on the eve of my birthday

I woke up very abruptly at 8am this morning. I was having a real intense dream that was definitely influenced by the obscene amount of "Lost" I have been watching (damn that show is good). But despite having stayed out late last night, I woke up refreshed and completely happy. I had such a wonderful day yesterday and I think great days are ahead.
Yesterday started with an exciting journey to the suburbs with Eric. He had invited me to celebrate Holy Thursday with him the only true way you can: by going to Ikea. I had been meaning to go because I've lived in this apartment since November, but it still doesn't quite feel complete. So we borrowed my little bro's big ass non-hybrid (sorry Prius) truck, put in some Belle and Sebastian and head towards the land of corporate offices and chain restaurants. We had been excited to try Ikea's famed Swedish meatballs, but we were charmed by the "fresh tex mex" sign of Chevy's...a chain mexican restaurant. And what expedition around noon would be complete without a strawberry/raspberry margarita? Buzzed Ikea shopping is 50 the bomb. (That's right. Listen for it. Its going to be the new phrase.) But Ikea can also wear a person down. Winding aisles of swedish brand names, the lure of uneeded appliances, the human traffic...why would you bring your family to Ikea? It is probably the easiest place to lose a child or multiple children. I am convinced that a search party has to go out daily to find missing children at Ikea.
Anyway, after shoving Buddhism aside, Eric and I proudly left with a trunk full of things. And ya know what? Those things are great. Took E. home, went out to dinner with my family for my parents 31st anniversary. I love my family. I really do. They are so warm and supportive and funny and cute. My dad made a brief speech about how even though life can be hard and you are responsible for your own happiness, it is so much better to go through it with someone you love by your side. That made me happy. My parents haven't always had the easiest go of things, but they love each other so much and have been great role models. They are amazing. And so are my brother and sister.
I left dinner slightly early to run over to the Cornservatory for our return Gladiator show. I was nervous, as always. I decided to invite people last night to get over my fear of people I know watching me. So my fam, Jonah and Sarah came and my heart was racing and I was positive I would fail. We went last (having totally rocked last week) and I got on stage and my mind went blank and the first great scene went by and I had nothing and the second great scene went by and I had nothing and an edit had to be made and I even whispered to Eric "I have nothing", but then I was out editing the scene and then I was alone. On stage. And I started a scene. By myself. And it was great. It felt so good. I just went with my first idea with confidence and everything came together perfectly. The show continued with wonderful moves all around from the whole team. We are getting so good at really dissecting the themes from the suggestion. Man, it is a blast performing with the SPs. I know I write it constantly but our love for each other really makes us so tight. We are getting better each show. And we have so much fun!! Nothing tops the high of having a great show with a group of people you believe in and love. And Evan, our coach came! Making him proud means the most because he is responsible for making us so strong.
After the show, we went to see my friend's band, "Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears", play. As always, they had a killer show. We wondered if it is possibe to sustain such high energy without the help of some serious druggery. But these guys are unreal. Such talented musicians and they put on a show. Entertaining, high energy, wonderful. And there might be some interesting/exciting news concerning them and me in the future.....
So yeah. Great day. On my car ride home from Ikea, Eric and I were talking about this past year. 25 has been amazing for me. It has been one of the greatest years of my life. I started doing Improv around this time last year, met all these wonderful new friends, travelled Asia for a month on my own, travelled to Israel and met more new friends, joined a band, joined a great improv group, spent 4 months in an amazing play, I've grown and changed and I've been frustrated, but motivated and full of action. I feel so much love right now for everything and everyone surrounding me. I may feel nervous about the future, but I feel confident that I'll get to where I want to be. Or find a new destination. But I'm enjoying being present in each moment getting there.