My Birthday Weekend

My birthday this year ranks up at the top of awesome birthdays. And by "birthday" I really mean "birthday week" because even though the birthday itself was a terrific day, it was no doubt amplified by the three days that preceded it and two days that followed.

It started on the Friday night before. I left work at about 8:45pm (because I was a total slacker that week and tried to finish everything I had to do on Friday which of course never works) and met my dear, dear friends Kate, Brandon, Sharon, and Tyler at the movie theatre to see Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Loved it! And it was so funny watching with this group of people. Kate laughed at me when after the trailer for Devil I said "I am NOT going to see that movie!" I'm not really a video game player, but I could appreciate the art in Scott Pilgrim, and I loved the special effects and hyper-reality. It was pretty surreal. I could see why most of my friends were seeing it a second time. I wouldn't mind seeing it a second time myself! As a birthday present, Sharon took care of my ticket. She's such a cutie! It was a fun night -- a great kickoff for the weekend :)

Saturday I went swimming in the morning and then saw a bunch of my friends in the Pirates of Penzance at Hale Centre Theatre. Pirates is one of my favorite musicals, and I was glad that my friend Carrie invited me to go with her. She was one of my favorite castmates in Kiss Me Kate and I don't get to see her nearly enough.

Sunday night my family celebrated my birthday over at my parent's house. I got to pick what I wanted to eat, which included tacos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a chocolate pudding/cream cheese dessert my family likes to call "the best dessert ever." Sadly, it was really windy outside, so we couldn't get the candles to light and I didn't get to make a wish this year. But everyone still sang "Happy Birthday." The gifts were wonderful and thoughtful. My family knows me so well! I sure do love hanging out with them!

Monday was Labor Day and I was thrilled to have the day off work. I spent the morning cleaning my house! I even vacuumed! My little home looked and felt so lovely! Then I spent the afternoon at my grandma's pool with my parents, my brother, and my brother's kids. The G-unit was a little frustrated that I took so long to eat lunch but when I got in the water we played and played and played! I'd never seen the girls in their swimsuits, and it's so fun to watch their personalities come through. I stayed for a while after everyone else left, so I could swim a few laps and just sit quietly. I don't feel like I have a lot of quiet time lately.


That night I was late to a barbeque at my parents' house. Fortunately there was still some food left :D

Tuesday was my actual birthday and I took that day off work, too! Mom and I took my nieces to Hogle Zoo and I LOVED it! I'm a huge fan of the zoo, and an even bigger fan of my toddler nieces. It wasn't their first trip there. All I really wanted to do was see the baby elephant and the giraffes (Breezy kind of hated the giraffes at first. I happened to be holding her at the time and she gripped me really tightly when I stood too close). We ended up seeing nearly all of the animals, took the train (which was really lame, by the way), ate cotton candy, and still had time for the girls to just wander around and play. Like lemmings, they'll follow any group wherever they're going. I had a bit of stress trying to keep track of both of them while Mom fetched us some lunch. Zonks wanted to walk around and Breezy wanted to be held. It was difficult to handle them both with just one good arm. I've decided my sister-in-law is truly amazing being able to take care of both of them at the same time. I was exhausted by the end! So were the girls. They fell asleep in the car.

That night I went to Romano's Macaroni Grill with three of my favoritest people: Kate, Steph, and Candice. I even got to meet Candice's baby! I chose that restaurant because their chocolate cake is DIVINE and it did not disappoint. Neither did anything else about that meal. Terrific food and even better company. Thanks again, Steph, for treating me!

My dear friend Rach came over to my house later that night and I finally got to show her my condo! She and I ate some of the leftover "best dessert ever" and watched the pilot episode of Pushing Daisies, which never should have gone off the air. I forgot how enchanting the show is! Rach liked it enough that I loaned her DVDs :) Nice to share something I enjoy with someone I like to spend time with!

Seriously, I don't get to see any of my friends nearly enough.

