Turning 29 – EDIT

After a response I got on Facebook and a comment Nadia made, I think it’s important that I preempt this post with a note: Even though I’m not where I always thought I would be, I’m actually amazingly happy with where my life has taken me and the things I have going on. The recovery that I’ve made with all of the garbage I’ve put myself through sometimes seems like a story that someone else has told me. I’ve been through a lot over the years, but I’ve finally managed to get back on track. With that having been said, please read on:

Yesterday was my 29th birthday.

I spent some time thinking about it and where I thought I would be by this age and, to be honest, I’m nowhere near where I thought I would be. I always thought that I would would own a home and be married with kids by this age. But, back then, I guess I thought 29 was old. Boy was I wrong.

Anyone who may be reading this knows that I’ve gotten a late start in life due to circumstances. Some of them were in my control while others were not. The fact is that that I’ve taken responsibility for all of them and, in the year since I’ve done that, things have gotten tremendously better in my life.

I’m finally living on my own. No room mate situations. No living at home. No relying on anyone to make sure that I am taken care of. For the first time ever, I’m living on my own. I know that I should have had that experience a LONG time ago, but it was always easier to rely on others.

What was I thinking?

Also, my job situation has improved immensely. I used to drift through one job after another. I’d get bored or I’d hate the people I worked with or my boss or I’d find some other reason to quit. I guess, when I think back on it, it boils down to me being unhappy in my life, not just with my job. August of 2009 I landed my dream job and started building websites more or less full time. More recently, it became officially full time and I couldn’t be happier.

Yesterday Nadia took me out for my birthday. We were going to go down town and see if we could find some  black shorts since she’s been on the hunt for just the right pair for months now. She finally found a pair, but they were “on sale” for $116.WTF? Anyway, she then decided to look for a dress, but to no avail.

Finally she gave up and it was time for lunch. Since it was my birthday, she asked me where I wanted to go. The problem was that a week ago I was told I wasn’t allowed to make any decisions on my birthday. So I played that up a bit since I was sure she already had something planned though she swore she didn’t.

After some playful bickering back and forth and me insisting that we eat at Chipotle, she said that she wanted to go to a “sit down” restaurant. She wanted a waiter to bring our food to us. So she insisted that we go to Phantom Canyon. Since I wasn’t allowed to make decisions, I agreed.

As we got on the block where the restaurant was, I saw my boss, Mike, and his wife and was completely sure that the coincidence wasn’t one at all. We all “decided” to go eat upstairs since there are pool tables up there. After we got up there, we had to make the decision on which side of the restaurant to eat. The waiter made a comment that there was a large group of people around the corner if we were with a group.

I was led around the corner to find a group of people waiting for me. Nadia had choreographed a surprise party for me a month in advance.

Mike and his wife were there. Nadia’s mom, Miryam, and her boyfriend, Dennis were there. Amy and Jason as well as Kristie and Kevin showed up as well. My friends Art and Jason (Jaz) showed up, too. Brian showed up a little later, too.

We played pool and hung out and ate. There was the typical chatting and then came the singing of “Happy Birthday”.

I had a blast and was completely surprised that Nadia could be so sneaky about getting everyone together for me. Aaahhh the wonders of Facebook.

THANK YOU, NADIA!!