Birthday Week!

That's right everybody, today is my birthday. That makes a whole 19 years today! It's been a fabulous past week, with today and yesterday just the cherry on top. Disclaimer: a whole slew of pictures and videos coming your way. Possibly twice as much as usual. Let's get started!

Monday night's FHE may have gotten a little out of hand...it started out innocent, then took a turn for the worst when the matches were brought out. We were celebrating Kyle's birthday, so we had candles on the cake and decided to break the rules and light them.

After that, Zach was showing us this trick:

Next, Genevieve was so lady-like and graceful and did this...

Then I suppose I shouldn't have mentioned my flying fire trick...but I did. So they attempted it...key word: attempt.

Then they let the pro step in...ahem...me (: I gave Zach my phone to record it, and found this little video that I love. Genevieve cracks me up, and Zach's laugh is the best.

Then here I go, got it. Flying fire.

 Like how Sam would hide behind the chair? Smart boy.

 Chantelle tried to redeem herself and do the trick properly, but it back-fired on her...literally. The match flew backwards and burnt her pants, as you can see by the little brown spot. Our floor has some of those brown spots as well! Good thing we live in the old, run-down heritage..no one will ever notice.

 Sarah always surprises me with random little drawings. These were drawn with the burnt matches.

 cute girls.

Lots of sweets. We ended up having two cakes for Kyle, because Joe and I both made one without the other knowing. Then the lemon balls were our activity. Sugar overload!!

Wow. Only one day down! We're just getting started.
Ok, on to Tuesday. Nothing much happened, just work and class! The usual.
Wednesday.
Me and my main girl Kaitlyn judged the regional's STAR events. Remember that thing that got me a trip to Florida? That's what it was! This time I was on the other side of the table and was judging instead of presenting. It was really fun!
Me and Kaitlyn judged the Fashion Design category. We got to see people's clothing and designs that they'd made. It was a blast, but we found ourselves getting really invested into these girls. We just want them to do well! It was weird.
Here's a video, because I'm randomly really into taking videos. It's fun to just capture normal parts of my day and watch them later. So here you go. We may have slacked off a little bit on our judging duties in between girls...

If you're getting sick of videos, then don't watch that one. It's pointless really.

This picture cracks me up. I promise she wasn't trying to do a pterodactyl hand, she was doing a peace sign and I caught her just as she was bringing it down. So funny.
I got home and me and Genevieve decided we wanted to show Jean how to make out because her boyfriend's coming next week.

We're such good roommates.
At work, I trained two new employees. They really got on my nerves, which isn't easy to do, but they managed to alright! Hopefully things get better.

Thursday morning woke up bright and early to go take my American Heritage test. Probably the hardest test I've ever taken, that's not an exaggeration. History and politics have always been my worst subjects--I never know what's going on or what they're even talking about. Then this class puts those two subjects together, and I'm doomed. Luckily I didn't do too horrible...but my lowest test score I've had in a long long long time, that's for sure.
Next I walked to donate plasma. Well, I'm not sure if it's donating because they give you $30, so selling plasma is more like it.
Unfortunately for me, my veins are about as big as a hair...or at least is seems like it. I went through a whole physical, multiple finger pricks and tests, and got stabbed with the biggest needle I've ever seen in both arms, all for nothing because they thought my veins were good enough. They're definitely not.

 My double-bandaged arms.

My two finger pricks, which surprisingly enough hurt a ton more than you'd think. These two fingers are out of commission, except when it comes to making peace signs.
Last but not least, a battle wound, which oddly enough only happened in one arm...

Luckily for me, the people still payed me, even though they weren't able to get my plasma. So I'd still say it was worth it. Also, I got to practice being brave when it comes to shots and needles. A little more practice than I'd like, but it's ok!
After class I went to work, and that's the end of that day.

Friday after class, me and Genevieve rode the bus to TJ Maxx! So much fun. First time shopping in a long long time, so I'm proud of myself for lasting so long.

 Matching glittery vests.

After that, we went to a retirement home for a Valentines dance to dance with all the residents! It was adorable. The boys were so sweet and would dance with the ladies in wheel chairs, like so:

The place was hoppin.

