November 13, 2009

31st Birthday

This was an incredible birthday. Sandi & Bill sweetly had a small gathering for me at their apartment. It was really low key but just what I wanted to do. The cake was unbelievable.

On my actual 31st birthday, Ben took me to one of my favorite French restaurants in the village. Tartine. YOU.SHOULD.GO!! Get the spicy chicken & guacamole...YUM! This was an amazing night I'll probably never forget...even though it was rainy. After spicy chicken and curry clams (you can take the boy out of India but not India out of the boy), I had promised Ben he would get to taste a real donut. A Krispy Kreme donut when the hot now sign was on. So we headed to Penn Station to share some. 

Also, I made this California boy dress like a real New Yorker. He pulled it off pretty well.

Tartine is just behind us.

Crystal came a few weeks later to celebrate Thanksgiving in the city. Then, two weeks after that she married Bradley!! Big year!

November 13, 2008

30th Birthday

This was a MASSIVE birthday for me. Yes, it was the big 3-0 but it was also my first birthday in New York. I was spoiled beyond belief for this birthday.

• Kristin Greenslit (my roommate at the time) got me the day off of work.
• KG created a day where I could pretend I was French all day.
• KG collected money from friends to treat me to an amazing few days.
• KG made me french toast for breakfast!
• KG took me a European spa for massages and other interesting treatments (full.body.scrub).
• We met some friends for dinner at Nice Matin (FRENCH!).
• We saw a French Opera at Alliance Francaise.

At the French Opera with Kristin

• I woke up Friday morning and lounged around. The buzzer goes off. I thought Kristin had ordered coffee from Columbus Gourmet. BUT, Laryssa had come to NY to surprise me!
• We went to Pio Pio (one of my fave restaurants in the city for dinner). Then we decided to "stop by Bethany's" but little did I know they were throwing me a surprise party with friends from the Cate's fellowship group.



Jeff & I have November bdays two weeks apart & of course have to go under the table. I joked with Jeff that we both were turning 25 ;).

• Saturday night a whole group of us went to The Garage in the village for dinner and live Jazz.

With Lisa & Laryssa at The Garage (Josh, Bethany, Kristin & Johnny also came)

Lily & I also share November birthdays :). This was about 2 weeks after turning 30.

November 13, 2007

29th Birthday

I don't really remember what I did to celebrate this particular birthday. I was still living in my house in the university area. I was working for Campus Outreach. I was considering what would be coming next after my time on staff with Campus Outreach. I'll include a few excerpts from my journal from entries around the time of this birthday.

• Nov. 5, 2007 "I have dreams & desires but feel sad about what I'm leaving. Writing that seems to make it more clear that I'm thinking more about moving on than staying. I'm pretty sure that if there was a job offer in NYC, I would take it. Lord, thank you for dreams, for giving me hope. Give me direction & provide for all the little details that can weigh  on my heart. I can boldly & honestly say that I've never been this scared in my life. I feel completely alone. I keep hoping God will just give me clear direction."

About three weeks before my 29th birthday.
Michele & Keith's wedding

• Nov. 8, 2007 "Have Tracy call me today. Help me be patient about NYC. Give me an offer to fully consider. You are so good to me. Move quickly, Lord. I love you I feel so honored to be your daughter."

A few weeks after my 29th bday
Last Campus Outreach Staff Picture

• Nov. 12, 2007 "Jesus, you are with me. Do it again. Give me a team like this again. Provide for me. You know where you want me. I don't. Show me clearly. I want to be obedient. Give me ears to hear your voice. I so terribly want to be married but not at the cost of laboring, seeing the world, living in a place of enrichment. Lord, I feel very scared but also so excited about what you are doing in me & through me. Move in me."

Three days before my 29th bday
Crystal Laws Eagles' wedding

• Dec. 3, 2007 "God, will you use my life over & over again in the lives of women? Now the honor of standing in gap for women that don't know you or know little about you. I want this more than anything. Don't let me forget this. You are what I need. You do satisfy even when I think I need other things. Show me again that you will meet my needs. I love you but I'm scared." Ezekiel 22:30