34 Breathless Laps Around the Sun

OK, I'll admit to spending hours contemplating my life and my purpose on this planet, as many of us are wont to do on our birthdays. But I will torture myself on my own time, endlessly muttering to myself "When did I get so fucking old?" For you, I present an abridged version of where 34 years as a living, breathing soul has taken me:

* I have lived in 10 cities in two states.
* I have visited 15 states, including D.C.
* I have visited 5 countries outside the U.S.
* I have had beloved eight pets, if you count only dogs and cats.
* I have had my work published in print.
* I have been to Disneyland dozens of times, but have never been to Disney World.
* I have been to Europe twice (to England, France and Spain).
* I have never ridden in a helicopter.
* I have never been on a cruise ship.
* I have never ski-dived, scuba-dived or cliff-dived.
* I have received a Bachelor's degree but have not finished paying for it.
* I have an impeccable driving record and excellent credit. The only criminal act I've committed thus far was voting for Perot in 1992.
* I have eaten caviar, foie gras, poori and paprikash.
* I have never eaten frog's legs, escargot or rabbit.
* I have traveled beneath the English Channel.
* I have been to pro football stadiums in different states on several occasions, but never for a football game.
* I have learned to read music.
* I have learned to read an alphabet other than English.
* I have sung on stage with a synth-pop band at L.A.'s famous Whisky-a-Go-Go and recorded a CD.
* I have lost two grandparents, but my other two are (thankfully) alive and kicking.
* I have had all four wisdom teeth removed but have never had a cavity.
* I have had a substantial portion of each breast removed.
* I have gone trick-or-treating as an adult (and not with kids in tow).
* I have been in love three times.
* I have never been in love with a right-handed man.
* I have smoked marijuana but have never drank liquor straight-up.
* I have lived through a major earthquake but have never suffered a broken bone.
* I have vacationed by myself, in unfamiliar cities, and loved it.
* I have remained extremely close with over half a dozen childhood friends.

However often I may harbor fantasies of having handled certain situations in my life differently, I have surprisingly few regrets. This makes me a lucky, lucky woman. As if the list above didn't already affirm that.

This is also the start of a new year in the Jewish calendar. So happy new year to everyone. May it be sweet. As for me, here's to another year of living, learning, exploring, yearning, striving and loving. I'm a lucky woman, indeed.