22 (and counting)

This weekend was a whirlwind of fun. I decided on Thursday it would be an entire weekend of birthday celebration and excitement. That meant no homework/studying. (I managed to get everything done before the weekend, actually.)

Friday
I went on my first run of 2013! It felt so good to get out in the 36 degree air and just run. I only went a mile but it sure was a nice mile. Between my own sickness and Utah's terribly cold winter this run was much needed. After the run I didn't have too much time before I had to leave, though. Peter and I spent our afternoon/evening together per our new tradition of watching Community. It's easily one of the best traditions I've ever been a part of.

I didn't have time to eat much before or after my run so by the time Community was over I was quite hungry. Peter and I hit up Chick-Fil-A for dinner and then we watched the movie Hoosiers. Nothing quite beats waffle fries on a Friday night with one of your closest friends. And it's quite the experience, watching a movie with Peter, especially when it's a movie he really likes. He quotes his favorite movies like I quote The Office. (For those who don't know, that means he does it and he does it perfectly.) I haven't had a Friday night so nice since . . . I guess last Friday. But two great Fridays in a row is a big deal this semester.


Saturday
The morning/afternoon was spent lounging around in my Nike running pants. I watched some YouTube, read parts of a few books and looked up a lot of John Green quotes. Around 3 o'clock, Stacy, Becca and I went to Kohl's so I could spend a $50 gift card I have from Christmas. I ended up buying a chambray that was on sale, but that's it. Of course what I really wanted was shoes but there was nothing particularly enticing. Soon after that we hurried to the grocery store to buy things for Sunday's breakfast for dinner birthday shindig.

I quickly changed when we got back so I could meet Peter for dinner and then the basketball game. We went to Sammy's most especially because I wanted a mint Oreo pie shake and sweet potato fries. BYU played Portland which didn't make for a particularly close game because Portland is not all that good, but neither is BYU lately. It was still plenty enjoyable, though. Basketball is Peter's first, and possibly only, love so I had a great time listening to him explain certain nuances of the game. Like different zone defenses. There's something incredibly fascinating about listening to someone explain something they love and understand like the back of their hand. I've always had a general understanding of the rules of basketball but the more technical/strategic aspects of the game are often lost on me. It got to the point where Peter could say to me, "Okay, do you see the 2-3 zone?" and I could answer with a definitive yes.

After the game we played Super Mario Bros. Wii. I've always enjoyed video games even though I've never been very good at them. Peter was definitely way better than me but that's not saying much . . . To make a long story short, I have a lot more respect for Hank and Katherine Green after playing that game for an hour. There was definitely a lot of yelling going on between the two of us but even more laughing, especially after I failed to jump on the flag pole in time for two straight levels. I did, however, learn that I am a master at hitting that A button to bubble.

To get over how terrible we were at the game, I suggested we watch Arrested Development. Somehow he has never seen it before! That was quite unbelievable. My goal for the rest of the semester is to make sure he sees all of it before the new season comes out in May.


Sunday
And so I turned 22 on Sunday. Becca, Stacy and I all wore different items of Lorraine's clothing since she was gone this weekend at home w/ her family. Going to church on your birthday is pretty cool. Bronwyn and I even matched!

After church I went over to Lava Lounge, ate pizza and watched Planet Earth. Soon enough it was time to start prepping all the delicious breakfast food. We had traditional waffles w/ blue food coloring, funfetti cake waffles, chocolate cake waffles, Reese's Puffs, breakfast corn dogs, Swedish pancakes and  brownies. Friends from all 3 1/2 years of my schooling came. I love when my groups of friends collide in situations like that. Perhaps the best part of the night was my freshmen friends Alex, Warren and Westen staying around longer than anyone else. Stacy and Justin also did a shoe swap, so that was pretty great.

Oh, and once everyone was gone Becca, Stacy and I put up Becca's tent in the living room and watched a couple episodes of Arrested Development. You know, because we're all mature and stuff.

My only regret from Saturday, and from during my party on Sunday, is not taking any pictures. I originally had this grand scheme of documenting everything from my birthday weekend. That went downhill quickly. Even without the pictures, it still might have been my best collegiate birthday to date. You can't exactly go wrong with Community, Chick-Fil-A, basketball, Wii, Arrested Development, breakfast food, tents and plenty of attractive friends.