27th Birthday

You know I feel sentimental writing this on my blog because I remember vividly when I wrote my 17th birthday post. It's been a decade since then yet whenever I sign in to this account, I feel like I enter this space where that teenage version of myself is eternal.

27 sounds kind of weird at first because now I feel like I am a legit adult, adult.
I mean, some people would expect me to be having babies, a house mortgage, and a car loan, but at the same time some other would think I'm still too young to be having something that deep.

Personally, I still feel the same as I have always been. Like that same 17-year-old girl who spends her birthday listening to Coldplay's Yellow at midnight, wishing the 18th of April doesn't have to end.

The past year has been a ride; a joyful one at that.
I couldn't stop thinking about it, even now I am still digesting what happened last year. It's like fireworks during New Year's Eve.
But this year, this year I feel like I want to be more compose, like... calmer?
I still believe that calmness goes better with age, you know.
Growing older, I realize that it's not like all people always have everything together, it's more to them getting used to the not knowing and the winging stuffs. People just get more resilient.
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I saw it coming but it still feels odd that I got less "happy birthday" text from friends than those from stores and shops that save my phone number and offer me birthday discounts.
Even Dutch train company wished me happy birthday and offered me a discount for weekend travel packages. How thoughtful, dank u NS.

I am happy that now I have returned home, and I can celebrate my birthday in my hometown with my family, friends, and all people that I love.
I just feel like from now on birthdays are going to be like this for me: a chance to find a reason to gather with family and loved ones. And also, for my friends to start a conversation with me.
Unlike years ago, where I would expect gifts and thoughtful notes, now I just want to be around and talk.

This birthday I only went to the gym, had sushi lunch, took a goood nap, hung out with my family, and watched anime.
Perfect, perfect day.
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