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Today is the first day back with a phone in a few weeks. I dropped my last one on the sidewalk and although I still got messages, calls, and notifications (as much as we can in a canyon) it was all to no avail as I couldn’t access the screen functions. If you tried to contact me during that time, so sorry, but please send it again! I will likely see it shortly.
In three days I will turn 23 years old. I don’t know how else to describe it besides that like many things, it doesn’t feel real. I have had a bad streak of birthdays, besides my 21st, and even then, it came after a long lead-up of strife that I didn’t understand until all of my friends were gathered in my backyard for a party. I was hungover for two days.
Sitting here, I really don’t remember my 22nd birthday. I’m sure if I looked it up in my photos I would have some indicators to remind me, but my birthdays have generally followed a pretty standard formula: have an idea in mind, get pressured to do something that includes people who think they’re entitled to my time, not be able to decide because I don’t want to do any of those things with any of those people, pick something that will please others enough for me to bear it, and then cry when the day is over and wasted. I think this year may be the year it can go differently.
The idea for a prom party came up a little over a month ago. We were trying to think of fun things to host in the Rec Center after work, and a lot of people here never had a prom because of the pandemic or elected not to go. I am sure this party will not be close to that of a real dance, but my hope for it is that people will come together and get to enjoy themselves by picking out an outfit, bringing a date if they choose, spending time around people they care about.
I really haven’t been able to plan much because I didn’t have a phone, and now it’s only a few days away. I don’t know how it will go. Honestly, I think that’s a good thing. Most people call 23 their “Jordan” year, but thanks to Harry’s House, I am hoping this will be my Matilda year.
I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Still alive (from here for a little while longer),
Julia