25

April 11th, 1983, 10:30 am, PDT. After 60 (what I'm sure were exhausting) hours of labor and a final determination to do a C-section, a baby was born in a hospital room at Oregon Health and Sciences University.

25 years later. That baby has grown into a young woman. She is a law student in Boston, miles from home. She is independent, determined, and passionate. And she is now sitting in front of her computer contemplating all the events that have occurred in her life that have led her to this place.

I've drafted and re-drafted this entry, considering going through my life and listing all the events that may have led to me being independent, determined, and passionate. And I've realized that 25 years is a long time and it was turning out to be a very long entry. A lot has happened in my life that made me who I am. I've had successes and failures. I've made mistakes, and I've learned from them. I've gotten into sticky situations and figured out how to get out. I've learned that if I'm so stuck that I can't get out on my own, my parents are always there to help. Even 3000 miles away, I know they're always there for me.

Some of my friends had an "existential crisis" at 25. They suddenly realized they weren't really doing anything with their life, and didn't even know what they wanted to do. There's this strange thing about being 25 that makes you feel like you should know what you want to do, and should at least be on your way to getting there. I'm glad I'm there. I'm not having an existential crisis because I know I want to be a lawyer, and I'm in law school working towards becoming one. Just knowing that makes me feel so accomplished.

Tonight I'm going to celebrate by going to a movie with Vanessa and then having dinner. It's quiet, but that's me. I like quiet, peaceful celebrations. Having a few drinks with friends, or a nice dinner at home is usually all I ask for. So I think tonight will be a perfect way to celebrate.

The only strange thing is that such a landmark year coincided with my first birthday away from my parents. Especially strange being away from my mom. Her and I are very close, I think part of it has to do with the fact that I'm her only child, and part of it is just that we understand each other. I never have to be guarded around her. Even though she's my mom, I can be completely open with her, even if I'm talking about things that people don't usually talk about with their parents. I love that about her, and I miss her the most on big important days like this. But I know she's always just a phone call away.

So. Happy Birthday to me. I'm off to go celebrate!