When I Grow Up I Want to Be…

As I child, I had a lot of aspirations to be something great. My mind was forever changing, one day I wanted to be a police officer, the next the President of the United States. No matter what profession I dreamed of becoming a part of, there was always a pattern. Every single job; firefighter, baseball player, princess, president, nurse, vet, police officer, designer, etc, every… single… job, has one MAJOR thing in common. Can you guess it? Every single one of them, to me, was a possibility. I never looked at something and thought to myself, “Well I could never be that, that’s not possible for me.” For that I have my parents to thank.

I grew up in a home where I was very fortunate to have two loving caring parents who from the day I was born told me to follow my dreams and be whomever I wanted to be. Sounds like the start to a Disney movie, I know. They instilled the idea of hope and possibility. My first job aspiration was to be the first female president. Now that I’m older I realize how un-fit for the presidency I would be, but as a kid, I wanted to be her. I wanted to be Madam President. I wanted to live in the White House with my First Husband (the male equivalent of the First Lady, not that I planned on divorcing and re-marrying). I was going to run around the grand hallways naked all day long, a weird yet equally important aspiration to my 4 year old self, and paint everything pink, also a phase that I am glad to have grown out of. I was going to create world peace and spread love and laughter. I was going to be amazing.

I was going to be a baseball player. As a kid I would throw around the ball with my dad and feel as though I was ripping my arm right out of its socket. Proud was just the beginning of how I felt every time the ball left my fingertips. I was the best baseball player there was. I felt as though my 90 mile and hour fastball was my sure fire ticket onto the SF Giants. There was no way I wouldn’t be the first female MLB player… I just had one problem… I couldn’t hit… or catch.

I was going to be a princess. Dresses? Pink? (again, just a phase! phew!) Sparkles? Ponies? (Remember I’m in my dreams.) A castle? Sign me up! However, I realized that princesses are supposed to be proper, whereas I giggled anytime someone passed gas or burped. Princesses are supposed to be clean, and yet I enjoyed running through puddles and mud. Princesses are supposed to marry the prince, and I always rooted for the common man, the peasant, the baker, the everyman, the underdog. 

I was going to be a witch. Yes there was a time in my life, around the age of 6 when I found a huge obsession with the ideas of spells, black cats, and cloaks. My love for halloween and the realization that my super curly crazy hair was that out of a storybook led me to feel like the part was made for me. I wanted to be a witch. However, for the first time, I stopped and thought about it. Witches are not real. I can not be a witch. That was the day I realized there were limitations to my aspirations… or so I thought.

Years go by and I loose interest in discovering what and who I want to be. I live in the moment and work on school, soccer, friendships, earning money (chore money), etc. I was happy. Then as I start middle school a P.E. teacher of mine asked if I wanted to help record the school play. Agreeing out of interest in not having to run another mile, I signed up. That was the day my faith was restored. I just didn’t know it at the time.

I met with my teacher after school along with another girl from my P.E. class. My teacher taught us all about how to work the video cameras and how to reset the tapes. He told us that we cant talk while recording because the microphones will pick up our every movement and murmur. It all just came naturally to me, and since my older brother was in the band for the play, I felt as thought this was finally my opportunity to get involved with something greater than just me. I was going to be working alongside my brother, my idol. 

The show passed and so did many more to come, each and every one I volunteered to record and edited the videos together. I was slowly but surely fell in love. Let me be perfectly clear, this love was not what I thought I would have to show for a first love, and yet it was just that. I was in love with film. I loved the idea that every single story and moment was captured forever on some tiny tape, yes tape, that’s how old I was. That’s when I realized something I never had before. Memories of my 6 year old self wanting to be, but realizing I could never be a witch came screaming back to me. I could be a witch. I could be president. I could be a police office, a baseball player, a princess, and a restaurant owner. I could be anything I wanted to be. Art, film, storytelling, it’s all a way to capture the best, worst, most creative, most inspiring, or insightful parts of life. It opened my eyes and allowed me to express myself and be anything and anyone I wished to be. I could be that firefighter. I could play the damsel in distress, or the warrior. I could be and do anything I wanted. Once again I was free. 

As I child, I had a lot of aspirations to be something great.

As an adult, I have a lot of aspirations to be something greater. 

When I grow up, I want to be . . . simply me.

