So, I have my every-6-months follow-up appointment with the dermatologist this week. I already wrote about how stressed I am about this one, mostly because I am paranoid. I have no reason to be, but sometimes my amygdala likes to hijack the rational part of my brain.
I’m also counting down to my upcoming birthday. Unlike most people over the age of 23, I actually look forward to my birthday – even before the appearance of my pink spot. Instead of mourning that I’m no longer young, I choose to look at my birthday as validation that I’m awesome for making it another year. And honestly, not having children, I’m not reminded every day of how old I’m getting. In my mind, I still feel 27 (which was a very good year for me). With my resurgent focus on doing stuff for me, I still travel independently, go to concerts, go out with friends for happy hours, and generally behave like someone who’s not entirely a responsible adult (although my bills are paid like clockwork, I rarely call off work, and I am hyper about wearing sunscreen)…
For my birthday 2 years ago, after I got my Loki cut out, I went ziplining. That birthday was one of the best I had had in a very long time. And I decided then that I’m going to make my birthday an excuse to really concentrate on things I want to experience. Last year, I decided to cross a few states off my dwindling list of I-haven’t-been-there-yet and did a combination of Seattle/Mt. Rainier/cross-country train journey. Well, this year, I decided that I want to cross off one more state – my 48th… So, I’ll be headed to New England where I’ll finally visit Vermont. And since it’s really close, I’m also headed to Montreal to revisit a favorite (I know, I know, I don’t normally duplicate but since I’m going back to London in a few months, might as well revisit another). And then before heading back home, I’m going to meet up with a friend in Boston. It sounds like it will be a fun trip and it will get me out of the 100 degree weather we’ve been experiencing here for the last month or so.
I know some people dread their birthdays. But I’m definitely not one of them.