A Long December

On Friday night I got together with some of my Winnipeg pals--Lisa, Rob, Vince and Chris. We went to see the Cannes Lions commercials at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and then grabbed some food at Carlos and Murphy's. Since I started celebrating my birthday on December 2, this was my Grand Finale Celebration.

After eating we headed back to my place for cake and drinks. I had baked and decorated a cake for the occasion, which was apparently inconceivable to my friends. In fact, all week at work too people were shaking their heads at the concept. Well I ask you, just what was I supposed to do? I was celebrating my birthday. Birthdays call for cake and candles. I much prefer a homemade cake to a store bought one, so I baked one myself. I look after me. That's what I do.

I wasn't especially proud of the cake actually. I didn't really feel up to baking something from scratch so I used a box of Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip cake mix--my favourite. I also bought a can of icing, which I never ever do, but again, I wasn't feeling up to going through the whole production of making icing. I had to buy sprinkles so I went with the heart shaped ones. I had a vision of a very lovely cake but unfortunately, it turned out not nearly as pretty as it looked in my head. It worked.

Lisa told me I couldn't put the candles on myself so she did that. Then they were supposed to sing, but no one really wanted to start, so I think I started and then they joined in. I made my wish. It was a bad wish but it was the first thing that came to mind. And then I cut and served my cake.

Can I just comment here that I think I look especially happy here? And that is definitely a good hair day.

My friends were also reeling from my story about the piece of cake I took with me on my trip.

"I can't believe you brought your own cake, and a candle, with you to New York. Why didn't you bring matches too?" someone said.

"Well I wasn't really sure what the rules were for packing lighters and stuff so I just assumed that NYF would have something there or that I'd find something to use."

In the end, if you recall, it was a good thing I did have that piece of cake with me or I would not have had any cake, presents or cards on my actual birthday, and that would have been a little sad.

All said and done, it was good to be home with my pals again. Mostly the guys just teased me mercilessly about one thing or another (it's because they love you, Jillian). Thank goodness Lisa was there. In total, during my week of birthday celebrations I had six pieces of birthday cake and ate pizza five times (in a row!). I love my birthday, but I think I'm done with it for a while now. Thanks to everyone who was a part of it or who sent their best wishes. Please come back next year!

And its been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
--Counting Crows, A Long December