STORY: A Patient Man

              I would like to tell you a short story about a very patient man, my dad. THE BEST DAD EVER!

        
       At 2am I sauntered downstairs with a killer migraine and asked my dad if he could massage my head and neck to get rid of the pain. Without hesitation he agrees, even though he was just about to head off to bed. We talked for a few minutes about infomercials (the current focus of the muted tv in front of us) before moving on to the topic of real estate and house flipping only to somehow end up in a conversation about the stock market.

        [Keep in mind, I know close to nothing when it comes to the stock market other than what I've learned from a little Scorsese film titled "The Wolf of Wall Street"... great film, but that's not pertinent to this story.]

        Now it's 2:35am and at this point I'm asking a hundred questions a minute and my dad is patient enough to help me understand and grasp the general concepts of the market and how the New York Stock Exchange functions. I've never really showed an interest in things like the stock market before, and yet; whether it be the time of morning, or the migraine that I am now unknowingly numb to, I was beyond entranced by the ethics and intricacies of the NYSE. 

        It's now 3:30am, and my father and I have been discussing the stock market for a little over an hour. All the while he has been massaging my migraine away and teaching me more than he probably realizes.

        I want to say THANK YOU to my dad for not only staying up past your bedtime to help your grown daughter get rid of her migraine, but for being willing and excited to share your knowledge and wisdom with the same ears that as an adolescent tuned you out. Thank you for not giving up on teaching me new things. I know as a kid I was hard to understand and rarely wanted to be taught a lesson from my parents, but you always are eager and ready to share life with me. Thank you for being such an amazing father and role model. I love you dad!

        (Side note, I NEVER thought I would be able to say that I diluted a migraine by partaking in an hour and a half discussion about the stock market... But it worked!)

        Now I'm off to bed to dream about DiCaprio scamming his way to the top of the financial world only to be mauled by a bear and a giant iceberg.... wait...

        Love Always,

        kirsten nicole huxtable

A New Kirsten Nicole Huxtable (KNH)

Firstly, Hello there!

Okay, moving on... Let me start by explaining what it is I mean by “A New KNH”. I have not gone through some major transformation (ie; makeover, weight, career, etc), although I hope to soon. Rather I have decided to start blogging again, but with more ME. If that doesn’t make sense I’ll try to explain it further. 

On my blog, that you are reading currently, I used to have something called “Monday Morning Mumbles” where I would talk about anything (lighthearted) I desired, but only on Mondays. I also had a semi-weekly Wednesday post dealing with fashion called, “On Wednesdays We Wear...”. Then there were the random posts that had not a theme nor spot to go. I was so swept up with creating categories and pages and files where you, the reader, could find each specific post. Then I realized, part of the reason I lost interest in blogging was because I had created rules and boundaries that I was forcing myself to follow. But I don’t want to confine myself to one thing.

I acknowledge the fact that I am much more inclined to write and share my life and stories if I don’t feel as though it’s an obligation. I made it seem too much like work, and not enough like a fun hobby (which is what I want it to be and what I know it can be). I already have a job, I don’t need another (just yet)... I want this, I want KNH to be my getaway, my happy place, or one of them at least. (Unfortunately I can’t be in Disneyland all the time, so I have to create and find other “happy places” for me to dwell. haha.)

Anyways, that is what I mean by “New”. The content will be more geared towards whatever I feel like writing about, I could talk about fashion 200 days out of the year or 0 days. I could share a recipe one day and a DIY the next. I can squeal about how much I love the newest film, or share a short story I wrote in High School. Whatever I do, I’m making it much more me.

Expect more posts, more fun, more randomness, and far far less boundaries. It’s time to explore the possibilities of a NEW KNH! 

To being true to you!

Cheers!

Love Always,

Kirsten Nicole Huxtable

P.S. If you would like to read my old blog posts, they are still up on the sight, however they are now filed under "The Old KNH" and are listed by date. (I'll never be able to stop organizing completely.)

Well Then . . .

Welcome to TWENTY - FIFTEEN!!! 

This isn't a new thing, it's been 2015 for approximately 15 days now, so if this comes as a surprise to anyone, I suggest you call someone who can help you.

