On a Winning Streak

Last weekend, February 18^th through 20^th, Meli and I each won a family poker game, me at my sister Rebbi's house, and Meli at my house. That weekend between I won a seventy-two dollar first prize and Meli won a fourty-five dollar first prize for a combined cash total of one hundred and seventeen dollars. I was so excited, and last week I was going to post about that, but didn't finish writing and now I have more to say.

This Friday, February 25^th Rebbi and Brad, Rebbi's husband, had another poker night, with two games, one starting at 6:00 and one at 10:00, and I won the first game. By the time it was over, all but Niva, who came in second place, and I were playing in the second game. Niva and I were content to just watch this one. I won three dollars more that night than I won the week before. To celebrate I bought Melissa and myself breakfast at little breakfast diner Saturday, and later that night we sharred tea and espresso cake with a friend at our favorite cafe, the Dragonfly Coffee Company. It's funny, I say I do certain things with my winnings, like save it, or pay bills, but instead I end up spending my winnings celebrating that I won, and having a generally good time in the process, which is okay with me. I'll just keep my day job to pay bills and save up, for now. I feel proud of winning at Rebbi and Brad's House twice in a row, because to me it says that I have the skills to turn a little luck into a winning night.

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines day has just passed, and I had a good one. Meli and I went out and saw a romantic movie in the theatre. Meli bought me chocolates. I bought her a burrito. These weren't just any chocolates and burrito though, it was a very fine assortment of luxurious truffles, and a delicious, fresh, grilled, veggie burrito. Afterwards we went home and watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and played some Katamari Damacy while snuggling on the couch, sipping hot tea, and nibbling on those rich assorted truffles.

There are things that we need and there are things that we want. In the realm of the latter, Meli has been bringing to my attention a certain butterfly necklace for a few weeks now. Meli says things like, "this necklace is so beautiful, don't you think it would look so good on me?" and "Look! It's only $69.⁹⁹! That's so cheap. Don't you want to buy it for me right now?" When she first mentioned it to me I really wanted to order it right away. I would honestly love to , but I can't afford it right now. She knows this and understands that I didn't buy her anything extravagant for Valentines Day. We still had a very romantic evening, with lots of hugs, snuggles, and kisses to celebrate the holiday. I hope you had a lovely valentines day as well.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Last thursday was my birthday, and it was a good one. Meli has been waiting to get me back. For her last birthday I suprised her big time, and she was looking to do the same to me. She succeeded. We planned a romantic dinner for eachother for the night of my birthday. As it was drawing closer, I suspected something was up, because the plans seemed to be set in stone. I asked, "are you sure you don't want to eat at 5:30 instead of 6:30?"

"No, no, no," she replied, shaking her head and smiling." I knew something was up, she had been sneaking around to make phone calls and asking me to leave the room often so she could have "privacy" durring discussions with others at work. I thought I knew what it was. I thought Meli's family, and Carly, our friend and co-worker, would suprise me by showing up, but I wasn't sure if it was going to be for dinner, or when I got home to celebrate after dinner.

Then it happened. Dinner time rolled around, we got in the car to drive to India Palace, our favorite restraunt, and Meli gets a mysterious phone call, "um, wrong number," she says, but I know what's going on, or so I think. As I open the door, I am suprised more that I could have imagined. Sitting at the far side of the restraunt are my family. It was so special to have them all celebrate me. Everyone who lived near was there, and I was in for another suprise, because my brother, Eldon, sister Rebi, and her husband Brad, were on their way, driving two hours to suprise me. Unfortunately they were late, but thay are some of my favorite people in this world, and I was exctatic to greet them

We had a wonderful night, after opening gifts we sang duets on Karaoke Revolution for the first time thanks to Melissa who bought me a second microphone for it. The very next night my siblings and our signifigant others all got together and played poker from evening until early morning, which is one of our favorite things to do. We make it a small tournament, usually with $5 or less to buy in, and set prizes for 1^st, 2^nd, and sometimes 3^rd place. The way we look at it, its hours of fun and cheaper than going out. I really love hanging out with them.

Amung the microphone and other girts I recieved the one I've spent the most time with is my Pearl Blue GBA SP that Meli gave me along with Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls in which I've finished playing through part one already. I've really enjoyed. One last gift that I've spent a lot of time with is Katamari Damacy which is the most simple, elegant, addicting, and hillarious game I've ever played. It is one game that people of all skill levels can learn and enjoy easily. Melissa's parents gave this to me, and I am so happy to finally have my own copy.

In reflection, this birthday was special in many ways. I've never had any kind of suprise party thrown in my honor ever until this day. I was so happy to see my family as we are often busy and don't get together very often. I just felt all warm and fuzzy to know that so many people were celebrating me this one time. Thinking about it I feel like I am floating on a cloud. It was the best birthday ever. Thank you everyone.