The next day I went to work and experienced some hardcore post-birthday blues. I admit this milestone is a little depressing for me. I'm having a hard time saying my age out loud. I might just start telling people I'm 28. I'm still youthful, and that was a crummy year so I should get to do it over!

But I digress! Kate invited me to be her plus-one at the annual Hale Thank You party on Wednesday and we had a marvelous time, despite the fact that she was worried about school and I was worried about work and being old. We met up with Karrie Ann and enjoyed the performances, the food, the games (which we thankfully didn't have to participate in), and best of all the renewing of friendships. Kate introduced me to absolutely everyone she talked with. More than once I had to stifle the impulse to go all "rabid fan" on people. I see all the shows and those actors are seriously talented! And nice people!

Thursday and Friday were forgettable, but Saturday was NOT! I met Kate for lunch and we hung (hanged? did some hanging?) out at Fashion Place Mall for awhile and ate some frozen yogurt. Then I went to the Jordan River Temple that night, and spent some time with my Heavenly Father. It was the perfect cap to a great week.

There you have it: one of my top 5 favorite birthdays ever. Thank you everyone who participated and sent me good wishes! I have very high hopes for this year. It'll be exciting to see what happens!

Crank up the Ringer

I keep missing calls on my cell phone. I have officially decided to turn up the volume, even if that means I jump out of my skin at work...

Today I had a voicemail from a guy I hadn't heard from in awhile. I'm thinking he didn't realize his phone was on or that he'd called me, because the message consisted of two minutes of his band setting up for a gig. Ha ha! My friends are funny...

I'm watching Disney's Hercules at the moment. As I recall, that was the last movie I saw at the Drive-In on Redwood. Golly it's good! "Somebody call I-X-II!"

Wearing Kate's tiara. It feels good. I like the weight on my head. Plus, I feel pretty...

I feel really good about my audition this morning for Taylorsville's Oklahoma. Thank you Rach for playing my song so well, and thanks to all on the pro team for being so encouraging! I sang "The Most Amazing Thing" from Little Women, and now I want to do that show again, too...

I met a lady there named Bethany who looks a lot like me. We could be sisters! This threw me not a little. I've never met someone who had hair like mine before. I feel less unique, somehow. It's like the first time I met another girl named Megan. Now, of course, there are Megans all over the place. I am willing to dye my hair if needed. It's been a while since I was a redhead. I liked Bethany, though, and would love to work with her, or any of the other friends I reconnected with or people I met. I am really excited to be part of a show, whichever one it may be...

I enjoy spending time in my apartment, especially during the day. It's so nice to have the sun shining through the windows and the shades pulled back. Just sitting in the sunny rooms makes me feel cheery...

Last night I saw a concert by the Orchestra at Temple Square. I haven't listened to classical music that wasn't part of a soundtrack in quite awhile. It was gorgeously played, and I had a good time...

C'est tout!

Let's Go -- GNO!

Closing night was awesome because SO MANY of my friends were there! It was the only night I was nervous, isn't that weird? I just wanted them to have fun and to think I was great and I wanted it to be a really good closing performance. It went well, and all of the other cast members were totally jealous that I had my own fan club! What a way to end the run!

With Tiffanie and Z

Back row: Tiffanie, Sarah, Emily H, Debbie, Candice, and Stephanie J
Front row: Rachael, Olivia, Emily B, me, and Mandee

After the show, these lovely ladies waited for me in the lobby while I changed -- man, that costume took forever to take on and off -- and turned in my skirt and vest and zils. Thirty seconds later I realized I should have kept the zils so my friends could play with them, and then I thought, "Hey! I could make my own!" I said good-bye to my castmates. I would have been sadder about it if I hadn't known I'd see a bunch of them on Monday for the other cast's closing night and at the cast party in January.

