team DINA.

my sister, nina, became engaged to her love, dan, on saturday... 

then she hopped off to ghana to do a nursing semester abroad (underachiever here..)

and didn't get to tell her story to all who would love to hear it. 

soooo.... 

she's asked that i post it to our family and friends who also read the bloggity blog. 

i have a special connection to this story because, well... i'd like to take credit here. 

i went out with dan first. 

yes, shavs set us up. 

she thinks he's one of the finest men around and set us up while i was hanging in utah-post jersey boys- 

i loved dan. but immediately loved him like a brother. 

he's such a powerful, steady, sure, kind, and insightful man. i loved our conversation, but mid-way thru our dinner, i felt like i should set him up with nina....which is uncomfortable and uncouth to do mid-date. 

so, he asked me to go skiing with him for date #2. i told him i was already planning on skiing with my mom and sisters (bold faced lie) and invited him to come. 

i quickly forced all the gals to go as well and mentioned to nicole that i hoped nina and dan would get along... 

well, get along, they did. 

and 3 months later, they're engaged and i couldn't be happier. 

i think dan brings out the loveliest things in nina and the look on her face in the pictures below just say it all. 

we're so blessed to have dan. we've prayed for him to come into nina's life for a long time. 

here's dan's side of the story (which is hilarious. he's so california...) which he wrote to his fam. i didn't want you to miss a detail. 

I decided a couple of weeks ago that, rather than wait until after Nina got back from her Ghana trip, that I should pop the Q before she left.  I think the hardest part was getting up the courage to call her Dad and ask if I could go down to Orem and talk to him a couple Saturdays ago.  He was really cool about it, and when I went down and met with him, we had a really nice talk.  He's been battling cancer (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) and now Graft-Verses-Host Disease after his second bone marrow transplant.  He's an amazing guy.  I basically broke it down for him and told him I thought his daughter was a hot babe (I didn't really say that) and that I wanted to marry her as long as I had his permission.  He was great and gave me the "go ahead". 

So last Saturday I planned a hike up to Stewart Falls (at Sundance).  I had my buddy Rick sneak up behind us and take pictures.  We got to the base of the falls at about 7:30pm and there were just a few other hikers there.  I saw a good spot across the river, and so we risked life and limb and crossed over.  Nina did great and was an unbelievable sport.  I slipped and soaked my left shoe and sock.  Nina made it across dry.  I waited for the hikers to leave so that we could have our moment, and then I pulled out a poem that I had written for her.  It had some funny stuff about our relationship and some very high qual stuff at the end, haha.  She started crying about halfway through it, and by the end we were both struggling a bit.  Then it happened--just as I was about to go for it, a Boy Scout Troop comes walking down the path right in front of us...ouch.  They were throwing rocks and jumping all over the place.  I just maintained my focus and went in for the kill.  I pulled out the ring and took a knee.  It was really an amazing moment and it was hard to even talk.  As soon as I got the words out she said "yes" and wrapped me up.  It was awesome.  My buddy Rick then jumped out of the bushes and came over and took some more pics of us.  She was totally surprised by the whole thing.   

After taking a few pics we hiked down (passed the Scout Troop on the way down...still can't believe those dudes showed up when they did) and went to a nice restaurant at Sundance.  Then we went back to Nina's parent's house and Mom and Dad were there (they came down from the cabin!).  Nina was surprised and happy to see them.  We partied until late that night.  I've been on cloud 9 since--it's all been kind of a blur.

I'm so grateful for all that's happened that I don't even know what to say.  She's the greatest thing that's happened to me and I can't wait to marry her and have her as part of our family.  I can't wait for all of you to get to know her more -- she's amazing.  We aren't sure yet when we are going to have the wedding (prob Nov or Dec), but we will get the word out as soon as we know.  She flew out for Ghana this morning for a month-long study abroad through the U of U Medical School (happy for her, sad for me).  Thanks to everyone for all of the support.  I'm so pumped.

could these pictures be any more precious?! 

(i know nina's semi-dying that she was proposed to in black tennis shoes (she's a proper lady).)

i'm so thrilled for them. 

and up to date, i'd say that was the most beneficial first date i've ever been on!

*for those of you counting, yes.... after DINA's wedding, all of my 4 younger sisters will be married. 

** if anyone else asks me if i'm "ok" with it, i'll sucker punch them. 

I'M FABULOUS AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER FOR THEM. 

