Lasts

Last week at work. Unfortunately, Monday was my last day at my computer and I didn’t know it. If I had known, I would have taken more advantage to appreciate it. For the remainder of my time I worked on a computer quite possibly from the late 90s that made me restart Outlook every half hour.

Last lunch at the hot dog stand with the 20-something boy who flirts with me regardless of whether or not I washed my hair the night before.

Last Sunday at church. Yes, I will be wearing my lace dress and blue (maybe hooker?) heels. Leave an impression.

Last birthday in Boston, which, coincidentally, is also my last year in the early 20s. 25 is officially mid-20s, yeah? It’s right in the middle of them, so that seems to make sense. I had a lovely birthday lunch, which was later haikued. And I absolutely ate steak for my birthday dinner, just like when I was little.

Last time at Walden Pond. First time I actually got in the water.

Last walk with Anne Marie. Sadly, I think this happened on Thursday, unless we  walk tomorrow (which is unlikely). There is a very good possibility that I will miss her the most when I leave. She's my buddy. Maybe we'll have phone walks when we're across the country from each other.

Last trip to the BPL. To return (way) overdue books. Sound familiar?

Last trip to the post office. Thank heaven. I made at least six trips within the last week. Moving is fun...

On Turning Twenty-Four

Last night D cleaned the entire bathroom, including throwing the shower curtain into the washer. It was an excellent idea, people rarely think to clean the shower curtain (right? Or is that just me?), but left me in a bit of a pickle when I needed to take a shower since there’s a window right next to our footed-bathtub. Ever brilliant, D suggested showering in the dark. Which is exactly what I did.

I don’t think I’d ever showered in the dark before, and as I was reflecting on it (pun intended) I started to pay more attention to my body than I usually do in the shower. (Don’t worry, this won’t get graphic.) I realized that my body is 24 years old—it isn’t just me turning 24 today, my body is too. And wow, does anything else maintain its durability as well as your body for 24 years? A car doesn’t. Clothes certainly don’t. Most animals die, houses quite possibly lose value, food spoils (and if it doesn’t you probably don’t want to be eating 24-year-old food anyway). There really isn’t anything else in life that lasts well for as long as your body. And yes, you will hit a point when it starts to deteriorate. But I’m 24. I haven’t hit that point. Sure, I find grey hair once a week (thanks, Dad) and have some leg pain and my stomach doesn’t always agree with me. But really? My body works great. After 24 years. What an amazing thing.

I’ve been reading Nora Ephron essays lately and when she writes about age she laments not wearing a bikini the entire year she was 26. After my realization last night, I’m thinking that’s not such a bad idea.

Happy birthday, body.

Let's Talk about Birthday Week

Aside from packing, job searching, cleaning, mailing, working, etc. etc., etc., the birthday week plan is (so far) as follows:

Wednesday, August 1
Lunch with the re-returned Calvin at Quincy Market. Watch Contagion with McCall (and any roommates who are around) to celebrate (finally!) finishing the NCLEX this afternoon. Then meet up with AM after her classes and walk to Harvard Square for ice cream.

Thursday, August 2
Meet up with Dema at the ICA to see confusing contemporary art, plus the glass exhibit that actually sounds awesome.

Friday, August 3
Nothing yet on deck. I'm sure it'll be wicked awesome, whatever it ends up being. (Also, happy wedding day Liz! So sad I can't be there.)

Saturday, August 4
Play with Lindsay doing Boston-y things (I'm thinking JFK library, maybe a museum or two, Newbury street?) and then go with her and McCall to the Red Sox game that night.

Sunday, August 5
Attend church. Also, nap.

Monday, August 6 and Tuesday, August 7
Nothing concrete yet. Suggestions are welcome.

Wednesday, August 8
The day itself. I'm thinking Texas Roadhouse dinner, then birthday cake cake cake cake.

Thanks, Grandma!

