Today is il Mio Birthgiorno! Ta na na na na...

Today is my birthday! ta, na, na, na, na :)

Around this time last year I was out of the country when my brother called me to return to Phoenix since he was being sent to do logistics for the Iraq war, and the child's mother was also sent abroad. After being independent for so many years, overnight I had to raise a 4 year-old alone, work, cook and maintain a house... alone! Being a mom is no joke! It was the toughest task I've ever done! I also knew I wouldn't be able to process the Visa, again, and it broke my heart. The combination of so many things made this previous year the toughest in my life. Here I am. I made it!

Once I overcame my initial anger, I spent countless evenings lost in my thoughts mapping out a path that would allow me to get to where I wanted to go. Slowly, things started to fall into place and I found new ways to solve what at first seemed impossible.

That's when I began to work for myself. That's when I discovered a job I can take with me no matter what part of the world I go to. That's when I began to invoice in a stable currency so that I wont be affected by the falling dollar. That's when I found a profession that is flexible enough so I can take care of myself while I pursue my dream of studying medicine...in Italy. That's when I found out that I no longer need the approval of others (and that's a big one for me!).

It was a painfully tough year, but I took away good things from it.

Now one more year is over and gone. A new one beings. As I look forward, I wonder what's in store for me this year. I'm optimistic and well aware that the choices I make in the next coming months will shape the next decade or so.

My response? Hand stretched out, palms up, waving fingers motion "bring it on, baby!" :)

My family has been insisting on taking me to a hair stylist for months! But since hairstylists haven't learned to read my mind, and the final outcome tends to be the scary opposite of what I imagined, today I took out the scissors and began to style my own hair. In the end, I looked to the floor and saw the huge pile of hair and I smiled. It felt good to cut off layer after layer on my own and get the outcome I envisioned :) When everyone found out, they couldn't believe I would do such a thing by myself!... but I get that a lot.

Now who wants a virtual slice of cake! It's chocolate with strawberries! My favorite! Is red wine okay?

Ah, and Happy Birthday also to Jeff in Puglia! I think most of you know his cool blog :)