HEY UTAH!!! saca la maraca!

i'm coming to see you!
or you should come and see me!

i'm playing "daniela" (the hilarious beauty shop owner) in
in the heights for pioneer theatre company !!
(which is where i played "ellen" in miss saigon)

this is the first regional production of heights and i'm gonna be home with all my people so i'm pretty excited.

it only runs september 14- 29th and i'm pretty sure it'll sell out so get your tickets NOW!

maybe we should have a party so we can all meet in person!

....gotta go brush up on my spanish....

Laura's TONY day!

laura and i joked that i was her maid of honor because i was so involved in her TONY styling. it really felt like a wedding...  a wedding that would be photographed and sent globally and more people would see..

 my fellow bridesmaid, and GREASE bestie, anna and i played with all the sparkly object the stylists brought. 

 including this bananas diamond cuff. i was dying. 

 pretty girl 

laura's husband, nate (who is a fantastic photographer in nYc shot this of me trying on all the jewels. i was in heaven!

la wore this fierce cocktail ring to an after party (she made 3 changes that night. diva!)

there is about $100,000 on that left arm... la wore the earrings but not the bangles. 

i gave her "something blue" a new snazzy python iphone case to better match her dress.

the gals!

it was so fun because i hooked laura up with my other bestie, kristan, and she did the hair for Nexxus who sponsored the event. kris LITERALLY had just stepped off the plane from texas where she styled Matthew McConaughey, his new bride, and their children for their WEDDING! no . big. deal. 

sheeze! my friends are so cool. 

stepping into her first red carpet look- reem acra peacock gown. 

laura had tried on a lot of dresses before but at the 11th hour decided to try this on. the second she showed me, i knew this was the one. it was SO stunning, but fun and the color was DIVINE on her. 

final looks with the entire team. 

 could you die over the peacock beading and that color?! there was a slit all the way up to her hip and she rocked it with a killer guiseppe zanotti gold rhinestone strappy sandal. gorgeous. 

holding the train & stuffing her into her car. you know, maid of honor duties. 

 our gorgeous girl on TV!!!! 

and she's wearing my lipstick 

(literally- i threw it at her last min- mac pro long wear "perpetual flame).

audra mcdonald took home that tony, but laura definitely won best dressed in my book.

and i'm SURE this will not be her last rodeo. 

what a special day! i was so honored to be a part of it. 

la is currently playing the carlyle this week!!! only till saturday. 

get your tickets! i'll be there wed!

{ the bachelorette - emily } nobody... nobody wants to poke the bear...

so i'm watching alone.. which i should never do... cause i miss things when i type. 

no fear, my sister, nina, sent me a text of my dad's gems as he watched:

• "Wuf (aka. "wolf") needs to go back to his pack!"
• about chris: " he looks like he could be a murderer."
• at the rose ceremony: "oooh good! a few more candles!"

absolute hilarity. i'm so sad i wasn't there. 

