Earth Day birthday wisdom: unearthing lessons amidst the festivities
11 insights gained while celebrating our planet and me
Hey there, blog buddies! As I turned a year older, I found myself jotting down goals for all the things I wanted to learn this year and write about.
However, I was quickly reminded that many valuable lessons come from being fully present in the moment, observing our surroundings, and learning from those around us. Being in a good mood certainly makes learning easier, and that's why birthday celebrations can reveal a treasure trove of knowledge.
So, without further ado, here's a list of 11 things I learned in the days surrounding my Earth Day birthday:
The trees in my family's backyard have an unspoken agreement to bloom on my birthday. It's a botanical conspiracy, but I'm not complaining. Nature's Earth Day birthday party decorations are the best.
If you swing by Starbucks on your birthday and flash their app, they'll generously gift you a free Frappuccino, so massive it'll dwarf your face, all with a beaming smile. Pop into Pinkberry on your special day, show them their app, and they'll treat you to a free small cup. Venture to Dippin' Dots, present your ID without needing their app, and they'll serve you a free small cup as well. However, should you find yourself at Carvel on your birthday, be warned: your email confirmation and ID won't suffice. Without a physical printout of the birthday coupon, you'll be denied that sweet $3 discount on your birthday cake. Don't ask me how I've acquired such knowledge – let's just say it was crucial blog post research!
Pimple patches are a modern miracle. They work wonders, and people hardly notice them until you point them out. By sporting a few on my face, I was able to bask in both confusion and sympathy. Plus, I was reminded of my youth. Talk about a win-win-win scenario!
A haircut can often be the solution to many of life's problems. You can trust your hairdresser to work their magic and tackle your troubles, unless you have thick, curly hair and ask for an undercut specifically for hot yoga sessions. In that case, be ready for a few chuckles and a reality check. 😤
When in doubt about which drink to serve for your very themed Earth Day party, ask ChatGPT-4 for instructions.
Soda water and club soda are different, but not different enough.
Serving drinks while tipsy is an art form that I've yet to master. I also discovered that distinguishing between soda water and club soda turns into a near-impossible task after a few cocktails!
A 7 pm party start time is merely a suggestion, yet it's wise to be prepared for guests arriving promptly at 7 pm. Beginning a party at 7 pm also means that, by 2 am, you might resemble a deflated party balloon.
If you find that nobody is dancing at your party because they're too busy chatting and making new friends, wait until everyone reaches their peak level of tipsiness. Then, ask them to hush for a moment and anonymously jot down their favorite guilty pleasure dance song on a piece of paper. Compile those tunes into a hilariously cringe-worthy playlist and let the music work its magic. You can spend the rest of the party dancing and wondering who put "Get Low" on the list.
There is always space in the freezer for ice cream cake. It's like a yummy game of Tetris – just keep shifting things around until the cake fits. Because, priorities. 🎂.
The most heartwarming and astonishing birthday gift/omen comes from a friend who goes above and beyond by bringing your new birthday twin into the world 👶. Their dedication and effort are genuinely unparalleled, and while this friend couldn't attend my party, she has the most touching and precious reason, which I wholeheartedly embrace. As we journey through life and grow older, more of our friends welcome new lives into this world, infusing each birthday celebration with an added layer of love, connection, and sentiment.
I want to extend a massive thank-you to my incredible community for the outpouring of love and support during my birthday week. You all truly made it a special and memorable experience. I want to extend my warmest gratitude to Kacie, the gracious host of my Earth Day birthday party, Helen for her unbeatable Tetris skills, everyone who arrived in their fantastic outfits, and for all the thoughtful birthday gifts.
Your presence and kindness made my celebration truly unforgettable.
Let's raise a glass of bubbly water (be it soda or club) to another year of laughter, learning, and, of course, absurdly themed parties!