My 25th Birthday Bash

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday weekend. I think it was one of the best ever. Last year I had just gotten back from Istanbul and felt like I had no friends at home. I just went to dinner and got a free pizza with my family to celebrate my 24th. I remember Martina,my Italian friend, had always said that the odd numbers are always better.



So last Friday Sefer sent yellow tulips to me at work which was soooooooooo super sweet, kicking off a wonderful weekend!



Then that evening after work I had a few close friends of mine over for some Middle Eastern/Medetarrainian meze (hummus and pita, greek olives, and Iranian dates) and wine.



After a quick chat we headed out to a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant called Jerusalem for food, drinks, and belly dancers. It was absolutely delightful! It was so much fun to be able to expose many new and long-time friends to a new culture with food, atmosphere, and entertainment. Many new and long time friends participated in the event out for that and it was so much fun to introduce them to each other and have them experience that type of cultural atmosphere and food.
























After dinner we headed over to U Otter Stop Inn, a total dive in Northeast Minneapolis, where I was to crown the King/Queen of Karaoke. That was a blast! The best part about it was that so many friends from such different social circles were all there and I finally got the chance to introduce them to each other. I had so much fun and from the feedback from others it seems like everyone else did too. I finally felt like I have some real friends here in Minneapolis (*warm fuzzy*). Even a group of people and their significant others from my office showed up for the competition. I crowned my a quite deserving colleague, Rob Shellman, the king that night.

















































































Saturday my best friend had a bridal party slumberparty which was even more fun! I got to talk to her sister forever and we all shared our stories about love, marriage, children, friendship, romance, etc. We had quesadillas and margaritas. Yummy!

Sunday my Dad took my family out to dinner for my birthday at this awesome Mexican restaurant, Salsa A La Salsa. There was great live music from some dude playing guitar and singing songs in spanish. My dad ordered a Carona and my bro and I got Margaritas. The food was excellent! It was the most fun I have had with my family in a long time.


Then to top it off, the king of Karaoke gave me two free lift, rental, and lessons to Welch Village for my birthday. So Monday I took one of my closest friends to the slopes to teach him how to snowboard. After a few too many runs down the bunny hill we got sick of it and he switched to skiis and we skied/snowboarded until the sun went down. Plus it was like 50 degrees so we got to ski/snowboard in t-shirts and sun glasses!

I had an absolutely wonderful time. I feel so lucky and loved. This is what makes leaving Minneapolis to follow my dreams more and more difficult. I have never felt like I have had so many friends that really love me. The whole weekend was probably the best birthday weekend I have ever had. Love you guys!