1. prague is stunning. 
2. must go. 
3. is she forced to say this is the best group of guys... EVER?!
4. i think we've all commented on what losers this pack is ... above any other season. 
5. harrison is somehow looking better, no? 
6. is he having mid-life crisis makeover phase?
7. jef-one-eff is a tween girl. 
8. i will, from here on out, refer to him as SHE as opposed to she (emily).
9. arie's pursed lip mirror face makes me vim!
10. cute outfit on em. 
11. arie is feeling really effeminate to me lately. 
12. she doesn't seem super into that kiss... she's holding something back..
13. ooop and here it is... 
14. ooooh she's laying a trap for him. 
15. what?! an awkward chris harrison lecture?
16. nice orange face. 
17. poor cassie is wishing she'd worn more makeup ...
18. i'm loving his interview with her. 
19. emily is great.
20. i agree. i'd be upset as well. 
21. whenever someone withholds that kind of info, it makes you feel like you're MEANT to be in the dark and that it's bigger than it is...
22. she's leading him right into the briar patch. 
23. just ASK him about it, dummy. 
24. so #2 is the same as #1, emily?
25. no secrets and be honest.  
26. why didn't we see the conversation coming to light?
27.  you know he had like a one-night-stand with cassie and it never went anywhere so he truly didn't think about it. 
28. did you think of napoleon's brother, kip when arie said "it's getting kinda serious, you know?
29. bobble head, you're GOING a little bit crazy? dude, you're already the mayor of crazytown. 
30. i'm bored. 
31. that cassie story was boring. this awkward boat panorama just made it look crazy and fake. 
32. stop it... that loser starts running the streets of prague, "streetcar" style?! STELLLAAAAAA
33. wolf is not a match with emily. 
34. also, what is he wearing?!
35. easter egg pink and blue and that bizarre pullover?
36. awkward emily tour guide moment. 
37. that'd be fun to tag a wall. 
38. the lock is a sign. send him home. 
39. i like her so much. 
40. why would arie comment on another person's relationship?!
41. oooop randy quaid is gonna go on a rager. 
42. cousin eddie is losing his sh*t.
43. "lock up a hometown date"..... gross. 
44. even-keeled = boring... fyi.
45. don't you sometimes wish that when people tell these horrible stories about their ex's that they'd give full names? THAT'D be good tv. 
46. ew! these weird little bird pecks are too loud and strange!!!
47. ok, stanley. go find stella. 
48. (if you don't know that reference, start reading tennessee williams)
49. that's also who stella was named after....
50. how long are the producers gonna make him comb the streets?!
51. ahahaha! as IF she just walked him home?! 
52. um.. that look is "uncomfortable" .. .not "love."
53. i like him for her. they're both sweet and guileless. 
54. i don't see any emotional connecting... just a lotta smooching with them. 
55. cousin eddie is boiling. 
56. if you have a sunburn and blonde hair, do not wear a sunburn or coral colored t-shirt.
57. chris is a little black raincloud. 
58. shut. up.
59. that poor horse. 
60. oh doug, you cheesewad. total wife beater. i feel it. 
61. listen, i have a lot of chemistry with velveeta.... 
62. she is NOT feeling him. 
63. crossed arms, doug? really? is this your first rodeo?
64. "hey big dummy....." weirdo. 
65. he's doing anything for a last ditch situation...
66. good girl. get rid of him. no chemistry. 
67. i feel for him, but he's trying waaaay too hard. 
68. do you think bobble head waxes his neck/chest?
69. she woke up smiling? did they fantasy suite?
70. no way is emily bringing randy quaid home to the family . he's the whiniest little brat. 
71. uh. oh... someone is going to go postal!!!!
72. chris is DEFINITELY going home. 
73. puppets are so freaking creepy. 
74. SHE asks all the right questions. 
75. wait... jeff had all those mj puppet skills? 
76. yes, you WOULD be the luckiest guy in the world because she's totally out of your league. 
77. watch, he's buying a present for ricki. 
78. i'm GOOD!
79. poor thing! just struggling up the hill in those wild boots. 
80. think she knows that SHE is loaded?
81. the role playing is so "what about bob" awkward!!!
82. "anna! anna!!!"
83. already starting in puppet therapy. 
84. "committed to some stuff for a few years." ......... really, jef-one-eff. 
85. at what point are you going to tell her about your life?
86. he SHOULD have said, "my parents are serving and doing mission work for their church. i was raised mormon but i'm not currently practicing mormonism. " end of story. addendum: and they're mortified that i'm doing this.
87. is the sibling in china also serving a mission?
88. gonna be hard to dodge that, J.
89. this uncomfortable pillow (sans the pillow) talk is so slumber party. 
90. she likes him like she likes her gay friend. 
91. besties forevsties!
92. cool cars. 
93. cool mansion. 
94. dumb boys. 
95. bobble head is all over the place!
96. this guy would be an absolute nightmare to be married to. 
97. just angry and bobbley.
98. woof. that dress is disco fever!
99. is that freak crying?!
100. come ON!
101. the candles and the violins!! oy!
102. i just tuned that whole declaration of love out...i didn't want to get sick before bed. 
103. no WAY!!!! she fell for it?!
104. poor wolf. he's so sad. 
105. what exactly did he share that he wouldn't share with anyone else?? that stuff didn't seem to secret-y to me...
106. woof. i can't believe she fell for the bobble. 
107. do you think his head just lulled her into a hypnotic state and she couldn't say no? 
108. very jungle book... 
109. how is SHE going to handle the hometown and avoid talking about being mormon?!
110. great dress next week. 
111. hide and seek?! no way, doug! you know how to do that?! i'll bet none of these other guys have ever done that before!
112. you must be a DAD and a good one!

what do you think, kids?

the Costco King

i went on an epic date that i've referenced a few times... here's a little excerpt from that eve:

dude asked me out and had a restaurant in mind.
he claimed to be a "foodie" and loved dropping (in my opinion) c-list restaurants in nyc.
we go to said restaurant (where i had never before been).

while we're waiting for our table (he was incredibly bugged about the fact that we had to wait), he barked at the hostess to bring (and this isn't a restaurant with a bar, it's not exactly a drink-while- you-wait restaurant)

"half diet coke/half regular coke, diet on the bottom, light ice and a lemon."

horrified. i was horrified. who orders a drink like that?! and honestly, a gentleman would ask the lady if she'd like a beverage, then ask kindly if the hostess would do something outside of her job description and procure a refreshment while we wait....

it gets worse.....

we perused the menu while we waited.

