One Year Older and Wiser Too

I turned 28 last week and it was a very uneventful day. Since it fell on a weekday I knew that people would be busy so I didn’t plan a birthday party. And honestly, I was busy too. I had mentioned to my students in January that my birthday was in February, but they had all forgotten (so unlike 13 year olds, right?). I was glad because I didn’t want my birthday to be a distraction, but it totally was.

In my sixth period class a certain girl was being a rather annoying. I can’t remember what she did, but I looked at her and trying to be overly dramatic said, “, you just wrecked my birthday.” She responded by saying, “It’s your birthday?!” and then a few other kids said the same thing. Suddenly the whole class burst into a spontaneous rendition of “Happy Birthday.” It was funny and sort of sweet. A few minutes after they had finished someone said, “It’s your birthday?!” again and the whole class burst into a slightly less spontaneous rendition of “Happy Birthday.” It was still funny, but less sweet. The class soon realized the power they now wielded. They could derail my lesson anytime they wanted by suddenly singing to me and I couldn’t get mad at them for wishing me a happy birthday. They sang it three more times. The funny this is that they always sang it very slowly. Since it was never officially planned they always started out slow to make sure that everyone else would join in and not leave them singing by themselves. The slow tempo was maintained throughout the song. And they obviously thought it was funny enough to tell the next period to do it and they sang to me seven times. It really was funny, but was also incredibly distracting and annoying (actually, I think those three words sum up my students quite nicely).

My favorite part of my birthday was stopping by the Seattle temple after work. While I was there a man asked me my name and when I told him he said, “Oh, you must be Buzz’s kid,” and I said that I was. My dad was a temple worker for more than ten years and I assume that that is how he knew my dad. He then said, “Tell your dad that I love him and miss him.” It was a simple thing he said, but it meant the world to me. I have always loved my last name because it’s so unique and so easily connects me to my family members. And I come from a very well respected family and it’s an honor to be associated with them. The best present I got on my birthday was an old man reminding me that I have an awesome dad (the rest of my family is awesome too, but they don't know that particular old man).

I bought some Thai takeout, took it home, and ate it by myself. Jesse has been gone for a few weeks so I was in my house alone for the rest of the night. It could have been sad and depressing, but I knew I’d be celebrating over the weekend so I didn’t mind. Plus, over a hundred people wished me a happy birthday through Facebook, emails, and phone calls so I felt plenty loved. The best messages I got were from former students. I don’t think my students realize how much I love them and it feels so good to know that they still remember me and enjoyed my class. I sometimes tell my current students that I love teaching them, but I don’t think they realize that I really do love them. I’m glad I was able to spend my birthday with them.

After dinner I put a candle in a cinnabon and blew it out. It was delicious.

About a year and a half ago I started writing parody songs for people's birthdays. My brother and sister-in-law were witty enough to write me an awesome birthday song to the tune of "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King. I would have put it on my blog, but still don't know how to upload videos (I know, I'm so old). It's on Facebook. My dad wrote me something too. My family is funny and kind and I love them.

One of my friends is currently on a mission and he recently wrote me seeking some encouraging words and advice. He has eight months to go. I told him that the best part of my mission was the last six months and that the best part of his mission was still to come. I really like my current life and I had a great birthday, but I feel like the best is yet to come. Although, I don’t think anything could beat a cinnabon.

Lindsay and I went to Seattle on Saturday to celebrate my b-day. Here are some pictures.

I'm so cool, right?