[nb: i wrote this saturday, but i've been to busy to type since then.]

Reflections on a birthday:

33 was such an interesting year, filled with adventure, travel, connection, outstretched wings, growth, an advancement in personal-confidence, weight loss (80lbs), abundance, moments of clarity, confusion, restlessness, milestones, hopefulness, and so much love. My highs were so very high, but the lows were deep, challenging, and often irrational. i’m stronger and happier than i was a year ago, but i have to admit the growing pains have aged me… still, i think that’s an ok bargain.

at 33, i…
~ sang for The Pope
~ sang at Lincoln Center, with The New York Philharmonic (and other groups, too)
~ sang Beethoven’s 9th at Carnegie Hall
~ joined Actor’s Equity
~ become a “professional” children’s photographer
~ went to CA (twice!) and Las Vegas
~ saw the beatles’ LOVE
~ had a beautiful beach vacation in a beach house in Mandalay Bay (“mandibu”)
~ went to Cape Cod (twice!); fell in love
~ spent perfect, perfectly relaxing time at my parents’ house (Sonnystone Acres)
~ spent magical days with Em watching her grow from toddler into charming little preschool-girl
~ laughed more than ever
~ made new friends
~ reconnected with old friends; realized how much i still treasure them
~ was unashamed to be outspokenly political; cried tears of joy when Obama won the election
~ learned to bake pie from scratch; found great peace in baking
~ sent more cards, wrote more letters
~ became a blonde

some goals for 34 (many the same as last year)…

~ write a book
~ record a cd
~ travel often
~ make sure my friends and family know how much i love them. if i’m thinking “i love you”, say it out loud.
~ be more fearless
~ shrug off insecurity
~ don’t take things so personally
~ don’t hold grudges
~ knit more (maybe a sweater?)
~ reach goal weight
~ cultivate abundance
~ keep living debt-free
~ meet David Bowie
~ get my teeth fixed
~ get up early
~ keep collecting seashells and painting rocks
~ be cast in a Broadway show
~ find a perfect pecan pie recipe
~ make weekly playlists
~ dance every day

[nb #2: the list above is going to morph into a set of "new year's resolutions" soon...still a work in progress]