I haven't written in almost a month. I guess I'm not sure where to take this blog. I have made some big decisions with my life since just last month. I've lived in San Francisco now for a little over 5 years. I originally came here for graduate school--to study counseling psychology and drama therapy. There are only two grad programs in drama therapy in the U.S. One is in NY-where I am from and was living before I moved out here. The other one is here, in San Francisco. I finished grad school three years ago. Originally, I was planning on moving right back, and I'm still here. I didn't feel ready to move back yet--I haven't felt that it was time until....

My nephew (May 2008) and niece (December 2009) were born.

I always knew I would eventually move back to NY, and I also never expected to stay here as long as I have, but it's been great--experiencing a new city, having to meet new friends, be on my own more than I ever have before (most of my family is back in NY)-it has been-please excuse the overused word--but it HAS been a journey. I've been thinking more and more about moving back east over the last 1-2 years, and feeling that it is nearing that time more recently. So, in about 6 months I will move back to New York.

This is exciting--the very first entry of my very first blog. Let me say very first one more time-just for fun:) Who knows if anyone will read this. My hope is that this blog will be a way to connect people around the world-anyone who has ever felt different in any way--so pretty much anyone, right? I hope this blog will be a source of inspiration, motivation, humor (I will at least try, although my older brother is still amazed whenever I am actually funny) and connection for you, a reminder that we are all human so...we all have insecurities, we all have challenges, and, we all have strengths, DREAMS and aspirations. Most of us want to love and be loved. Many of us want to make the world a little brighter through our actions, how we treat others, and how we live.

It is my hope that this blog will add some sunshine to your day, especially on those days when you really need a little burst of sunshine.

You may be wondering:

What is "The Birthmark Project?" Why is this blog called "The Birthmark Project?"

Well, first of all, the blogger (that would be me) has a facial birthmark. Moving through the world with such a big visual difference (a term I first heard from my friend James)- that others see immediately when they see me, has, I believe, played a large role in shaping the person I am today, and has given me a perspective that I know I would not have if I was born "normal." I will probably talk more about this later. I promise more details in blogs to come. I welcome comments--what makes you different? How has this affected you? Is this difference a blessing or a curse (and sometimes this changes depending on the day, your mood, the way that guy/girl looked at you, whether or not you had chocolate today..etc)?

Thank you for reading this. Please excuse my rustiness. Is that a word? Oh, I should warn you, I am prone to making up words, as the last few people I played scrabble with can attest to (actually, I have only played Scrabble once in the past maybe 10 years, maybe more--but I have a feeling I'll be playing more in the future...but I digress:)

Yes, I am new at this blog thing, so please excuse my rustiness. I hope to hear from you.