Here's to 24!

I was really stoked for my birthday this year, for a variety of reasons.

1. I wasn't in Corvallis
2. ...

Well, okay, one reason. I have been in Corvallis for my last two birthdays, and while they were wonderful, there was always this rushed feeling about it all, because either my family had to drive back to Portland, or we had to head back to Corvallis.

And while I don't really have anything against Corvallis, celebrating just about anything is tough to do there, especially after 6 pm. I mean, there are a handful of restaurants, and the bowling alley or movie theater, as far as options go.

So, being in Portland to ring in 24 was pretty exciting. The day started off awesomely, with Evan bringing me flowers in bed, and then making me a full, cholesterol-ridden breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and pancakes. After devouring them, he gave me my presents, which were awesome. I got the new Jason Mraz album, as well as Carey Brothers, a new musical obsession of mine. I also got a stack of Bill Bryson's books, which was sweet because he is my favorite author and I had just run out of things to read.

After digesting, we got all cleaned up and headed to Portland for dinner at Pastini with my parents. Let me tell you, it was amazing. I had this chicken with spinach in a red pepper sauce, and even though Evan said that it was "an unnatural color," I totally hoovered it.

I had an obscene amount of food that day, seriously. It just gets worse.

We then drove a couple blocks, (walking was out of the question because a) it was raining and b) I was too full) found a miraculously close parking spot, and heading into the Keller Auditorium to see The Lion King, which was absolutely phenomenal. I was seriously transformed into a six year-old as soon as the music started. I couldn't stop gaping at all the amazing sets, the music, the costumes; it was all so incredible.

After the play, we headed back to our place for Funfetti cake, coffee and some gifts from my parents. I have always been a true only child when it comes to my gifts, and I have always liked to shake, poke, and prod them. In a defense strategy, my mom hid my present inside a bigger box, then wrapped it in a sweatshirt, so I had absolutely no idea what I was opening. Imagine the scream I let out when I realized it was Photoshop Elements 8! I have played with it a bit, and while it is overwhelming, I'm really excited to see what it can do.

It was really an awesome birthday. But, the fun, and the food, don't stop there.

I spent July 2nd just trying to let my body filter out all the sugar and excitement from the day before, not knowing that my mom and Evan were secretly planning a surprise party for me on the 3rd. My mom had mentioned having a barbecue, and I had agreed, even though I was kinda surprised she was so insistent about it. When I asked about whether we should have it on the 4th, she very quickly answered, "no, the third would be better. Yep, the third works best for me, right Evan?"

Evan: "Yeah, I like the third more than the fourth, definitely."

Me: *lifts eyebrow skeptically*

Honestly, I had reason to suspect, because my mom's done this to me before. For my 21st, she threw a big surprise party for me, and I had no idea until I was in front of 40 people with nothing to say and just the tiniest bit drunk from a Sand in Your Shorts I had had at Red Robin earlier. The same thing happened on my 16th birthday, sans the Sand in Your Shorts, but just as much dumbfoundedness.

But, seeing as how the other two had been on "big" birthdays, and this was just my 24th, I pretty much just chalked it up to my mom really liking our deck in the backyard, and my paranoia.

My mom and Evan's plan worked out pretty well, because it turns out I had to leave the house at just the right time to attend a birthday party at Out of This World Pizza and Play. My goodness, that was insane. I was hungry though, so I inhaled two pieces of pizza and slurped down some soda before coming home.

See, what I said? About the food? Also, I wish that I had some pictures to chronicle all of this, but in all the excitement, we all forgot to take pictures.

As I came down our street, I recognized my friend Magalyn's ancient Thunderbird, and then, Devan's Jeep, and then Karla's VW Golf, and I realized, I had been duped.

I walked into a full-on luau-themed party with a lot of my great friends in attendance. My dad, a grilling master, made some awesome chicken kebabs, which we had with salad and some ice cold beers. It was great to see so many of my friends and catch up. It was a perfect afternoon, and of course, it was topped off with cake.

It was, all in all, the best birthday I've had in a very long time. It has been such a crazy year, what with moving twice, quitting and finding jobs, and growing up in so many ways, that this sort of celebration was just what I needed to wrap up such a fantastic year, and starting this new one in my life with warmth in my heart, a smile on my face, and a whole lot of food in my tummy.