I am one year older and yet some things remain the same.

For instance, I still prefer to take bubble baths by candlelight. Whenever I come home, I bolt inside and search for my cat. I do spontaneous dancing whenever I mow the lawn, and I like to settle down in the afternoon for an extended "nap", which is more like a full on sleep.

Some things just never change!

But there are some things that do change, as well as new experiences I've had that've made me grow. Throughout the past year:

I filleted my first fish. I just applied for a credit card. I went out to a beer fest, socialized, and had an unexpectedly fantastic summer night. I made the grownup decision to stay home and help my mom open her new business. I'm officially done with school. I've gone on the most dates within the course of four months than I've had combined my whole life (thank you London). And I've gotten a bit more bold.

It's astonishing to see how communicative I've become, compared to myself a year ago. Granted, they've been baby steps, but I'm well on my way to becoming more expressive with others, something I've been trying to work on for quite some time.

It's exciting to think about my twenty-second year of living. What stories will I have to tell a year from now, what thrills and frustrations will I write in my journal? What new friendships will I make and where will I be, this time next year?

All in good time.

For now, I'll eat my purrrrfect birthday cake pops and enjoy the accomplishment of another year so joyously lived...