Happy Birthday Hermana

I know. Another birthday! Well today is my lovely sister Katie's 17th birthday. She's just going and growing up so fast. I know I only saw her the other week, but I miss her like crazy and I just wanted to say a quick note on her very special day. I just finished watching Jaws over in Rome in memory of her since it's one of her favorite movies. She does this maniacal laugh that's pretty creepy, but just completely her. Love that quirky side she has.

Kate and I started out on some pretty rocky terms. For most of our lives we really haven't liked each other. We were the typical sisters that just got into fights and terrified each other. Sorry p-rents for all the stress we caused you. Basically, when I left home for school, Katie and I really started to bond as friends. People might say it's because we weren't spending so much time together, but personally, I think it was because as she got older (she was 14 when I left) she began to become more relate-able. We started liking the same things and sharing the same jokes. I mean when you think of it, what would a 17 year-old and a 13 year-old have in common?

Anyway, she's really one of my best friends now and I know she's having a wonderful time on such a wonderful day (fun note, it's also my grandmother's birthday). She probably went to school and then went to the barn to spend time with her lovely horse, Derby. For her birthday present, I bought her tickets to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers in DC in May. We'll be going with Amanda and her brother so it should be a great time. I'm really excited and I know she is too. We're going to party it up rocker style. Especially since she has a field trip she's going on to NYC the morning after. Ha. I was not nearly as cool as she is.

So hear's to you Katie Lee. All of our wonderful inside jokes will just reach another level this summer. When I get back, we shall watch lots of It's always Sunny..., Arrested Development, Flight of the Conchords, and a plethora of other films (most definitely Hudson Hawk). I love you bunches and I cannot wait to see you in 7 days (Rome time). Hooray!

The Weekend After: My Birthday

I was on Kaelah's blog and saw that it was her birthday this past week as well. She put up all of these fun typography images of her new age and I was inspired to find some of my own. This might become a fun little tradition as the years go by. If I start early enough, I could have a whole collection by the time I turn 22 (Eeek! I don't even want to think about that).

I had such a great weekend. On Thursday (my actual birthday) the weather was so pleasant and I was out and about running errands for work. I can't wait for the sun to be out all the time! My hair gets really blonde during the summer and it's fun to watch it change. My colleagues gave me this amazing present for my birthday/internship present. It's an Anita Klein  print that I've been eyeing for some time, but they really had no idea. It was such a pleasant surprise and I can really not express enough gratitude for my experience there. They've really given me a learning and growing environment that I feel I've really developed into a better person. They have even been kind enough to offer me a place to work if I'm ever back in London. This is my first "real" job offer that I've gotten from my past internships and I'm ecstatic at the possibility. I'm even starting to look at Grad Schools in London since it's cheaper and I could have a job in the arts while going to school.

After work, I came home and talked to a bunch of my family members. It was so nice to hear everyone's voice. I think I talked to my father four times throughout the day which kept making me cry. He wrote this heart wrenching email just going through all of our shared memories and it was just really hard to get through.  I read the first sentence at work and started balling my eyes out so I had to stop. It was just really nice to get and I love you too Daddy!

Amanda and I went for fish and chips at this very rustic, local chippy called Fryer's Delight and it was delish. It was one of those places that tourists would obviously skip because it looks a bit grungy, but I love that authenticity. We sat outside on the "patio" which was really just two aluminum chairs and a table on the sidewalk with buses and construction vehicles rushing past. You had to buy Tartar sauce by the packet for god's sake! I might have went back yesterday just to score more of their delicious chips. We then went back home and I went out to a bar to meet up with a bunch of other girls on the program for a bit of a hen night. It was a bunch of fun and the DJ kept playing this wonderful 60s music. I might have been in heaven.

Picture by Steph

We decided not to have a party on my actual birthday since most people had to work/class on Friday. But Friday night we invited a bunch of people over to our flat and had a real shindig. It was so much fun and I hope that everyone had as swell of a time as I did. Amanda's camera has a bunch of the pictures so I'll try to put those up later. I'm just very proud to say that I had a very good time, but I still remember every second of it. I really hate it when people think that if they don't remember they're 21st they've done a good job. Why wouldn't you want to experience it all while still having a good time? Know your limits people! It was a pleasant night especially since Missy slept over. We then went out for lunch on Saturday and parted ways at the library. This might have been the last time I'll see her in London, but we'll actually be able to meet up in Rome in a few weeks. So excited.

Right now I'm procrastinating for this art history paper I have to write for tomorrow. I went to the library yesterday to pick up some books, so I already feel like I'm ahead of where I should be. But I really should start writing. I hope everyone's weekend was equally wonderful. And if there are any other people out there with a 29th birthday, Yipee! I hope you played it hard and safe all weekend!

It's Actually My Birthday!

Yep, I turn 21 today. Well in Great Britain at least. I guess at home I'm still 20. But it's so nice to start off the day with a surprise visit from some new friends. That's one of the greatest things about studying abroad I feel; meeting new people/friends. I've already eating 1/4 of a chocolate cake and will have the rest for breakfast, lunch, and dinner tomorrow. I know I need to do some catch up of my weekend, but I'll save that for a day when I'm not celebrating. Today was good though, I went back two my new office at work and spent some time in the glorious sunshine. Amanda and I then went to go see Jersey Boys which was surprisingly better than I had expected. I'm sorry if I gave it any flack because it was thoroughly entertaining and the music is still running through my head. Seriously Ryan Molloy's voice was spot on for Frankie Valli. What a pleasant treat to start off what will hopefully be a wonderful day. I'll be sure to post more about my Germany trip later. I hope everyone has a great of a day that I think I'm about to have!

