21

Yesterday was my 21st birthday and unlike last years quarter-life crisis, I was surprisingly excited about my birthday. To be honest, I personally don't see the big deal about turning 21, because it does not impact on my life in any way. 18 is when we become"legal", so 21 is for me: "I can now legally drink in the USA now"... I'm not American or geographically nearby, so 21 literally is just becoming a whole year older than 20.

HOWEVER I do respect other people's excitement for turning 21, in fact I'm counting on my friends getting excited for their birthdays and for them to have parties, so I can have fun with them. Because what means a lot to my friends, means a lot to me. But in terms of my own birthday, I didn't want a big party or for my family to make it a big deal. So, instead of one huge celebration filled with every single human being that I have ever accounted (like my mum wanted me to do), I have organised scattered outings throughout the week, using my birthday as an excuse to not actually do homework or studies.

On Monday, I made sure I handed in two major assessments that were due this week, so I got it out of the way, so on Tuesday, I was able to hang out with a few uni friends, go to a pub and do trivia then stay out and go clubbing and I danced my way into my birthday, which is what I wanted. No big fuss, just going crazy on the dance floor and as luck should have it "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce was playing when it hit midnight, so it was perfect. 

Wednesday, my actual birthday, I had uni then a read through with the cast and director of a play I'm involved in, so that was really exciting. And when I got home, because I stayed at a friend's house the night before, I was welcomed by balloons and my dad and uncle. While eating cake for lunch, it was really nice to chat with them for the afternoon. Evening came around, mum came home and her, dad and I went to my nonna's house for dinner. Dad made this absolutely amazing lasagne and chocolate and pear birthday cake, and spending time with my absolute favourite people, was exactly what I wanted for my birthday, because nothing beats a home cooked meal with parents and nonna.

okay, it looks gross, but this was one of the best lasagnes I've ever had

And it's not over yet. This weekend is going to be more gatherings, and despite me saying that 21 isn't a big deal for me, that doesn't mean I don't like celebrating. I'm doing what I've done for my 20th, my 19th and my 18th birthdays: meeting up with close friends in the city, eating cheap (but yummy) food and hanging out at a bar all afternoon, and I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends.