Not Another Pandemic Birthday Party

My birthday is my second favorite holiday (after Halloween). I don’t think it’s because I’m self-centered (although you might disagree); I just enjoy being showered with good wishes, eating cake, and having a day to reflect on life.

I didn’t want to reflect this year, because honestly, it’s been rough. I feel like I have half the brain capacity I used to. I am grumpy and drained and kinda traumatized from this stupid fire and the stupid state of the world but…there’s also a whole lot of good when I force myself to look just a little bit harder.

The Good List, Year 35

Yeah fine I shared my age on the internet. Anyway, here’s what I’m happy about.

• My mom visited our home in CO for the first time, and immediately made it feel more homey
• We traveled across CO with friends, and saw a ton of things, and realized we shouldn’t travel with friends for more than a week (this is a good lesson to learn!)
• I taught for the 2nd time, double the students, and I feel lucky to have “taught” them for another pandemic summer (don’t tell anyone it’s secretly a fun class where we mostly talk memes and storytelling)
• We traveled around with John’s brother and friend and went to lots of hot springs (more this weekend! Well, back, really — we’ve been to 2, the rest are far away)
• I applied for jobs, got rejections, got an interview I didn’t expect, got a new job than I really didn’t expect, am learning a literal shit ton about learning, and then some!
• I started cursing more on the internet?
• I kept a foot in academia serving as a faculty advisor for some amazing grad students who love writing and translating! (I wish I had more energy to give there, but they graciously accept how I show up right now)
• I was an adult about dealing with insurance claims and fire shit and although I’m not doing that very well, I’m doing it and that’s what counts
• We went skiing and loved it! I still daydream about going down the (bunny) slopes (and cringe because what a rich person sport)
• We hiked a lot and bought a lot at Costco. We went to bed before 10pm quite often. We are cool.
• Fell more in love with Cheyenne, if that was possible, she’s the best and baddest bitch