One year older, and wiser too.

Well, as of Sunday I am officially a 23 year old.

First, let's start with my birthday.

It was D&D weekend so I was down in Salt Lake. It was a great weekend.

I went to dinner with my friend Kenzie. (Someday, when she is a professional opera singer and is world renown, I'm talking about Makenzie Marie Matthews. Yeah, we're on a first name basis.(; ) I've now had Thai food. Kelton was suppose to come to dinner too, but he got sick and Kenzie has an audition in two weeks, so he didn't want to risk getting her sick before that. So it was just me and her, and it was so great to see her again. She is pretty much amazing.

Then when I got back to Jim and Heather's, Charles, Chris, Jim and I stayed up playing Red Dragon Inn. (A table top game) And I got stone faced drunk. (in the game) In fact, I had the highest alcohol than anyone has ever gotten playing that game. (who knew I could hold my liquor so well?)

Saturday I made fried rice for everyone. I love fried. And so did everyone else. I ended up having to make two batches. And also HEATHER STARTED MY PIONEER DRESS!!!!! Okay, since I'm terrible at blogging and can't actually remember when I last blogged, for Christmas Jim, Heather, and family gave me fabric...to make me a pioneer dress. IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY BLUE DRESS!!!!!!! I'm basically just really excited about it. So while the guys were off playing D&D we worked on the dress, then Rachel came over and we started looking at all the fabric so that we can start the mideval era clothes. Did I mention that my friends are the coolest nerds you will ever meet? And I love them for it.

Sunday. January 12. The day of my birth. My birthday, one might say. We wake up, and as soon as I'm awake, I'm being asked if I'll make pancakes. Someday the kids are going to learn that I can make more than pancakes. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to make anything before Church, so I told them I would make lunch after. Which I did. After Sacrament Charles and I pick up Chris and bring him back over to Jim and Heather's. And we just pretty much chill for the next few hours. We watched the first half of a movie called "Gods and generals" or something like that. It's a civil war film, which is awesome, and heartbreaking all at the same time. Moving on.

Charles was wanting to leave Salt Lake around 5, which was fine with me. So around 4:30, he walks into the other room and walks back out with a bag, hands it to me and says "Happy Birthday". (I hadn't told anyone it was my birthday. I figured facebook would do that for me and I would probably end up in trouble for not telling anyone. But my friends are better than that.) Then Chris comes in with another bag with my birthday present. Nicole (Heather's daughter) had also made a cake the day before. Chris got me a wok, which is awesome. And Charles got me some beautiful ceramic dishes, which I love. Heather is making me a dress. But in all honesty, none of them needed to get me anything. Seriously. I know it's cheesy, but I just love having all of them as friends.

So we cut the cake and we head up to Tremonton. (I needed to swing by my grandma's on the way back to Logan.) So we get there, I help grandma bring stuff up from the basement. (she slipped on ice over the break and hurt her back.) Then I get my presents that my parents sent to her house. I HAVE A TIME PIECE NOW!!!! IT'S SO PRETTY!!!! I also have some beyond comfy USU sweat pants.

We get back to Logan, and I had mentioned to Charles that Becca was having a game night, if he wanted to come. He goes "yeah, let's go there." So we get over there...and there was a surprise party waiting for me. Because my friends are awesome. I mean, I felt bad because I wasn't overly surprised. In the sense of, Becca had invited me to her place for a game night on my birthday. I knew she knew it was my birthday, so I figured there would probably be a cake. But I was surprised that it was actually a party just for me. Complete with balloons and decorations.

And then I felt bad because I am so bad at reactions. But I really did love it and was very touched. Because, again, my friends are awesome.

So now we move on to the older and wiser portion of this post. Because I've not had a boring year. That is for sure.

Things I've learned

The friends I am given never cease to amaze me. Seriously. I know some of the greatest people on planet earth. And especially after last school year, I've found some the most amazing...seriously there are no words. I managed to get the friends, and best friend that I needed. Without even realizing it, they have brought Mandy back. I'm not back without my scars and battle wounds. But I feel like I can face life again. I am starting to see the word like I use to. I became very cynical and bitter at the beginning of last year, and I think some of that is finally starting to go away. Not to mention they are just so cool. I am constantly learning things from all of my friends.

I'm stronger and weaker than I ever thought I was. That was an interesting lesson.

No one is stone. People change everyday. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes for the worse. But the important part is that they are not stuck. The ones who change for the worse can always change again for the better. A lesson in life. If you are not actively trying to choose how you will change, you will most likely change for the worse.

Playing is important. We all need time to play. Life is hard and stressful and difficult. Which is why we need play time to remember that it isn't all that serious.

Play Theory is one of the coolest clubs ever.

I can write a Maid of Honor speech in less than an hour.

Apparently I can hike up the side of a mountain for 5 miles with nothing to eat but a peach before I throw up. I wouldn't suggest this to anyone. Make sure you eat a decent meal and are aware of how far you are hiking before starting up the side of a mountain.

I still believe that people are basically good. Despite them being so human. They are good.

Pioneer clothes are not as hot as modern clothing. Doubt me? The only times I got heat exhaustion this summer, I was wearing pants.

teaching someone to drive stick can be very entertaining.

I've been taught that I deserve to be treated like a lady.

I've been promoted from platypus for maiden. And the from maiden to fair maiden. Anyone who remembers that I was a duck 5 years ago should know that it is a big deal that I've now made it to homosapien.

And finally, I struggle with emotions. I have no idea how to have them, let alone how to show them. The stronger an emotion gets, the more quiet I become.

So to all my friends who made my birthday wonderful, I'm sorry that I have no idea how to express it, but thank you so much! It was wonderful and I love all of you. There are not words for how grateful I am to have all of you in my life. I don't deserve you wonderful people in my life and I love all of you dearly.

So, one year older and wiser too. Let's see what year 23 brings.