"Typhoon Lagoon"

"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us 
to give ourselves the gift of living well." ~Voltaire

Happiest of birthdays to Roomie Chelsea! 
We ate an entire kitchen sink of ice cream and sweets to celebrate!

Then it was off to Typhoon Lagoon
to swim it all off!

Roomies Shayla and Chelsea. :)

I faced my fears that day,
and snorkeled with sharks.
They swam up alongside me!

We roamed, we played.
We soaked up all the sunlight and surf.

Disney is a magical place,
no matter what the celebration. 

{"Let's Get Loud" via Jennifer Lopez}

"Twenty-Three"

I am so, over-emotionally grateful for my loved ones. 

They are entirely too darling. (/^-^(^ ^*)/

♥

Massage.

Lunch treat with Friend Cory.

Game party with Friends Kristen, Chris, and Cory.

Dinner with FAMILY.

Surprise party with Roommie Kate and ward members.

♥

So many friends have told me 23 was one of their best years. 

I plan on making it one of mine, too. \(*＾ワ＾*)ノ

"Hoppy Bunny Year"

I'm so clever, with my word puns.
Christmas, New Year's, my 22nd birthday.
It's been one continuous party
since I've been home.
And now, I'm moving back to college life.
Resolutions for this year?
♡ Hone my Japanese
♡ Meet new people
♡ Keep good relationships
♡ Eat more greens like a bunny



An unexpected turn has appeared in my path,
settling sorrow on my shoulders.
But the wonderful people in my life
are hoisting me out of the brambles,
helping me regain my step.
Thank you for reminding me that I have feet.
Bless you all, and hoppy bunny year!

{♪ "Starry-Eyed Surprise" via Paul Oakenfold}

"Home Again"

My family celebrated our reunionwith a Thanksgiving dinner{since I missed it}inviting a few close friends.And because it was Peter's birthday, that day,we celebrated that, too.

My sweet puppy.

Some things are coming back,

like old habits.

Other things feel foreign.

Driving: old habit

English everywhere: foreign

In the few days I've been here, though,

it's been dream-like,

reuniting with my loved ones.

{♪ "Christmas This Year" ~ TobyMac feat. Leigh Nash}

"For Your 21st Birthday..."

I ate a soccer ball in your honor.

And drank water

imported from England.

And though Japan is lovely,

it could do with a bit more red hair.

When your feet touch American soil

{sixty-nine days from now}

live in the moment.

And eat a real cheeseburger.

Happy birthday, my best friend. ♥

"21"

"May you live all the days of your life." -Jonathan Swift

This is the first {and last} time I'll celebrate my birthday

TWICE in one year.

Mom was thinking of doing it Christmas day,

but that was a little much.

{I turn 21 on January 2nd.}

I drove over to my family's home yesterday afternoon

and helped top a fruit pizza Mom was so kindly making for me.

"A birthday fruit pizza", she called it.

And it was so good.
We enjoyed watching the beginning of Julie & Julia together

before the boys came home.

At which time, we switched to Guitar Hero mode,

and I discovered my love for electronic, musically-inaccurate drums.

{You get the guitar from now on, Chan;

I want the drum kit.}

Pere's too much of a real musician to play such a silly game.

{He's amazing.}
Mom got me a SPA TREATMENT for a gift.

Oh, how well she knows me.

I love you, Mere.

We dined at Red Robin for dinner {a.k.a. "tea" for you, Bryn-love}

and watched the beautifully refreshing film, Sherlock Holmes.

And for those who don't understand why we celebrated a little bit early,

please refer to prior blog posts.

{Psst, I'll be out of the country.}

Happy birthday in advance to all the other January babies!

{That means you too, Mom!}

"Happy Birthday, Beau!"

"Age is something that doesn't matter... unless you are a cheese." -Anonymous

Today, we celebrated a 20th birthday without the celebrated person.

And we made CAKE...

it's bakin' time.

the naked cake.

glazing is so uberly fun!

striking the match...

lighting the flame... (just like my heart, bah-bump.)

representin'.

carvin' the goods.

eatin' the yums.

I also made a video. :) It's the preface of a surprise party... in Japanese, of course.

And happy birthday to my very best friend! We've walked together, fought together, grown together, and loved together. You are my most favorite comrade and companion. I love you!

"Belated Birthday Surprise"

"Young people have an almost biological destiny to be hopeful." -Marshall Ganz

On January 7th (of this year,) I came home to an array of beautiful gifts placed carefully on my doorstep. Upon opening the card labeled "Ashley", my eyes drifted to the name signed at the bottom: Elder Farnsworth. I was in complete shock.

My lovely roommate, Jeanelle, glanced up at me and (after hearing who was the doer of the deed) exclaimed loudly: "He is so in love with you!" I include that not because my ego was boosted... *cough* ...but that it brought the largest smile my face had experienced in a while. ^_^

Of course, I knew of Elder Farnsworth's adoration well before he left, as most who know me will understand. *cheesy grin* But this was completely unexpected. (And I usually can see something like this coming!) All-in-all, it was a wonderful Christmas/birthday surprise.

Oh, and the gifts included were as follows: A bouquet of a dozen rouge-tipped roses, two plush animals (a rabbit and a raccoon,) a box of assorted chocolates, and an electronic keychain photo album filled with various pictures of us (as well as the card.) Thank you, Ben, for the delivery. And thanks to Bryn for being so thoughtful and kind, even while living across the North Atlantic with the Cornish.