Turns out, the ladies had met at Rachael's house and carpooled to the theatre. The plan was to go back to Rach's and hang out, so I got to drive Rach and Sarah over. Laren met us there and we talked and laughed and ate Reeses peanut butter cups, chinese pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, and clementines, and drank fizzy fruit juice and V8 Splash. I adore these women! We totally talked until after midnight and I had a great time. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am that they all came to the play, and that we got to hang out together afterwards. My friends are awesome and I don't get to see them enough! Thank you Rachael for organizing the whole thing, and thanks everyone for being there! You have no idea how much I needed that Girls' Night. You are the best.

Spoiled by my Girlfriends

I am still reeling over all that happened on Tuesday and Wednesday night. I can't say anymore that my 30th birthday was "blah"!!

Mandee and Laren had both let slip that they were planning something for me. I can't fault either of them, since I tend to have a big mouth sometimes and accidentally stumbled into it both times. So, since the secret itself was blown and I knew something was up, they made darn sure that I had no idea what was actually going to happen. Laren told me very emphatically that there was no party. Since I'd wanted a surprise party my whole life, I was happy to just go along and marvel at their ingenuity. And golly -- I wasn't disappointed!

Laren picked me up about 5:30pm and drove zigg-zaggedly so I'd have no idea where we were going. She had warned me ahead of time that I'd want my camera, so I took the opportunity to take the only photo of Laren I got that night:


Our first stop was director Steph's house. Steph opened the door and gave me a huge hug and invited Laren and I to sit in the chairs on the front porch. She then presented me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers*! Oh how I love flowers! Then Steph told me to look inside, and I saw that she had hidden a little bottle blue hair gel in there! Yay! How perfect that the woman who made sure I see the Star Trek Experience before it closed also helped me in my desire to bluify my hair. I really appreciate that she doesn't want me to have any regrets! She said that using this stuff I could either just streak a few curls at a time, or use it as a gel which would turn it all blue at once (it washes out). I wish I had put in a streak then and there, but I chickened out. I did put some in about 10 minutes later though -- loved it! It was the perfect way to start the evening.

*Editor's note: As of Saturday 9-20-08, these flowers are still alive and lovely.


Next, we went to Mandee's house. Mandee said later that she made sure to be otherwise occupied so that her husband, Scott could be the one to present me with a pink rose; she really wanted a man to give me flowers! Then Mandee gave me a STACK of gifts! I was so surprised! Each one was lovely and hand-picked for me. I nearly started crying as I opened them. Scott had baked an awesome chocolate cake drizzled with caramel -- dude! I could have eaten two or three slices! But we were apparently on a time table, so we each just had one before we were off again!


Emily H's daughter Grace greeted us at the door, followed directly by her mother. Yay! I hadn't seen Emily since Birdie closed! I love her new haircut! Emily started off by saying that she is Miss America for Halloween every year, and then she proceeded to crown me "Miss Amazing 2008". It was hilarious! She dressed me in a crown a "Miss Amazing 2008" sash and presented me with a certificate. I couldn't believe it when she gave me even more gifts -- the crowning was already so wonderful! I will definitely be putting up the candle and the photo of her, Kate and I from Birdie, and using that photo album. It was just too perfect that it was Emily who thought to make me to be a princess! Loved it! Love her! I was only too happy to acquiesce to Mandee's command that I wear the crown and sash for the rest of the evening.


Emily's husband -- also named Scott -- kindly agreed to put their kids to bed so she could come with us to our next stop: dancer Stephanie's house! Stephanie's kids were sick, but they poked their kids in and said "Hi" while she brought out her gifts. I was delighted by the pumpkin spice candle and absolutely beautiful orange roses. Seriously, I couldn't have been any more touched. She is such a sweetie, and I was grateful for some time with her, too! Stephanie then pulled out two of my favorite movies: Sense and Sensibility and the Keira Knightley Pride and Prejudice. That's when everyone told me we were going to go back to Mandee's house to watch one together! Hooray! I got to hoard those four fantastic women for at least two and a half more hours!


