Friday, January 18, 2008

Twenty-nine

For the first and only time, I turn 29 today. I sighed when Beautiful Colleague asked me what is becoming a rather predictable question.

"I've been 28 so I'm officially 29 tomorrow." I said yesterday. "I'll turn 30 next year, exactly as scheduled. I think I accepted I was getting old after 25, which is silly, but these birthdays don't mean a whole lot anymore."

"You seem younger." Beautiful Colleague noted and Boss nodded his agreement.

"Thanks," I offered, "but it's probably because I act like a child a little too often." They both said that was silly, told me to have a nice day with my parents and we waved as we headed separate directions.

I am celebrating my birthday as little ones do though. Mom and Dad arrived last night and will spend the weekend. Mom and I have massages scheduled in a few hours. We'll eat out and I shall open the present that is much taller (it comes to my chest) than it is wide. I will have a frosted thumbprint cookie from my favorite bakery near where my grandparents used to live. We may do a bit of shopping after we drop by the office to replant my violet in a new self-watering pot. It should be a good day.

And if I couldn't get back to sleep as I begin my 30th year (or does that happen tomorrow? I'm easily confused by these things) because I'm not in love and my professional future is relatively unclear and I'm unhappy about my appearance and unsure of my overall appeal to employers or friends or the world in general? Well, that's why I'm only turning 29 once. With the hope that the arrival of my 30s will bring about some happy resolutions to these issues. And that this year will be a pleasant way to move toward that end.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Katie!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!! Hope your year is wonderful!!

Estrella said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy your special day!

flossie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
flossie said...

I'll try this comment again. Happy birthday! And you're right not to fear 30--the thirties rock, IMO.

~profgrrrrl~ said...

Happy birthday. And 30s? Oh, good times. Do not fear them.

Day ByDay said...

Happy happy birthday Katie! And welcome to the club of 29! :D I don't really see what all the fuss is about avoiding 30 either...

Hope your day, including the massage, is spectacular!

Amanda said...

Happy Birthday, Katie!!

Lucy said...

Happy birthday! :) I hope you have a fun day and a great 30th year.

DrOtter said...

Happy Birthday!

Amelie said...

Happy Birthday! Have a great day and year!

Non Tenured Assistant Professor said...

Happy birthday!!!!!

The 30s are great, don't worry!

Jane said...

Happy birthday, Katie!

The thirties are much, much better than the twenties. Definitely look forward to 30! (But enjoy 29, too!)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday.

Unbalanced Reaction said...

Happy birthday!!! (personally, I plan on turning 29 year after year after year.... ;) )

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!! Hope you have a wonderful day :-)

Zelda said...

happy birthday! and don't worry about your thirties. IMO they are way better than my 20s. i'd never go back!

saxifraga said...

Happy birthday. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Anonymous said...

Katie, I hope you've had a wonderful birthday/ weekend. Where were the pics on your banner? They look pretty.

post-doc said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're all lovely and wonderful.

The pictures are ones I've taken on trips. L-R: Bloomsbury looking forward London first thing in the morning, stairs up to a home in the Poconos on an afternoon hike, part of the temple grounds in Kyoto on a rainy afternoon (Japan was so stunningly pretty to me) and Pikes Place Market in Seattle on a weekday morning. I obviously need a vacation since I picked 4 travel photos. :)

ScienceWoman said...

Happy (belated) Birthday!

DrOtter said...

Happy Birthday, now very belated, I"m sorry.

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