January Weekends!

What a crazy, fun, exciting, adventurous month it's already been!

Levi and I went to Disneyland & California Adventure last weekend! SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!

Gotta love being a So.Cal resident and being to go to both parks for just $124! Loved it! I think the Matterhorn Bobsleds is my new favorite ride at Disneyland! Tons of fun!  I'd never been on it before and it was awesome!  I also went on Space Mountain for the first time and...well....that was quite the experience.  Not one I'm looking to relive anytime soon. Or ever.

Yesterday, we spent the day at Kobey's Swap Meet and La Jolla Coves.  Kobey's is always such a blast from the past, a glimpse back into my childhood Saturdays with my family.  We walked all around the Coves and even checked out Sunny Jim Cave.  It was a trippy view, but it was seriously a claustrophobic adventure going down those 145 steps.  Going down the steps wasn't nearly as bad as the climb back up.  Oh man....I seriously need to go to the gym. Badly.  We chilled around the Coves and just took in all the oceanic beauty.  It was gorgeous, breathtaking and simply wonderful.  The weather was just too wonderful to even think that it's "winter" here.  Love it!!
We headed over to Windansea and took a couple more photos.  It was a great spot to shoot photos at sunset.

I kinda wished I had my big camera, since there were so many great photo opportunities....so I thought we'd take some photos of each other....

I was lovin' the waves that crashed on the cliff behind us. 

However, if you start to notice a shadow of a wall of water, then you should probably move away--FAST!! {but if you don't, you end up with a great photo--see below}

Then this is what your next photo will look like...

Yep, I was drenched all down my backside, from head to toe!  My new Nikes were soaked!  I mean, I was rather lucky because if you go back and look "wall of water" photo, you'll noticed that there's a photographer back behind my right elbow.  Levi said that the photographer, along with all of his photo equipment, got wet! Oooh, not good.  
All in all, we've had some pretty fun weekends!  I love when we have our weekend adventures! Especially when it follows our Friday night date nights!  

As for next weekend, I look forward to hangin' out with my ol' childhood best friends! Until then, here's hopin' this next week becomes an answer to my prayers!

Cousin Lela & Fam!

I really like this picture of some of my Australian/New Zealand relatives.  My seester, nephew, niece and I were lucky to spend the day with them, at Disneyland. My cousin Lela is to my left, in the black & white, while her daughter Anna is on my right and her son Timothy is next to my seester, on the end.  
It's always been a lil confusing that Lela's my cousin because of the age gap but it was so nice spending time with her family.  She and I had the opportunity to talk about a lot of my Dad's relatives back in the south Pacific.  She pulled out her iPad and showed me pics of her siblings, my cousins.  Out of 12 of her siblings, I've only met 3 of them.  It's been so wonderful getting to know more about them and most especially learn a little more about my paternal grandfather, Simione.  He died in 1963 and I never met my grandma Salote who passed in 1997.  She told me that Simione wasn't very tall, but very patient, kind and gentle and had a head full of white hair.  As for grandma Salote, she had a very strong personality and if you didn't listen, you'd get in a lot of trouble.  Have I mentioned that I was named after her? :) She lived to be 104 years old and didn't need any glasses or aid for her old age.  Such a feisty woman and I look forward to meeting her, and grandpa Simione, someday.
It's been such a beautiful blessing to know more and more about my Dad's family.  I hope to meet more of them someday soon!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow!

Dude, tomorrow I'm going to Disneyland with my sister, Kalanster & Novee! I am friggin' stoked!!!  

Seriously, I LOOOOOOVE Disneyland!!!  We'll be meeting with more of my family that's in from Australia! I'm so dang elated!!  The only thing that would make it PERFECT would be if Levi was coming with us. He makes everything so much more fun!  Oh well....a Disneyland trip for later.

I'm just hoping that we do both parks (Disneyland & California Adventure) because I LOVE LOVE LOVE CarsLand!!!  I could ride Mater's Junkyard Jamboree about 100 times because it's just that fun!!!! AHHHHHH!!!! Just thinking about it all is making me SUPER EXCITED!!!  I hope we stay for the fireworks show, that's my favorite. Such sweet, sweet memories. ♥

Ok ok... I need to get back to work, or else someone's not going to Disneyland tomorrow.

