It’s my birthday! As of January 13th, 2019 I am officially 28 years old! I had trouble figuring out what I wanted to do for my birthday. Seeing as I was fortunate enough to visit San Francisco for the first time on last year’s birthday, it was going to be difficult to top that this time around. But I managed to have a good time here, in my hometown, Memphis TN.
I’m not fond of big parties or gatherings. I’d much rather spend birthdays with one or two close friends. However, since one of my closest friends was out of town for my birthday weekend, I ventured out solo and still had a blast!
First my mother came to visit me on the Friday prior. She lives only an hour away, so it’s easy for me to visit her or vice versa. She spent the night with me, gave me a small gift (the other one hasn’t arrived yet) and on Saturday morning, we cooked and ate breakfast together for nice bonding time.
My mother had to return on Saturday, so the next day – The Big Day – I woke up, actually not feeling my best. I felt sleep deprived, despite sleeping for 7 hours the night prior, and I had the sniffles, like a cold was coming on. With the gloomy, cold weather outside, it seemed like the perfect day to stay in bed with a hot bowl of soup and binge watch movies all day. But it was my birthday, darn it!
I may have been slow in the morning due to feeling ill, but I managed to get showered, dressed and out the house by 11:00 for a late breakfast (technically lunch) at Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
I adore pasta. It’s one of my favorite foods. So I knew I was going to pig out on my birthday! If I was in a better mood, I might have remembered to take a picture of everything I ordered before I dug in, but I did manage to capture the main course and dessert, which was complimentary for my birthday.
I hate half moon ravioli stuffed with chicken, ricotta and spinach, zucchini fries, minestrone soup, and a cinnamon apple crostata for desert. It was all sooo delicious! And Carrabba’s probably has the best free bread that I’ve seen in a restaurant! It was warm and fluffy, and served with a side of olive oil and herbs. By the end of lunch at Carrabba’s, I was stuffed and satisfied for the rest of the day.
While I was eating, I received a rather humorous call from my dad. It went a little something like this:
Dad: Hey Heather, what are you up to?
Me: I’m just eating lunch at an Italian restaurant.
Dad: Oh, you’re on a date?
Me: No, it’s just me.
Dad: Why are you eating at a restaurant on a Sunday, in the middle of the day like this?
Me: (Thinking he might be playing dumb) I just wanted to do something different.
He then goes on to give me an update on one of our family members. We talk for a bit, then he starts to say his goodbyes.
Dad: Well, that was all I called to tell you about.
Me: (It’s obvious now that he has completely forgotten my birthday, but I’m amused, and I offer him a chance to see if he’ll recall). You sure you don’t want to tell me anything else?
Dad: No, that was all. I’m still a bit baffled why you’re eating at a restaurant in the middle of the day. I’d think you would go in the evening. (At this point, I’m giggling.) What?
Me: Hey daddy,
Dad: Yes?
Me: Check your calendar.
He takes a moment to check his calendar, then for the next several seconds, we both laugh as he expresses his blunder. “Oh I’m so ashamed! You got me, Heather! Happy Birthday!”
Even though my dad forgot my birthday, it was nice to talk to him, and we had a good laugh.
After lunch, I rolled over to Paint a Piece Creative Arts Studio. They have pottery that you can paint, then they’ll fire it up in their kiln for a glossy finish. I had wanted to get some larger bowls for when I make soup, and I thought, instead of buying them at a store, I could take the time to paint it myself and make it personable. Of course, the artwork wouldn’t be perfect, but it would have more meaning that way.
After taking some time to myself to rest and rejuvenate – health comes first after all – I went out again to see the movie, “If Beale Street Could Talk.” I’ll admit that going in, I had no idea what to expect from this movie. Actually, I thought it would be a movie about Memphis, named after Memphis’ famous Beale Street. I came to find out that Memphis’ own is not the only Beale Street in the States. No, this one is referring to the one in New Orleans, and as it turns out, the title is talking more symbolically, than the literal happenings of the street.
The movie was phenomenal. It was slow and engaging. There are some movies that are slow which put you to sleep. This movie dared to slow down so that you could really invest in the characters and feel their emotions. It is also a very sad and romantic story between two lovers. I’m glad I got to see it, no less on my birthday.
After the movie, it was around 10 pm. Still plenty of time to get into adventures if I so chose. My original plan was to find a spot where I could sing Karaoke. I had already been practicing Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” the night prior, and I really wanted to let loose and have fun.
However, given my illness of the day, I decided I no longer wanted a wild night and to take it easy.
Note, none of my plans involved alcohol as I don’t drink. I don’t need a substance to let loose, but I don’t mind if my friends around me take a drink, as long as they in turn don’t mind my decision not to. (Conversation for another post).
So instead of singing my heart out in front of strangers, I decided to satisfy my craving for a Nutella milkshake and headed to Steak & Shake for a shake and fries. It was a nice homey way to end the night.
I’m not a party girl and I don’t require a lot of friends. I was able to have fun on my 28th birthday by myself, and more than anything, I’m just thankful for another year of life.
How about you? When is your birthday and what are your plans? Do you like to go all out and have a wild night, or do you like to keep it small with one or two friends, or even by yourself? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Thanks for the read! I’ll see you in the next post!
