29th birthday anniversary

Last year's 29th birthday anniversary picture. 

2011 29th birthday anniversary photo

Ah yes, another birthday has come and gone. Thank you to all who wished me well on this the anniversary of my 29th birthday!
Some funny factoids about my birthday (if you are a long time reader, you've probably heard this before)-
I share it with Benjamin Franklin, who just happens to also be my favorite founding father
Nearly every year since I was 16 a major national or natural disaster has occurred within 1-3 days of my birthday (eg- Haiti earthquake, Desert Shield/Storm began, Kobe earthquakes, LA riots, Challenger disaster). Every year on my birthday I have a tendency to check the news compulsively to see what will happen this year. So far, we are good this year.
There is a freak warm spell in Virginia every year right around my birthday. When I was a kid I always wanted to have a sledding party for my birthday. More than once we ended up having backyard picnic parties instead! This year is the first time in my (Virginia) life that it has snowed on my birthday. (It was probably also the first year I have ever been desperate for sunshine. We're going on nearly 2 weeks of overcast skies and the S.A.D. is killing me!)
My family has a birthday serenade tradition. My dad will always call and sing Happy Birthday. The tradition has now been passed down, and now my nephews (albeit somewhat grudgingly, and yet with great gusto) will always call to sing Happy Birthday "cha- cha- cha!" The cha-cha-cha's are their favorite parts. I'd pay good money to hear my dad sing anything with "cha cha cha" in it.
For the second year in a row, I found myself on a very strict diet on my birthday. For the second year in a row, I am at my lowest weight in 10 years on my birthday! (I am 2 lbs lower today than I was a year ago today.) Just like last year, I really, really enjoyed getting to "cheat within reason" with a few of my favorite foods. And I have to say, it was totally worth it.

Let's face it. Last year, as in all of 2010, pretty much sucked for me. There were a lot of ups and downs, and some serious stress and disappointments. I'm not sorry to see it end. My birthday is my "new years," and starting over. I say bring on 2011. There are a lot of great things ahead of me, and I can't wait to get to them. The next birthday will likely be celebrated in a small village in Africa! And I can't wait!