the end of 22

Here I sit on the brink of turning 23. Drinking cold water with lemon and mint fresh from our garden. Rocking out to my favorite Pandora station. And waiting for the potatoes to cool for my birthday potato salad. This past year of my life - the year of being 22 - has been one of growing up, of taking ownership for myself and my experiences - and I've celebrated the end of that year this weekend by spending a lot of time in the kitchen making my favorite goodies. I've gotten to this point slowly, building up the cooking/baking projects slowly. But this weekend I went all out - birthday cake with lemon icing, boiled carrots with onion and garlic for snack food/lunches, my second summer batch of rollkuchen, sweet tea, and now my very favorite summer food - potato salad. (I've also been chewing on scallions all weekend because the thrifty Mennonite in me bought two bunches for $1 at the market and now have the most delicious onion breath :P)
I enjoy that my birthday falls in the summer months - it has always been a good way to divide time between old adventures and new opportunities. Summers have always made me feel alive. And that makes it easier to reflect.
I will remember 22 as the year I did MVS and lived in Rochester. The year I learned to travel by train and drive long distance (okay 3 1/2 hours) by myself in a vehicle. I said good bye to my parents again (this time as they went off to Lebenon) and left Winnipeg for good. The year I had only one home (in Rochester) and visited my loved ones from that base. The year I learned to live in an apartment without the social support network I took for granted in my family and at EMU. The year I learned to make phone calls without dread (or too much dread) - and probably sowed the seeds for ear or brain cancer from all my conversations with loved ones across the continent and the world.
Where I made my own choices. I planted my first garden on my own. I took ownership of my depression during the winter. I got sick on my own and learned how to rinse my own hair and mouth out after puking in the toilet (I hate it by the way). When I had to shovel out a the car - more than once. My first 9-5 job for more than a summer break. I explored a new state - a whole lot. I fell in love with a church. I forgot to write. I educated myself about 90's geek television. I learned to slay vampires. I saw one of the world wonders for the second time - this time covered in ice (Niagara Falls). I learned to buy vegetables (instead of finding them in dumpsters) and use natural, local soaps. I had solo dance parties.
A year in which I had no fresh seafood. I didn't see the West Coast of put my foot in an ocean. I didn't do any skinny dipping. I also didn't break any bones need to go to the doctor(at least yet). But I kept my toes painted and got a Y membership. Learned that I like yoga and actually enjoy working out. Enjoyed walking 3 miles to work and learned to drive on freeways. Got to many catcalls and learnd some inner city slang. I thinking I grew a tougher skin but I'm not sure of that. For the first time in 18 years, I did not go to school.
It has been a good year. But I am glad it's almost over! Here's to becoming 23.