TresSugar

Birthdays: Don't Get Grumpy, Get Thoughtful

DearSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Birthdays can be very public or very personal, depending on how you feel about them. Sure, there is potential for parties, surprises, and presents, but some people would prefer to celebrate silently without being the center of attention.

Whether you're big on birthdays or not, here's an interesting exercise. Every year, devote some time to writing in a journal and reflecting on the past year. Write down new experiences and things you've learned since your last birthday. It could be anything from an eye-opening trip to a funny anecdote or new insight into yourself. Record some favorite moments and reflect on new friends made. Think about what you're thankful for.

When you're done with that, outline what you're looking forward to in the next year. Not only will it make you feel better about turning another year older, but it will also be a valuable and entertaining way to look back on annual milestones.

Do any of you do this or something similar? If not, tell me how you commemorate birthdays below.

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Do Tell: How Do You Feel About Your Birthday?

DearSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:00:23 -0700

Some women embrace their birthdays with unbridled excitement, either as an excuse to celebrate with friends or because they like being the center of attention. Other people - especially as they get older - choose to mark their birthdays quietly or not celebrate them at all. Then, of course, there are some folks who even celebrate their half birthdays!

Are you the type who goes all out in celebration of yourself, or would you rather ignore the fact that you're getting older? On that note, has your attitude toward your birthday changed as you've aged? Do tell: Are you a birthday girl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Group Therapy: He Wasn't Invited!

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:00:00 -0800

One of my close friends has had a rough few months. Her husband left her without telling her (she came home to boxes and an empty house!) after only a year of marriage and basically told her it was her fault for driving him away. She was distraught, obviously, and told me all of the awful things he was saying to her, and how terribly he was treating her during this time.

As soon as he showed any interest in returning to the relationship, she took him back and they are now working everything out. I'm happy for her if she's happy, BUT I am still furious at him. I haven't seen him since they "got back together" as it was pretty recent.

So the issue is this: I invited her to my upcoming birthday dinner, which will be a small affair with only close friends. I never once mentioned her husband in the invitation. She responded saying that she'd be there, and so would he! I really can't stand the idea of how uncomfortable it will make me to have this guy around while I'm trying to celebrate. While I know I'll have to see him again, and that I'll eventually forgive him for hurting my friend so much, is it unreasonable to NOT want to do this on my birthday?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To be involved in more GROUP THERAPY, click here]

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Briefing Book! Icon Gloria Steinem Celebrates 75th Birthday

CitizenSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:30:42 -0700

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem celebrates her 75th birthday today. Here's a recap of progress made for women's rights. - New York Daily News
Condi Rice does Jay Leno. - Wonkette
Recession creates surge of terrible subway performers. - Lemondrop
Would you take in a roommate to cover your costs? - SavvySugar
So how'd NAFTA work out? - Good
Wall Street is hitting back at Washington DC. - Talking Points Memo

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Astrology: Do You Believe in Saturn's Return?

TresSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0700

If you're anywhere between 27 and 30 and have ever had, oh, a problem, someone might tell you not to worry - or, actually do worry. It's all part of a perfect celestial storm known as Saturn's return. Taking about 29 years to orbit the Earth, Saturn returns to the place it was in at your birth every 29 years. This means one thing to astrologers - rebirth!

Birth is painful; rebirth isn't much better, especially considering Saturn is a sign of growth. Astrologers believe Saturn's return represents life changes: the first time it returns in your late 20s, you enter adulthood. The next time, around 60, you enter maturity, and the final time, at 90, you enter the wisdom of old age. None of it comes easy.

So what does Saturn's return mean for those approaching 30? It's out with the old and in with the new: self-examination, career changes, bad relationships ending, good relationships deepening, and, hey, maybe you'll have a baby! To which I say, these are all things that happen anyway.

Yet, Saturn's return is all over pop culture. No Doubt named its 2000 album Return of Saturn as Gwen Stefani approached her 29th birthday; there's a book - Surviving Saturn's Return - about it; and then there's this amazing blog that connects Saturn's return with events in celebrities lives. It's quite morbid, actually, blaming Annie Leibovitz's money troubles and the deaths of John Hughes, Heath Ledger, and Julia Child on the return of Saturn.

Sound about right to you, or should the idea return to outer space?

Source Flickr User LarsOh

Group Therapy: How Can I Get My Boyfriend to Plan Something Romantic?

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

My birthday is coming up next month, and I've asked my boyfriend of over a year to plan something for just him and me. You'd think that this would be simple for a man to do - go to my favorite restaurant and surprise me with a nice present and a card - but for my man, this is an act of torture. For Valentine's Day and for our one-year anniversary, I asked him to plan something simple for us three weeks in advance. I even gave him ideas (a picnic at a park, a romantic nature walk, or fondue) and told him to ask his friends for ideas.

Two days before the event I asked him how his planning was going, and after a bit of prodding, he admitted that he didn't plan anything because he hated to. So, as usual, I set up a nice dinner for us and we went to the mall together so that he could find me a present that he knew I would like. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I plan everything we do. I set up camping trips with his friends; I plan bowling nights or clubbing nights, but he can't figure out how to make reservations to save his life. He grew up in another country where restaurants and reservations are not very common, so me asking him to plan something nice is like asking him to pull his fingernails off one by one.

I know it may sound a bit shallow or selfish of me trying to get him to take me out somewhere special, but it's really not. He could plan a walk on the beach with hot dogs for dinner and I would be ecstatic. I just want him to put in the effort. I don't think it's that difficult, and he is a smart guy. He just needs some help, and he's too embarrassed to ask his buddies. What can I say or do to push him in the right direction for my birthday plans? I know he's willing, so I want to make it really easy for him without having to do it myself. Any ideas would be wonderful!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To be involved in more GROUP THERAPY, click here]

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Oh Snap! Birthday Buddies!

TresSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:40:24 -0700

President Barack Obama surprised reporter Helen Thomas with cupcakes earlier today. The longtime White House reporter shares her birthday with President Obama. Obama is celebrating his 48th birthday today and Thomas her 89th. Happy birthday!

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Très Trivia! Are You in the Know?

TresSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0700

This week giant panda Tai Shan celebrated his fourth birthday! Do you know what else happened? Find out!

Take the quiz

Israel Celebrates Its 60th Birthday

LibertySugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:00:29 -0700

Israelis are enjoying their country's 60th birthday this week, with fireworks, flyovers, and flourishing pride. Established after the Holocaust, the thriving Jewish nation still confronts threats to its existence.

As for Israel's Arab minority, which makes up one-fifth of its population - they remain a disadvantaged group. Since Arabs and Jews have been living in separate communities for the past 60 years, the Arab minority does not share the same enthusiasm for Independence Day.

The emergence of a pro-two-state solution Jewish lobby, as well as the presidential elections, are bringing the US's tight relationship with Israel back into the spotlight. Check out Slate's take on what it means today for Americans to be "Pro-Israel." What do you think it means to be Pro-Israel?

And while you're at it, take this quiz to see how much you know about Israel's 60 year history.

Take the quiz

Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe!

TresSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Marilyn Monroe, who infamously sang "Happy birthday, Mr. President" at the age of 35, would be celebrating her 83rd birthday today. In honor of her birthday, LIFE.com released 15 never-before-published photos of Marilyn when she was only 24 years old and far from famous. Her star quality shined through at a young age, but when the photographer sent the photos to LIFE in 1950, the magazine wired back: "Who the hell is Marilyn Monroe?" Now the magazine is sharing the pictures - almost 60 years later!

Happy birthday, Marilyn.

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Photos Courtesy of LIFE.com