Two Decades is a Long Time!

This weekend was fun! We missed Emily because she signed up to go on a trip to Edinburgh with the school, but we made it through! This coming week is mid-terms so we all had a ton of homework and studying to do, but we did have fun. During the days we basically just worked (well, tried to work... but ended up procrastinating most of the time!). Friday night we had dinner at the dining hall (so high-class) and then hung out at the pub on the corner, Gloucester Arms. On Fridays from 5-7 PM you can get a bottle of Peroni for 2.50 so we timed dinner right at 5 and headed there afterwards! We looked at a travel book and planned a little for spring break, but mostly just hung out and relaxed. We then attempted to watch Shutter Island but it wouldn't load so we only got to see the first half... I was freaking out! I don't do well with scary movies!

Saturday night we loaded Shutter Island during the day so it'd be ready for us at night. We took the tube to Piccadilly Circus and wandered until we found a pub/restaurant called Long Acre. We're not quite sure what it was--it was pub-like but there were waiters. Hm. Oh well, it was really yummy! I had fish and chips and it was wrapped in paper! I was so excited. We had ice cream afterwards in Leicester Square (where all the movie premieres are) before heading back home. We dove into Shutter Island again, but it ended up not being all that scary--mostly just suspenseful, disturbing and confusing! It was really good, though; definitely go see it! Plus, Leo is in it and who can resist him?! Nevertheless, Katy and I watched an episode of The Office afterwards to calm us down. It was part one of Kelly's Birthday episode (appropriate seeing as it was 12:30 AM on February 28) so we decided to watch part two after we woke up.

So today was my BIRTHDAY! Ahhh I'm TWENTY! I'm so excited to be "in my twenties" instead of a teenager! It just sounds so much older :) OK now that that's out of the way, it was a great day. I mean, we spent most of it trying to finish the homework we barely started this weekend (with little success) but we went to the Italian restaurant (Da Mario) on the corner of our street and it was sooo good! I got a glass of red wine with my pasta--yum! Only one more year until I can do that at home! We walked back home to wait for Emily to get back and then the plan was to go to the pub and get chocolate fudge cake (because it's the best chocolate fudge cake I've ever tasted!!!). While we waited, Katy and I decided to record a lovely video for Bess, dancing to "Don't Rain on my Parade" from Glee (I know, I know, not originally, but it's the version we have). It was wonderful--I've decided that I should definitely pursue dancing as a career if psychology doesn't work out. I'm very good at bopping around in the background. Needless to say, we had a laugh over that one and naturally attempted (with Bess this time) to make another video for Emily! We did a super awesome dance (well, it may have been more of a chaotic mess) to "Jump" (also from Glee!) and then when we tried to send the video, it didn't work. We recorded it again (though a bit less enthusiastically) and found it only recorded 1 minute and 30 seconds of it!! We were bummed but showed it to her anyway when she got here. But the BEST part of the whole day was when Emily got here and she and Bess filed into Katy's and my room singing "Happy Birthday" with a chocolate cake in hand!! It was from Whole Foods, our most favorite place, and it said "Happy Birthday Jackie!" It was absolutely spectacular!! We ate most of it but saved some for tomorrow! :) Emily also gave me body butter (which is like lotion but thicker so it's makes your skin really soft!) and lip balm that smells like citrus! Mmmmm I can't WAIT to use it!! They were so awesome; it was such a great birthday. I'm quite easy to please apparently because all I need is chocolate! :) And friends, too--that never hurts!

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!! :) I feel so loved! And thank you Katy, Bess, and Emily!!! :) :) You're the best!!!! Also, it was so much fun to Skype with the whole family today, even though my Internet connection was bad. I loved seeing you all! It made my day! :) I love you all!

:)

Jackie