"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip."

I've never been 'big' on my birthday. Although, I really enjoy making others feel really good on their special day! For me though, it's just another day, really...I mean, it's fun to think that 23 years ago I came into the world, blah...blah...blah. However, I did have a good couple days before Saturday, October 4th.

On Thursday, my work decided to buy me a new cell phone so I can always check my email whenever I need too, so, I had the option of a Blackberry or an iPhone. Which one do you think I choose? Exactly, I decided to go with the iPhone!! (I truly believe that the iPhone is one of the greatest inventions, EVER.) So, as you can imagine that was a good birthday present in itself!

Here's the funny part...

On Thursday evening Lo and I take chess lessons together. After our lesson on Thursday we decided to walk down to Culpeppers, sit outside, and get a bucket of beers! Derrick and Gavan were in Clayton and headed over to join us. I didn't tell Derrick about my new toy, yet. Lo came up with the idea that when they got there she was going to call me so my phone would ring and I could pull it out and show Derrick...well...we did just that. Derrick's face was nothing but stunned. He kept asking, "Is that really yours?" He finally looked at me and said,

"That's what I got you for your birthday."

His face was so sad, because he said he really put a lot of thought into what he was going to get me. I felt so bad, but we had a few good laughs about it! So, he took it back and took me to Forever 21 on Saturday, and to say the least, I had a hefty birthday shopping spree, thanks to Derrick!

The other birthday festivities were going to dinner on Friday night just the two of us to Francos in Soulard. We both had never been and my boss was raving about it, so I knew I really wanted to try it. The food was flawless, I would recommend Francos to anyone! After that we walked over to Soulard's Ocktoberfest! It was so packed! We met Julie & Eric there and had a great time! However, the beer is so heavy, good but HEAVY! After Ocktoberfest we headed to HelenFitzgeralds to meet up with everyone, which was also a lot of fun!

On Saturday, like I mentioned, we got up, cleaned our apartment, went to the mall, then the grocery store to pick up some appetizers because my parents, grandmother, brother and his girlfriend all came over for dinner! My mom made Reubans (she makes the best reubans, that's why I never order them out) We had a really good time hanging out with them! My parents bought us a CrockPot for a house-warming gift! Derrick was so excited about that! Saturday night was also very fun. Derrick had a bachelor party, so Liz came over around 8, we hung out and drank at the apt. and then we headed to McGurks, where Lo met us! After that we went to Lumiere Place where we saw the boys, gambling of course!

Overall, the weekend was great! I actually have a easy week a head of me. My boss is out of town this week, so I'm off Monday...working short easy hours all week! It might be a week of pampering myself...I meet with my personal trainer tomorrow (hopefully she kicks my ass because all I do is eat junk...) This next weekend we are going to MIZZOU with Mike, Sandy, Matt, Kim, Mindy, and Andy!!!! And the best part about it....NO KIDS!!!! I'm expecting that weekend to get out of control... The weekend after that is Tom's wedding (which is going to be a blast) and then the weekend after that is HOMECOMING :)

Exciting, exciting times...