My birthday fell on a Saturday this year. I was rostered to work. I didn’t even tell my co-workers it was my birthday to spare myself from the awkwardness of fielding birthday greetings and perhaps the inevitable question of how old I am already.

Not that I mind telling people. It’s just that I simply forget. I stopped counting at 32 so now when people ask, it’s more of a mathematical problem than a case of selective amnesia.

To be honest, I don’t feel old. I mean, look at me. I just started learning to bloody rollerskate! It might take a while to get there but I’ll get there. Chill.

On a side note, I spent late last night crocheting these toe guards whose pattern I found here. This morning found me putting them on my moxis and adjusting my toe stops while I was at it. Jeff also showed me how to take off my wheels, clean my bearings, and what-not.

He’s very supportive. He keeps telling me I need to come with him to his skate group for a skate run around the city but I don’t think I’m at that level yet. It’s a fear issue and we both know it. He likes to push me out of my comfort zone and I always push back with the same amount of resistance. I like to take my time. Hell, it’s been 4 years since he bought me these skates and I’m still at fucking Day 1!

For what it’s worth, I can do super tiny mini jumps on skates now, though.

And one time, I finally nailed a mohawk turn before mucking it up again in my next attempts.

But my hair! Que horror! Can’t wait to chop off all the dyed bits and let my natural hair color grow back because the truth is, I kinda miss it. And also because I realized I’m not very high maintenance, after all. I can’t be bothered having my hair done every couple of months or so.

So, anyway, I celebrated my birthday with tempura, salmon sashimi and sushi that my sister made and it was perfect!

I even bought this little chocolate mud cake from Ferguson Plarre which was surprisingly yummy as it was just the right amount of sweetness. I think I’ll celebrate my birthday every week from now on just as an excuse to buy it again.

I don’t remember making a wish as Raven excitedly blew my cake for me but like I keep telling Jeff, I’m really happy with my life right now. I’m beyond blessed in so many ways.

For everything that I have and for everything I have yet to receive, I’m profoundly grateful.

Cheers!

*Raven at 4 years old