I think it's a scientific law that whenever there is something important or significant going on my life that would be worth recording, my journal is on the fritz. Clearly, I haven't updated in a while. Haven't been able to. But alas, I'm back. Of course there's lots to tell, but having to spill it all in one sitting is detrimental to details. First, my birthday. Otherwise known as the week-long celebration of "hey, you can drink now!" Tuesday night at the stroke of midnight Nick was here, knocking on our door and ready to take me out for my power hour, determined to get me bombed, which he unknowingly did. We went to a bar called Sixshooters where the bartender handed me a blue colored shot, on the house. I don't do shots and the few patrons at the bar made sure I knew I'd better stick to smoking because drinking wasn't my thing. (For the record, I don't smoke). Anyway, I ordered a cocktail, Nick a beer, and we played pool and fooseball. Another shot, another drink, and I'm trying to act as nonchalant and cool as possible, which turned out to be my downfall because it was impossible to tell how drunk I was. We leave and go to the Library on Mill Ave. Two sips of my cosmo and I know I'm going to be exchanging air with Mr. Swirly. It's 2am anyway, so we leave. The minute I step my foot through the door, I bold to the bathroom. I puke. I stumble into bed. I get up and puke again. Repeat three more times. I think. Anyway, I slept for most of the next day until class at 1:40. But I woke up to find a beautiful bouquet of roses on the pillow beside me with a note and a gift from my Bear. He got me a flash drive so I can go trigger happy and not have to worry about deleting or frequently dumping my pictures off my camera to make space. It was very thoughtful of him. Maybe even a hint that he needs another photo session. lol Wednesday, my actual birthday, I go out to a very classy, very "sex and the city" restaurant with the girls: Jackie, Kristen W and Kristen R from NY. Two blonds, a brunette and a red head. The food was amazing, which surprised us all because it was fusion food and that's always a little iffy. So we ate, sipped Mojitos, and would you know it that we actually had to ask the guy to card me? I don't think I'll ever get carded around my sister. We're just cool like that. The celebration continued on Friday. Family dinner at the long awaited (9 years exactly) dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was soooo nice. We had our own private little room with birthday confetti on the table. The food was of course excellent and the dessert was amazing. And of course there were "peasants"...mom got me my very own photography light set, which I set up the other day and can't wait to try out. She also got me a remote control for my camera which will also really come in handy. Grandma got me a tub full of kitchen utensils, complete with wooden spoons for cooking sauce. Dad gave me a screw gun because I'm a weirdo and a carpenter's daughter and was constantly finding a need for one, especially being in a new house. Jackie and Tim got me a certificate for a bike of my choice, which Jaxx and I will be shopping for on Friday. A very long, exciting birthday week! And now I'm 21 and the only thing that's different is that I bought beer and liquor for the house the other day while Kris waited in the car because he'd be carded. Being 21 is great, not for the fact that I can drink legally, but it's like a freedom card. There's no place I can't get into or not aloud to go. Being 21 says I'm mature enough to make smart decisions. 21 is the "get in" age. I met with my counselor today to figure out the rest of my college career. It looks like I'll graduate on time. I'm considering a minor in political science. I need to fulfill my related area of study and there's just no reason not to get a minor. Someone who knows me might think political science is a bit off base for me, but really, I don't know what else I would do. The English minor is ridiculous; a lot of required credits and a lot of classes that just don't interest me. What else would I do, theater? What would that do for me? There's no such thing as a photography minor and I'm not good enough to minor in French (and again, it's usefulness?). So I'll take a POS class and see how it tastes. Meanwhile I have no food and don't feel like going grocery shopping. Actually, I'd rather go to Costco. Dina's got all kinds of goodies from there. I'm hoping Helen can come over so we go throw a softball around or something. Kris and I were going to play racquetball tonight but instead he's got an intramural football game. Well I suppose that's it. It's a glum today and there's not much excitement in store for tomorrow. Just another day on my internship when I wonder why I'm always bummed to go there. Carrie