An addition to the list:

11) The shoes fit in a 6 if I don't wear nylons. Go figure.
12) I got $5 off because it's my birthday week.
13) This is the second year I've purchased shoes for my gift from Grandma Kathy.

Want to see them? You might not, but I bet my grandma does.

And once for fun while wearing.

Sorry about the poor quality. My camera batteries are totally dead, so we had to make due with the phone.


Oh, one more.

14) Hitchcock night, Strangers on a Train.

Yom Huladet Shukran

Thank you for the phone call. I'm sorry I missed it. And thank you for your call, too. I'm so glad I managed to answer yours. 

Thank you for making my birthday cheesecake. And for being my buddy. And so sympathetic. 

Thank you for the book. I know you loved it, and I'm looking forward to getting to it when my life slows down. Though for the record, it's because of you that it's so crazy, you know. This project with your stories just might kill me. 

Thank you for the only birthday gift that made me cry. Granted, it had a little help from a long day and a painful stomach and a lack of sleep, but still. Though come to think of it, I feel like crying has happened in some form or another with you on all my birthdays. This may not be good. 

Thank you for coming back for my birthday. (I know it wasn't for my birthday, but let's pretend it was.) And for feeling like no time has passed. And for letting me listen.

Thank you for the skirt and letterpressed postcards. They are all gorgeous. I wish I were half as talented as you. Really.

Thank you (and you too, really) for indulging my birthday week ridiculousness. And for being willing to make a cake even if you didn't end up doing it. And for the banner and the horrible "why we love Allison" game.

Thank you for the attempt at a birthday card. You have no idea how much that information made my day. I love that we're friends.

I'd thank you for whatever great idea you had that didn't work out, but you won't tell me the idea. So I think I might withhold that thanks for now.


Love you all (and everyone else),
A

Narcissism Is Allowed During Birthday Week

I always put some thought into my birthday attire. In looking at photos from past birthdays I’ve discovered a pattern or two. Care to discover them with me?

Too bad if you don’t, you’re going to anyway. It’s my birthday week.

2006

My hair was way too long. Goodness. But I did love that brown shirt. (In all honesty I still do, but it’s old and worn out, so I usually just wear it around the house. Sad day.)

2007

Birthday on a Wednesday that year, and I went to work at WG&D. Apparently I wore my favorite green shirt (I’m assuming with capris, or maybe my black dress pants, depending on the weather that day). 

Also, please observe the nice smoke-capturing this photographer did. I'm assuming maybe Mom. Or Lisa. Either way, very well done.

2008

Though it isn’t visible, I wore the green shirt again this year. In fact, I distinctly remember thinking, “I wore this on my birthday last year. Maybe I shouldn’t. But I don’t care; it’s my birthday and I can wear whatever I want.” Of course, after I opened my Portuguese present the attire was altered a little. (Mac, I found out last summer, was desperately jealous of that jersey. As are many boys it seems.)

2009

Stripes. And the neckline is a little nautical, don’t you think? I love that neckline. Also, observe the necklace (favorite necklace, of course). I’m fairly confident it has made an appearance at every single birthday since 2004.

2010

Sadly, we have no photos of the actual birthday (or the party). At least, that I know exist. Actual birthday was a Sunday and I wore the red dress. You know, the one saved for special occasions like weddings (see photo) or dates to the symphony. For the Super Awesome Birthday Party, though, I know I wore this striped cardigan. 

And so we see 1) I wear my favorite clothing on my birthday, 2) my favorite clothing is becoming a little less casual over the years, 3) the stripe love started in 2009 (maybe earlier, I know I had that shirt prior to Jerus), and 4) I'll probably wear that necklace until the day I die. 

All photos stolen from Facebook. While 2007 and 2008 were taken by me, the others came from Abby, Megan, and Annie respectively. I'm sad I won't be sharing my birthday with any of them this year.

Gift Giving

Ever purchase birthday presents for yourself?

I'm seriously (seriously) contemplating it this year. For my new house. Because, really

From this lovely etsy shop.

