33 Favourite Things

As it was my 33rd birthday yesterday I wanted to mark it with some kind of blog post, other than the post I wrote Just another day.

I couldn't quite decide what to do. 33 facts, 33 quotes, etc. And yesterday when I was driving and listening to a certain soundtrack I realised I wanted to do a post on 33 of my favourite things.

1. Love

2. Humour/sarcasm/dirty jokes
3. Kind hearts
4. The smell of petrol
5. The Isle of Man TT

6. Good hair and make up days
7. Roast beef dinners
8. The perfect crusty bread
9. Tattoos
10. Blood Brothers
11. Good friends

12. Notebooks
13. Roadtrips
14. Music
15. Photos
16. Armani perfume
17. Candles

18. Tortoises
19. My cats
20. Bird cages
21. Tom Hanks
22. The colour blue
23. Oracle Cards

24. Meditation
25. Faith/Spirtuality
26. Guinness
27. Somerset
28. New nails

29. Louis Theroux
30. Memories
31. My blog
32. Blankets
33. Family

Just another day

I turn 33 tomorrow.
And I don't really feel much about it.
I don't feel happy, or excited. I don't feel sad or old.
I just feel...normal.

Birthdays changed a lot for me when I turned 30 I think. Without wanting to go into it much that year I was made to feel special in some ways and had friends who made a real effort, but in my personal life it was crap.

And other than spending my birthday in Ireland in 2016 with my twin, and being treated to Paris last year, I just don't think that birthdays are for me anymore.
Correction, I don't think my birthday is for me anymore.

I love to make an effort for other people's birthdays, those close to me.
But for my own, it's just a day.

The same as Valentine's Day and Mothers Day. Ok it was the day I was born, but I don't need gifts for that.
I don't need random people who never really talk to all of a sudden wish me happy birthday on Facebook.
I don't need a card with soppy words, wishing me the best day because let's face it, it's the same day as any other.
It's no different to yesterday, or tomorrow.

It's the same routine. The same school run in the morning. The same school run in the afternoon.
The same cats meowing for food. The same pile of washing up. The same pile of clothes needing to be sorted.
The same dinner time routine.
The same bedtime routine.

It's just another day.

I think I've felt a lot differently about "stuff" this year and as a result presents aren't of high importance. I don't feel sad at a lack of presents.
In fact I feel a bit weird to receive them just because 33 years ago I was born.
So what?

It makes me feel uncomfortable that anyone would feel the need to get me a present, or to have to sit there and think about "what can I get her?".
I even said to my mum this year, that I would rather have nothing than to have something for the sake of it.
I don't want effort for the sake of it.
To see anyone for the sake of it.
To have messages for the sake of it.
I would rather things be done because people want to do it. Not because they have to do it.

I'm old enough and have been through enough to be able to get on with my day just as it is.
Just another day.

Paris

Once upon a time in 2017, three friends went for Sunday lunch in a little, outdated, local pub. As they sat there, talking about life, the recent holiday two of the friends had been on, the conversation turned into a beautiful question and suggestion.
Two of the friends said "We'd been thinking, for your birthday we would like to take you to..." and the third friend assumed the following words would be "North Norfolk" or something lovely and local like that.
But no. The words that followed weren't even words. Just one single word.

PARIS

Now let me tell you a little bit about this 2017 birthday. It was a standard birthday. Not a milestone or big age at all. Just a standard 32nd birthday. Nothing special.

But special enough for those two wonderful, kind friends to feel the need to treat their friend to Paris.

PARIS FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!

We had a couple of months of planning. I set up a Pinterest board and looked at recommendations for a 24 hour trip to Paris.

It was amazing. We did a lot of walking and it was warm anyway so there were times the walking was tough but it was so worth it.

Even though it's a year later I still have a few blog posts I want to write about Paris, but for now here is a little peak at some of the beauty of Paris.