Kid at heart!

The October 2, 2013 Blog

-I couldn't sleep last night with stuff on my mind.  3 hours should kinda be sufficient for today.  

-I think tomorrow's a very good day to buy myself pink roses. I always see them when I go to Costco, but I never buy them.  Tomorrow's the day.

-My cousin Lela, whom I haven't seen since I was 7, is coming from Australia with her daughter and grandsons.  They'll be meeting up with her son & his gf that were here a few weeks ago.  They'll all be going to Disneyland, and I'm looking forward seeing all of them!   I just wish the rest of Lela's sons were coming with her.  I haven't seen them since I was a teenager.  

-My niece is spending the day in the office, with my sister and I.  She's growing up so quickly!  She's already planning her 13th birthday party, that won't be here for another 6 months.  

-I don't really have much more to blog about.  I'm still thinking of deactivating my Facebook, this month.  I'm just tired of nosy "friends" who like to gossip and spread vicious stories.  It's even more annoying that some of these "friends" are those from my church congregation.  

-Since I signed up for my birthday certificate at Benihana, I've been receiving email notifications for all their specials.  It makes me want to go there, more and more and more!!!  All of their foods look so dang good!!!  It's been a while since I've been there, so I'm anxious to eat there again!! 

-Ok, so maybe the 3 hours of sleep aren't going to hold me over today.  I think I see a diet Coke in my near future, especially if I'm to go to dinner with a friend tonight. MUST. WAKE. UP.!!! 

-I'm kinda stoked that this month kick starts the holiday season.  I can't wait to break out our panda costumes again!! Seriously, my favorite Halloween costume EVER!!!  

Sept 2013, Week 3.

Week in review....

*My niece Novee had a choir concert on Monday.  Oh man, I was so stoked for her.  I think her lil 7th grate girls choir did pretty well for their first performance.  There were 4 choirs, and 3 of them sang Disney songs.  I will admit that since our engagement, I get chocked up whenever I hear Disney songs.  It brings me back to that most perfect June 2 weekend. 

*My cousin (actually, my cousin's son who's my age) came from Australia with his lady love.  I haven't seen my cousin Timothy since for about 26 years.   

Then...

Now...

I couldn't have been more grateful for Facebook, in which it's brought me closer to far away cousins...and even cousins I've yet to meet in real life.  We had a great time at Filippi's Pizza, since he wanted to try the pizza place I always visit and rave about.  His girlfriend was sweet and way funny.  It was a very enjoyable evening!  

*My very dear sweet adopted Mom came into town a day after my birthday, and we were finally able to meet up on Wednesday.  

I'm so truly grateful for this woman! For my birthday, she gave me a cute apron (which I love because it makes me think of her, while in the kitchen) and a box full of FHE ideas for my future family!  Mama McK is so superb and phenomenal!! I love her dearly.  We enjoyed a nice dinner at Phil's BBQ, but then talked out front on their uncomfortable benches for a while.  She gave me some great motherly advice and wisdom.  She fills my heart and life with such love and I hope that I can be a Mom like her, someday.  As much as I love her, thoughts of my own Mom came to mind Wednesday night.  I've been so blessed with such great mother figures in my life!

*Thursday & Friday.... work and work and work.... although, today my nephew Kalanster spent the day in the office with my sister and I.  Dude, I so love this kid!! He is hilarious as hell!  I just crack up the whole time... but man, it makes me miss his brothers.  I miss having all those boys under one roof, but I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with my youngest nephew and my niece.  They're growing up so quickly.

*As for this weekend.... Levi's moving (a couple miles away from his current address).  I'm way excited for him!  Aaaaaand that's about it.  That's life in this 3rd week of September.  

Week in review.

8/1 Thurs:  Went out to dinner with Levi & my folks.  It was a pleasant dinner and the lobster was DELISH! I don’t understand how some people don’t like seafood, not to mention lobster!  I love it!!  I don’t know if I could be friends with people that don’t like seafood.  That’s just odd to me.  It’s like not enjoying fresh air or something.  


