What are the parts of the scientific method?

Monday is my birthday. I'll be 28 this year. My perception of myself has changed recently. It is not that I feel old, but I do feel like I would stand out in a college class, for sure. I'm not getting carded as often as I used to, or going out as often as I used to, for that matter. I've only ever known how to be young, so this is unfamiliar territory.
We are having a party this weekend to celebrate, and I plan to drink. I'm a little nervous about that. It has been at least two months since I had my last drink (I lost count) [edit: maybe more like 6 weeks], and I'm worried about how I will process the alcohol. Also, how I will feel emotionally, the next day.
It's all one big experiment, I'll try to remember to post results.