Growing up, I always understood this as the beginning of "middle age". Though in truth, I already feel middle-aged, since I was 32 years old when my mother passed at 64. And yet, I don't necessarily feel any wiser or more mature than I did yesterday when I was 34 years and 364 days old.

I can say one thing for sure, though. My persona design (last revised when I was 21 or 22) badly needs an update. I certainly look older now, and have already been working with some friends on revising my appearance. I just hope people don't mistake my mature appearance for having all the answers, because in many ways, I still feel clueless and am willing to admit that.

Well, today I eat my red velvet cake, and some kind of birthday dinner. Being with family at this time is still rather important to me. Even dinner was an afterthought, and I'm not expecting gifts. I've already been able to feed myself and give things to myself for quite some time, so the gifts I really care about are the ones that actually have personal meaning. So if I receive a gift, it will not be something I asked for in advance. 35 is not 25 or 15, after all.