8/2 Fri: SEA WORLD!!! SEA PANDAS!! {orca whales} I had a BLAST with Levi!  All of it was just SO. MUCH. FUN.!!! Plus it was tons of fun hangin’ outside, in gorgeous San Diego! Seriously, I love living here because it’s just so amazingly beautiful, all the time! People come here for their vacations and I’m so unbelievably LUCKY to live here!!! I LOVE it!!  We watched the Cirque de la Mer show and it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!  It was like a circus, over the waters of Mission Bay!!!  As always, I totally enjoy the underwater tube of Shark Encounter!  Turtle Reef was a new experience, as well as the Sea Lion & Otter show.  

My fave has always been the Shamu show, which is kinda cooler at night…but it’s definitely changed a lot since I was a kid.  Trainers no longer enter the waters, for safety reasons, which is totally understandable.  I wanted to see more tricks, but it’s ok.  Levi knew Sea World like the back of his hand, and introduced me to the Shamu tank, down below.  I NEVER knew of such a thing and probably could have spent the entire night just watching the “Sea Pandas” swimming around!!! It was the COOLEST thing ever!!! I was like little kid, with my face pressed up against the plexiglass!!! They were just sleeping, but even just watching them bob up and down, and slightly flip over was so fascinating!!!!  Next time I go back, I’m probably gonna spend an hour or three just watching them!  Seriously.  
We watched the evening firework show from Shamu stadium {if you do that, watch ‘em from the left side of the stage--too many trees otherwise}.  The fireworks reminded us of our engagement night at Disneyland, following their evening fireworks show.  I got a lil emotional remembering that special night.  I asked Levi if there was going to be another sparkly ring following the fireworks…he laughed.  A LOT.  Can’t blame a girl for trying ;) 

8/3 Sat:  It was my niece Novee’s second softball game.  She scored the only point for the team……with a HOME RUN!!!!!!!  HOW FRIGGIN AWESOME IS SHE?!?!??!  I couldn’t have been more proud of my niece!!!!  She hit it all the way to the back fence and then ran like the wind!!!  I was too ecstatic while cheering to take any photos!!!  MVP right here, baby!! I hope she’s enjoying playing Softball because she’s pretty dang great! She hits VERY well, throws farther and more accurately than anyone else on the team and is fearless when catching the ball!  Hmm….MVP today, National Womens Softball team for the 2024 Olympics tomorrow?  Ok ok…..maybe that’s a lil far reaching, but I’m glad that she’s not only cute, kind, & funny, but that she’s athletic & fearless! Love this girl!  

8/4 Sun: I skipped church on Sunday. It was such a gorgeous day and I honestly didn’t want to find myself sitting through a lengthy Fast & Testimony meeting.  I have a very difficult time sitting through long road stories & people rambling on and on instead of bearing a testimony of the gospel.  Instead, I spent a very relaxing day with Levi and it couldn’t have been more perfect!  

8/5 Mon: Had dinner with Levi and it was SCRUMPTIOUS!!!  Prime rib, crab legs and yams are the way to my heart!! Divine!!  I just love spending time with my sweetheart, especially 5 days in a row!  

8/6 Tues:  I went to the (church) ward Softball game and took photos.  Riddle me this; why the heck do the men get to have both Basketball & Softball…and then women get NOTHING?!?!?  That really pisses me off.  Why can’t Softball be co-ed??? And then women get Volleyball??   ANYWAYS,  I got some great shots and kinda ran into an old friend from Institute classes that we had together about 2.5 years ago.  He got married about 2 years ago, but it was a lil awkward because I kept looking over at him and he seemed as though he didn’t even want to say hi, basically acting like we never knew each other.  I didn’t want to make it awkward, since he’s married, so I just gave up trying to say hi.  I sent him a friendly email, via Facebook, and he quickly responded saying that he wasn’t sure it was me and didn’t want to look like a stalker, staring across the field.  I figured it out; I probably look WAAAAAAY different now from when he knew me.  I met him right after I shaved my head, and Tuesday night I had long, braided hair and I was wearing my glasses.  It would have been cool to chat, but what a difference hair & glasses make! 

8/7 Wed: Man, I DO NOT enjoy Optometrist appointments, especially when I have to get my eyes dilated!  Luckily, Levi took me to my appointment so I wasn’t stranded.  I couldn’t be more grateful for him.  I wasn’t wearing my glasses, since I brought some sunglasses along with me….which basically meant I was blinded by the sun and just blind in general.   It gave me some perspective into my Dad’s sightless life, and the trust you need to have in those who guide you.  I’ll blog more about that later.  Costco, thank you for your SUPER NICE optometrist, Chicken Bakes & Churros!! 

