February 22

My birthday is February 22; last Wednesday I got to celebrate. I had been dreading that day months in advance, instead of a bright spot in my mind, February 22nd was a day to be avoided at all costs. It's not that I dreaded the attention that a birthday brings, nor was I worried about turning 19, but instead, I was afraid of the memories. 


Last year, on February 22, I got a phone call from my mom during rehearsal. She broke it to me as nicely as she could that my dad was in the hospital and that we wouldn't be celebrating my birthday quite the same that night. My dad was dying of Kidney cancer and on February 22, it was the beginning of the end of his life. When he went into the hospital that day, he was from then on hospitalized or in at-home care until he died on March 25. 


That night I went home, disappointment, worry, and fear filling my heart. My mom and I mustered up as much joy as possible as I opened my presents. Then we ate Panera for dinner before heading to the hospital. My dad was asleep almost the whole time we were there. Finally, right before we left, he managed to wake up enough to recognize me and wish me a happy 18th birthday. It was probably the best happy birthday I'd ever gotten.


So it is understandable that I don't have the happiest memories associated with my birthday. I wanted this one to pass without acknowledgment and without celebration. But my friends and family wouldn't let that happen. Instead, they gave me the happiest, most celebratory, and probably one of the best birthdays of my life. 

Highlights include...

...getting my ear pierced, compliments of Bitty, Lauren, and Meeghan. 

...going to Texas roadhouse with the same, plus D-Man.

...stargazing!

...a workout bag and chocolate from the roomie.

...care packages from Jillian and Sarah!

...cards from my grandma, aunt & uncle, and two sisters. 

...a huge box from my mom, filled with hellium balloons that floated up to the ceiling when I opened it. I've always wanted to do this but I never have! I also got a watch and some cocoa almonds (d-to-the-licious!).

...a heartfelt card from D-man.

...various text messages and happy birthdays from everyone

...an elephant teapot from Rachel!

It means so much to me that everyone I love in my life was there for me and celebrating with me. I can't express how much love and joy I feel for all of my friends and family. This was definitely a birthday to remember. 

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." [Martha Washington]

Today was just one of those days that was just too darn good to NOT blog about!


Things I am thankful for...
...PHYSICAL THERAPY! I am so entrigued by the way the therapist moved my legs and examined all of my muscles and could tell just by a single touch that my pelvic bones were malaligned. Plus I got to run during my appointment so... I was pretty dang happy about that!
...The beautiful snow! Even if it was fleeting. 
...SPED 200. Because it touches my heart seriously every week. I don't know if a class has gone by yet where I haven't cried at all. 
...A dinner with completely random people I did not know, but somehow bonded enough to talk and joke with. 
...Bible study. It started off so funny and great, and I just LOVE these women! Then when we actually got into the study I learned so much and I feel like I grew closer to God and closer to the people in my study. I love Ephesians. 
...An awesome roommate! Katarina got me an underarmor drawstring bag for my birthday! She knew I was really struggling without one for working out, so she got me an early birthday present! Such a blessing. Also she got me peanut butter doves, which freaking rocks. 
...Sam. Just because he's really funny and makes fun of my peanut butter bagels. 
...Running, Running, Running. 
...All of my friends. Because they are gorgeous and wonderful and kind and caring. 


Life excites me today. I know that life isn't about being happy, but about finding joy in every circumstance. But I can't help it, today, I am HAPPY!


[1 day until Pittsburgh. 10 days until I go home. 18(ish) days until I (hopefully) see my sister. 24 days until I roadtrip it to Iowa and visit Hannah!]

"The stars are far brighter, than gems without measure, the moon is far whiter, than silver in treasure." [J.R.R. Tolkien]

Over the weekend I was refreshed, renewed, and blessed in so many ways. 

Meghan and I during the fashion show, I was an old man and she was a hippie. 

 Texas Roadhouse, fried pickles!

 Stargazing!

 My friends are beautiful. 

Friday
...I met with Lexie and Heather for our first Friday bible study/prayer/share time. It was so refreshing to be filled up with God's love through these wonderful ladies! I am very excited to continue this throughout the semester. 
...Meghan, Bitty, Katie and I went to A Capella Extravaganza, which was so amazingly fun and a great medicine for the soul. Plus The Innocent Men covered my favorite Mumford & Sons song and I got to see Ryan beatbox in Fifth Element, which was pretty awesome. 
...A fashion show, baking muffins, and watching an interrupted version of this movie rounded out our Friday night. 
...But Bitty and I decided that wasn't quite enough. We had a 2am-5am chat in the stairwell and got to finally connect for the first time basically since the semester started. Scaring Rachel and Brian while they were doing rounds was just an added bonus. 


