The day before my 27th birthday.

I’m seriously thinking about skipping 27, heading straight for 28, then setting up camp there for the next 20 or so years. Why are the odd numbered years so nerve-wracking? While 13 and 21 are more exciting and anticipated, 23, 25, and 27 just sound scary. So does 29 and 35. Really, 34…not that bad. I can probably even handle 40, 50, etc. But 39 and 49? Nope. Don’t want to go there.

And while I realize that numerical age does not define us, there is something finite…something solid(but not in a good way), something that is so temporarily permanent. I know that’s on oxymoron, but it’s true. For a year, we are a specific age. I am 26. I’m not 26 years, 363 days, and 3 hours old. Tomorrow I will be 27. For a whole year. To my employer, to the government, to my parents, I will be that finite number.

I suppose somewhere in here is a rant about labels. How we define ourselves, and how other people define us. Finding out who we are is a big part of our journey. A friend of mine has a spot on his blog called 100 things about me. Perhaps I’ll make a list of ‘I am’ 100 things. Yup…sounds like a good day before the b-day exercise.

1. I am a woman
2. I am independent
3. I am an insurance agent
4. I am a daughter
5. I am a sister
6. I am an aunt
7. I am compassionate
8. I am intelligent
9. I am a bibliophile(book-junkie)
10. I am a geocacher
11. I am a Libra
12. I am a person who strives for balance
13. I am a Pagan
14. I am interested in many different religions
15. I am a homeowner
16. I am a life-long Michigan resident
17. I am photographer
18. I am a patron of the arts
19. I am a genealogist
20. I am already having problems coming up with items
21. I am proficient on a computer
22. I am a trivia buff
23. I am single
24. I am 5’5” tall
25. I am a good cook
26. I am giving
27. I am a part of a big, loving family
28. I am a person who loves to travel
29. I am open-minded
30. I am grateful to have the parents I do
31. I am shy (in my own mind)
32. I am out-going (in appearance)
33. I am optimistic
34. I am able to see all sides of any issue
35. I am proud of my heritage
36. I am a liberal
37. I am a bleeding-heart liberal(according to Sharon)
38. I am pro-choice
39. I am an American (for better or worse)
40. I am a good friend
41. I am a spoiled brat
42. I am the youngest sibling in my family
43. I am high-maintenance
44. I am trying to ‘just roll with it’
45. I am right-handed (but use my left an awful lot)
46. I am a recovering Catholic
47. I am an ex-vegetarian
48. I am immensely curious
49. I am almost to #50
50. I am ordained
51. I am the person people come to for advice
52. I am always early (I hate being late)
53. I am a jack-of-all-trades
54. I am a master of none
55. I am capable of leaning new things quickly
56. I am not afraid to be alone
57. I am a spider-rescuer (please don’t squish them)
58. I am reverent of all living things
59. I am a Nature lover
60. I am skilled at domestic trades (baking, sewing, etc)
61. I am able to re-wire light fixtures
62. I am a blood donor
63. I am an organ donor (or will be when I die)
64. I am O positive
65. I am writing this on company time
66. I am impressed I’ve made it to #66
67. I am obviously wasting space
68. I am always enthralled with the changing of seasons
69. I am pierced in four places (ears only)
70. I am tattooed in one
71. I am hoping to finish this list before five o’clock
72. I am the owner of a rusty 94 Chevy Blazer named Bear
73. I am ok with the fact that I will never be famous
74. I am blessed with amazing friends
75. I am allergic to dozens of things
76. I am disgusted with our news media
77. I am tired of dealing with stupid boys
78. I am deeply saddened by the recent natural disasters
79. I am concerned about the future of the human race
80. I am hopeful
81. I am scared of rejection
82. I am really impressed I’ve made it this far
83. I am not sure of ‘what I want to be when I grow up’
84. I am ready to be the person I’m meant to become
85. I am disappointed in our president
86. I am also know by my alter-ego ‘Abby’
87. I am aware of consequences
88. I am able to laugh at myself
89. I am a beautiful person
90. I am slightly egotistical
91. I am careful around other people’s feelings
92. I am a blogger (a bad one, but still…)
93. I am a regular player on The Kingdom of Loathing
94. I am a collector of Band-Aids
95. I am a speed reader
96. I am a not-so-speedy typer
97. I am almost there
98. I am able to mow my own lawn
99. I am nostalgic
100. I am done.