Episode 121: Twenty-Seven for a Moment
I was twenty-six for a moment, and it practically felt like a moment. 2005 traveled at warp speed. Today, roughly within the 11:00 am hour, I turned 27. The celebration was extended all weekend long.
It began Friday with my family. My sister and her husband were going to take us out to eat at Buca Di Beppo. But we ended up taking the food home because of home improvements. A few days ago, a pipe burst and water was leaking in our driveway. When Friday came around, the people my dad called to fix it, were not completely done with the repairs. So instead of taking us to the food, we brought the food to us. It's too bad because it would have been fun to go out and eat with everyone since we have not eaten out as a family in years (ever since the nephews were born). Well, it seems like you can never go wrong with Buca! We ordered many different dishes (my sister and I like variety in food), but my favorite thing that we ordered was the Pizza Arrabiatta (I think that's how you spell it). I'm still craving that pizza right now! Yum! My parents gave me some financial relief with helping out with some of my car repair payments, as well as a 100 dollar bonus. My sister and her family (which included the little nephews) gave me the ultimate gift: the new Video I-Pod 30 GB! I think I felt my jaw hit the floor! I'm already ripping my music to MP-3s now, but my sister told me not to start using it until she came over to personally instruct me. She wants me to buy a hard, plastic case as well. With I-Pods, it's almost like you can't buy enough because there is always something "sold separately" that you need to make the I-Pod experience complete.
Saturday was the busy day of my birthday celebration. Dawn and I threw our annual joint birthday celebration. Despite how frustrating it is to throw these things with Dawn, it all worked out in the end. My home (and living room at one point) was filled with over 25 guests! There was very limited walking space, but I loved having everyone there. I had hot trays of various appetizers running, we watched the unrated DVD of "The 40 Year Old Virgin," played Cranium and Catch Phrase, and just chatted and caught up with each other. I can't wait to develop the photos! I got a nice assortmenet of birthday gifts: from clothing to DVDs to books, games, gift cards, music, and Big Hugs! I'm excited about one outift that Paula bought me. Nice to know that some people know my taste in clothes now because it was a nightmare as I was growing up! A lot of my relatives thought I preferred to dress like retired white men: in detailed designed golf shirts and oversized Hawaiian shirts. It was also nice that Matt Gapuzan came, especially since I have not seen him since the end of the summer. The two Jonnys were there: the one from Hope U that actually walked to my house from there (that was a gift in itself), and Jonny Witcher, who I did not think was coming, but surprised me when he showed up - a gift of effort perhaps. The night ended late as usual... the last guests leaving after 4:00 am.
Sunday (today) was spent recovering with a very good sleep (even though I had a dream about being at work organizing an office Christmas party). I have some cleaning up to do, and Khang just called to confirm our plans to see Brokeback Mountain tonight, so I'd better go get ready!
