twenty one

there's only half an hour left of my twenty first birthday. i know this is a big one and i should be out living it up, taking advantage of the fact that this might be the only time in my life i'm able to weasel my way into getting free shots but instead, i'm sitting on my couch, belly full of fondue, answering emails and watching mystery science theater. not exactly the 21 shots they expect you to do.

last night was my birthday party. my baby brother came to town as did liz and anna (anna was a surprise! i didn't know she was coming! best surprise!) and we spent the day decorating and hanging out. thomas williams showed up later, having taken the train all the way from harrisburg. he gave me a bottle of scotch for my birthday. class act. the theme of the fiesta was 1950's tupperware party. everyone was dressed to the nines and so good about drinking out of tupperware containers. which is actually really fun and easy. i even got tiny tupperware containers for shots. there was a perfect mix of clean cut 50's kids and greasers and everyone looked so dreamy. we spent the night dancing to the american graffiti soundtrack and switched to other music later in the night (i freaked out about 99 problems and come on eileen was played two times. in a row. crowd went crazy.) our house throws some pretty incredible theme parties if ya'll are ever in town.

the first half of today was spent cleaning up after last night. then my mom and dad and grandpa came to town for birthday dinner. my mom is actually the most incredible woman in the world- she made cheese fondue, french onion soup, and a banging salad. she also brought a table cloth and flowers and shrimp. my grandpa bought me six bottles of wine and SO MUCH CHEESE so we busted that stuff out too and pretty much just stuffed our faces. the roomies were there and my cousin eileen who lives in west philly came over. my grandpa also gave me an incredible cooking technique book that was his- it's signed by the author, a very famous chef whom he took a class with at the green brier. we all sat around and talked and laughed and later i opened my presents (printer! beautiful watch! jelly beans from judy! arbor mist from wendy! more wine! a million weird as-seen-on-tv products!) and we ate a beautiful strawberry chocolate cake. incredible.

and now i'm here. and i don't even want to go out. this weekend was incredible. i was surrounded by so many people i love and so many people dressed like american bandstand extras. there are streamers all over my house and so much cheese in my fridge. i have glorious roommates and beautiful friends and an incredible baby brother (who makes waffles for all of us for dinner when i'm busy getting ready and mops the floor after the party and can seriously cut a rug) and two gorgeous best friends and a wonderful wonderful family. my dad even set an alarm for the exact time i was born and i jumped around the kitchen with my parents and thanked them for having me. i am so incredibly blessed. i have everything i need (and more) in my life. after i blew out my candles, i remembered that i didn't make a wish. and though it may sound hokey, i realized that i really don't have anything to wish for. maybe more cheese. but besides that, i'm good. i'm set. this is bliss for me.

and so i begin my twenty second year on earth. i will now be able to enjoy karaoke at bars, philly beer week, and over 21 concerts. i hope twenty one proves to be just as incredible as 20, and all the other years of my life. and i have no reason to believe it won't be.