There and Back Again

Disposition: Looking forward to 30 more years
Listening: Life for Rent (Dido)
Reading: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Watching: The Core
Obsessing: Sir Ian McKellen
Pondering: For still there are so many things that I have never seen; in every wood in every spring there is a different green. (JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings)

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.”**

Thirty years ago today, I was born to my parents Aniana and August, the 7th sister to brothers Michael and Martin and sisters Marizza, Mercedes, Milagros and Myra. I’m the youngest of 7 and the one with the least baby pics. Though that hasn’t hindered my growth or scarred my relations with my family, I will always wonder how I looked when I was a baby.

Thirty years later, I am here, living like I think I should, working because I have to. Single and unattached and enjoying the pleasures of life such as traveling, buying nice things, writing and saying my thoughts, hanging out with friends and family and, once in awhile, getting to do what I want to do. The last thirty years hasn’t been perfect but it’s been a great journey. There are things that could be better. I could be slimmer in figure, taller in height, debt-free, paid more at work, working less days in a week and traveling every other month. But as we can’t always get what we ask for and because life can never be perfect, I am content with what I have and what I’ve achieved.

On my 30th birthday I wish for continued happiness, good health and prosperity for me and my loved ones. I wish that I may always have a reason to smile and get up in the morning. That I may enjoy many more sunrises and winters. Above all, I wish that I continue to get the opportunity to discover and enjoy the rest of world and discover myself as I do so.

Happy birthday!

**Excerpt from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien