my birthday weekend

It's pretty depressing to think that for all intents and purposes my birthday is over, since everyone has gone home and I should be starting my homework right about now. However, since those thoughts are too depressing to dwell on, I think I'll concentrate some more on the birthday stuff.

Friday: I had a Terrifying Experience (yes, so frightening it deserves capital letters) in the afternoon. Because I haven't been home in awhile my laundry basket was completely full, so I decided to do some laundry. Just as I put a few loads in the huge industrial dryer I realized that I had checks to deposit and breakfast to get for the next morning. My clothes would be drying for an hour for so (ancient dryers; it takes forever) so I decided to just run to town and leave the stuff there. I got back just before six and realized that I was, in fact, supposed to work at six, so I sat at the desk for a bit before going to retrieve my laundry.

The dryer was completely empty. Which actually isn't all that uncommon--we only have a few working dryers (and a whole bunch which will eat your money and refuse to spin, or only blow cold air) and if someone leaves their clothes for awhile, most of us will move the clothes to one of the surrounding flat surfaces (desks, tables, etc). Though there were a few piles of laundry on the tables, none of them were my clothes. So I guessed: maybe someone was angry at me for leaving my clothes in so long? I checked the floor, the drawers in the desks, the washers, and even the tiny tunnel that led to the big space behind the dryers... nothing.

I was starting to get desperate, so I began a systematic test of the dorm and the area around the dorm. I checked dumpsters, grass, couches, chairs, kitchens, everywhere--with no results. I was starting to freak out at the potential loss of most of my spring clothes (not to mention the lion's share of my underwear, if in fact a lion had a share of my undies). Luckily, Ashley (the only RA on campus at the moment) walked by and saved me. At her suggestion I made some pathetic begging notes to put around the dorm, and a list of the missing clothing for Kiley and Ashley to surreptitiously snoop for during room check. I decided to tag along with with Ashley; while we were walking Kiley decided to do one last check of the laundry room. The laundry was back in its entirety, down to the last sock. I don't know if it was because we harassed the residents, if someone felt guilty, or if someone just accidentally took my laundry for five hours. I am just SO glad it's back!

Saturday: My entire family came to visit me, which was super sweet of them. We drove into El Cerrito, picked up Dan, and drove over to the San Francisco Zoo! Since it was the afternoon a lot of the animals were sleepy, but they were still cute, especially this one penguin who kept jumping up onto a little divider in his exhibit and then down again, like a kid on a street curb. Oh, and I wanted to cuddle the polar bear but my family wouldn't let me... something about it being the most dangerous kind of bear in the world? =) We ate a picnic lunch near the playground and picked up delicious coffee on our way out. In the gift shop, Dan bought me an adorable snow leopard plushie (kind of like these guys but mine is cuter) to replace Geoffrey (black leopard plushie Dan gave to me when we first started dating, whom I so irresponsibly lost in the last month.)

After the zoo, we were hungry so we decided to search for some food around the piers. Ghirardelli ice cream sounded good to all of us, but we had to eat something first, so we parked near the Square and went to Lori's, a '50's diner, for dinner. Makayla and I couldn't choose between grilled chicken sandwich ("The Heart Breaker") and the chili dog ("Rebel Rouser"), so we split them and they both were delicious. (So were the onion rings!) =D After we ate, we waited in line for Ghirardelli and all ate delicious sundaes (except for Dan, who had to be boring and drink a chocolate milkshake, as always, lol.) Afterwards we took an exciting drive around the city... my mom wanted to drive Dan off at his dorm, and on our way home we passed by Lombard street, which Kassi wanted to drive down (the twisty part, anyway.) Unfortunately, you have to go up a HUGE hill to get there, and I'm afraid of heights. I closed my eyes the entire steep way up, opened them for the twisty part of Lombard, then closed them again for more steepness. =) Eventually we got to Dan's dorm and I had to say goodbye to him.

Sunday: My actual birthday! =) Sadly, I had to be alone for most of the day, but I at least got to spend the morning/early afternoon with my family. My mom opened Mother's Day presents and I opened birthday presents--a really awesome rolly cooler from my parents, a roll-up picnic blanket from Kaeli, earrings and chocolate from Makayla, and earrings and a necklace from Kassi. My family also brought me a pot of beautiful purple calla lilies (with a mini birthday baloon in it, hehe.) The day before I opened Dan's present, which was duct tape bandaids--yes, my boyfriend is awesome--cute fridge magnets, and a pack of all 3 Jurassic Park movies. After presents, we ate in the caf and then I had to say goodbye to everyone.

I decided I didn't want to be alone doing nothing for my birthday, so I headed into town. I got coffee at Napa Valley Roasting Co., a bunch of clothes at Ross, the soundtrack to Once (awesome movie, by the way) and panties that proclaim my love for coffee (yes, they do in fact exist) from Walmart, and a Gardenburger, onion rings, and a peanut butter chocolate milkshake from Taylors (yes, I indulged, but it was delicious! Plus I was by myself all afternoon, so I needed a bit of self-spoiling, though I may regret it in my P.E. class
tomorrow.) Back in my room I watched CSI: (an episode with a Mythbusters cameo; neat!), did internet-y things, put away my new stuff, talked to Dan (and my mom and Kassi), and I am about to go to sleep. I feel tired, I have work at 4am and class at 8am, and sleep is a pretty awesome thing to do, even on a birthday. (I see the irony that most people get drunk on their 21st birthday while I am going to be in bed by 10, but what can I say--I REALLY value my sleep!)

I still miss everybody though. Next birthday, I vow to be surrounded by people ALL day (and I'll probably get tired of it, lol!)