Turning 23

   Two days after my folks arrived, I celebrated a most perfect birthday. 
   Turning 23 has all sort of whimsical connotations in my mind. My current situation speaks to the luck of this life-year and I know that the coming months will only make this more obvious. I’ll be wrapping up a year living abroad, returning to my dream of a graduate program, creating a new home for myself in Alabama, and returning to the company of my love. On an introspective level, I feel much more comfortable and assured of myself than I ever have. There is no question as to my path: I know what I want and I know I have the ability to get there. I might not have every, itsy-bitsy component of my journey plotted out but I trust my instincts and my sensibilities to do what needs to be done. I am past the vanity and insecurities of my teenage-dom, am over the OCD nervosa of my college years, and am utterly content. I recognize that I still have an immense amount to learn on a personal and professional level but I also accept myself for who I am at this very moment. I know that graduate school will be taxing but I am confident that I will be able to balance my workload with the people and activities that bring me joy. Only good things lay ahead in my 23rd year and, if my good fortune ends, I’m prepared to deal with any sorrow which might come my way.
   I rang in this new year with my wonderful parents. Still jet-lagged and fresh off the plane, they tolerated my insistence on a traditional Bhuddhist birthday blessing at a local temple and then whisked me downtown to treat me to an incredible Sunday Brunch at the Royal Orchid Sheraton on the Chao Phraya River. This was no ordinary brunch.... freshly made to order smoothies were free-flowing, a woodfire pizza oven doled out deliciousness, raw oysters were endless, dim sum overflowed out of steam baskets, thai delicacies sat next to western classics, and the dessert bar was a room all to itself. To say I entered food-induced bliss would be obvious. The waitstaff even constructed a star-bedecked, chocolate-covered, Thai kanome encircled, and candle topped torte and sang the Thai Happy Birthday song to me. I would have NEVER treated myself to such an indulgence but it was so much fun to enjoy one of the famous Sunday Brunch locales that Bangkok is famous for. 
    After loosening our pants and taking a brief rest, we headed to RedSky, my favorite skybar, to celebrate over cocktails with my Mercer compadres. I was surrounded by 12 people whom I adored while looking over a city with which I have fallen in love... pure, nostalgic bliss. 
    We later dined on a chocolate extreme Dairy Queen (thank you, Globalization!) cake and watched a full, blood moon rise. Life at 23 started off so sweetly.