Disaster struck as we left Stephanie's house, though. There's a light pole that the city decided to put in an awkward place in Stephanie's driveway, and Laren hit it with the front of her car! Emily said her husband might be able to help repair it cheaply -- he's good with that kind of thing -- but we all felt guilty about it. It was the one dark spot of the night.

Another surprise was waiting when we arrived at Mandee's house: Emily B. and Tiffanie were there! It didn't expect that at all, since Emily B. lives in Utah County and Tiffanie and I had emailed that afternoon saying we needed to see each other soon. She's so devious! After a few moments of chatting, Laren called everyone but me into the kitchen. While I sat by myself for the first time that night, the doorbell rang. Someone yelled for me to get it. I was shocked again when I opened the door and there was Rachael (Wretchel!!) with her baby Sabrina! Holy granola! I flung myself into her arms I was so surprised! Before long, the doorbell rang again, and before I could get to it, Amy had opened the door and peeked in! She and director Steph had come together. I don't know why I just couldn't believe that so many women that I love and admire had all come together to celebrate my birthday with me! And more incredible was that they all brought gifts! I have chocolate and yummy-smelling candles to last my new apartment for a good couple of months. That's a good start to a comfy home! Emily B. also gave me a Princess coloring book, just so I could color them all blonde! Oh my goodness, I laughed about that for awhile. Just brilliant. Everyone just seemed so happy chatting together. Most of us hadn't seen each other since the play had closed, and everyone wanted to hold the baby. I regret not getting a photo of everyone there together. It was so comfortable and easy-going and fun. I felt relaxed and loved and happy; what more could a person want?




When I finished opening the gifts, Laren sat me in a special chair where everyone could see me, and explained that she had told me this wasn't going to be a party, because I and all the women there are Goddesses, and this was a gathering of the Goddesses. She said that since it was my birthday, I got to choose where we'd all go together for dessert. I choose the cheesecake factory, so after some hemming and hawing, we left Mandee's house. Tiffanie, dancer Stephanie, and Emily H. needed to get home, so I heaped good-byes and thank yous on them as much as I could. Really, there was no way to exactly convey how happy they had made me!

Laren wasn't able to stay at the restaurant, but she gave me a gift card to cover my dessert! The group at the Cheesecake Factory included Mandee, Amy, Emily B, Rachael and Sabrina, director Steph, and Mandee. What a fun group of ladies! We had a quite table near the back where Sabrina could sleep, and the rest of us could chat and laugh and flirt with our charming and energetic waiter. They made sure the waiter knew it was my birthday so he could flirt outrageously and try to make me blush in the low light. I had everyone try an appetizer I like, the avocado eggrolls. Soo good! Everyone laughed at my reaction when our waiter and a bunch of other servers sang "Happy Birthday" and brought out my slice of caramel turtle cheesecake. I saw they were coming, and people from other tables were looking around, so I waved and smiled enthusiastically so everyone knew the servers were singing for ME! My birthday! Yaaaaaaaaay!

from left: Emily B, Steph, me, Mandee, Amy, Rachael



It ended too soon -- about 11pm -- and Mandee drove me and a huge stack of gifts home. I put all of the flowers in water, organized all of the other wonderful things into boxes to transport to my condo, and placed a huge bag of peanut butter M&Ms into my purse for work. I had a hard time sleeping that night. You know how sometimes you don't want to sleep because you're so happy you don't think even your dreams can compete? That's how I felt. It was such a great night!

I felt like the Hale Centre Theatre anniversary party on Wednesday was another extension of my birthday! At least, that's how my friends made it feel for me. Candice invited me to be her date, and Kate invited director Steph. I met Candice and Steph at Candice's house, and the three of us drove over together. Kate was running a smidge late and told us to start without her, but we had a tough time getting to the buffet tables because we kept running into people we knew! We first ran into Dave and Patti as we finally made our way into the hallway leading to the rehearsal rooms. That's when we had our first look at Patti's purple hair. She looked fabulous! I accidentally dyed my hair purple once and it did not look nearly as cute as Patti's. I am totally in awe of her bravery!