8/8 Thurs:  Last night, my friend sent me a text: Hey, so what’s the plan for your birthday?  I still can’t believe that my birthday’s NEXT MONTH!! I have no idea why I get so excited for my birthday, maybe I really am a kid at heart?!  Dude, I’m gonna be 33.  Ugh…. I like 32, or any other smaller number.  I think I get ecstatic over the idea of celebrating a birthday; mine, yours, anyones…it’s someone’s special day, so I think it’s a big deal!  I think people need to feel important, special and all around loved on their birthday.  I’m not saying that because mine is coming up, but I always try to do something great for loved ones.  I guess after having so many terrible birthdays growing up, I never want someone’s special day to go un-specialized!  :)   Before my friend’s text, I had started to think of my list of Thank You cards that I like to give out on my birthday.  That has become one of my most favorite birthday traditions! I seriously love it so much!  I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before, on my blog.  A couple years ago,  I wanted to express my heartfelt appreciation to those who made my life so spectacular, so I wrote Thank You cards and hand delivered them out on my birthday.  It caught all my friends off guard because they weren’t expecting to receive something on someone else’s birthday.  I think that’s why I also like doing it, it’s such a surprise.  Plus, I think people need to hear a good word or two, especially one of appreciation.  

Yep, that’s been my week….. Here’s looking to a lovely weekend!  

Disneyland....pt. 2

So I never quite finished the rest of the story from Disneyland & California Adventure....

All of it was near perfection!! I mean, the only real hiccup was that dang Radiator Springs ride never working! GRRR!!!  But all of it, every minute of it was just pure happiness!  I loved every second of having fun with my sweetheart!

• Mater's Junkyard Jamboree....BEST RIDE EVER!!!!

I loved Cars Land the most! Oh man, I seriously could have rode Junkyard Jamboree 10 more times....besides the 3-4 times that we already rode it! Seriously I LOVED it!!! It was just tons of fun!! I couldn't stop laughing, like belly aching laughing!!! I don't think I had ever laughed that hard!

We also loved Luigi's Flying Tires! In order to work the ride, they suggest that you "Lean Together."  I had a hard time that because I was taking photos and still laughing my head off!!  Poor Levi, he was so into it and there I was, like dead weight.....laughing hysterically!

I can't help it that I get as giddy as a 8 year old whenever I see Mickey....I mean, I want to nearly cry because I'm just that happy to see him  It's ridiculous........I'm ridiculous.
We ate at Carthay Circle, at California Adventure...oh man! DELICIOUS!!! Going to that restaurant was probably one of my top 3 favorite reasons to go back to California Adventure! 

The food was perfection!  The ambiance was exquisite! And I LOOOOOVED listening to instrumental versions of Disney songs. The restaurant just made me think that it would be exactly the type of place Walt Disney would have dined at. 

I just loved every moment with my Levi. I'm pretty sure I had a huge perma-grin the entire time!  Even if he didn't propose, I still had the time of my life....but his marriage proposal was the biggest cherry on top of the most perfect sundae.  Thank you Levi for such an AMAZING weekend, I'll always cherish it in my heart.

Sundays @ 10pm

For the last month, whenever 10pm rolls around on Sunday nights, I get a lil nostalgic.  I can't help but think of this moment...

It makes me a lil mushy and sappy, but all the more grateful for this wonderful man. 
A few weeks ago, when some friends asked me to share the story of my engagement, I got a lil choked up.  It really did feel like time stood still for Levi and I, on that June 2nd evening.  It was just him and I, up there below Sleeping Beauty's castle.  Sometimes, I wish I could relive that moment, because it was so very special to me....that whole evening was.  I will forever be grateful for the pictures that we have from those moments.   
It just makes me wonder what our wedding day will be like.  I hope time stands still then, too. 

