Just when you think that there's nothing left in the world that can surprise you. When you resolve that things can never be more than business as usual. When you feel like you've taken note of everything in your life that you're grateful for. When the small things in life, which really are the best things in life, nevertheless must be the best things in life because you've rationalized it to that point...
Today I feel very alive, and emotional, and so terribly happy. I had my very first... surprise birthday party! And I cried nearly all the way through it. I look terrible in the pictures, but for once in my life I don't give a damn. I had made a list throughout the day of things during my birthday that made me happy, that I was glad for, but as the best things are saved for last, the coup de grace truly topped them all.
1. Barbie called me. Late last night, as a precursor, none other than Barbie called me to wish me a happy birthday. She sang a song for me and was appreciably perky. And then, "Let's hang up the phone now, OK?" Never one to disobey Barbie, I complied. Later, I found out that Eve had paid Barbie $2.49 to make the call, but that didn't take away from Barbie's time and effort...
2. Got the requisite midnight/morning first greeting. At midnight, May 5, 2004, (or 12:00 in the morning, May 6, 2004) an unexpected friend made me smile.
3. Received an iTunes gift certificate. So perfect to accompany my new pink iPod, and I promptly downloaded (legally) a handful of birthday-commemorating songs.
4. Studied!
5. Surprise! Party in the back room at a charming Italian restaurant in the Little Italy district of San Diego.
6. Mylar balloons! Including one that said, "Feliz Cumpleanos!" Cirrus picked that one out especially for me. Like an 8-year-old girl, I will press those balloons flat and paste them across my walls.
7. I was a princess! I had a furry tiara that sparkled, a boa, and a magic wand. Who needs to be queen for a day when your friends know you think you're a little princess.
8. Chocolate cake! 'Nuff said.
9. My facialist was there!
10. Bouquet of Gerber daisies! My apartment now looks like it's perenially Easter Sunday.
11. Darling little gifts! Items that complemeted each other: Sephora cosmetics and a framed photo of the Moot Court Board with Justice Scalia. Did I mention I had a tiara?
You have to understand, I've been so used to having little or seriously delayed birthday celebrations since my birthday falls squarely within finals period. College. Law school. You suckers jacked me over for 7 years now! And I have the most amazing friends -- who clearly, in past lives, were wedding planners or something -- who were sly all week acting indifferent and nonchalant about the Day. I underestimated the Party Planning Juggernaut in my dear fairy godmothers, Cirrus and Eve. Down to the last detail, everything was perfect.
I was paralyzed, and then felt seriously unstable as the paroxysm of emotion and gratitude poured forth. My hands were full and the pictures were snapped. This will make it unbearably difficult to leave San Diego. I may never realize my goal of winning an Olympic gold medal, but I imagine that this enormous appreciation and warmth has got to be what it feels like.
Thank you, Eve and Cirrus. I love you both!
posted by Lucy Sloan @ 12:17 AM
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