they say it's your birthday

I'm twenty years old.

My life lies before me, past and present.

I take the opportunity to ask myself what I really want.

I decide, now, or never, is the time to take myself seriously.

The world circles around me, busy, bad, bold, and beautiful, and it's up to me to find my balance.

Today the sky was a heavy gray, the rain fell in buckets and everyone wore their best frown. I felt a push into adulthood, a life of bills, responsibilites and worry. Everyone on the subway was going somewhere, but no one looked happy about where they were going.

But part of growing up is getting through it. So I sat through the three hour philosophy class, under bright yellow lighting, and let the words slide pass me or seep into me. I thought about the good things, and the blue sky that would soon return.

When the evening rolled in the rain finally stopped as my roomate and I stood on the street corner waiting for the streetcar. A mist sat in the sky, hovering over buildings and eating up their rooftops.

You can't predict the weather. I'm learning to make the most of whatever's thrown my way. So I bought myself dinner, kicked back a cocktail, and spent the evening with my roomate, a lovely young woman who makes me smile. The waitresse brought us lemon, rasberry and mango sorbet with a sparkler on top.

The fire in me is still burning, and I plan on keeping it going for as long as possible.