:: October 6, 1977 ::

I am born at 11:45pm and all is right in the world. I am given my precious Blankie by my Grandmother and my beloved Minerva the Mouse by my Dad. (These two things will be loved every night for the next 27.5 years.) One problem my parents notice about me: I appear to be bald, and shall remain that way for about the next 5 years.

:: 1980-1995 ::

I start school a year early. Early reports show I “socialize too much” in class, but that I’m a very good student. (Later reports will show the same thing.) I am probably considered a teacher’s pet, but not in the bad way. More in the “I was able to pull the fire alarm as a joke in 4th grade and not get in trouble” kind of way. I am very athletic, so much so that a boy broke up with me my freshman year because I talked about running so much. I lose interest in running (read: I develop asthma) my Sophomore year, but enjoy volunteering and being a nerd. I start college hunting very early.

:: 1995-1999 ::

I apply early decision and am accepted into Haverford College. This secures my place as a nerd forever more, but luckily I am among friends. I graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

:: 1999-2000 ::

I am in denial about graduating college and have put off finding a job or applying to schools. I apply for a weekend position as a cashier in the gift shop of The Barnes Foundation, a world famous art gallery a few miles away from my college that I have never heard about before. (I figure the weekend work will serve me well while I look for a job.) Instead of the cashier position, they make me Assistant Director of Education. This is humorous as I know nothing about art.

:: 2000-2001 ::

I escape the craziness of The Barnes Foundation, only to land in an even crazier place: City Year, a part of the Americorps National Service Network. I am suddently leading my very own team and pretending to look like I know what I’m doing. We perform over 18,000 hours of community service projects in Philadelphia. My team puts me through hell, but I love them for it and I’m a better person when I leave than when I arrived.

:: 2001-2005 ::

I land a 5 day temp job at the American Red Cross. I am asked to stay on and am hired full-time into a brand new position. They are also a little crazy and give me a nice office and a laptop. I like them for these things.

:: November 7, 2002 ::

I meet a boy named Tim. We are friends for several months, but he’s so nice I decide to keep him as my own.

:: June 18, 2003 ::

On a gorgeous summer evening, sitting outside a Dairy Queen while eating blizzards, I ask Tim to travel around the world with me.

:: March 3, 2005 ::

With my Blankie and Minerva the Mouse safely stowed away at my parent’s place, the coolest boy in the world steps on a plane with me to travel around the world.