We all know it's true. It might be good to remind myself a bit more often.

'Tis the Week We All Love Best

My Birthday Week.


I'd like to start out this birthday week with an explanation and a request. I have not always been this excited about my birthday week. In fact, up until two years ago, I never even acknowledged a birthday week. (Those who have known me since then are probably wishing they didn't. But seriously, if pulling out "Because it's my birthday week" will get you the snack/movie/dinner/extra round of Boggle you want, then why not use it? So no, Spokane boys, I'm not sorry in the slightest.)

What prompted the birthday week recognition, you ask? Well, her name is Betsy Wright.

Betsy and I met summer term before freshman year, and we became good friends. Among her many idiosyncrasies is a ridiculous love for all holidays. The year we lived together she decorated for everything, and wanted to start listening to Christmas music in October (which I refused to do, point blank). Her birthday, though, was the worst. As soon as March hit, we'd hear "It's my birthday month!" multiple times a day (Kait and Jamie will back me up on this, as would Danny I'm willing to bet). James and I were prone to agree that a birthday month is ridiculous, hello, it's called a birthday—though I suspect Kait liked it because she loves her birthday nearly as much, plus it's the same month. Regardless, she loves birthdays more than anyone I've ever met. She'd even get more excited than other people about their birthdays.


The summer I moved in with Melis was the first time I'd spent a summer in Provo since that first summer when I met Betsy. Somehow I got it into my head that I wanted a birthday party—something I had not done since the year I turned eleven (ten years earlier, if we're marking time). And so, the Super Awesome Birthday Party was planned, with cake waffles and decorations made by Annie. 'Twas a hit, of course, as cake waffles always are. Because of it, I started requesting a second Super Awesome Birthday Party the next year, and I requested it kind of early (May). The pestering about the party grew into excitement about my birthday, which of course meant the adoption of Betsy's enthusiasm in the form of Birthday Week. Plus it was so easy to annoy the Spokane boys.

And so, with the understanding behind it, I will be celebrating my birthday week all week, in honor of Betsy, summers in Provo, and two Super Awesome Birthday Parties. Perhaps that's my gift this year, Melis? A Super Awesome Birthday Party in a box?



That was the explanation. Now the request: Por favor, please send good vibes toward Boston this week. My stomach and I have not been getting along, but I don't care what it says, I am eating what I want on my birthday, and we (stomach and I) will enjoy it all, darn it. But it'd be easier with some extra good vibes.

Shukran, dears.

Half Birthday

It was a crazy day. The whole week will be, but my roommates did celebrate with me (after I told them it was my half birthday) by

Singing half the birthday song: "to you! to you! dear Allison! to you!"

And making a deliciously buttery dessert.


I also learned a little about poetry.

Best day in February? I'm thinking yes.

Last of the Loot

I should be repacking a bag for Boston, but instead I'm playing with this:

It's sleek, shiny, and trim. No overly sensitive mouse and just the right amount of pressure on the keys. All my files transfered in a matter of minutes (ish). And the internet is running beautifully.

I don't care what Apple can do. Louie, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

22 in B22

So my birthday is done. (Although not really since the biggest present won't be here until the night of the 25th.) We had to make some minor adjustments. . . .

Due to potentially inclement weather, Allison's Super Awesome Birthday Party has been relocated to

The Elms

43 E 700 N B22

Provo, UT

Come celebrate turning 22 in apartment B22 . . . catchy, no?

The party was lovely, as was dinner at Todd and Allison's last night. Flank steak (yum), lemon cake, and Harry Potter Scene It. What could be better?

It seems people are often most interested in loot, so here are some pictures . . .

And with the money from Grandma, I will be purchasing these:

Allison Mitton's Super Awesome Birthday Party

You are cordially invited to

Allison Mitton's

Super Awesome Birthday Party

When: Saturday, August 7

Time: 8:00p.m.