Saturday
...After breakfast, Meghan and I headed to the library, where, among other things, I started to work on writing my second speech. This time it's going to be on redheads. I'm pretty pumped. 
...That night Deaven, Bitty, Meghan, Katie and I headed to Texas Roadhouse for my birthday dinner(compliments of Deaven and the communal change jar). I think we ate 9 baskets of roles between the 5 of us. I am not ashamed to admit to this in the least, because their cinnamon butter is too good to resist! 
...Deaven surprised us all by driving past campus and all the way out into the country so we could all stargaze. It was so wonderful to see the little pin pricks of light among the stark black sky. It was pretty hilarious too when he showed us the big dipper and little dipper...and Bitty found the real big dipper in the opposite direction 3 minutes later. 
...After polishing off the last of the rolls and scaring Rachel and Brian once again, we headed to bed. 


Sunday
...Sunday brought on yet another round of back to back work shifts followed by a hall council meeting and a trip to the caf. 

"AZ Leanback 4 life!" [Mara Howell-Vandenberg]

Over the weekend I was finally able to relax and unwind. 

My only picture from the weekend: a really crappy one of Mar and I from Sam's phone.

Friday 
...I spent a good three hours with Brian, learning how to kill people via video games, and having a really good conversation about life. He gave me a lot of perspective, a good dose of truth, and a valentines cookie, via his mother. 
...We all went to the hockey game, a disappointing tie for the Blugolds in the last game of the season. I would just like to say that I do not disappoint, I had my biggest scream/jump combo of the season when the buzzer went off before the second period. 
...After the hockey game we drove to get our ears pierced, but as it was closed, we opted for Perkins instead. Unfortunately, as life sometimes goes, Perkins was all out of mac and cheese. Luckily, I had a good time with my friends and our kindly waitress Beth, who has two years of serving experience at my local Eau Claire Perkins. 
...We spent the remainder of the night in the lobby, entertaining ourselves with truth or dare and keeping Katie "company" as she worked the night shift. In reality, it was mostly just me and Meghan playing "would you rather"and going to bed around midnight. 


Saturday
...After breakfast and a little bit of homework, we all headed for the mall... too many people in one car. I still have yet to figure out the purpose behind that mall trip, but I did snag some of D-Man's fried rice, so it was worth it. 
...We headed back to the piercing place, and Bitty, Meghan, and I all got some new holes in our ears. Bitty got a rook and Meghan and I did the auricle. Bitty, Meghan, and Katie all chipped in to pay for my piercing as a birthday present! These guys are the BEST! (Plus there was this adorable 5 year old there and we used a blown up latex glove as a balloon and it was a pretty stellar time. I miss kids.)
...I also had the wonderful delight of having Mara over this weekend! She came Saturday night and it was so good to see a face from back home and catch up!
...Mara, Paul, and I headed to the dems house for a "classy party." It was fun just hanging out with Mara, Paul, and Sam, and I loved meeting a bunch of new people. 


Sunday
...4 hours of homework, 3 meals at the caf, 2 work shifts, 1 hall council meeting

"We must be swift as the coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon" [Mulan]

Dear Dad- I remember when we were little and you would come home from work while we were eating and we'd rush to the door to greet you. Why did ever we stop that? Dear Speech- Totes kicked your butt today. Okay, I might've stuttered a few times, turned bright red, and rocked back on my heels, but I think I pulled it off. I got through it, and that's what really matters. Dear Mulan Madness- Thank you for being the best part of my day. Coloring, crafting, and singing along to old disney songs just makes my heart soar. 

P.S. My eyelids are getting "half mast" as my grandfather used to say. Perhaps bed will take precedence over studying for my first bio quiz. 

"Love the life you live, live the life you love." [Bob Marley]

This picture really doesn't have anything to do with this post, except that it reminds me of the carefree days of summer. 

Dear Dad- Thanks for leaving me some really cool pictures of you from the 70s. In today's world, your black rimmed glasses, scruffy beard, and button-up shirt mixed with the faded tones of the photographs would totally classify you as a hipster. Crazy. Dear KTH- You rock my socks off because: a. You cheer me up when I am gloomy b. You have a great butt c. You give me popcorn when I come home from work starving d. You kick me out of Bitty's room when you know I have homework to do or e. all of the above. (I choose e.) Dear Next Week- You are literally going to kick my butt. 23 hours of class, 8 hours of orgs, 8 hours of work, 3 days of a bake sale, multiple appointments, and having my first speech and Bio test. Oy vey. Thank goodness for prayer, weekends, and people who make food for me. 


P.S. I love my job. I never thought working as a telemarketer could be so enjoyable, rewarding, and experiential. I think I've gotten more teaching experience in the past two weeks than in a whole semester as a Elementary Ed major. 


*I refuse to let any judgement pass on the quoting of Bob Marley in the blog title. I don't do marijuana, I just liked the quote, so haters keep on hatin'.