The Iron Giant

Justin and I watched The Iron Giant today before he went to work. I balled my eyes out during the ending. Yeah, I feel like the biggest dork.

It is such a sweet story. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it. Vin Diesel does an amazing job conveying emotions through his voice as the robot.

One aspect reminded me of the Atonement: although the evil man, not the giant, made the mistake, the giant had to pay for it in order to rescue all mankind. (This is where I started crying like a baby.) But also, like Christ, the giant lived again.

Justin's Birthday

Yesterday was Justin's 24th birthday. We got up at 5 a.m. to go golfing at 6 and played a full 18 holes. Justin played ok and I didn't do too bad. My drives were horrible (because I never practice with my driver), but my short game and putting were pretty good (because that's all I ever practice!). I even got par on a par 3. I hit my 6 iron a little short of the green and chipped the ball two feet from the hole for an easy putt. But enough about me...


We went to the PGA superstore for Justin to return the 3 hybrids he tried out. He found another one he likes better and is probably going to buy with his birthday money. He used to have a hybrid because he hated his 3 iron, but then he traded it in because he hated the hybrid. Now he hates his 3 iron again and wants a new hybrid!


Finally we got home and relaxed before going out to lunch at P.F. Chang's. Justin opened up his presents: a golf book from his parents and a movie (Get Smart), ice shaver, and strawberry flavoring from me. After lunch, we watched half of Get Smart before poor Justin had to go to work. That night I invited some friends over for German chocolate cake (his favorite) when Justin got home. It wasn't a surprise party, but he didn't know anyone was coming. Until I ruined it. I got the place ready and set out plates, napkins, and forks. Justin looked at the table and asked, "How many forks do we need?" Oops. He started looking around, opening doors, expecting people to jump out and surprise him. I tried to not laugh, which made him more suspicious. He wouldn't believe me that no one was there but us (he even looked under our bed!), so I gave in and told him that some friends would be coming later. The first couple came shortly thereafter and we sang to Justin. They left right after the second couple came, who stayed late playing Imaginiff with us. We had such a great time! When they left, we tried watching the rest of Get Smart but fell asleep instead. It was quite the long but fun day.

The Birthday

I'm so glad I had my birthday surprise from my wonderful friends! Justin had a low-grade fever the night before my birthday (May 27) and spent half of my birthday sleeping. I went running, worked on some projects on campus, and then read in the park. Justin was feeling good enough to go out by 3 p.m., so we went shopping. I bought a couple of cute shirts at Ann Taylor Loft (my new favorite store) and a hat at a store called Hottie. Since our plans started much later, we went out to eat at our favorite Japanese restaurant and Justin cooked dinner for me the next day. We did more shopping that day too at another Ann Taylor Loft, where I bought 3 more shirts, and browsed for a couple hours at Barnes & Noble. I got a package from my in-laws of gifts I wanted: a yoga kit, Mamma Mia! movie and soundtrack, and little piggy magnets. Overall, with all the surprises and fun and phone calls from family, it was definitely a most memorable and awesome birthday!

You know, usually birthdays don't feel any different for me, but this year I actually felt older. I was ready to be 22. I think it's because so much has happened in the last year: getting a new job at BYU, graduating, moving, getting and quitting my dance job, making new friends, and having family and friends visit.

For Arica and AesaLina

When I went shopping on my birthday, I visited Anthroplogie in honor of you two ladies. Everything inside it reminded me of you! Enjoy!

The Best Birthday Surprise

Earlier in the week, Justin asked me out on a date for Saturday. We started out eating lunch at Rumbi Island Grill. I wanted to check out the shops (this was the shopping center where I got my haircut and saw Francesca's Collections), but Justin insisted he was too full to walk around. So we sat and I talked his ear off about InDesign. I got up to go the bathroom, and when I came out, my four best friends were sitting at the table with Justin! I could not believe my eyes. Three of them--Kaitlyn, Francine, and Kristen--drove in that morning from Southern CA, and Lindsey flew in that morning from Tennessee. I was so shocked! Especially that Lindsey was there. That was the second time she had flown in for a day just for me (the first was for my wedding). I started crying. I was so happy to see my friends again, especially for my birthday. I haven't had a birthday party in years, and birthdays are big deals in my family. I missed that. Justin knew how lonely I was and collaborated with them. What selfless love they have!

Justin gave me a bag of stuff I needed and left us for a girls-only day. First we went bowling. I won the first game after getting a turkey (three strikes in a row), and Francine won the second after getting four strikes (not in a row). We took tons of silly pictures. Next we got our nails done. I've only gotten one pedicure in my entire life--for my 13th birthday at the beauty school--and have never gotten a manicure. I got both: red velvet toes and French tip fingers.

We went to the girls' hotel to get changed for dinner. Justin had packed me two dresses to choose from. My friends chose the red one so that I would stand out. After makeup was done, we went to the Melting Pot for a fabulous dinner. We ordered cheddar and spinach artichoke fondue, cooked various types of meat in two different broths, and indulged in milk, dark, and white chocolate fondue. The server put candles in the dippers, and the girls sang happy birthday to me. It was quite the experience!

Unfortunately, Lindsey left while Justin and I were at church on Sunday. The rest of the girls came over for dinner and games: Apples to Apples, Mad Gab, and Imaginiff. Justin made me a chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, and they all sang happy birthday to me again. They didn't leave until midnight, when we said our final goodbyes. I cried as soon as I shut the door behind them. I already miss those wonderful ladies! God could not have blessed me with better friends.

Click here to see photos of our weekend.

Click here to see Francine's photos.