Where: Kiwanis Park 820 N 1100 E

Pavilion 4 (right next to the tennis court)

What: food, friends, music, games

See you there!

A Gift that Keeps on Giving

I received quite a bit of mail yesterday: a package from Amazon (aka Michael), a package from my mother, a package from Nordstrom, a card from the grandparents, and a package from a company of which I'd never heard: The Hunger Site/Global Girlfriend. Not recognizing the company or return address, I opened it.

It was my birthday gift from the Hunnybunny. Oops.

She gave me permission to wear my present to my party tomorrow, so I thought I'd share a little about it. This site is pretty awesome. The money she paid for my present also funds 25 cups of food for malnourished children. And, it helps women around the world to sell their eco-friendly handiwork. How great is that?

Plus, they're just plain pretty.

Past Birthday Poems, by the Uncles

A few liberties were taken as these came out of my memory. But they are mostly accurate.

There's a rabbit in the omelet,
There's a lizard in the stew,
There's a rooster in the rootbeer crying cock-a-doodle-doo.
But it wouldn't even matter if the honey's in the hive
'Cause the only thing that matters
Is that Allie's turning five.


Once I ate a pickle,
Once I ate a bean,
Once I ate a pork chop all topped with sour cream.
Once I ate some lettuce,
Once I ate some cheese,
Once I ate ****.
And once I took a trip
Down south to sunny Cali;
And there with knife and fork
I ate my best friend Allie.

****The rest of this line has been lost in the abyss of the past. If you remember it, please contact me. You, yes, YOU could be my birthday miracle this year.

Snapshots

Photos from my birthdays from the time I arrived at BYU. . . .

2006

2007

2008

2009

To Kick Off My Birthday Week, I Give You . . .

Excerpts from letters dated 6 August 2008 and 12 August 2009.

6 August 2008
This week all my dad's brothers (with the exception of Ryan who just got switched to another job at Ford and can't take off work) and their families are staying at Hood River. I'm driving back and forth from work so I can hang out with them in the evenings, but it's a really long commute; it takes me an hour and a half in the mornings because of traffic once you hit 205 which means I have to leave at 6:30. It's really hard, haha. But driving through the Gorge is incredible, especially in the morning. Anyway, I took the day off on Friday (my birthday!) so the plan at the moment is to interview the missionaries in the morning (I'll explain that in detail later), maybe lunch or something in the afternoon with Kaitlyn and Geneva (she's here this week too) and Ashley Alberts if she can make it, and then family party in the evening: dinner, cake, presents. Nothing too fancy, although they are starting the Olympics in celebration of me. How cool is this: they start on 08-08-08 at 08:08:08 in the morning. I sure hope their clocks are set right in China, because you wouldn't want to screw that one up. Anyway, I'm excited for my birthday this year. I haven't been excited in a while, birthdays really aren't that big of a deal once you've passed like . . . 11. But it'll be fun with the family this week and not having to work.

12 August 2009
 On Friday evening [7 August] I was talking to my mom on the phone as I went to get the mail. I opened the mailbox and saw a large stack of envelopes and the top one was addressed to an Elizabeth. I wondered if Annie's new roommates were already getting mail, so I pulled out the stack and started looking through. They were all addressed to people like "Harry Reid," "Sarah Palin," or "Ms. Moneypenny," and they were from "Nancy Pelosi," "John McCain," and "Mr. Bond," and I was so confused until I got the one for Terry Tempest Williams from Sandi Brinkman and I realized what they all were: Andy had sent me a birthday card ripped into 21 pieces and put into 21 different envelopes addressed to a variety of people. I opened one to figure that out and just started laughing. My mom thought it was pretty hilarious too. Megan spent the night on Friday so I decided to wait to open them all until she showed up so she could help me tape them all together. It was one of the funniest birthday cards I've ever received. I talked to him on Sunday and he said he was trying to think of a way to get back at me for his birthday because I called and left him 21 messages for his 21st birthday. I still think mine was better, but it was pretty hilarious.