We grabbed some turkey, yams, rolls, butter, salad, potatoes and gravy (those mashed potatoes were so creamy!) and found a table. The three of us sat with Patti, Dave, Michael Hutch and his date, and Kate arrived after not too long.

I would now like to take the opportunity to say that Steph, Candice, and Kate looked absolutely stunning. They are beautiful women even on their worst days, but it was so fun to have all of us dressed up, and accidentally color-coordinated in black, cream, and gold. I really do need a copy of the photo we took with Patti. I wish I'd taken my own camera to the party, too. I seriously love these women. Seriously.

Before long it was time for the entertainment, so we all trooped into the theatre, and sat on the back row where we could heckle and talk and laugh at unintentially hilarous speeches without bothering too many people. It was awesome to see scenes from the shows run during this last year: I teared up when Kate, Brad Charon, and the octet sang "What Child is This?" from A Christmas Carol; we all laughed as Bredesen pretended to try to kill himself with a fork and a pillow in a scene from Lend Me a Tenor; I felt chills while the northern and southern armies from The Civil War the Musical sang "By the Sword/The Sons of Dixie"(the South was outnumbered during the number, but they did have brooms while the North was unarmed...); my friends and I laughed hysterically as Mary Parker Williams tried to convince the rest of the cast of The Curious Savage that the bathroom was on fire; we marveled at Danny's trampoline skills and jivved with Kate and the Big the Musical cast during cross the line; and looked forward to seeing Candice in Into the Woods while Josh Richardson and Brian Hague sang "Agony". Then we were in for a treat as four actors chosen at random used bumper cars, sticks, and whatever they could to pop the balloons on the other contestants' cars and hats in an attempt to win $500. The last one to have one balloon unpopped was the winner, and boy did they work for it! It was so, so funny!

The program ended with all of us singing "Happy Birthday" to the theatre. Except, I realized at the second verse that Patti, Dave, Candice, Steph, and Kate were all singing to me, and even sang "Happy Birthday, dear Megan". I nearly started crying. It was a very emotional moment for me. The lights finally came up; Candice and I slowly made our way to the German-chocolate cake. Sally Deitlein served us both, and I thrilled when she told me I remind her of Bernadette Peters. If only I were as talented as Bernadette! I felt pretty cool. Candice and I ate cake and chatted and wandered around trying to find Kate and Steph, who we'd lost before going for the cake. After we found them, we decided none of us felt like karaoke or dancing, so we went instead to Applebee's. We made up one of the two tables filled there. The server mentioned she was kind of bummed there weren't more people there, and we said that since it was the Hale party that night, there hadn't been a show which would probably explain the lack of post-show diners. We tried to make up for the lack of any other customers by being as wacky, loud, and fun as possible (so, basically, we were just ourselves). My friends made sure everyone knew it was my birthday and that the servers all sang to me and brought ice cream! Oh, how I loved the attention! I loved having those three women all to myself; I don't see them nearly often enough.

The best part of the evening was that everyone who hadn't been able to attend my surprise party was at the Hale party, so I really did get to celebrate with everyone! I couldn't have asked for more. There wasn't anything else I wanted.

This has probably been the best birthday week in my own 30 years! If only everyone could celebrate this way, no one would ever not look forward to that milestone! I was surrounded by people I love, and I was reminded of all that I have and am and am grateful for. Future birthdays sure have a lot to live up to!

Thanks again to all who made it what it was. Thank you Laren and Mandee for putting together and executing such a mind-boggling and surprising evening, to Candice for inviting me to the Hale party, and to everyone who came to both events and let me know how much you care for me. I truly am blessed to know each of you.

Let my 30th year commence!