« From the Library | Home | Happy Anniversary »
August 8, 2006
Counting Birthdays
When we were little and would say, on our birthdays, "I'm nine years old today!" or whatever age was appropriate, my father would say, "No, you were nine years old yesterday. Yesterday you finished your ninth year. Today you're nine years and one day."
I started blogging on August 9, 2005, which means that today is the 365th day of my blog's existence, which I guess makes it one year old today. But tomorrow is still its birthday--or rather, the anniversary of its birthday. You really only have one birthday. That's something else my father would say.
He wasn't a killjoy, really--well, OK, he was kind of a killjoy. He just likes fussy distinctions.
And it's not like the Western way is the only way of counting birthdays. In Chinese culture, you're age one the day you're born. On the first anniversary of your birth, you're two. Your age is the cycle of year you're in, whereas in our system, your age is one less than the cycle you're in. In 1986, when I was a missionary, I thought of myself as 22, but if a Chinese person asked my age, I said 23.
Anyway, my blog has a birthday anniversary coming up, and this is our 251st entry. If you get a chance, we'd appreciate some congratulations.
Posted by Holly at August 8, 2006 3:26 PM
Comments
Congratulations on making it for a full year! Thanks for entertaining me with your daily adventures and adding to my education with topics that pique my interest. It's been a great way to get to know you better.
Posted by: Flatchy at August 8, 2006 6:15 PM
Felicitations! And many happy returns!
(Suggested title for the second anniversary: "What did you get me?")
Posted by: spike at August 8, 2006 6:20 PM
Congratulations, Holly. I sort of feel a bit of parental pride in this endeavor. I've enjoyed reading -- and hosting -- your stuff for this year. Happy first (or second birthday), blog.
Posted by: majorsteel at August 8, 2006 9:35 PM
Happy birthday Holly's blog. You're two Chinese years old! Time to start learning long division!
Posted by: Reese at August 8, 2006 11:16 PM
Happy birthday, Self Portrait As!
Posted by: R at August 9, 2006 12:03 AM
Happy Blogaversary!!!
Posted by: C. L. Hanson at August 9, 2006 2:40 AM
Thanks you both for sharing your interesting, moving, and funny posts with me and the world (even if some of them sail clear over my head). Great work Holly and Blog.
Posted by: Dale at August 9, 2006 6:07 AM
Thanks for being my blogosphere friends, everyone, and making this such a great way to spend my time.
Posted by: Holly at August 9, 2006 8:07 AM
Happy Blog-Birthday!
I like the security code function thingy. I may have to do like a good programmer (or was that artist?) and steal from Jim. :)
Posted by: John at August 9, 2006 10:41 AM
I'd sing you both Happy Birthday in Swedish but you know, friends don't let friends...
Anyway... happy blogiversary.
Posted by: Juti at August 9, 2006 1:41 PM
Yay for you! Your blog is AWESOME, and it's always nice to find someone who will academically justify my love for "Buffy." :)
Posted by: rebecca at August 9, 2006 11:06 PM
I have a blogbirthday coming up soon, too. Happy Day to you! Congrats on so many entries. I am put to shame. To Shame I tell you!
You're the best,
Thanks for the inspiration.
Without me-- Without you I'm nothing!
(But fabulous and lonely.)
SO
Posted by: Saviour Onassis at August 10, 2006 2:35 AM
Happy birthday and many more good ones!
I took the quiz and am a cultural creative like you, but more to the existential side. I do believe that humans have a spiritual element, but I also think animals have spirits.
Posted by: Hattie at August 10, 2006 1:11 PM