Fiancé & Fianceé

Wow...all I can say is, WOW!!!
My beloved and I returned back from our Disney adventures today.  As I upload all the photos right now, I just can't help but think of what an AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAZING weekend its been.  It's been PERFECT.  I loved it all, with this man.  There were small hiccups along the way, (like rides breaking down at California Adventure park) but nothing worth fretting over.
I'll just get to the VERY good part, the most memorable part that I'll cherish in my heart forever.
We spent about 8 hours at Disneyland, took a break for dinner and shopping, then headed back for the evening firework show.  A few minutes after we arrived and found a spot, it started. I LOVE fireworks! My eyes always glisten over just a bit and I'm captivated by the pretty sights and accompanying music.  Of course it was all Disney songs, so hearing lyrics like, "A dream is a wish your heart makes...", "I can show you the world...", and "Rest your head close to my heart" makes a sappy romantic, such as myself, blissful and euphoric!
We talked about possibly riding more rides, but just thought it'd be nice to take it easy. Sleeping Beauty's castle was all lit up and looked magical against the night time sky.  We made our way towards it, but it was roped off temporarily until the Disneyland "Cast Members" received safety approval from the firemen crews, following the firework show.  Levi thought it'd be nice to take some photos in front of the castle and I thought it was nice that he was nice enough to ask approval from one of the cast members.  We waited about 5-10 minutes and every so often a cast member would pop by to reassure us that it would be any minute and they'd let us through.
I kept wondering, "Why is Levi so calm about waiting? I mean, it's a great photo opportunity, but we could always come back after riding Indiana Jones...no big deal."  Yet we waited and entertained ourselves by taking our own photos in the meanwhile...

 

Still, we waited around and I wasn't sure what to really say because Levi was so cool about the whole situation.  Soon after a head cast member came over and let us in....just the two of us.  I was wondering how he was able to score such a cool opportunity, just us two in front of the castle.  It was rather dark, and the Disney photographers were trying to tell us exactly where to stand.  With everyone else roped back, there were A LOT of people waiting to also take their photos in the very spot we were standing.{..no pressure, right?!}.  Right when the photographers were about to shoot our photo, Levi said his shoe was untied, which I thought, "Again?? That's weird!"  and when I looked down at him, he was muttering something til I realized what he was really saying... {I'll try to get it right, but crying and in shock doesn't help my memory}...holding up a lit up box with two rings in it...

"Ehu....(my full name), I've had an amazing 9 months together with you and I would like to spend forever with you..."
I just remember correcting him on the number of months, and I remember him saying "forever"...  I remember responding with a "YES!", but I think with all the people cheering, he couldn't quite hear my response.  He was still down on one knee and I wondered why he didn't get up, so with A LOT of tears streaming down my face, I ecstatically exclaimed "OF COURSE!! YES SWEETHEART!!!", then he got up and we hugged and kissed...

I just couldn't believe it!!! I kinda had a feeling it was going to happen sometime in the near future, but I never would have dreamt that it would take place at such a perfect place and  time! I was in shock!! I wanted to cry, so much.... this man asked ME to marry HIM!!! Wow!!!  I cried....We hugged...I cried...we got our photo taken....

Please excuse my face, CRYING + ECSTATIC does not equal PHOTOGENIC.  Whereas he looks wonderful, as always.  We walked around for a minute or two, but between shock and wanting to bawl, I needed to sit down.  My head and emotions were all over the place.  I just couldn't believe it!! This man, who loves me and overlooks my imperfections, wants to spend the rest of his life with ME! He reassured me and I cried even more.

I was in such disbelief that I could (and DID!) find a man that would be SO perfect for me!  He's strong when I am weak, he's patient when I want to unravel, he wants me to live up to my potential and always be myself.  How incredibly lucky am I?!?!? We sat on that bench behind us for about 30 more minutes, til we had to celebrate by doing something! So off we went to Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster ride...then Autopia.  Yep, we do it upright!  :)  We grabbed a mint sundae from Dreyer's and scooted off to the Disney photo shop for our pictures.  The nice cashier gave us pins to celebrate our engagement:

I'm still in shock.  It hasn't even been 24 hours, and I love this man more than ever.  Sometimes, when I look at him now, I can't help but think, "This man is going to be my HUSBAND!"  How lucky am I, that I get to love him forever and what a blessing it is to be the one loved by him.  I never dreamt that I'd get this lucky....but I did!! 

Health Hiccup.