HIM: (incredulous!!) $24 for ROASTED CHICKEN!?!? i could get that for $5 at COSTCO!!!

ME: we could leave and go to costco.... before they seat us.....

HIM: i'm so sure! like YOU would eat at COSTCO?!

(ok, at this point, i hate this man...... how dare he act as if i was the one high maintenance enough to demand a restaurant price point...i'm also completely desperate to hit Costco... i wouldn't have to suffer thru 3 full courses with him + i could get a hot dog and a DC= heaven)

ME: actually, i love Costco chicken & hot dogs! i'd be happy to go there.

HIM: pppppssshshhhhh! yeah right! but you know what we SHOULD do; the second they seat us, flip the table and walk out on them for making us wait....

and it just got better from there........

the guy who "gets what he wants"

there's always some element of a challenge for some men (who aren't LDS) to date a woman who abstains from sex.
they either think abstinence will be like a detox for them -a cleanse- a healthy challenge. that's a noble idea and some of them find out in 6 weeks that they're either enriched by the relationship and want to keep chugging, or find that it isn't for them and we part ways...

or..

they think i'm conquest to be had.
he may think HE's the guy to change my mind-as if i only abstain because i haven't found someone who was man enough yet....

that guy is the kind of person who drops this sentence:


"i always get what i want" 

i've heard that more than once...

as it turns out, i am reduced to a "what."
not a person.
an object to be had or seized.

well, homeboy.
i ALSO get "what" i want (which is usually in the form of food...) and i also choose "who" i want.

and, to nod to my broadway debut,

you're [not] the one that i want.

{ the bachelorette- emily } what is croatian for "see ya, ryan!"?

