Birthday Self-indulgence

Yup, today is my 30th birthday. Well, at least in China it is my 30th. As my friend Thom said, if I want to still be 29 I would need to quickly get across the international date line because that window is fast closing. People have been asking me how it feels to be turning 30 and to be honest, I don’t really have much of an opinion. I was trying to explain to someone who is 22 that it is less about age at this point and more about what phases of their lives different people are in. If someone is married or married with children, I notice that more than I notice their age. Those things tend to separate people as you get older. Or perhaps it has to do with career and what stage one is at in their own career. It’s these comparisons that serve as reference points, not the absolute age we’re at. At least that’s how I feel about it. So turning 30 is not that big of a deal for me, yet. I am 8000 miles away in China, so it’s easy to forget about all the comparisons to where my other friends are in their lives, but I am sure I will feel some element of it when I return to the States in a few weeks. Being in China for my 30 this almost a relief because it takes the pressure off this milestone, no big plans were necessary to commemorate the event. Myself and three of the other fellows are going to go out for some non-Chinese food tonight, probably Indian and then get some drinks at a chill bar. I mean, I am 30 after all and I’m not going to recover from drinking the same way I did when I was 29 the other day. This weekend will also be filled with various drinking events. Tomorrow night, we are throwing a Halloween party for our students to introduce them to American culture. As someone with a birthday that was often treated as an afterthought to Halloween, the holiday and I have a tenuous relationship. I think it’s that way for anyone born really close to a big holiday. But in the spirit of the party, I will be in some sort of costume.

 

It’s been nice because my friends have been calling or emailing throughout the morning, so I feel connected to home. Alexa, one of the other fellows, came over at midnight last night singing “Happy Birthday” in Chinese with some Chinese pastries, candles, and little gifts for us. Oh yeah, Celia (my roommate) and I share the same birthday. It was really cute that she came by like that and it’s moments like that when I realize that what we are building here in GZ is our own little community. It’s kind of like one of the reality TV shows, except it’s taking place in China. In fact, most days feel like a reality TV show with daily challenges and almost deliberately placed warm and fuzzy moments, but it’s been fun and it’s definitely an adventure. My 30th in China will definitely be memorable, if not because of the festivities, but for the simple fact that I wanted to get back to China this year and I was actually able to make it happen.

 

Since this post is purely self-indulgent, I am going to leave you with pictures of my new first cousin once removed, Jake, which sounds way too clinical for someone so cute. My cousin Marianne gave birth to him at the end of July, so he’s quite young. While it’s my first cousin’s baby and technically we are first cousins once removed relationship, I am just going to anoint myself as one of his uncles and take it up with his parents, Marianne and Matt later. Regardless of the relationship, he is one of the most adorable three month olds I have ever seen, but perhaps I am a little biased. I cannot wait to see him and his parents when I am home in November.

Jake and Marianne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jake looking quite happy