Birthday: Yes, please. And thanks.

So, that was my first birthday not celebrated in the Philippines. I thought it would be weirder, but I guess I was too busy to really feel weird about it. Had birthday dinner with family at Cioppino's, fancy Italian place, small servings, multiple courses, but undeniably delicious food (try the salad with the goat cheese, eggplant, something-something and maple syrup! I was *this* close to hugging the Bible!). Then the next day was laser tag with AIESECers (Hoffwoman = 3rd place, yesss), which was a total throwback to those smoggy Laserquest (sp?) days. Then the most random birthday shipwreck/shebang/gong show (jury's still out on what that night actually qualified for) at Mel's place. The lack of cameras (or, really, sober people with cameras) was a total godsend. It wasn't no-pants (thanks, Justine, for the reminder), but it came awfully close. Kind of weird to be the only one still studying though. Damn those credit incompatibilities. And my lazy ass. Ho ho ho.

Was supposed to have Sunday brunch, too, with some of the kids, but fortunately my mom had errands for me to do. I get antsy during my-birthday celebrations. I don't know why.

I'm thinking: 22 isn't exactly a milestone. It's sort of a meh year. So is 23 now that I think about it. I'll probably do the whole rethink-every-facet-of-my-life-and-despair thing when year 25 rolls around. But right now, I'm pretty chill.

Got a lot of CDs for some reason: New Order (Michelle!), HANSON (EB!), Nick Drake (Deke!), some good old Hot Hot Heat (A & M!), Coconut Records (sQ!) and some new music: Hey Mercedes (sQ, still!). Haven't had the chance to give it an honest listen, but I'm a sucker for night skies and firework references, so this might work. Nothing from my parents, because I'm an expensive kid, and I feel bad for all those credit card bills (and trips) I've accumulated in the past few years. Yeah, mostly CDs. Not complaining, I hardly ever buy CDs anymore. Except for Friday: Beach Boys and some more Modest Mouse. It's getting gross, I know. O, and I bought myself some cigs. Birthday pack.

Thanks everyone. Those were lovely times.

I want to read some books! Just finished the latest Lisa Tucker (Once Upon a Day): kind of sickly sweet, but still a good read. A little heartbreaking, a little fortifying, one of those draining stories that make you want to slump over and disappear for a while. Finished re-reading The Time Traveler's Wife, and that's always something to go through. Also, Elementary Particles by M. Houellebecq: tremendous and just a little bit essential, in a grotesque kind of way. Reminded me a little of Ishiguro (Never Let Me Go), which reminded me of equal parts The Giver and, sadly, Prep. Right now, still slogging through some non-fictions: D. Dennett (Breaking the Spell) and V. Nasr (The Shia Revival). It's not quite the 50-books-in-a-year I was planning, but it's something. Recommendations? E-mail! (Or: Facebook.)