So… I just got back from San Francisco this morning. Da fuck? Did that actually happen? Beacuse I’m not completely sure that it did, and I just lived it. Life, you a crazy beautiful motherfucker, but I dig you sometimes…I really do.

Random ass road trip to San Fran, for a legit day trip in the dead of night? Sure! Because when Ximena texts you with an offer to one of your favorite cities in the world, you best not refuse.

My 2012

•  ~Prior to this conversation Ximena was trying to convince me that we are people persons~
• Ximena: (after talking to a Disneyland cast member at Ghiradelli's Soda Fountain) See! We are people persons!
• Me: No I'm not. I hate people.
• Kiersten: What are you talking about? You're totally a people person. You talked to TWO people.
•  ~Uncontrollable laughter in the middle of Ghiradelli's~
• Kiersten: (still laughing) Wait no. You talked to three people.
• Me: (still laughing) No...keep it two. It's a stronger joke with two.
• **Moral of the story: When people think it's an accomplishment you've talked to more than one person in a day, you probably should get out of the house more....or not**

•  *singing Two by Two with Ximena*
• Me and Ximena: Two by two,
•  We're marching door to door
•  Cause God loves Mormons,
•  And he wants some more! *in perfect harmony*
•  A two year mission is our sacrifice!
•  We are the army of the church of
•  Jesus Christ!
• Me: I think we know this musical a little too well. That was in perfect harmony...by accident.
• Ximena: But it was pretty awesome.
• Me: (pause) Heavenly father where will I go on my mission?
• Ximena: On my mission.
• Me: Will it be Chiner or old Mexico on my Mission?
• Ximena: On my mission.
• Me: It could be San Fran by the bay. Australia where they say G'Day!
•  But I pray I'm sent to my favorite place....ORLANDO.
• Ximena: Orlando!
• Me and Ximena: Sea World and Disney and put-put golfing *complete with mime golfing*
• Ximena: That's it we're seeing this musical, no matter what.
• Me: Well, obviously.

Grand Canyon Trip (2012) 
Taken By: Kiersten Tanopo 2012

Everything about spending the weekend at the Grand Canyon with my friends, including filling the role of the “middle child” and having bathroom anxiety - it’s best not to ask-, can only be fathomed as amazing (even though that vocabulary also seems vague and dull). I can’t wait to have more adventures with these wonderful people, and create more lasting memories (hopefully in the company of more natural wonders). I honestly still can’t really believe it happened, because there is nothing like dangling your legs over the Canyon and watching the sun rise. This entire experience is just one of those events I can’t wait to tell my kids about as I drag them to see it for themselves.
Amazing, truly awe-inspiring, life changing, moments of complete serenity. I find myself truly blessed - once again. 

Things that happened that made this birthday the best birthday ever:

• Starting my morning off (1 am) at Disneyland with my friends.
• Happy Birthday texts that were sincerely awesome (Laura and Amanda).
• Having about twenty different renditions of “Happy Birthday” being sung at/to me at varying points in the day.
• Val gave me a hug on her own free will (everyone should note how rare that is haha) and so did Linda (and she was happy to give me one).
• [title of show] rehearsal was outside today!
• Masquerade cookies were consumed.
• “I’m really glad you were born today. I sincerely mean that too, I’m really happy I know you.” - Scott Robinson
• Mix Bowl with my peeps
• Ximena and I having deep talks about the importance of words and then sing-screaming Happy Birthday to me in varying forms on the last minute of my birthday.
• Last but not least: Lou freaking Fossum serenading me with his own rendition of Happy Birthday in the most awesome of ways, because he’s Lou and that’s the way he rolls.

Seriously though, I feel so content to be turning twenty-two and I’m so happy it happened this way. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, and I am so blessed to know the people I know and that they are so willing to love me with the amount of sincerity that they do. I’m not sure twenty-three will top this, but every year seems to surprise me, but I really can’t wait to live this year out (I feel like it has the potential for amazingness and awesomeocity) :)