back at it

hello all. i got sick of looking at my last post, with the no comments. boooring. so, here's a quick update on me:
i went to g-rap last week. thanks to everyone for a great time. i got to spend lots of time with my family, including a shopping-for-birthday-present-for-my-dad trip to dick's sporting goods. i went with my older sister, in search of something that i can no longer name and also some waders. we were in the hunting and fishing section (where i *clearly* don't belong), and i felt more than a little out of place. while being eyed by the employees and other patrons, sarah and i started singing the "one of these things is not like the others" song to amuse ourselves. however, she did in fact know exactly what we were looking for, and with a little help from the store clerk, we successfully purchased what turned out to be the wrong kind of waders. oh well. it was an adventure, nonetheless.
i also got to see a bunch of friends and learn how to play texas hold 'em, which i am awesome at. it was lovely to see you all. and i had such a good time (as always) that i didn't get quite enough sleep and had to pull over and take a lil nap in a meijer parking lot about an hour east of grand rapids. luckily, i didn't die at all, and am back in pa getting back in the swing of things.
i have to go now so that i can study a bit more before my arabic class. that's right, i'm taking arabic. for free. at bobby mo. masaa al khair.

anyone sick of the birthday shout-outs yet?

i hope not. because here's yet another one:

the dutchman is 25 today. we're getting old, j. luckily, i'm nearly a year behind you. you'll be old WaaaaaaY before me.

that's not very nice though... what i really meant to say was happy birthday, and i can't wait to see you, and i'm sorry i missed the party. and remember when we went to fridays for your 21st (because you were WaaaaaY older than the rest of us, and we couldn't go anywhere else?)? somewhere i have a picture of you saying grace over your khalua. good times. anyway, hope the quarter-century celebration is beyond your wildest dreams. i heart you, j.

okay, that's all. back to work. see you soon!!!!!

nifty nifty daddy's fifty

today is my dad's 50th birthday! hooray! i was waiting to call him after work because i thought he'd be busy at the office, but then he sent me an email with this picture attached. my oh my.


happy birthday, daddy. i love you.