Now I have no idea where this year will lead me, and I've decided to forego the concept of "new years resolutions" because a lot of times I choose tasks to large to complete in a mere year. Instead I chose to create a list of goals. Yes, those sound screamingly similar, except my list of goals don't hit completion at the end of the 365 days that are 2015. Instead these are lifelong goals that I want to start making more prominent in my life. It's a way to prioritize myself towards the life I want to live.

So here it is, my list of lifelong goals that I am putting into action starting NOW:

GOALS

1. Be Healthy
    (probably a pretty common one in most people's books)
2. Move
    (always keep myself in motion; whether that be via exercise, 
     career goals, or simply location)
3. Be Happy
    (probably the hardest on my list, but I strive to find something 
     good in every day)
4. Try New Things
    (nothing but knowledge can come out of new things)
5. Be There
    (for family, friends, or strangers... be more present)
6. Write More
    (I would like to, once again, find beauty in the written word)
7. Believe
    (believe in myself, believe in others, believe in love, 
     believe in pain, believe in monsters, believe in magic,
     believe in something greater)

Keep in mind that this list will grow. I have my entire life to follow through with these goals, I only hope to find pleasure in them sooner than later. 

I wonder...

If you could create a list of things that would help you live the life you've always dreamed of, what would you put on it? Or maybe you are living your dream life. What do you do to maintain peace of mind, heart, and soul?

Always,
Kirsten Nicole Huxtable

Talk with KNH - Depression

When I start to think about writing another blog post I often find myself with the dilemma of what to write about. I over think EVERYTHING and therefore write nothing. 

I don’t know how to write a professional blog or really what I’m doing at all right now, but that will not stop me from trying to communicate with you. So instead of a topic of beauty, fashion, trips, sorority, or anything else, I will just talk to you. Now I’m not saying that I will never discuss the other topics specified, but I need to find a way to help you get to know me better and help me find myself within my blog.

So for today I want to just talk to you like a friend and let you know what’s been going on in my life. I’m going to back up a bit to show you how I came to be who I am right now, typing on this computer. 

(Incorporated into this blogpost will be some of my favorite photographs and artwork. These pieces really resonated with me during the darkest depths of my depression.)

WARNING 

The below is a very honest and true conversation that is hard for me to share. If you feel uncomfortable at any time then please click away, I wont be hurt if you don't read then entire thing. This information is not to make you feel bad for me, but to help others out there who are going through some of the same things. I want to help others find solace in the fact that they are not alone. This will be longer then most of my other posts, but I really want you to understand who I am and why I am here.

Talk with Kirsten Nicole Huxtable:

A little under two years ago (October 2012 to be exact) I came to the realization that I was not happy. Now I’m not talking about the kind of sadness you get when you fail a test (of which I’ve had my fair share of) or when you stub your toe (also of which happens all too frequently in my life). I am talking about depression. I feel as though this word gets tossed around too often in everyday life. People claim that they are depressed and they very well may be, but a lot of the times what people perceive as depression is just the everyday broken heart or bad day.

I started to realize that I was loosing myself. I stopped creating and watching films (of which is one of my greatest passions and loves in life), I found myself never leaving my room, sleeping immense hours of the day, and never wanting to be around people. I even had the occasional thought of “What would happen if I was no longer here?” I was never suicidal. I never got close to doing anything that could harm myself, however I will not deny that I occasionally wondered about a lot of aspects of life and death that I had never ventured into prior.

As a kid growing up I felt “normal” (whatever that means). I never showed signs of depression and neither did any of my family, so when I came to the idea of depression during my sophomore year at university, I passed it aside. I gave it not a second nod. Then I started to really notice that I was deteriorating. 

Photograph by Christian Hopkins

(Let me fill you in on one key item that I have yet to mention. Leaving high school I was heavier than most girls but not by too much, but my insecurities with myself and bad habits led to weight gain and soon enough I felt like an elephant. This was one of the more influential triggers for my depression)

I was deteriorating and I could actually see it happening. I had just joined an amazing sorority and yet I was far from ready to be social. I rarely got out of the house and when I did I hid behind sweatshirts and false smiles. Every day seemed forced and each morning it was harder and harder to get out of bed. Food stopped tasting and I found little comfort in anything.

