twinkle lights

The other day, one strand of my twinkle lights burned out and I realized it was probably time to take them down.  This wouldn't be a big deal if not for the accompanying truth that I'm going to be out of here soon.  That means not only can I take down my twinkle lights, but I can go ahead and pack up the rest of my things too.  (Which I did start the other day for anyone who's wondering.)

For good.  Pack up for good.

I graduate in two weeks.  The end is really here and instead of having a feeling of finality, I am left in disbelief.  Maybe subconsciously it's in there somewhere, but to me it just feels like the end of any other year.  (I have to walk across a stage in a gown soon? what?)

I suppose the ironic part is that this is what I've worked so hard for.  It's finally within reach.

But for now, I'm going to push all of that to the side and enjoy the magical glow of the lights for one last evening.

xo

Birthday Extras

After dinner on the 16th, Spenser and I went to the Front Street Brewery for a celebratory drink.  Since it was the middle of the week, we basically had the place to ourselves aside from one other group table.  Our waiter reminded me of a young Ray Romano. haha!  He was very amiable and lighthearted.  When I handed him my ID he kept staring and staring until finally he said, "Happy birthday?"  After I laughed and thanked him, he told me I could have a free half pint for my birthday. yay!  Spenser had their Raging River and I had the Old Davenport Gold and for the free half pint we tried the Bucktown Stout.

A few days later Becca came to visit.  Originally I was going to have a group of friends come (including Becca), but schedules didn't work out so I called it off.  Becca surprised me by calling and saying that she was coming anyway regardless of any cancellations.  She said she had made plans to come and she was not going back on 'em.  Go Becca, the girl takes action! :)

 

She came and stayed overnight.  She, Adele and I went out to dinner and stayed up talking that night before grabbing breakfast the next morning.  We went to our very favorite Ihop.  And are you ready for this?  It was Becca's first time eating at Ihop.  Adele and I were appalled and happy all at once, since we love Ihop (probably a little too much).

 

Then we went shopping...uh oh.  Though we were actually supposed to be shopping for Becca's niece, I thought it was the perfect occasion to buy a Lion King shirt.  Call it a birthday present for myself? ;)

Lastly, my parents came to town to take me out to dinner.  Not only were they coming to celebrate my birthday, but we were also scouting out a place to go for my graduation.  In lieu of having a party, we are just going to go for a family/friend dinner somewhere after the graduation ceremony.  And I think we know where that somewhere is now. Yay!

 

Thank you to everyone who came, visited, and celebrated with me.

Here we go, 21!

Celebrating my birthday

We celebrated my birthday a few days ago, on the 16th.  Spenser and I spent the day walking, eating, and eating some more.  Oh yeah, and lots of smiling, there was that too. ;)  We started out at Lagomarcino's, an old-fashioned, locally owned confectionary and soda fountain.  Such a cool place, a step back in time with amazing sweet treats.

That was my sundae!! Eeeee!  I ordered the Quad City Special.  It was my birthday, go big or go home.  Can you tell what it's supposed to look like?

 After ice cream, we took a walk through The Village.  It was Spenser's first time there. 
I had always promised to take him, since it is one of the "neater" (is neater even a word?) places in the area.

 ^^Valentino the Chihuahua

Spenser came late on the fifteenth, so that we could start celebrating my birthday right at midnight.  He always brings the fun!  I had classes the sixteenth, but he waited patiently and we made the most of the time in between classes.  We went to Lagomarcino's and had the most marvelous ice cream sundaes.  If ever you're looking for delicious confections/desserts, it is the place to go. So good.  Spenser ordered the Italian Sundae due to my recommendation (it was the first sundae I ever ate there and still my favorite!)  and I ordered the Quad City Special, which was a mountain of ice cream and cookies and everything else they could fit in.  The sundae was supposed to look like a riverboat, to live up to it's namesake of the Quad Cities which are directly on the Mississippi river.  They even put a paddlewheel on the back made of cookies.  Cute! 

 

After ice cream, we toured The Village.  We stopped in a bunch of small shops, tried on silly hats, and marveled at parasols (does anyone actually use them?)  In one of the shops, 3 Gypsies Designs, I was looking at jewelry when Spenser said, "Look down."  I almost tripped.  There, running silently around my feet was a tiny white dog.  I wouldn't have even noticed him.  He was a friendly Chihuahua whose name we found out was Valentino.  How great is that, a Chihuahua named Valentino?  I found it quite charming.  He received lots of pets and holds from us.

 

I had an evening class that night, but afterwards we kept the party going by having dinner at Ihop with our friends Katie and Adele.  Then, since it was my 21st we went to the Front Street Brewery to have a fancy beer.  Good birthday and a good day.  Thanks for celebrating with me, Spens.

twenty-one

it's my birthday!

I turn twenty one years old today.

 

 

 

p.s. I feel that there is definitely a connotation to turning 21, so I thought I might just state I was not day drinking, that's just my lamp post pose.  (The almost closed eyes probably didn't help any either. ;) haha.)

Posing with Herky

This past weekend we went on a walk and took a few goofy photos with Herky, the University of Iowa mascot.  A mirrored, statue version of him no less.  One time I met the real live mascot and he kissed my hand. Fun story. 

I was kind of nervous.