Birthday Girl

I've been alive for 2 decades. 20 years. I feel overwhelmed (partially because I can't blame outbursts on being a teenager anymore -.-) mostly because I imagined myself to be at a different place when I hit my 20's. Because life is a learning experience and I've done a considerable amount of learning these 20 years, here's a list of things I've learned:

• I've learned that I need to set realistic goals. 
• I've learned that good things come to those who wait and do a fair amount of hard work. 
• I've learned that it's best to write about what you know. 
• I've learned that if you set forth your best foot you'll come to realize that it might not be your best foot. 
• I've learned that one can love too much and for the wrong reasons. 
• I've learned about family and what it means to put others before you. 
• I've learned that friends show their Meir in times of need. 
• I've learned that for the greater good some 'bad' things must be done. 
• I've learned that I love to dwell in the past because when you build on it you get the future. 
• I've learned that I might not be the most fun teacher but I am the most responsible. 
• I've learned to cut myself some slack because I'm my biggest critic. 
• I've learned that I won't stop learning anytime soon. 

As for the loot I received, I'm glad to say that it was all that I wanted, not completely what I expected, and the usual generosity my family demonstrates.

In other words, I got:

1. The Cuckoo's Calling.
2. A mug from my mom. 
3. A beautiful piece of bling (awesome ring). 
4. One of those shoe things you put rungs IN. 
5. Money from my dad. 
6. Hilarious cards from my siblings. 
7. A day without war from my brother -.- (although to be fair, he DID get me Khalid Hosseini's new book at Eid). 

I'd like to also thank my best friend (S.A.) for making me a great little video for my birthday. She tried to get me to send her some pictures of me to go in the video by making me think I had an overseas fan club and I wrecked that by being busy :/ It's a beautiful video and the gift I will treasure the most because even though she lives on a different continent, she did what people who live nearby didn't do. She took out lots of time from her daily life to make me something so beautiful and personal-- she made me feel special. 

Thank you.