30 things I love about myself

In honor of my 30th birthday I am going to talk a lot about myself today!

30 fun facts about Marjie, things I love about myself, & accomplishments:

1. FUN FACT: Messy sandwiches make me anxious; I feel I have to eat them quickly before they get even messier

2. FUN FACT: I love advice columns: Dear Abby, Carolyn Hax and Ask Amy

3. FUN FACT: I hate crumbs

4. FUN FACT: I reuse napkins until they get crumbled and dirty; I hate throwing away napkins that are still somewhat clean

5. I LOVE THIS: I'm always open to meeting new people and welcoming new friends into my circles

Birthday tiramisu! Dec. 20, 2014

6. I LOVE THIS: Unless I have a specific reason not to, I like 99.9 percent of the people I meet

7. I LOVE THIS: I'm usually in a good mood

8. I LOVE THIS: I try to look at the bright side of things

9. I LOVE THIS: I am pretty quick to recognize when something doesn't sit right with me, and pretty quick to change it

10. I LOVE THIS: I'm a terrible liar which means I always tell the truth

11. I LOVE THIS: I work best under pressure; I love deadlines

12. I LOVE THIS: Being able to express myself through writing

13. I LOVE THIS: I'm a good mom

14. I LOVE THIS: If something is important to me, I work hard at it

15. I LOVE THIS: I am a good reader of other people's emotions and can usually gauge reactions based on facial expressions and body language, and that helps me steer conversations with people

16. I LOVE THIS: I always make people feel welcome in my home

17. I LOVE THIS: I'm good at small talk

18. I LOVE THIS: When I compliment people (on hair, clothes, etc.) I always mean it and am not just saying it to be polite

19. I LOVE THIS: I've learned when I don't need to explain myself to others, or defend my actions. I am who I am. I yam what I yam.

20. I LOVE THIS: I trust my gut about most things

21. I LOVE THIS: I love my birthday

Family birthday dinner, Dec. 20, 2014

22. I LOVE THIS: I love getting older

23. ACCOMPLISHMENT: I ran a half-marathon and I rode in Tour de Pink

24. ACCOMPLISHMENT: I shared intimate details about my journey with breast cancer, by myself on stage, without notes, in front of 200 people.

25. ACCOMPLISHMENT: Although public speaking is one of my biggest fears, I do it. A lot.

26. ACCOMPLISHMENT: I kicked cancer's ass twice and I came out faster, better and stronger, both times.

27. I LOVE THIS: I'm always up for a challenge and try to take on new projects at work and in my personal life. (Next project: on the board of the State College chapter of Hadassah!)

28. I LOVE THIS: I smile at strangers.

29. I LOVE THIS: I try to remind myself every person I meet is fighting a harder battle, so to be kind.

30. I LOVE THIS/ACCOMPLISHMENT: I may not have made it to 30 without some scratches, but I got two new boobs in the process ;)

Like a fine wine, I plan to keep getting better with age.