Happy Birthday Mama B!

That's right! It's my Mama's big 5-0. I know she's been stressing about it a bit, but really I think she's fabulous at 50. Half a decade a go she came bursting forth into this beautiful world and into a new home. You've seen awesome historical events in your lifetime; the biggest one being of course the birth of me. We've had our ups and our downs, but I've always been your number one fan. While I love being in London, I'm sad I can't spend such a mile marker with you. I guess that just means that when we get back we'll hit the town and I'll buy you a few drinks, maybe at El Serano? Sounds like a plan to me.

Her Graduation Day

This lady is the sweetest and funniest thing in the world. Do you see what I mean? Who could say no to that face? Well I have on numerous occasions but that was through the dreaded tween years and you really can't hold me against that. She may think that Katie and I mock her, but really we're just showing her the love. She's a favorite amongst my friends and her stories will always get you laughing. There's a reason we call her Mama B. She's more than a mother, she's like this burst of personality.

Lobster Wars in Maine

Like any Mom, you might quarrel and bicker, but we always love each other. I feel that we have more good days than bad days and what more can a mother/daughter relationship want. We've talked about everything imaginable without a hint of shame or censorship and it's great. So Mummy, I love you!, and I hope you have the bestest birthday yet. I'll be home soon so we can have a proper celebration, but until then, we'll continue the skype dates and blog postings

We're on a boat. And Katie's having an attitude problem.

P.S. There is a letter currently in the mail on its way to you. You know how I procrastinate with such things but it should arrive in the next week or two. We will have to discuss it's contents just so I know you "get it." Love!

P.P.S. Even if it's not your mother's birthday, call her up and tell her you love her and are thinking about her. I know it means a lot and takes almost no time. I love waking up in the morning or after a hard day's work to see a little text from her with a simple "Thinking about you sweetie" and I know she'd feel the same.

Guess What I Made...

What could these ingredients mean? That's right boys and girls, I baked a cake. From scratch. Yesterday was Casey's 21st birthdays (warning, there are a lot of birthdays this month) and for my gift to her I thought I would try to make her favorite cake: Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting. Normally I would just go to the store and pick up a Red Velvet cake mix and that would be it, but apparently Red Velvet is an American construct so I had to find a recipe on line and buy all of the ingredients. I don't think I've ever made a cake from scratch before. It actually went pretty well. The only really hard thing here is that everything's in the metric system, and we didn't have any real measuring cups/spoons. I couldn't find any in the stores either so I did my best. Our kitchen also only has one working light now so it's quite dark which adds for a whole new set of challenges. I think it turned out pretty well. It wasn't quite Red Velvet (I might have put in too much cocoa powder) but it was fluffy and tasty. I think the fluff comes from a little science experiment I was told to put in by combining vinegar with a little bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to get it all bubbly. Melissa was in charge of the icing and I thought she did a great job. I made two cakes and I think they both got eaten. So happy birthday Casey!!

The party was a lot of fun. There were about 30 people in our little flat and it was themed as a typical College Party. And not just any college party, but one where the music was all from the late 90s early 2000s. It was fun to reminisce about some of the stuff that we used to boogie to in 8th grade. "Stacey's Mom?" "Beverly Hills?" "I'm Blue?" "My Heart Will Go On?" It was just a lot of fun. I"m not much of a party-er back home and I think this was the first time I had a genuinely good time at one. Although it was completely Casey's night, it definitely got me excited for the possibilities of what my birthday might hold.

Happy Birthday Austin!

This is the cornerstone of our friendship

I just wanted to give a little shout out to my bestest friend in the whole wide world: Austin. It's her birthday today and this little lady is turning 21 today. I'm super bummed I can't be there to celebrate with her since I'm hundreds of miles away. I take comfort knowing that she's surrounded herself with friends who will make sure she has the greatest day in existence!

She knows this, but I'm extremely jealous that her birthday is on the 5th. For you history buffs out there, you'll recognize this date as the anniversary of the Boston Massacre which is pretty cool. And, this is the bigger event, it is the anniversary of the day John Belushi died. I'm such a huge Belushi fan and that she has this connection and I don't kind of upsets me. So now you know a bit more about today's history.

I hope you had a good day girl. When I get back, and we're both 21 of course, we will have to go out and properly celebrate. It's going to be the best reunion ever! And Katherine is invited in on all of these shenanigans! It's so nice to have such good friends waiting for you back home...even if we did start such friendships under unconventional means. Austin, this song's for you.

Happy Leap Day!

*insert frog joke with accompanying "boing" sound effect* I just wanted to write a quick note today because how often is it Leap Day? Well I mean it's every four years, but you get my drift. It sort of just feels like a fake day all day. I don't know if I really remember the last time it was leap year although I should because I was 16, but I guess 16 year-old Carly had more important things to do than focus on whether our year had an extra day or not. Apparently in Great Britain there's a tradition that on the 29th of February it is custom for women to propose to men. Like it's against the "rules" every other day of the year? Oh well, I kind of like the tradition. I don't think we have that in the States, but I could be mistaken. Is it only a British thing? Are there other cultures you know of that have something similar? I'm really more excited for tomorrow since that means it's March. That's right. In 30 days I turn 21! I'm kind of freaking out because I'll really be in my twenties soon, but I'm ready to make my 21st year the best one yet (and now I sound like some uber-happy cheerleader, but you get my drift).