Turning 23

Today, after much celebration the night before,I am 23. I am not too sure how I feel about this number. There is a part of me that is really bitter. Now, I know 23 is not old by any means and that I still have my whole life in front of me but there are things that I have not yet accomplished such as being graduate school, being fluent in a language (yes yes yes I know that I brought that one upon myself so please no comments), I have not saved the world yet, I do not own a car, and I havent been to China. Even though I have not accomplished these things there is so much I have learned and accompished so far:

1. I have my college degree
2. I managed to escape college without any piercings or tatoos
3. I have travled to several different countries
4. I have learned how to bite my tongue and not argue with my mother because no matter what I will never win
5. I have learned that when an aunt is gracious enough to house me I need to put the alcohol down
6. I am a proud older sister to a wonderful younger brother who has inspired me to do the work I am doing now
7. I have learned that in college when you have to pay for laundry there are several different ways to wear your underware before you have to wash them (yes gross I know)
8. I learned the hard way that pizza boxes should never go into an oven to bake
9. I have had the honor of having my lolo and lola help raise me and be a wonderful influence in my life
10. I have a father who loves me and spoils me and is the calming voice in my life
11. I am the oldest grandchild on the Silva side and I have countless wonderful and adorable cousins whom when I see always make me smile and laugh
12. I have learned that no matter who makes it, Nonnies mashed potatos and Lolos Adobo are always better and I, nor anyone else, can never replicate them
13. I know how to rig a toilet to flush by using a really long shoe lace
14. I have learned that when sitting in a class and we are studying the cardiovascular disease Angina I should not laugh out loud almost hyisterically, because I am that immature
15. I have learned that you are never too old to love Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia
16. I have learned that being half Filipino is one of the most amazing things ever
17. Finally, I have the most wonderful family, amazing friends, and a future ahead of me that is big and bright and holds endless possibilities.


So I guess being 23 isnt all that bad.