It's Birthday!

Well, not technically. It was Thursday. But I'm still celebrating.

I turned 23. Which means that 18 years ago, I turned 5. I have no pictures from my 23rd birthday, but here's one from my 5th:

Awwww.

I don't really do New Year's Resolutions. I prefer to let the clock roll over into a new year without any damning guilt because I didn't complete my goals, thank you. Instead, on or around my birthday I usually do a little self-reflection and think about where and who I've been on my previous birthdays, and where and who I'd like to be on my next birthday. It's a little less pressure.

Thanks Bill Watterson.

Last year around my birthday, I was moving into a new house with new roommates, I was figuring out my relationship with The Professor and thinking about getting married, I was getting ready to go back to school and narrowing down my list of potential majors (and resolving that I wasn't going to change it again). I was excited about not being 21 anymore; 21 was a hard year for me. And yes, I was enjoying my birthday.

I LOVE my birthday. I love everyone's birthday, actually; for whatever reason, birthdays are really exciting to me. There was a time when I tried to grow up and deny that I love celebrating my birthday, but then I got over it and decided that enjoying it was way more fun and way more honest. The couple of birthdays I tried to be cool about, I ended up feeling more disappointed than anything. So now I enjoy it openly! And I enjoy enjoying it! So shut up!

It's become my belief that everyone has an age that's sort of a sweet spot for them. My mom always says she loved being 30. I have a feeling mine will be 32. So 23 feels good. It feels like a solid step forward. Call me crazy, but it feels like a relief compared to 22. But I'm weird with numbers.

Anyway, 23 (and most of 24, for that matter) is going to be busy. I'm getting it out there now so I'm not surprised by it later: I am going to be tired, busy, and probably sore for most of the next year and a half. But it's worth it, right? It's also weird to think that, since the Professor and I have been talking about it, there's a distinct possibility I might be carrying a wee babe by my 24th birthday. (Not a goal, just a still-up-in-the-air possibility. Don't get excited.) (And while we're on the subject, how on earth am I supposed to refer to said wee babe on this blog once one comes along? Seriously. If you have suggestions, I'm open.)

So I've been thinking about my goals for my 23rd year. What do I want to do or become before I turn 24? I came up with a short, hopefully manageable list:

• I'd like for the Professor and I to get closer to buying a house. We're hoping for February or March, but those are early estimates and there are no guarantees. 
• I'd like to get back into shape. I know, I know, everyone makes this goal, but I am already working arms for that wedding dress and it's just a matter of willpower for the rest of my body. And the thing is, I don't think I'm ready to house a baby when I can't walk up and down stairs without getting winded. That's not the only reason I want to get into shape, but I think it's a good one. I want to get back into yoga, get back to feeling good in my body. 
• I'd like to flesh out the Simplicity goal. It's a really broad goal, but it's dear to my heart.
• Catch up on episodes of The New Girl <-- I can probably do this within the week.

In other news, on Friday I have my initial appointment for getting tested for Celiac. I'm hoping it'll come up negative, but the more I read about the symptoms and signs, the more I think I probably have it. And if I do come up positive, hey, at least I'll know why I feel sick all the time. So this week is pasta week. I'm going to enjoy it before I know for sure that it's bad for me. And by enjoy it I mean enjoy eating it and then not enjoy being in the bathroom for half an hour. TMI? Sorry.

There is also a Pride and Prejudice Card Game being produced. You can buy it on the Kickstarter page. You're welcome.