25 Awesome Things about My 25th Birthday

1) This party hat, which I wore unashamedly. I even posted this picture to Facebook, with the caption "wearing this all day and no one can stop me".

2) The subsequent photo my dad sent me of himself at the airport, with the exact same caption:

He is such a riot.

3) The fact that it was Saturday. Which is the best day of the week, obviously.

4) The constant stream of social media notifications. Say what you will about the "happy bday" message from people you barely talk to throughout the year, but I totally dig it. It's like walking down a digital receiving line in which people I know remember and acknowledge how awesome I am. And everyone who doesn't acknowledge on the Internet is dead to me, of course. 

5) Having all the right ingredients to make a lemon and sour cream cake (recipe here).

6) Learning new things like the importance of acknowledging the "max fill line" on a food processor.

7) Somehow having the cake turn out pretty tasty, despite losing a portion of the liquid ingredients, not greasing the Bundt pan well enough AND a glaze that just soaked into the cake.

8) Really awesome news that my brother received.  It's not mine to share but I am just really excited for him and his future.

9) A phone call from my grandfather.

10) Receiving this picture from the the same comedian as earlier with the caption, "Happy Birthday, Deer." I wish you could see it clearer, but the deer's tongue is sticking out.

11) Reading a really good book.

12) My parents and Spencer making it home from Texas in time to spend the evening with them.

13) Continuing to win at being painfully awkward in photographs, like could I get any closer to the candles I mean really.

14) Extra long phone call with my sis. I miss her!!

15) Getting on the Instagram train (as you can see from the pictures in this post). I finally joined the smartphone club and I’m not ashamed about how quickly I downloaded Instagram. I’m obsessed with it and I don’t care who knows. Follow me here. I promise to keep the pictures of my lunch to a minimum.

16) Walking in to a fully decorated work space on Monday morning, complete with cupcakes made by my boss herself. I can’t say enough nice things about her, she truly is the cat’s pajamas. (And no, I’m not pandering, she doesn’t even read my blog.)

17) Flowers from another sweet coworker. 

18) A gift certificate for a massage. I've never had one before. I'm excited, but also nervous about a stranger touching me that much.

19) The sunshine and warm(er) temperature!

20) Hilarious birthday cards all the way from Texas.

21) Birthday coupons. The single reason it is worth subscribing to so many store newsletters/advertisements. 

22) Extra sharp cheddar cheese. Thank you Wisconsin for your delicious contribution to my birthday.

23) Every year my friend Bryan makes me a composite that includes a Mudkip. If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry, you have to either been a Pokemon player or super into Internet memes, which is probably not most of you. It’s a longstanding joke and I keep waiting for it to play out but it doesn't, it’s still hilarious and the images just keep getting better: (last year) & (this year)

24) My youngest brother's idea of a birthday gift: a package of peanuts from his flight. I am deeply honored, Spencer.

25) Being inspired to make a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. This list is now a permanent page at the top of my blog (next to the About Me page).

Whew! Thanks a lot for all the birthday wishes, friends. People say I'll be less inclined to celebrate my birthday the older I get, but I say no way. I see birthdays as an accomplishment, a time to look back and celebrate all the wins and losses of the previous year. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe there is a little bit of cake left with my name on it. 

No really, it actually has my name on it.