Birthdays are special not because it marks a whole new age-identity, but because they can be markers of significant changes.  Some ages are more observed and noted by the celebrants – 18, 21, 30 and 50 for example are milestones in one’s lifetime.

Today is my birthday and I have reached my 27th year.  I can’t say that I feel particularly different.  I have been anticipating today, and have felt 27 for some time now.  But I do not doubt my changes in the past year, which I am learning have been recognized by others.  (That blows me away.)

I don’t think you can really see how much internal change has occurred until it is pointed out by someone else.  And honestly, to me it doesn’t seem that much has changed from my birthday post a year ago.  I am still smoke-free (yay!), health-conscious, and kicking butt in tae kwon do.  A year ago, I had decided to go to grad school.  Now, I’m half way through my Communication Masters degree and will start my MBA degree this Spring.

I’m learning that it’s small changes that dramatically change your life.  I find that I laugh a lot more than I used to.  I feel less stressed at work, with finances, and find that I rarely experience dark emotions such as jealousy or anger.  Frustration is still my friend, and usually blaming someone for an inconvenience, but all in all, I feel satisfied. Happy. Content.  And that is enough for people to notice.

I was told today that I seemed to have taken a 180-turn.  I have.  Sometimes I get a glimpse of the “old Kristen” and can barely recognize her.  Now, the “new Kristen” has become not so new anymore.  This past year has smoothed out my insecurities (though, of course, some are still hiding in their corners), has made friends with my perfectionist nature, and has prepared me for a life of patience and learning – both of which I hope to never tire of.