A lot has happened in this past month.  Some were great things (yay for family visits, promotions, and ladder climbing in a job I actually love!), but many more were not-so-great things, and while I’ll probably write a post about losing Hamlet, I can’t yet.  It’s not for lack of trying, it’s just that once I start writing, my computer screen blurs and takes on this awkward watery vibe, and I have to stop because if I continue it only gets worse.  I’ll see about getting that fixed. 

In the mean time, I’ve found some things that have brought some joy to my world over these past few weeks, and I hope they bring as much joy to you.

• Stuff No One Told Me (but I learned anyway):

Stuff no One Told Me (but I learned anyway)

• I Am Your Canadian Boyfriend:

• Cassie Boorn’s 20-Something Self Letters:

This one has no fun image to go along with it, but it sure did capture my attention when I found it through a downward spiral of link-clicking.  Back on May 22, 2010, Cassie put a call out to women to share their wisdom with other young women.  The concept is for you to write a letter to your 20-year-old self.  It can be advice, warning, inspiration, whatever… but one thing I’ve found in reading each of the ones submitted is that they are always interesting and always touching.  I have been thinking of composing my own and sending it over.  Maybe you should too. 

Random note:

I miss writing fiction. A lot. The characters have gone quiet on the stage, and they’re growing weary from the wait.  I must remedy that soon.

The daffodils Jack sent me :)

 I just celebrated a most wonderful birthday on Tuesday, thanks to my amazing family, friends, co-workers, and Jack.  Birthdays are still sad for me, and it’s those days that I miss my Gram the most. Every year she would call me at an ungodly, early hour and before I could say anything she would start singing Happy Birthday and then proceed to tell me how I was catching up to her in age (she was perpetually 29) and how she never expected to see me graduate high school (she was around to see me graduate college and graduate school, thankfully).  I know that birthdays are supposed to be happy times, but these past few years have been tough for me.

That’s why I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my life.  I got to work and found a giant sign attached to my desk and was promptly made to wear a tiara for the day.  Silly, perhaps, but it was nice to be remembered.  And throughout the day friends and family called, texted, emailed, and sent funny (and wonderfully irreverent) happy wishes for my birthday, keeping me smiling and lifting my mood. 

Folger Theatre

Jack has been a true sweetheart this past week, too.  He sent me Daffodils at work for my birthday with a beautiful note (see above), and got us tickets to see Hamlet at the Folger Elizabethan Theatre in May.  Hamlet is one of my two favorite Early Modern plays, and we’re seeing it at the Folger.  I’m aware that that means pretty much nothing to those of you who aren’t Early Modern scholars or enthusiasts, but to me that’s outstanding.  It’s the best I could ask for outside of seeing it at the Globe performed by the RSC. And Daffodils (not roses) are my absolute favorite flower.  I’ve mentioned before that just having them around lifts my mood and spirits.  They’re nature’s highlighter.

Hamlet, Daffodils, and Jack… three of my favorite things.  I’m a very lucky girl. 

So I’m 33.

I remember when my parents were 33.  I was 10.

I was going to post a list of all of the meanings of the number 33, and the significance of that age, and the numerology, and the strangeness that surrounds it, but I think I’ll save that for another post.  Right now I’m just going to enjoy what I have around me. 

Thank you, everyone, for making my birthday something very special…

All in all we had an amazing weekend.  We watched plenty of basketball (WOO!) and did some small chores around the house at our own, chilled out pace.  We had a spectacular dinner at G&M’s.  My aunt and uncle have been raving to me about this place since they heard we were moving to Baltimore, and this was the first I’ve been there.  It didn’t disappoint, I can tell you that!  Do you see the size of those crab-cakes?!  We ended up bringing home the equivalent of an entire dinner!

Sunday was supposed to be a day where I go shopping.  Well… we kinda did… -ish.  We drove up to White Marsh and started exploring and investigating, and ended up walking in to a Pier 1 store.  We grabbed some fun kitchen stuff and headed back out.  I didn’t see the chalk board wine glasses that they have on the site, but I have a feeling I could find them if we go back.  If not, I might just have to order them.  How much fun are those jars?!  Somehow we ended up embarking on Jack’s first ever IKEA experience… For the most part we were pretty “Meh…” about the stuff we saw, but we did find a dining room table that we just might go pick up.  It is a perfect 2-4 person dining table and makes a darn good gaming table.  When we get a bigger place it will be great to go in a game room. From there, we made a mad dash to watch the rest of the Pitt v. Xavier game at Buffalo Wild Wings.  So much for our diets… it’s MARCH MADNESS… Mmmm… wings and sports….

We spent some very random, spontaneous time assessing the needs of our garden, and doing some minor weeding and arranging of the climbing, flowering vines, and determining which kind of flowers with which to supplement.  I don’t think Daffodils will do well back there because they need at least 6 straight hours of sun, but I can try.  Roses might be difficult, but I think I’ll be giving them a shot too.  I miss caring for my roses.  It’s therapeutic for me.  So next week we’ll probably wander our way back up through White Marsh and actually get to the mall and Home Depot as we originally planned.  Maybe. 

Overall… this weekend was pretty wonderful.  The sunshine didn’t hurt, either.