You know what, when I was younger I always wondered what it’d be like to have one of those birthday’s on a popular day like Christmas or New Years. Little did I know that I’d move to America and my birthday would be on their independence…which by the way they celebrate so enthusiastically? And I didn’t realize this till recently, because I’m usually in Uganda during the summer, and now that I’m here, I get to feel the rush of having my birthday on a special day and must I say, it’s a little different from what I expected. Here’s a little bit of what my day is like on my birthday and the days leading up to it.
A month before
I blame my shopping addiction on the fact that I’m buying myself “a” birthday present. I can’t even start to discuss how many birthday presents I have bought myself, how many dresses I have bought in the name of I’m going to wear this on my birthday…knowing damn well my bday is during Ramadan (Muslim month of fasting) and the dress I’m buying looks nothing like something you’d want to be seen wearing in that month.
Two weeks before
Oh My God…I’m growing old!!! NOOOoooooo (stretches hand out as though I’m falling from a cliff). I’m honestly not one of those women who loathe aging, but peer pressure and overall world perception about women increasing in years, as if there are some who don’t, generally makes me feel like I’m leaving my child at a foster home.
Turning 25 is just one of those things though…like you’re no longer young and free in your early twenties. You’re now fully qualified for a seat among women. Also, you’re now more cautious of the number of ovaries you have left and their lack of a male suitor. I mean, generally speaking, a 25 year old should not be worried about being lover-less, but the way these men are marrying 23 year olds…that shit gets you thinking!
However, looking on the bright side of things, in this day and age where I’m responsible for paying my bills, not to mention the verified rumors that car insurance prices greatly reduce when you turn 25…getting closer to my birthday has never looked so good. You better believe ima call that insurance company up on Monday like…ummm yea I’d like a new quote please?
One week to…
What am I going to do for my birthday??? I never have an idea until the last minute which makes me kind of anxious all week, because I worry like that (no I don’t have an anxiety disorder…I think). You know how when someone says your birth date and your senses genuinely awaken? Imagine having to deal with life when every person on TV, at school, on the streets is saying it. And they don’t call it independence, they say July 4th. You guys, it’s dreadful. And then there’s that friend of yours who knows your birthday and announces to everyone, then everyone starts asking you what big party you’re throwing since your bday is on a “party hard” day and you’re seated there like…do my six new dresses make up for the fact that I have no plans?
Three days to…
More presents for me me me!!! No but this time I have a good reason. You see, on top of my birthday discount, there’s also a July 4th discount, not forgetting the various semiannual discounts going on everywhere. How can you say no to that!!!
One day to…
OMG today is the last day I am this young! Somewhere in between getting serious about actually celebrating, I take a quiet moment and reflect on things…you know,…like how useful I’ve been the past year, regrets, challenges, if I’m happy, if I’m better, and then I have this urge to put down a few thoughts…something like a self-inspirational post on my website (wink wink), sort of a little goodbye to the old me.
Birthday Girl!!!
Am I the only one who wakes up on their birthday expecting some sort of crown to already be on their head? Just me? Okay! You know, it’s funny how you expect things to work out and how they actually end up working out. For example, you think everyone you find that day should give you a special smile or something…in real life you spend half your day dealing with 2 million Facebook birthday notifications and having to answer them so you don’t come off as rude to these lovely people. You finally made plans and just when you expect your million dollar look to work out smoothly, you can’t seem to tie your hair up properly, your makeup is not cooperating and your eyebrow game is a depressing 20%.
Ohhh how could I forget my father and mother’s glorious phone call…you know the one where they sing the “entire” happy birthday song? There’s my dad who has never been on key. Then mother dearest who insists on going in on the second “how old are you now” verse and has the nerve to ask you to sing the age after? Then she repeats the story of “how I was born” for the 25th time. I mean, they are cute, but my goodness, who are these people who don’t realize ima grown azz woman?
The day is always pretty cool, I post an article to my blog…here you are reading it, hang out with whoever is bored, eat somewhere nice, watch fireworks, cut cake (although this time round I’m postponing my cake cutting to a time when I can wear the other outfits I told you about, also I got some super cool people coming to town so I decided to hold) and finally meditate with My Maker about how grateful I am for an awesome life.
So to you, thanks for hanging out with me here in my little corner on the internet. Mad Love and Enjoy the July 4th weekend!!!
xoxo…Buba Fabulous.
More on the look in this picture here.
