In preparing to go to Thailand, I set up my phone so it shows me what time it is Bangkok, and guess what... In Thailand it's MY BIRTHDAY ALREADY!  Yeah!
   I can't tell you why I'm so excited about my birthday... Maybe because the date is so familiar for me, like an old friend. April 3rd, it's nice to see you again. 
   I haven't had a birthday party in years, and don't plan on it. Although last year I got surprised by my best friend with a room full of stuffed owls from Goodwill on the midnight of my birthday.

My Birthday Owls, chillin' in their new home, the bathroom.

   Outside of surprises, I try not to have too many expectations. Making plans stresses me out. I just want to enjoy the day, enjoy my friends, and maybe reflect on my life so far. I see birthdays as even better than the new year as a chance to reflect, and take stock of my accomplishments.
   This birthday is kind of a big one. 20. What does that even mean? I'm still not an adult, but I'm not a teen either. I've always said that I would get a tattoo on (or near) my 20th birthday, as a kind of grown up thing to do. I'm not sure how grown up getting a tattoo really is, but I still enjoy the sentiment. I still don't have a design in mind though, so I'm not stressing.
   In taking this new step in to 20-hood I feel like I should recognize what being 19 even meant.
   In my 19th year I: finished my first year of college, spent another summer working at PSU, learned a lot about Star Trek, Worked for the paper some more, declared my major, got to share a horrible room with one of my best friends, survived a hellish fall semester (including rough living situation, hard classes, a lonely break, watching lost of 'Friends', a sprained wrist and a rejuvenating visit from my parents), was vegan for a while, kissed a whittie, learned that (basically) I'm straight, Finally went to a news conference in Seattle, became besties with all of my housemates (especially my newest roommate), got the flu, got a job offer on my own merit at the Children's Museum, and got a god-awful haircut which has finally grown out. 
   Not too shabby, I suppose. 
   T-2 hours and I'll get to start the adventure of being 20!