Nobody did the Michael Jackson bit this year. Thank goodness.
No pictures were taken during the pre-birthday party. This is fine, because the experience really would outshine any photographic evidence. However, when April 2nd dawned bright, warm, and lovely, how could I not take pictures to document this Best Ever of Birthdays?
April 2
This is very important. The envelope from my grandparents was addressed in my mother's handwriting, but when I opened the card, there it was: a lovely message, written in my grandmother's distinct, lovely hand. Not two months ago her hands shook too much to write (she was too embarrassed by how messily her script turned out). Combined with the happy birthday she sang for me over the phone, opening this card was perhaps the most joyous moment of my birthday.
Jess came over to help me clean off my fire escape and create a new window garden with my collection of rooted cuttings. I meant to take a Before picture, but forgot. Trust me, it was not pretty. It was full of garbage, broken pots, and rotting plant matter.
I did take an After or two. Look at my herbs! Dad helped me name them. They are, from right to left:
"Unsavory" the winter savory; "Hendrix" the purple sage; "Sherlock" the sweet basil; and "Aunt Clooney" the marjoram (that last one was named when I thought I'd bought a rosemary -- any ideas for a good marjoram name?). Coming up next, once I buy more wormy soil: plant the pretty ceramic bowl with salad greens, and maybe my spearmint and fuzzy succulents if I can get them back from their plantsitter. Sniff.
Some of the more fragile babies are staying in for the time being: a rainforest cactus (no name yet), "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes" the wandering jew, and "Amelia," a gift from Katherine. Coming up next: some ivy that I'm going to guide up over the fixed bars on this window.
Imagine walking down the path and having this greet you unexpectedly. SO SWEET.
Mantle of pretty cards! This is a tradition from home, updated for the single urban professional.
Threadless! My sweet, sweet addiction, it loves me back...
Photoshoot on the roof of Pupin for work. I couldn't keep a straight face. Kelly took this after I broke a pose in which I had a seductive leg up on the telescope. Luckily, my old Biosphere roomie, Erin, was there to be a serious model. If all goes well a picture of the two of us will be in an introductory astronomy textbook! I expect there will be no hot person-on-telescope action shots. Sorry.
Monday, April 3
Okay, that's not me. I also freely admit that my yoga practice does not usually take me to some isolated, featureless pier that's exactly the size of a yoga mat. However, this picture shows crow pose, which is something with which I've struggled for a while now. It requires a good deal of upper body strength and balance that I just don't seem to have. Or rather, didn't; today, at a yoga class I spontaneously got to attend for free (there were 5 open slots for some reason), for the first time, my hands suddenly felt strong and steady. I popped both feet up for about half a second at a time.
I immediately e-mailed katyapapillon upon return to my desk, brimming over with excitement that I figured only a yoga instructor would tolerate. I can't adequately describe how awesome it felt. It is a major physical accomplishment for me. I was already excited to be able to do shoulder stands, but crow pose is just unanticipated heaven. I feel strong. My body is tangibly changing in brilliant, unexpected ways. I feel taller, more flexible, and more balanced, after seven months of yoga in a conference room on my lunch break.
After yoga, I went to Cafe Metro with Vani to pick up her lunch order. She made fun of me for ogling the cakes. I said: "You know, I never got any birthday cake." The woman behind the counter asked if it was my birthday, and when I told her it was yesterday she said: "That counts. Pick out a piece." I got this tasty, tasty chocolate mousse cake for free! This is the half that remains.
So, yes! 23 is starting out very, very well! I hope this brimming, happy feeling lasts through the gloomy days that will fill out the rest of the week. After days like these last three, I expect it very well might.
April 2
This is very important. The envelope from my grandparents was addressed in my mother's handwriting, but when I opened the card, there it was: a lovely message, written in my grandmother's distinct, lovely hand. Not two months ago her hands shook too much to write (she was too embarrassed by how messily her script turned out). Combined with the happy birthday she sang for me over the phone, opening this card was perhaps the most joyous moment of my birthday.
Jess came over to help me clean off my fire escape and create a new window garden with my collection of rooted cuttings. I meant to take a Before picture, but forgot. Trust me, it was not pretty. It was full of garbage, broken pots, and rotting plant matter.
I did take an After or two. Look at my herbs! Dad helped me name them. They are, from right to left:
"Unsavory" the winter savory; "Hendrix" the purple sage; "Sherlock" the sweet basil; and "Aunt Clooney" the marjoram (that last one was named when I thought I'd bought a rosemary -- any ideas for a good marjoram name?). Coming up next, once I buy more wormy soil: plant the pretty ceramic bowl with salad greens, and maybe my spearmint and fuzzy succulents if I can get them back from their plantsitter. Sniff.
Some of the more fragile babies are staying in for the time being: a rainforest cactus (no name yet), "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes" the wandering jew, and "Amelia," a gift from Katherine. Coming up next: some ivy that I'm going to guide up over the fixed bars on this window.
Imagine walking down the path and having this greet you unexpectedly. SO SWEET.
Mantle of pretty cards! This is a tradition from home, updated for the single urban professional.
Threadless! My sweet, sweet addiction, it loves me back...
Photoshoot on the roof of Pupin for work. I couldn't keep a straight face. Kelly took this after I broke a pose in which I had a seductive leg up on the telescope. Luckily, my old Biosphere roomie, Erin, was there to be a serious model. If all goes well a picture of the two of us will be in an introductory astronomy textbook! I expect there will be no hot person-on-telescope action shots. Sorry.
Monday, April 3
Okay, that's not me. I also freely admit that my yoga practice does not usually take me to some isolated, featureless pier that's exactly the size of a yoga mat. However, this picture shows crow pose, which is something with which I've struggled for a while now. It requires a good deal of upper body strength and balance that I just don't seem to have. Or rather, didn't; today, at a yoga class I spontaneously got to attend for free (there were 5 open slots for some reason), for the first time, my hands suddenly felt strong and steady. I popped both feet up for about half a second at a time.
I immediately e-mailed katyapapillon upon return to my desk, brimming over with excitement that I figured only a yoga instructor would tolerate. I can't adequately describe how awesome it felt. It is a major physical accomplishment for me. I was already excited to be able to do shoulder stands, but crow pose is just unanticipated heaven. I feel strong. My body is tangibly changing in brilliant, unexpected ways. I feel taller, more flexible, and more balanced, after seven months of yoga in a conference room on my lunch break.
After yoga, I went to Cafe Metro with Vani to pick up her lunch order. She made fun of me for ogling the cakes. I said: "You know, I never got any birthday cake." The woman behind the counter asked if it was my birthday, and when I told her it was yesterday she said: "That counts. Pick out a piece." I got this tasty, tasty chocolate mousse cake for free! This is the half that remains.
So, yes! 23 is starting out very, very well! I hope this brimming, happy feeling lasts through the gloomy days that will fill out the rest of the week. After days like these last three, I expect it very well might.