Cheers to me and being 23.

So I'm sitting here, enjoying a glass of wine as the clock strikes 11 and I'm just now realizing how close I am to being one year older. And isn't it funny; because really, I've been moving ever-closer to 23 for a long-time now. But this is the first moment, when I've said it out loud and thought it inside, where I feel my age. I spoke to my Aunt Kathy a bit earlier, and, as a woman I idolize, was elated to here that she thought I sounded happy. Content. Successful and smart and all of those things we all aspire to be. She truly believes that I've got a good head on my shoulders and because I really don't speak to her that often, it inspires confidence. Because she DOES only speak to me every couple of months, I think she has a better gauge of how I'm ever-changing. I love that. I love speaking to her, and hearing about all the exciting things she did when she was younger. She lived the life I want; moved to California, fell in love with a Filipino man and made all her dreams come true. She's independent and awesome and I just love her. It was a treat to hear her voice.

I'm feeling reflective, given my impending age, and I've been thinking about all of the things I've learned over the years. So I'm going to compile a list of my most favored, most true and uncompromising advice for how to be fabulous at 23:

1) Take care of your body and skin. I've only recently become more attuned to the former part of that equation, but I've always done everything I can to take care of my skin. Always wash your face at night, moisturize, and start a good anti-aging regimen BEFORE the signs of aging begin. You'll be happy you did.
2) Drink lots of water. I'm talking at least half your body weight in ounces every day. Chug that shit if you've got to, or find sneaky ways to make your goal. Either way, just do it.
3) Don't start smoking if you can avoid it. I feel as though I'm allowed to say this because I'm a smoker. And because I've both loved and hated it along the way. But it's so much easier to give it up, if you don't have to give it up at all. Don't start. But if you do- love it all the way up 'til the end. :)
4)Don't worry too much about money. In this economy, I know that it's hard. I work two jobs just so that I can buy the things I want; the things that make me happy.
5) Buy the things that make you happy. Don't over-extend yourself, but if getting that $30 manicure is going to make you happy every time you look at it for two weeks, it's well worth the money. The same goes for good coffee, good purses, good shoes, and good tequila.
6) Cherish your family and friends. I'm going to exclude "significant other" here because I truly believe that they can't give you the same kind of love and devotion that comes from your family. And your friends are your life-preserver in this game we all play. They keep you afloat. Never forget that. Try to do something kind for them everyday.
7) Take lots of pictures. I used to avoid the camera because I always felt awkward. But as the boys get older, I realize how much I cherish the pictures I have of them, and the moments captured forever in time. You can't ever get them back, but they allow you to relive the best times in your life over and over again. They're like free lifetime tickets to the best movie you've ever seen.
8) Love with everything you've got. And I mean that with all relationships. Forgive quickly, but never forget. And never regret a moment of anything you did; you don't want to be the person on their death bed who says, "I wish I had..."
9) Get your heart broken. I truly believe this is important to everyone. You need a little bit of hurt in your life to appreciate the things you have. On the same token, don't let anyone treat you like less than you deserve. No excuses; if they loved you, truly, they wouldn't treat you that way. So go out and find someone who appreciates you for the Queen you are... it's well worth it.
10) Be single for a time. You'll figure out who you are, what you like, what the sky looks like without someone telling you differently. You'll be much better prepared for someone to treat you like royalty.
11) Drink too much, laugh too loud, dance ridiculously, and dress how you want. There will come a time when all of that is inappropriate behavior. That will also be the time to do those things with even more zest and balls. Have fun. Fuck everyone else. You're better anyway.
12) NEVER DRINK MORE THAN 14 SHOTS OF TEQUILA IN ONE NIGHT UNLESS YOU ARE THE HULK. Trust me on this one.
12) Dress how you feel. Show off your best body part, even if you ain't perfect. Truth be told, we're all perfect, anyway.
13) Be original. Rock it.
14) Say how you feel. I don't care if you come off as a bitch/wench/or a See You Next Tuesday, you might never have another chance.
15) Do all the things you enjoy. Ignore the rest. Why do it if it doesn't make you happy? Eventually everyone will find out anyway, and you'll look more fake than if you had just admitted to the fact that you hate reading and would rather spend your time watching reality tv. Embrace it.
16) Tell the people you love exactly how you feel. Every day. More than once, if time allows. You might never see them again and you'll never want them to wonder EXACTLY how you felt about them.
17) I highly recommend spending time in our bar, playing pool and flip-cup with my family. Because we rock. And because getting silly never felt so good. You're all invited.
18) Face the world with no fear. Consider the worst. Hope for the best. Do good and good will come back to you. But never pretend to like someone if you don't. It's exhausting and so not worth it. Plus, chances are, they don't like you either.
19) Be honest. I can't tell you how important this is to me, and I think, everyone. It really is the best policy.
19A) For those of you this applies to, I also highly recommend making friends with your ex's girlfriend. It's liberating. And you might just meet a life-long friend.
20) Appreciate your parents and all that they have given you. They worked hard to be where they are and give you the things you have. Someday, God forbid, you might have to live a day without them. It will be scary. But you've got every good piece of them with you. So really, there's no need to fear.
21) For God's sake, eat what you want. Who cares if you gain a few extra pounds. No one cares about a few extra pounds when they're 80. They DO care about the 10oz steak that melts in their mouth. ENJOY IT.
22) Be proud. Never compromise. Know what you have to offer. Flaunt it.
23) Most importantly, be happy with who you are. It makes the rest soooo much easier.


So that's my little bit of wisdom for turning 23. Because I'm so content with who I am at this exact moment, sitting here in my living room, drinking a delicious glass of wine, and thinking about how lucky I am. May you all live the life I have and be as fabulous as me. Psh. Who am I kidding? You are or you wouldn't be a part of my life. So cheers to you for making me who I am. And cheers to me because I'm twenty-fucking-three and I'm god-damn fantastic.