So yesterday was my 30th birthday.  It’s shocking to even type that now.  I remember when I was 10 and thought… in just six years I’ll be driving.  I was in the car with Mom on Misty Lane in Copley, Ohio.  And later that night she pulled to a stoplight on Route 18 (this was way before it became an eyesore of commercial development)– and she turned to me and said Don’t EVER do this!— before drag racing a black truck next to us, then pealing onto the interstate.  She won. I hope ten years from now, when I’m the age she was then, I can be that cool.  These might help:

Woo!  Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Györgyi got me these for my birthday.

And my parents sent me the most beautiful turquoise bracelet:

Györgyi also gave me a beautiful ring (story to come in another post):

It’s white gold and ivory and has a Hungarian folk-inspired design to the pattern. It was created by a very rad local jewelry artist, Bence Fördős. His pieces are very unique—think jewelry journeyman meets 22nd-century metallurgist.

So it’s just the beginning of the weekend here and tonight we’re going out for “Mexican” food and margaritas with some friends. And then I suppose I’ll get back to the business of starting my 30s.

It’s off to a bright start, I think.  Györgyi paraded out the cake with 30 candles last night.  And I bowed my head and shut my eyes tightly to make my birthday wishes for the decade ahead of me.

Then I set a little bit of my hair on fire.