Chapter 23:

   I've been talking a lot about change and getting older.  But today, it's hitting me different.  Like an open palm as opposed to a backhand. I turn 23 in 2 days.  The stuff that is me, is over two decades old.  My lips and brain tissue.  And it all has an expiration date, but that's a different story.  I'm talking about how my bones are 23 years old. It's weird to me.
   It's not as big as 25 will be, when I can legally rent a car.  But to me, being 23 is a new chapter.  I always have things to work on...I need to be more understanding of people and more patient, and always more positive.  But I've learned so far that I can be pushed to the edge of my sanity, and not fall too very far.  I learned I am in control of my anxiety and that I love New York.  I learned I can carry a political or religious opinion and not be burned at some proverbial stake for being different. (All I have to say, is why can't God heal amputees? I'll leave it at that.)
   This past year I grew more as a person than I ever have.  And I am proud.  I do have a very long way to go.  But mimzee is about my journey and the bumps in the road.
   Socially, things are not much different.  A grande extra hot caramel macchiato from Starbucks is $3.92, with tax.  And I drink it everyday, still....I've been trying to eat more organic foods, to stay healthier over the long haul.  Other than food, Kaiti is my always and forever best friend.  But I've become close to the girls at work and have found great comfort in many other friends.
  This coming chapter I want to learn how to cook, make more mix drinks, be more outgoing, live out of my parent's house, pay rent and loans, have a real job, have a relationship in which I do not get emotionally jerked around, or do the jerking myself... but most importantly, I want to learn how to be a grown up.  It's high time I was.

*   *   *

   In two days, chapter 23 begins.  And I'm incredibly excited. It's going to be a great year for me.