Wonderemployment

I did it! I crossed off all my 30 for 30 items by the end of my birthday month (the 30th!). I wasn't sure when I initiated it whether it would end up being fun or overwhelming, but it turned out perfectly. August and September have been so full of celebration and sweetness, I feel absolutely spoiled by it all. The only time I felt rushed or forced was when I convinced myself to make the mac and cheese in grueling heat because I knew it was the last weekend of September, and I couldn't envision having time to do it on the few remaining weekdays. Other than that, I was able to make plans AND be spontaneous to make this truly the best birthday ever. It wasn't just the actual things or activities that made this list fun to fulfill; it was the people. I spent time with friends I made in high school, college, my first years in SF, friends I met through Curtis, through my work and volunteerism, all the way up to friends I've just recently met through being Holly's mom. I...

I've been talking about my birthday a lot this year... It feels a bit silly and self-centered, but I've been having a great time crossing things off my  #MaiLe30for30 list (18/30 at the time of this post)! As I mentioned in my previous birthday post , part of the reason for all this fanfare is because this last year has been pretty challenging and I feel like a little celebration is in order. But it's actually more than that. Part of it has been a lifetime in the waiting. I think everyone has a spiritual age. I know a few people who really are kids at heart, and I have one friend in particular who is just waiting to become an old lady (the elegant, St. John's wearing type, not a lonely cat lady...). For most of my youth, I definitely felt older than my age. I was always a more serious kid, and experiencing family trauma at a young age forced me to mature a little earlier. I know now that I didn't have it rough compared to many kids in our country, but I reme...