1. travis, who are you and why are you here?
2. i'm desperate for someone to take me to croatia
3. ooh yeah, ry. you're always there with the arm move, you sly fox. 
4. 80% of them are wearing justin bieber hoodies. 
5. "imperative!" big word! he was desperate fo us to pick up on that. 
6. he just totally queened out on "i want that rose BAAACK!"
7. oop here she goes playing tour guide and stumbling on her lines. 
8. those jeans are douchetown. 
9. i'm sorry but i can't handle his laugh. i just picture it parked on the couch laughing at nothing while nursing a coors light. 
10. i'm so rude.
11. what is happening on his feet?
12. she's never seen him shirtless?
13. those bleached tips are hawt!
14. he's so self conscious. 
15. who ever has a scale to 8?! you know he started with that analogy then at the last second had to bump it up a notch!
16. ryan, that is the straight up GAYEST tank top ever.... and i've SEEN gay. trust. 
17. what is happening with that bizarre flat top?
18. i do love that emily is 66% redneck. 
19. he can MANIPULATE the situation and he can go get the girl. 
20. he's VILE! ew. i've had to deal with a lot of men like that and they make me sick. 
21. she's a blonde rachel bilson- ali.
22. that shirt on him just makes him look sallow. 
23. ooooh i did not see this coming! good girl! get rid of him. 
24. he did NOT see this coming. 
25. awe. travis is sweet. now a i feel like a low life for not liking him with her. 
26. oop. the dramatic umbrella throw, faux hawk and beet red face are turning me off again. 
27. wooooah. that's a whole lotta plaid up in there. 
28. these boys style their hair more than any other season IN BACHELOR HISTORY
29. she's gonna fall on her face with those YSL stilettos.
30. I SAW BRAVE! 
31. loved it. 
32. why aren't any of those guys touching her?
33. sean is the only catch out of you trolls so shut up. 
34. ew. i don't wan a tight shot of jef-one-eff's crotch, thank you. 
35. soo they're in scottish kilts in croatia? could they not get visas to scotland?
36. in dresses & on donkeys? emasculation. 
37. he's "shotten" a bow and arrow once.... 
38. straight up randy quaid on that guy. 
39. i hope he just crashes and burns
40. they're FREEZING
41. ooooh that's HOT!
42. bahahahaha!
43. oh he's so embarrassed. 
44. that thing's gonna impale jef-one-eff.
45. ahaha. couldn't get it over.
46. she loved it. 
47. um..... joseph smith was REALLY good at the stick-pull. 
48. jef-one-eff had better draw on his (formerly) mormon roots and dominate. 
49. he picked doug because he hates him. 
50. wow! doug's muscles look they're gonna rip. 
51. chris. you're a disaster. 
52. glad they're wearing short shorts under those dresses.
53. she gave that loser the consolation prize. 
54. gross don't kiss cousin eddie!!!!
55. double RAINBOW!
56. it looks like they're in midway , utah- ali
57. jef-one-eff's costumes are killing me. 
58. em looks bangin.
59. arie, you're a pansy.
60. do the guys, like, understand that they're basically kissing each other?!- ali
61. i'm living for ryan. what a total pig. 
62. are those blue suede shoes, ry?
63. is it hard for jef-one-eff to get physical cause he likes boys better?
64. ali, the fact checker, tells me that ryan signed with the atlanta falcons and was shipped away to nfl EUROPE. 
65. wooooof! randy quaid is so awkwardly uncomfortable. 
66. don't rose him!!!!!
67. eek. that's awkward. how is she comfortable with him when HE's not comfortable. 
68. i swear his head is on a swivel. there's a lot of movement on top of that long neck. 
69. eesh. 3 hrs. ryan is incredibly manicured. 
70. ew. this awkward flirting in front of the guys is so gross. she has to want to vomit. 
71. rotten! that's the perfect word for him!
72. great ring. 
73. sick. no. way. in. hell. would i eat an oyster like that!
74. God isn't interested in you and your narcissism. 
75. he could not objectify her any more...
76. he's gay. 
77. he's so manipulative. trying to get her to beg for him.
78. there is nothing about her on that list... it's just how she can benefit him. 
79. she's the most level-headed bachelorette we've seen. 
80. good girl! she sees right thru him. 
81. she's my favorite. 
82. is he gonna throw the table?
83. yes!!! i love when they fight it!
84. oooh he's calculated.
85. no way! is he going to be the first guy to talk his way into the rose?
86. he's such an abuser!!!
87. proud of emily for holding her ground!
88. i'm actually surprised she got rid of him today but she'll be thrilled when she watches playback.
89. great friendships?! i've never seen such a party for him to go!
90. oooh this monologue is great! what a winner!
91. yes! compare yourself with the greatest men in the world! yes! do it! 
92. he is totally rotten. 
93. what on earth is he talking about?!
94. arrogant ass? too late. you made that bed, son. 
95. arie pulled a "courtney" a "wrestler"... you name it. 
96. arie you are such a drama queen. 
97. i'd have changed into sweats so fast. why is she still in her oscar trophy costume?!
98. eew smackers!
99. emily looks fantastic. 
100. really ? doug? i thought she was sold on him. 
101. ooop wolfie is really opening up. she's buying it hook, line, and sinker. 
102. he pulled away on that kiss. 
103. doug is so full of shit. 
104. it's so contrived. 
105. STOP. CRYING. BOYS.
106. big girls don't cry. 
107. love this fancy "croatian" decision music. 
108. wouldn't it be classic if she sent arie home after all that ?!
109. for sure harrison was making a "love connection" with that producer. 
110. she just totally interrupted his moment. 
111. woooah! both of them! go girl!
112. i'm obsessed with emily . she may be the smartest woman we've ever seen!
113. ooooh wait. keeping them both? 
114. ok. ok. 
115. i wish she'd just call him "wolf."
116. doug is sweating bullets. 
117. prague! amazing. prague is so beautiful. 
118. oooh i see some up coming cheek zits on arie. 

good! looks like some good juice is coming up! 

were you surprised by ryan? i'm a fan of emily's judgement. 

remember your old friend who loves you.

my best friend, mentor, gossip conspirator, second mother and spiritual advisor passed away 7 years ago today. there isn't a day that goes by that i don't miss her and pretty much talk to her on the regular. she hears me. 

i like to re-read some of the many opening night cards & letters she wrote to me. each one is profound and beautiful. 

at the end of a beautifully written and inspired card syd wrote when i left utah for the big city to attend NYU, she wrote

THE RULES: 

