27 years [of wisdom] {question mark}

In two weeks, I'll celebrate 27 years of life.  Here's what I've learned thus far.

1

Eat.

And let people take goofy photos of you doing so.

Never be ashamed to have powdered sugar on your hands.

3

Get gussied up once in a while.

6

Be dramatic when you want to.

7

Join teams.

And always crimp when possible.

9

Dance.

And believe your mom when she tells you to suck your stomach in.

10

Love your siblings.

You'll be grateful for them when you hit your 20s and realize you have the same crazy, wonderful set of parents and nobody understands that more than they.

11

Coordinate your colors.

13

You're never too old to go to Disneyland.

And embrace your sweatshirts and jean style.

(But don't give in to knee high white socks. It's just never going to work, ok?)

14

Be spirited.

Especially when it's Spirit Week.

15

Learn the history of your country.

Celebrate your country.

Learn from the mistakes of history and your country.

18

Always go home for the holidays, if you can.

19

Be different.

Do at least one rebellious, piss-your-mom-off-so-bad thing (insert rebellious act, i.e. piercing your nose freshman year of college) without giving it much forethought.

20

Always try something at least once before you refuse it.

Even sushi.

Especially sushi.

21

Always do the things you're most afraid to do.

Like audition for the Vagina Monologues your senior year of college.

22

Go to sports games live. It's always better that way.

23

Seriously, eat.

Never, ever turn down birthday cake.

It's just mean.

24

There is no "perfect time" to meet your heart's other half.

Whenever you do end up meeting them becomes the "perfect time."

Even if that "time" is when you're drunk and 18, or hungover and 40.

Also:

You'll never get married at the age you thought you would.

25

Be ridiculous.

Laugh at yourself.

Because you can.

26

Never grow up.