Turning 28

Happy Friday, everyone! The weatherman is saying it might hit 40F today - woot, woot! That's darn right balmy according to my standards!

So today is my birthday. I spent the evenings of my last 2 birthdays sitting in a Finance class of some sort so I can't tell you how excited I am to NOT have class on my birthday this year. And it's on a Friday! I'm wearing my favorite color (pink) and will be meeting up with 6 girlfriends to see "He's Just Not That Into You" which opens today. How apropos that it opens on my birthday, huh? ;) Seriously, if you are single and reading this, you should probably read that book. Yes, some of the advice in the book is a bit obvious to most girls, but it's still worth reading. I can't wait to see the movie tonight!

If I had to sum up the past year of my life, I'd have to borrow a quote from Charles Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Aside from the 3 weeks in France, I don't know that I'd want to go back and live much of it over again, but I have learned a lot about myself, and that knowledge, well, it's priceless. I would try to find the words to explain what I've learned this year, but this poem does such a good job:

After awhile you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman not the grief of a child

And you learn to build all your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight

After awhile you learn

The even sunshine burns if you get too much

So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn you really can endure

That you are really strong

And you really do have worth

And you learn and learn

With every goodbye you learn.

- Veronica A. Shofstall