always do that on your birthday.
In the middle of it all, I submitted a form to secure my place on a study abroad trip to Ireland next spring— WHAT. i know.
When I got home from class, I ate leftover birthday cake and drank a diet sunkist and watched the SEC network.
A really great new Rolling Stone profile of Taylor Swift came out today— which I read, obviously.
It was one of those hot, slow nights, where it was still 88 degrees an hour after the sun went down. On my last birthday, I might have hated this, but after a summer up north, I've been savoring the humidity. (I know that sounds so weird, but it's just one of those things you have to experience for yourself.)
We made a late-night Sonic run, and because I hadn't eaten dinner, I ordered a peanut butter fudge milkshake with absolutely zero guilt. We took selfies and sang songs and did all the good things.
So, in short, today was a really, really good day. Calm and happy and just exactly what I'd have drawn up.
twenty one is gonna be fun.
This year, the big idea was "chill." I didn't want to do anything big or flashy, just quiet and small and happy. And you know what? I think I'm onto something.
About a thousand great things happened today. A lot of them aren't related in any way to it being my birthday, but doesn't that just make it better?
I didn't even notice when it hit midnight and the calendar flipped. I didn't notice until I got a text at 12:03. And then I spent the next hour, passing my actual birth time of 12:40, doing design homework in a quiet apartment while watching the late night Sportscenter loop for the third time. It felt right, somehow.
I woke up to the news that William and Kate are having another baby.
I also woke up to a basket full of my favorite things, including but not limited to diet sunkist and sharpie pens.
For lunch, I went to Taco Bell. Because it was spontaneous and yummy.
While I was sitting at the kitchen counter eating said Taco Bell, a postman delivered a big red tube with my name on it, revealing the cutest illustrated print of Boston landmarks. With no clue who it was from, I spent about three hours wondering who sent me such a perfect mystery gift. Which was fun in its own sense.
Also on my lunch break, I discovered that One Direction pulled a Beyonce and dropped a new song today out of nowhere, also announcing that their new album will be out in two months.
I wore two of my favorite outfits—it was actually for required events, but still. you should always do that on your birthday.
In the middle of it all, I submitted a form to secure my place on a study abroad trip to Ireland next spring— WHAT. i know.
When I got home from class, I ate leftover birthday cake and drank a diet sunkist and watched the SEC network.
A really great new Rolling Stone profile of Taylor Swift came out today— which I read, obviously.
It was one of those hot, slow nights, where it was still 88 degrees an hour after the sun went down. On my last birthday, I might have hated this, but after a summer up north, I've been savoring the humidity. (I know that sounds so weird, but it's just one of those things you have to experience for yourself.)
We made a late-night Sonic run, and because I hadn't eaten dinner, I ordered a peanut butter fudge milkshake with absolutely zero guilt. We took selfies and sang songs and did all the good things.
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So, in short, today was a really, really good day. Calm and happy and just exactly what I'd have drawn up.
twenty one is gonna be fun.