Since yesterday, I've been laid up in bed, not really enjoying being a woman.  
Sometimes, I DO NOT enjoy being a woman....it's just downright painful, amongst other things.
This wasn't exactly the week I had in mind. 

Tomorrow I'm suppose to go to a Padres v. Mariners game with my sister.  I'm HOPING that the medicine kicks in SOON, so I can go enjoy a really good baseball game!  Man, I looooooove watching baseball in Petco Park! Plus, my sister and I are planning on enjoying some Phil's BBQ at Petco since they now serve up local restaurants. 

Then Friday, the most AWESOMEST weekend with Levi begins!!!  I cannot wait!!!  Seriously, I think once this health hiccup subsides, I can really truly look forward to this AMAAAAAAAZING weekend that starts tomorrow.  

Until then, I just need to relax a bit and not stress anymore.... thank goodness for little modern medical miracles.

ONE. MORE. WEEK.!!!

AWESOMENESS is on the horizon.... I can just feel it!

16 DAYS!!

I can't wait!!

I seriously LOVE this place...

..and this time around, I get to go with the love of my life!   

GRRRREAT times are on the horizon! 

A letter, to the North Pole!

Dear Santa,
My niece has been telling me that I need to put my Christmas wish list together.  I haven't done one of these lists since I was in the single digit ages.  It's not that I don't necessarily believe in you in anymore, it's just that I hardly get the Christmas gifts that I hope for.  In fact, unless I buy my own gift for myself, I'm usually disappointed.  In the last decade, I've stopped getting my hopes up for Christmas gifts, which has put a damper on my Christmas spirit.  I know that's not good, so I'm sorry Santa for not having the Christmas spirit as much as I should. 
So to comply with my niece's desire, here is my Christmas wish list for this year....

Isn't she pretty? Oh I would love to get my hands on a DSLR again!

I think this would totally help me enjoy baking more.

It doesn't necessarily have to be an Apple, but I sure love the camera option.

 I just love cardigans and I've been wanting a dark purple & mustard cardigans.

I've finally come to realize that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth! I can't help but grin, ear to ear! 

I just love the heart pendants from Tiffany, especially this one!

Well Santa, those are most of the items on my Christmas wish list.  I know some items are a bit much, but I'm pretty sure I've been a good girl, this year.  I won't be disappointed if I don't get anything on this list.  This past month, I've come to learn that gifts aren't necessarily something I choose, but something I accept as a token of love and consideration.  Santa, whatever I find under my Christmas tree this year, I'll be grateful, because I've already received the best Christmas present ever - Jesus Christ.

-Ehu.

Birthdays: The Good, The Bad & Everything in Between!

Today was a rather enjoyable Labor Day!  I went to the beach with my sister, Sim & niece.  We hung out with our family friends and it was just a great day!  The weather was pleasant and it was nice to get a tan.  I haven't been to the beach in a while, so it just lovely all around! 

So I'm gearing up for my birthday weekend!! I'm really really stoked!! I'm still hoping to go out with theBaker on Saturday, but we'll have to see since he has some sort of family reunion that weekend.  I'm kinda bummed.  I think I'm not gonna get my hopes up for going out with him.  I just can't, I don't want to be disappointed, especially when my birthday's involved.  

I've mentioned before that I've had not-so-great birthdays in the past...  Lemme elaborate.

*6th or 7th bday?: drew up invites, invited half of my first grade class, no one came :(

*8th bday: I was sick, sick like a dog and getting baptized a few days later.  Where I still had a cold.

*9th bday: Woke up the next morning with TONS of mosquito bites.  

*10th bday: Wanted to have a slumber party, invited all my friends and only two came over.  Bummer.

*13th bday: I was left at home with my grandfather, all day, where I got scolded pretty badly.  I was in tears til Liz came over and gave me the game of "Life", which we ended up playing for the rest of the night.

*15th bday: Got in an argument with my oldest brother, the night before my birthday, because he wanted me to go to sleep early for seminary.  The next morning on my way [on time!] to early morning seminary, the first thing my Mom said to me was, "I think you should apologize to your brother.  You shouldn't have talked back to him like that." She didn't wish my a happy birthday, and luckily, I went to Los Angeles that day for a field trip  When I got home, no one mentioned my birthday.  However, my older brother's birthday's the next day and that was well celebrated....

