A Very, Merry, Happy, Wacky Birthday to Maki!!

This morning I meant to at least say 'Happy Birthday' to Maki before she and Erin left for ASL class but unfortunately I didn't hear them leave. :P Naomi woke me a little later to help get ready for Maki's 'morning bash'. ^_^ We blew up balloons (mostly Naomi blew up balloons... :P) and got ready for a nice breakfast (Naomi had gone to Kimuraya's Bakery to get some Japanese breads). I went to go pick Erin and Maki up from their class then when we got home, Maki got her cards from us then opened her present.

We had told her that she'd never guess in fifty years what we had gotten her and after seeing it, she agreed! For her birthday, the three of us chipped in to buy her a nice wooden easel which includes one canvas, the basic colors of acrylic, watercolor, and oil paints, paintbrushes, and a palette! She was really excited about getting it so the three of us were happy that we got something she really likes and will use.

Erin had to go to her internship so while Naomi took her there, Maki and I worked together to figure out how to open up the easel. It's a REALLY nice one with drawers and everything; lots of little knobs to adjust everything. ^_^ I like how it can fold up nicely so it can easily be carried around.

Naomi came back and we had breakfast together. The breads were soooo good; it's been such a long while since I've eaten Japanese baked breads; 'ann-pan', melon bread, sausage roll, curry bread, and other assorted goodies! Very stuffed after breakfast.

Spent some time at the computer writing a bit more for my English essay. Then a little before 11:00, Naomi, Maki and I went over to Kahala Mall. While Naomi was getting a haircut at Macy's, Maki and I did a little shopping. Stopped by Borders but eventually went to Barnes&Nobles because there's much more of an assortment of books. Together we bought an ASL dictionary like the one I had in Japan. I was also able to buy the second book in the Last of the Jedi series by Jude Watson. I know, it's a kids series but I like Jude Watson's writing quite a bit.

Next went to Tower Records and had my usual fun time just going through all the aisles. ^_^ Didn't buy anything though I've added to my list of what to check out on the Internet and perhaps rent at Blockbusters. But not this week; no time to watch a movie... :P Strange to hear that from me, huh? Am a college student now... *wink!*

Got home and watched an episode of Law&Order while having a very light lunch of 'chyazuke'. My mother called so it was nice talking to her though there was some confusion about our doing special things for Maki both today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) so she was like 'aren't you doing that today'? ^_^

At a little before 3:00 I went to campus and after dropping some of Naomi's papers for the Honda International Center, I went over to the chapel for my ballet class. I got my Don Quixote ballet report back; I got an 'A'!! Hurray! I had been a little worried about the paper since my ballet teacher is also a Logics and Phsychology teacher. :P But she really liked my paper and told me so. ^_^

Oh, there was this funny incident during class when she was telling us to go as high as we could on our toes with our legs as tightly pressed together as possible. I was trying to do it when she suddenly yelled out, "Freeze, Priscilla!" Then she proceeded to tell everyone to gather around her to look at my 'form' and saying, "Doesn't her feet look just like a nice ribbon? That's how it's supposed to look like!" (she really likes using 'imagery' in teaching ballet). I was thinkging, 'My feet look like a ribbon?' and tried to look down at my feet but she stopped me by saying, "Don't look at it! You have to feel and imagine it." Oooook... :P But I'm glad that my form is good enough to be praised. ^_^ I think that one of my strongest points is that I have pretty good balance and can stay on the balls of my feet for long times; mostly because I practice anywhere I can. :P

After class, drove home then since my feet hurt from class, I just wanted to lie down though I wasn't 'sleepy' per se. So I decided to catch up on my reading. I was completely hooked for a couple of hours in reading The Moonstone. It's SUCH a good book! I only got half way through (it's a thick book) when it was time to go out for dinner, and so far I'm loving it!

The four of us met Aunt Jean at a Korean Barbecue restaurant where we had dinner. The food was really yummy; lots of spicy foods and we got to cook some of our own food. After the dinner, Aunt Jean gave her present to Maki which was a beautiful gold chain necklace. Verrrry nice quality. Aunt Jean had also bought a Godiva chocolate cheesecake and had brought it to the restaurant. So we lit up candles on it and we sang a birthday song. ^_^ The cheesecake was soooooo 'rich'; naturally we all loved it. :P

Oh, it was funny because two older men sitting in the next table ordered Korean nori for us, compliments for Maki's birthday! Of course, we all LOOOOVE Korean nori so we cut two pieces of the cheesecake for them. :P Our waitress was also really nice to us and took good 'care of us' so we left her a piece of cheescake, too. ^_^

After the delicious dinner and dessert, Aunt Jean went home while the four of us stopped by Walmart. Maki and I bought some nice belts; mine a black and silver one. It was interesting because Maki and I met our classmate from History class. ^_^

Got home fairly late and immediately started writing the blog (though it actually took a while to start writing because Maki, Naomi, and I were kind of hyper for some reason... :P lol!) Sooo much to write today and so many pictures. ^_^ Chatted with a few people and now I'm finally off to bed! I have a busy day tomorrow with drum lesson and tap class in the morning. In the afternoon we're planning to go see 'Flightplan' (one of my gift for Maki's birthday) and perhaps get together with Ericson in the evening. ^_^ Good night! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAKI!!!!