1. always call after an audition. (i did- i do)
2. let me know far enough in advance so i can get tickets to your opening. (she never got to see me on broadway..)
3. the news doesn't always have to be good. (it mostly wasn't... what a dear shoulder to cry on.)
4. you have to keep me up to date with the "stories" of your life. (i did. we'd talk for hours a day.)
5. you owe me a quilt and i expect to collect at christmas. (i still owe her that quilt-she and i made one of all my old show t-shirts. what a treasure.)
6. you don't always have to be the Dad (inside joke).
7. my email, phone, home phone, school phone, home email, cell phone, adrian's cell, katie's cell, heather's pager. (loved that!)
8. see jeckyll and hyde for me. (i did.)
9. ok, you can skip that last one (she loved that wildhorn and i became such great friends).
10. save time in April for me (i have new clothes). (i did. we had a grand time seeing theatre, etc..)
11. remember your old friend who loves you. (i do. always. i miss you greatly.)
12. time doesn't matter. late night communications are great. (she always took my wee hour calls)
13. savor new york for me. (i did. i do. nyc is the greatest city in the world!)

i think (most of ) the rules apply to us all. 

i am so lucky to have been loved by such a wonderful woman. 

i remember you, old friend, and i love you to the moon and back. 

i hold you in my heart. 

my cold-fighting ninja.

with a tiny shoebox apt full of people,
insomnia for the last month,
daily full rehearsals + 1-3 auditions/day,
bizarre weather changes,
etc... etc.. etc...

i've been feeling like i'm running on empty and fearful that i'll get my (usual) progression of sinus infection- to -walking pneumonia, so i've been pounding the wellness formula daily.

L introduced me to it when i was in vegas and since then (nearly one year), i've only been sick one time and it wasn't too wretched because of this.

i've tried every remedy in the book... seriously... every one.... and this works.
thank goodness!
i have a major week coming up- lets hope it keeps me pulled together.

sayonara 30! don't let the door hit you on your way out!

i'm the worst poster... mostly because i rarely upload my iphone... 

so here was my birthday weekend in pix:

my family was in town (sussy was shooting, BIL was working, ali is doing an internship at Redbook, and jaycob came to play) and, you know how we all love to huddle together like immigrants in my studio apt because no one wants to miss a party!

evie is thrilled about my "nursery" made with a bed sheet, two tacks and my kitchen/entryway...

the rest of us slept like this.... 5 adults, one baby and a dog... yowzah!

but we had a total blast and i was so grateful they made my birthday so special. 

i started with a bounty of gifts from my bestie, L. my girlfriends are the most incredibly generous gifters. they're all so thoughtful and i'm so grateful. 

my birthday fell on a sunday (blerg..) so we hit church in the am and wandered thru union square park and saw the sand, bubble, and bagpipe men. 

pretty sisters at norma's for brunch

because it was my birthday and i could justify this on no other day, i got the donut french toast filled with cheesecake, rolled in toasted coconut, and drizzled with ice cream and an orange grand marnier sauce.... outrageous. 

we sent up to the roof for a little game time and BIL, adam, raced down to empire cakes and snuck up the most delicious surprise cake. sussy and BIL are insanely thoughtful. 

i was in the ultimate sugar coma and we were at mid day. 

jaycob and i were sequence team mates. roof top game night is my favorite sunday eve tradition. 

later, we dined at DBGB ...

where subsy came to hang... and adam photobombed. 

the next day, we had my traditional bday party at the shake shack but it was a miserably dreary rainy night... thankfully the rain held, but we froze a little.. i was still so happy to see all my pals. i do have the greatest friends. 

evie girl and i loved the balloon cab ride.

even my fav laura came on her death bed and brought her classy tissues. 

MM & BT asked if i'd accept their bachelor roses (cause the party fell on a monday night). yes, fellas i'll accept both of you. polyandry is a game we all can play!

audra made the most amazing strawberry rhubarb (my FAVORITE combo) filled cupcakes. we all went crazy for them. 

i got to make another wish! hooray!

and play with my handsome men...

and stunning ladies. (sadly i didn't get to gather all my gals for a photo)

la and i posed for our honorary photo.

and all my friends and fam all made (another) wish for my birthday... listen, after this mess of a year, i can use all the help i can get!

and we sent those balloons into the gotham sky. 

 i had the best time!
i really couldn't have been happier to get rid of 30. that year really killed me...
31 is going to be great! i can't wait to see what's around the corner!