*16th bday: I was horribly sick and my saliva gland was infected, thus swelling up enormously.  I went to YW mutual that evening, and was well received by friends.  I didn't have to over up the huge bump I had on my face.

*18th bday: Went out with 3 close friends, two of them got in a huge fight and ruined the evening. 

*21st bday: 9/11/2001---Need I say more?

*22nd bday: My missionary trainer was in a horrible accident (she fell from an attic onto a garage floor--SCARY!!), I was emergency transfered to another area where I was the peace keeper amongst the two sisters I was with.  You could cut the tension with a knife!!  However, we had a member dinner where she fed us salmon (MY FAVORITE!!!), rice pilaf and grilled pine nuts!! YUM!!! But I had to put up with her huge, scary dogs :(

*26th bday: Had a blind date....it sucked.  

However, my birthdays have gotten a million times better!!!  

20th bday: Went to Santa Monica & LA for Price is Right, with a group of friends.  One guy from our group ended up winning the showcase showdown! We all rushed the stage and were jumping all over the place, around Bob Barker! FUN!!

23rd.

23rd bday: I was on my mission, with Ash, serving in Bordentown, NJ.  Somehow, that WHOLE day was about food!!!  It was like cramming 10 Thanksgiving dinners into one day! Since we weren't getting along all too well, my brother told me that I should "kill her with kindness" and take her out to lunch.  I woke up early, made a huge breakfast (my favorite meal!); pancakes, eggs & sausage, with orange juice.  We tracted for a while, then I took her to lunch to one of my favorite restaurants in the area, Mastoris.  Oh man, we were stuffed.  Then later in the afternoon, we had some Italian Gelatis.  Sister Lillie Nelson had us over for lasagna, where she served us HUGE portions.  Oh man, I was still stuffed from breakfast!  Since I loved her dearly, I ate my whole piece....and I think I even had a 2nd piece because she cut it before I could stop her! I'm glad I was wearing an elastic band skirt!  One of our investigators, Meredith, had us over for cake and ice cream.  And afterwards, we had a dessert appointment with Sister Donna Parke.  Oh man, we were in a FOOD COMA when we got back to the apartment.  Seriously, we were in pain.....that night....and the next day! But it definitely helped change the spirit of our companionship.  I couldn't have been more grateful.

25th.

25th bday: Made breakfast for my two roommates, Kelly & BA, after having a great day at church.  And we danced around the house to 50Cent's "In Da Club".  Later that evening, BA's parents had us over for a wonderful dinner and dessert.  We hung out downstairs playing pool, til we took home "BrighamTheBear" and then the fun started! Brigham's a GINORMOUS bear, that we put into my backseat, and had him "wave" to people as we drove home.  People actually waved back and even tried running after my car! Crazy fun!

29th.

29th bday: It was the year that people could get in free to Disneyland on their birthday.  I took advantage of it since I hadn't been there since I was about 11 yrs old.  Oh man, BEST way to spend a birthday.  I celebrated all weekend!  The day before my awesome co-worker totally decorated our office.  The next day, I worked at the temple and then went clubbing that night.  Yeah, pretty great.

30th.

30th bday: I LOVED the dress I made the night before!! It's one of my most favorite dresses, ever.  I felt so beautiful! I was surrounded by great friends eating the most delectable dessert known to man: The Viking!  

31st. 

31st bday: This has got to be my MOST celebrated birthday!! I had a dessert date with Ras, then walked around Balboa Park.  Showered with such great love from so many AWESOME friends!! This one birthday alone made up for all the sucky birthdays growing up.  Seriously,  it was just perfect!! My dear friends, the Drapers, threw me a party and I just felt so loved.  I LOVED IT!!  PajamaPants & Mr. Red even came to church to support me as I sang a duet with Joz.  It was such a beautiful duet.  Seriously, BEST birthday to date. 

I LOOOOOOOOOOVE birthdays!! Not just my own, but others, too! I like making their day as special as possible.  Since I've had a bad string of birthdays, I try to make the day as GREAT as possible.  So let's see how this year turns out!  There is really only one thing I hope to get for my birthday, but like I already mentioned, I don't want to get my hopes up..