Grateful

Today I am grateful for sunshine, lunch at Panera with a friend, getting off work early and Robert Pattinson. (hey, I'm just being honest here.)



Happy Friday!




p.s. Remember Me in theaters today!

At the moment

I am...

-wondering why my face has recently decided to act like it's 15 instead of 25 :(

-wishing I could see John Mayer in concert when he comes here March 23rd

-slightly obsessed with all things Robert Pattinson (and really excited about Remember Me next Friday!)

-totally loving The Pioneer Woman! Seriously, check her out. I suggest starting with her not-so-fiction story, From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. It's what got me hooked :)

-needing to do my taxes. and finish my FAFSA. I should really get on that...

-wanting a puppy in the worst way

-looking forward to my mom (and brother, hopefully!) visiting in a couple weeks.

-happy that it's Friday!


Have a good weekend!

Happy Birthday to Me!

On Tuesday, I turned a quarter of a century old. Yikes! Most days I feel older than my age. But there is the rare occassion when my age surprises me...like days when I realize it's been 7 years since I was in school, or when my baby brother turned 18 and graduated high school. On those days, I can't believe that I'm 25 and an adult. Sometimes, I still feel like the naive 17 year old who thought she already knew it all. I thank God every day that I am not that girl anymore; that I am not the same as I was when I was 17.

25 seemed a little scary at first, but I think it's going to be a good year. The dreamer in me is making a comeback and I am happy with so many parts of my life. I think this is gonna be a good year...

So for my birthday, I had the day off work. (It should be mandatory that you get a day off on your birthday.) Steve also took the day off and we had a great time galavanting around Denver.

We started the day purchasing a birthday present: John Mayer's new cd, Battle Studies. It's good. Mellow. I've had it on repeat for the last 3 days. :)

After that, we headed to Happy Cakes for a birthday cupcake.

I had never been to the little shop, but the website had my expectations high. I was slightly disappointed, but I'll probably give it another chance.

The cupcakes were pretty darn good! I had the C.O.C. (chocolate on chocolate) and Steve got the red velvet with cream cheese frosting. We ended up switching half way through. :)

For dinner, we went to Osteria Marco in Denver. (sorry...no pictures. I was too busy taking it all in. Plus, it was dark and my phone camera has no flash.)

I had seen the owner/chef, Frank Bonanno, on the Food Network and had been dying to go here.

It was everything I had imagined. The building was beautiful. It was classy and elegant, but casual and cozy at the same time.

We tried a variety of small plates including homemade Burrata (homemade mozzerella and ricotta cheese) and Salame, pesto, and broccoli rabe pizza. The wannabe foodie inside me was in heaven.

It was absolutely delicious. The food was simple, fresh and the ultimate definition of "rustic". Simply lovely. AND, might I add, extremely affordable.

If you're in the mood for rustic Italian, I strongly recommend it; I will definitely be going back.

Back at home Steve set off my "birthday fireworks". I have a video, but can't get it off the phone. Maybe I will try to post it later. It was definitely memorable...how many people have had fireworks on their birthday?? :)

We ended the evening seeing the Blindside (finally) and Up In the Air. I loved the first, of course. It was a wonderful, inspiring movie. As for Up In the Air, I would suggest you to wait for the dvd. All I really remember about it is that I kept thinking how good George Clooney looked for being so old. (seriously though. wow.)

All in all, it was a great day. I felt loved and couldn't have asked for more.

Sunshine

I seriously need this. Birthday present, anyone? ;)

In case you're counting.....

1 day til my birthday! woo hoo!!

Being a grown-up and birthdays, Part 2

Thank you, Notes from the Universe:

"Some people just have big hearts, Jennifer. And with this gift they're very often able to feel, offer, and show far more love than they receive from those around them. Which, at times, is a heavy load to bear. So today I'd like to remind them, and especially you, that the sun asks not that the moon and planets help brighten each day, but relishes her role as a keeper of the light and a bringer of the dawn. A role much like your own."

On that note....

Only 4 Days until my Birthday!!

Fact: Birthdays (and most holidays in general) mean a lot to me. I don't know why and I can't help it or change this fact about myself. Trust me, I've tried. I don't know why I care so much or feel the need to make grandiose plans and celebrations out of every one. I think it's something that makes up part of who I am, not just a learned habit or carried-on tradition. It's in me to care and acknowledge people and special events. I think, 100% believe, that birthdays are not 'just another day' and that everyone -no matter their age- deserves to feel special and loved on their day.
I understand that some people do not enjoy the attention and acknowledgement of them turning another year older, and I respect that. I'm not going to force someone to celebrate.
What I don't understand (and probably never will) is why people (even if they hate their own birthday) wouldn't go out of their way to acknowledge someone else's (especially if that someone LOVES birthdays).

As I've gotten older, I've realized that you can't expect to just come home to a birthday party with all your friends, favorite food, movies and games. You can't expect someone to make reservations at your favorite restaurant or whisk you away on a birthday trip. You can't force someone to plan your birthday celebration for you, and if you do manage to guilt them into it...you will only feel bad and worse for it anyway.
I think it's sad that we can't expect those things. I'm sure sometimes, to some people, those things do happen. But I think most of the time, it only happens in the movies.

To me, the loss of receiving an extravagant birthday celebration is one of the hardest parts about growing up. It's just not the same if you have to do it yourself.

It's better than staying at home alone, but it's not the same. :)


This is not an attempt to get anyone to plan a birthday party for me. Just trying to explain and make sense of my thoughts. Promise. Gifts, however, are always welcome. :)

and suddenly my day just got a little bit better....

sigh




p.s. I do apologize that 96% of my posts these days are pictures of this boy. I think I need an intervention...