Now normally, I don't like posting about bad stuff. But certain events led the majority of Friday night to become a tearful one, to say the least. The only reason I'm sharing this is just to because of how the people around me reacted--my roommates are incredible. They know just how to cheer me up, give me the longest heartfelt hugs, and comfort me. My mom listens to me over the phone and always hears me out, then gives great advice. Through a bad night came a good one, because I just felt so grateful for everyone's love around me. How could I be sad with all that??
So around 11 pm, things were looking better and Genevieve convinced me to come play basketball with a big group of our friends out on the snowy court. It was crazy, but just what I needed. Turned out to be the funnest game of basketball I think I've ever played. Loved it!
We got home, and I took another video of basically nothing, just us chilling.

Saturday morning Tanner, Mia, and I decorated Valentines with the rest of the mentors/mentees

Love them. When picking Mia up, she answers the door then yells up to her mom, "Mom! My Tessa is here!!" Melted my heart a little bit.

I came home to a surprise party!!
A whole bunch of my friends were over, and my roommates had decorated and made waffles and pancakes. It was so sweet and nice of them, I loved it!!

 The cute decorations in our kitchen (not pictured: streamers on our ceiling)

 The gang out in the lobby, which was also decorated! They outdid themselves.

 Love them all! (not pictured: Challie and Megan because they had to leave early, and Riley and Kyle, because they came late.)

 Love my pear pear!!

 After we were done eating, we lowered a paper chain to use as our net, and played volleyball with the balloons. It was fun.
Next, we played "suck and blow." I don't know who's idea this was, but it was interesting! Basically you pass a card around a circle using your mouths by sucking and blowing. It was my first time, and I could not stop laughing. Seriously, I don't know what my deal was.

My hair looks a little weird in this ^^...I'm just hoping it doesn't look like this all the time. And if it does, I seriously wonder how I have friends. (;

Once I quit, they were really flying.

And yes, Chantelle and Riley did kiss on accident once (or maybe on purpose..?). It's risky business. And you better believe that card was so wet after this! Lots of slobber.

At around 4, some flowers came for me! (:

 My first time ever getting flowers, and they're gorgeous! Made me so happy. Big thank you to my California family! (:

Pari and Arianna convinced me to go snowboarding with them. My first time ever!!

 We had a pretty drive up the canyon to Sundance

We got down to business, and for the cheap price of $30 (yayy!), I got to rent all the equipment and ride!
My first feat was getting off the ski lift and riding down the little hill! After much warning that I would surely fall, I was freaking out. But then I didn't fall...so that was nice! Pretty sure it was beginners luck. But still. (:

You could hear my squealing from a mile away, pretty sure.
Next I headed down the mountain! Here's my first little bit riding:

I got much, much better. Don't worry. Second time down, it was night and day difference! I LOVE snowboarding. (:

 The whole group

 Taking a selfie while waiting for the rest of the group at the bottom of the mountain. Sorry for the half smile, I was trying to be as inconspicuous as possible!

 Taking pictures on the ski lift never really worked out! Funny story with this one, I showed Pari it, and her response is, "Oh let's take a new one, that one's blurry." Me: "...And I'm not even in the picture..." hahah it was really funny. She was busy looking at herself (;

Another failed lift picture. The light behind us was no good!

I came home to this beautiful cake from my visiting teachers. So thoughtful! And delicious. (:
At midnight I got a call from my good friend Mark telling me to come outside so he and "the crew" could sing happy birthday to me. They sang and it was super sweet of them! Then Riley came out of nowhere and dumped a whole trashcan of snow on me. Should've seen it coming, they're never that nice! (;

So it's hard to believe that Saturday wasn't even my birthday...totally felt like it! But no.

I went to sleep and woke up on my actual birthday, and made myself birthday pancakes.

 I'm proud of them. I've been waiting to use these long, gorgeous candles for a long time. I'm obsessed with them.

 After I dug into it.

I had to recruit help to eat them!
Church was fabulous. Like always. Got sung to at ward prayer, had my home teachers come over, and lots of facebook, text, and in person birthday wishes. It means the world to me!! Thank you to everyone who contributed to make me feel so loved. Such a great week (: