I was born 33 years ago. Most of the time I don't feel like I'm 33. Half the time I walk through my life feeling like an imposter -- surely I can't be this person, doing these things, with these responsibilities. It's a strange feeling to feel like a stranger to yourself sometimes. Other times, I'm so completely at home with myself I wonder about my sanity on the days I don't.

My mom didn't call this morning. Until last year, my mom called me at 9:14 on 9/14. I was born, you see, at 9:14am on 9/14. I haven't asked her why she has stopped calling me at my birth time but I've mentally made note of it.

My sister always FedEx's a birthday gift to me. Every year. This year she FedExed a card and some Blockbuster gift certificates with a note that the rest was coming later. I made mental note that her cards and notes never include the word love.

My neighbor Carolyn surprised today with a gift that touched my heart. It's a hat. That has this picture on the front and the words "yoga girl" on the back. When she dropped it off she said that it was "so Julie." It just really touched me that she'd think and remember my birthday.

This morning I went to yoga. I missed the primary series last night opting instead to go out to dinner and beers with my best friend. When the instructor came in today I asked for a birthday request... doing the Marichyasanas which this particular instructor doesn't often do. He agreed then came over to me, stood real close and together, very quietly we did the invocation (he also believes that the invocation scares people away if they are rooted in religious beliefs that view the invocation as unacceptable since it means "bowing to the feet of the guru" basically). He adjusted me at all the right times this morning including a wonder, wonderfuly adjustment in Marichyasana B (which, btw, is the asana I'm doing in the picture over there on left). During savasana he gave me a nice foot, head/ear massage. Happy Happy Birthday from my yoga instructor ;)

The Husband gave me a yoga tote today. I've been wanting one and he picked one from JuneEMoon for me. It is purple with large Om mandalas on it. It was so much easier carrying my big black mat around with the tote.

Speaking of yoga, my practice is so different now that I'm doing yoga 5 times a week. It is truly remarkable. I have more flexibility and more strength. I've pretty much got the primary series down and could probably do a Mysore class now. Someday I'll go up to Tim Miller's studio and do one of his classes -- his ex-wife was my midwife and I'd love to meet him just to see the other half if you know what I mean.

We're going out tonight but I don't know where. I signed The Son up this morning for PeeWee sports and he's very excited. The Daughter and I started parent-tot Waldorf school this week as well. She loves it though she sits awestruck through most of circle time.

On an interpersonal note, life seems to be getting back to normal for me. This summer things seemed so out of control and chaotic. With the start of school and a rhythm to our week, I'm feeling more grounded. Apparently, I don't do well with a lot of unstructured time.