I just want to write down the events that occurred on my 22nd birthday so that I won’t forget.  I don’t believe I have ever done this before, specifically for a birthday, but I should have because usually my birthdays are really splendid!  Here we go.

      I woke up way too early, but it was on purpose because I needed to try to finish my research paper that was due that day at any time via email.  I still had half of the paper to write and I got about one page done from 6:30-8 (I know, I am a really slow writer, plus I left all of the research until the last minute too).  After that I got ready, shower and all, and put on a pretty mundane outfit because I knew that I would just change out of it later.  For the first time this quarter, I used my laptop during my literature class in order to work on a paper for a different class (the research paper for my music class).  I just find it ironic…because I really should have been paying more attention to the teacher I was sitting in front of.  

     After that boring 2 hours was over, I headed home and had one hour to get to the annual Christmas party at work.  On the stool there was a box for me and I remembered by best friend Chamorrita telling me to be expecting something.  It was a box of some really amazing chocolate covered strawberries that she overnighted to me.  God bless her, I was so excited for them.  I ate 2 of them right away after bragging on facebook that I have amazing friends.  After getting ready, I went to Walgreens to pick up five pairs of gloves so that I could donate them and be entered into a raffle to win money at work.  Finally, I made it to work and got there super early so that I could just chill.  They had a big pasta bar with so much delicious food—but I didn’t want to eat too much because my dad was cooking dinner around 5:00 for us and I wanted to be able to have that too.  Plus, I was about to sing for the karaoke contest, and i was not trying to eat all this pasta so that I could feel like puking before going up.

     I sat at a table with Ciara, Dennis, Sofiya, Anita, Lena, Natasha, Hannah, Michael, and Jamilia (a table that is meant for only four people hahaha).  We shared many laughs and almost all of us won something in the raffle (the one where you chose a wrapped present under the tree).  I got a popcorn maker, Ciara got some nice candles, and idk what everyone else got.  

     Soon enough, it was time for me to go up and sing my song and by that point I wasn’t too nervous anymore, except for the fact that when I got up there, the karaoke DJ said “You’re singing ‘Fever’ right?”

    No, I am not singing “Fever.”  

   When I initially signed up for this whole contest, I signed up for “Fever,” but I had changed my entry to “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele at least one week in advance, so I thought they would have it.  The karaoke DJ lady was being weird and sometimes it felt like she was being rude, we couldn’t find the Adele song, and so I just said “ok, I will just sing ‘Fever’”—good think I had performed it before but that was over a year and a half ago.  Liiitttle bit rusty, but it still definitely turned out really good.  Everyone applauded when I finished.  It really is the best feeling, going up and singing.  It’s not even the fact that you get attention and praise when you are done, it is a huge release.  It’s something that you do get nervous for but you just feel rewarded by yourself because you got up and did something that most other people wouldn’t do.  And you’re proud of yourself for building up the courage.  That’s why I like doing these things—plus, it’s just fun.

     After that was over, Ciara eventually went up and sang “Santa Baby” which was about the most adorable thing ever.  I don’t even know if she wants people to call it “cute” or “adorable” but it really was, and I knew it would be.  She had nothing to worry about!  She also didn’t even use lyrics.  So she was wonderful.  She ended up getting second place while I got first and so that made it a good day for us :)  She and I got our cash prizes, and everyone got their bonuses.

     Soon the party was over, and the dining staff got the dining room back in order so that resident would be able to come home for dinner.  My favorite Russian/Ukranian Sofiya handed me a present—it was a big coffee/tea cup with a card in it.  It started out “Kristine, shut up…” and what a way to start out a birthday card!  I just laughed, because that girl is hilarious.  

    Finally, it was time to go home.  I was already tired from all of the excitement but there was still family birthday stuff waiting for me at home.  My mom blew up balloons and had a lot of decorations up which is so nice of her.  Jacob, Steph, and Sofia (Steph’s daughter, not the Ukranina one) came over and we had steak sandwiches with potato fries and pasta salad.  YUM.  Then presents— my dad gave me money, my mom gave me money, purse, and shoes, Steph gave me money, and Jacob—God bless him—gave me tickets to see the NUTCRACKER BALLET in SEATTLE!  And the tickets were oh so expensive.  I don’t know why he had to get us such good seats but my oh my is he nice for doing so and I am so excited to watch it from that view.  He really is the best.

    We played a little kinect and Steph and Sofi left.  Then I was tired, but sad because I didn’t want the day to be over.  Jacob started messing with my new camera that I got a week ago and although I want to share it with him, I really haven’t have a chance myself to play with it much and I want to try to master something on it before he masters everything on it.  Haha, Idk, I’m just sort of possessive I guess.  But he got me this great manual for the camera so I can learn more about it, along with an SD card (64 GB)!  I certainly needed those too.  Like I said, he’s the best.  I love him to pieces; he is so kind.

   The night ended with me wanting to take a drive and we ended up at Shenanigans where we had a server who was slightly awkward but I also recognized him from my childhood from elementary school.  Yep.  I definitely went to elementary school with him.  He checked my ID so he probably saw my name and might have remembered me too.  But we said nothing of it, and I was glad, cuz I hate awkwardness if it is happening to me. If it’s happening to someone else, it’s hilarious.  Double standard?  Most definitely.

    We got drinks, and Jacob spilled his beer and it ran off the table onto the seat and even though I tried to stop it with my hands, it still went onto my lap. Ohhh Jacob.  It was no big deal, we cleaned it up.  I had an AMF and some eggnog martini.  Also, flatbread with avocado, shrimp, and onion.  So good.

    THEN, it was time to finish that damn paper that I still had due by midnight. It was 10pm, so I had to bust it out.  My dad helped— and I turned it in by 11:30.  WHAT A DAY.  I read by sister-in-law to be’s blog that she is keeping because she is in Norway, and I am super jealous of her.  I love her blog, and her blog is probably why I even wrote this one out, but now I am glad that I did.  But like I said, I was so tired by the end of the day. I slept the night away peacefully.

Sidenote:  I love when cocky people get served.

seeing as my school schedule is like this:

Classes M-W-F

and seeing as my work schedule is like this:

weekends, and various evening during the week (20 hrs usually)

and seeing as my niece is going to be at my house:

M/W for a few hours

T/Th FOR NINE FUCKING HOURS

I don’t see how I will ever have any peace, time to study, or solitude.  Ever.  I’m kind of fucked.

Can I move out please?

Btw: I love my niece.  Completely.   But she makes it hard to get h/w done.  And I have A LOT OF IT.