Barbara's Random Thoughts

The changing of the season has been gradually creeping up on me. The nectarine tree outside my window has gone from bare branches a month ago, to a few scattered pink blooms mid-month, to blossoms and bright green leaves this past week. I've kept an eye on it from time to time, seeing the change coming. My life has been kind of a parallel of late. There are changes coming, and signs of those changes are all around me. Gradual, but unmistakable.

Spring seems to now be here (it's hard to tell in SoCal, where we have maybe two seasons, unless you count "earthquake season" and "fire season"), and mild as the change is, it's been a reminder of the advent of spring in Pretoria, heralded by jacarandas bursting into bloom--raining down purple blossoms all over Pangani. (I've seen two springs in the last six months, and I'm gonna completely miss summer--ah, the strangeness of traveling between hemispheres.) This spring is a reminder of the change that was ahead when I faced spring in Pretoria--leaving a community I had come to love deeply, and moving forward into I didn't know what. And it's a reminder of the changes that are soon to come once again. There's a return ahead of me--I'll be going back to Pangani very soon. I know things will be different...there are many new experiences and friendships ahead. Isn't that what spring is about? New beginnings.

The fact that my birthday--this particular birthday--is in the spring seems oddly fitting. I'm about to embark on a new phase in my life, setting out on a more permanent venture of living my life outside of America. I'm following a new vision, a new dream, and I'm excited to see where the road will lead. At the same time, I'm moving into a new decade of my life. It's really really weird that I'm turning thirty. But I'm choosing to think of it as a new beginning, rather than lamenting the passage of time. Because, what's to come? I have this feeling that it's gonna be pretty amazing.

Labels: birthday

Some quotes upon the occasion of my birthday.

"At twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly resolve that they never will be; at thirty they say nothing about it, but quietly accept the fact, and, if sensible, console themselves by remembering that they have twenty more useful, happy years, in which they may be learning to grow old gracefully."
--Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Look at what's ahead! Twenty more useful, happy years! Growing old gracefully! I am so encouraged. Moving on.

Turning Thirty
Randy Stonehill

I've got a house down by the ocean
the rent is not too high
and I love to watch the ships come in
and hear the seagulls cry
and lately I've been taking stock
of all that I've been through
oh tomorrow is my birthday
feels funny but it's true
I'm turning thirty

now I've got a wife who really loves me
she makes my life so sweet
and a little baby daughter
who plays games around my feet
and my world is very different
from those lazy bachelor years
but if I had the chance to go back
I'd rather stay right here
I'm turning thirty

and I have friends who care about me
they're the best I've ever had
and they always stood behind me
whenever times got bad
and I love to play my music
though the road can be a trial
but every time I walk on stage
it's worth each dusty mile
I'm turning thirty

well, now thirty ain't like fifteen
and it's not like twenty-five
my back's a little stiff
and there're some lines around my eyes
but I've still got my energy
and I've got most of my hair
and I'm not too old to rock 'n roll
and I'm not really scared
of turning thirty

oh, the eighties look like tough times
the world is turning sour
so I'll keep on serving Jesus
and await the final hour
and though I've often failed him
in these thirty rocky years
his mercy brought me this far
and his love has dried my tears
I'm turning thirty
I'll treasure these years
I'm turning thirty, but that's all right
I'll treasure these years

Though the title is fitting, much of the above does not apply to me. I do not have a house down by the ocean. Or a wife. Or a baby daughter. But, the "tomorrow is my birthday" part is true. And the "friends who care about me" part. That's definitely true. And the Jesus part, that too. =)

Labels: birthday, lyrics, quotes

I've been casting about for what I want to do for my birthday this year. My goal was to be in another country by then, but that's probably not going to happen that quickly. (Both birthday and being in another country will indeed happen...just not simultaneously.) My 3-year-old nephew was recently elated to discover that he has the same birthday as me, and I will no doubt celebrate his 4th with him, but can't really ignore my own...not this year.

Was thinking of leaving town. Still may do so. But then I found this in a Chapman alumni email today. I just might have to attend (and will then have to add that unread copy of Midnight's Children to my 2008 reading list). Anyone up for it? Kristy? It'll be like Benjamin Bagby's Beowulf! Only much more modern!

Alternately, anyone have other birthday invitations/ideas you'd like to extend my way?

Labels: authors, birthday