One night whilst filming a video for my YouTube channel I got a call from my mother. As I talked to her about how I was feeling I realized I had yet to turn off my camera. I had accidentally logged the moment I came to grips with the fact that I had depression. And what really shocked me was that my mother shared her struggles with depression that I never knew about. Now I will probably never post the video footage, but I look back on it to remind me of where I was. Still when I look back on the video I can not identify the girl on screen. She was a wreck and sad, and that is one thing I never wanted to be. So I used that video footage as motivation to get better and find help. But I don't hate that girl. I never look at her in disgust or anger... instead I view that part of my life as something I had to go through. Without that moment, I may have never come upon the realization that I needed help.

Photograph by Christian Hopkins

The next week I met with a doctor on campus who informed me to make an appointment with my doctor at home as soon as possible because she believed I had depression. I drove home that weekend and met with my doctor who talked to me for a good hour asking me questions like, “Do you like yourself right now?”, “Do you enjoy being around people?”, “When was the last time you felt like your old self?” and “Why do you think you stopped doing what makes you happy?” I’m not going to lie, I started to cry during my session with her because she made it very clear to me and my mom that I was suffering from depression. I was prescribed pills and sent home with information on people I could talk to.

* I want to make a side-note. I know there is a lot of bad stigma attached to therapy and doctors and prescriptions, but just FUCK the people that think like that! Seriously. Don't let anybody laugh at you for wanting to get help. Don't let anyone tell you it's stupid or wont work. The only way to know if something or someone can help you, is if you try. The people who truly love you will stick with you. *

Fast Foreword to July 2013:

Around July (2013) I thought I had my depression under control and would be fine leaving the pills. I told my mom that I had been having troubles remembering to take my medication and that I felt as though I would be fine sans medical help. So we called my doctor and got permission to stop my medication. 

* If you have ANY medication needs ALWAYS consult your doctor before taking or stopping any medication. *

Photograph by Christian Hopkins

I am, still to this day, not on anything but oxygen and it feels good, however there are some days that I wonder if I would be better off back on my medication. I can't promise that I will feel up to hanging out with people all the time, or going to critic the latest blockbuster... but I know that I am doing okay. And as of right now, okay is good enough for me.

To those of you with family members going through depression or something like this, my advice to you is BE THERE. I don't mean literally all the time, because let's face it that can be terrifying, but just let the person know that if they need a shoulder to cry on, an ear drum to rupture, or a person to hug, that you can be that for them. If they are introverted like I am, then surrounding them with constant verbal worry and shielding from family and friends may not be the best idea. For me, what really helped me gain a part of myself back was the realization that I was not being who I wanted to be. So I had to fight for who I desired to be.

I am a firm believer that nobody can pull someone else out of depression. You can have a support system (which I believe is very important). You can have an amazing doctor with medication through the roof. BUT ULTIMATELY... You have to do it yourself. So if you have depression, don't be scared if you don't feel better in a day, a week, or even a month. Things like this take time. You just have to start to search for the little things that make you happy and focus on those.

Photograph by Christian Hopkins

For example, I decided to start a YouTube channel back in March of 2013 because I loved watching videos that certain content creators produced and I wanted to try my hand at it as well. I love videography and creating content where I can connect with an audience. That's why I do it. The more I learned about the power of people and positive thought, I realized there were a bunch of communities just like YouTube out there where I could work on my continual search to find myself. So I started this blog.

I am continually facing one the hardest obstacles in my life so far, depression, and now I am ready to climb another wall. I want to find myself and sometimes the best way to do that is to throw yourself into something you have never done before. I’m jumping overboard because there is no other way to tell if I will swim or sink.

Before I end this post I wanted to post a video that I found circling around facebook that really hit home for me. I am so proud of Kevin Breel for what he is doing. Depression is not a thing to be ashamed of. It's hard to admit that we have it, but with help from people around you; family, friends, strangers... we can create a better world. Please take the time to really watch and understand what this brilliant man has to say, it will change lives.

This has been a long and out of norm post, but I wanted you to learn a tid bit about me and why I started this blog.  "Kirsten Nicole Huxtable” stands for something. KNH (as I like to call it) is named such not just because it is my name, but because it’s my diary of self-discovery. And I'm bring you all along for the ride.

If you want to chat, ask me anything, or voice your opinion, do not hesitate to comment below and I will try to get back to you.

Thanks for sticking with this post and I will see you next time.

Love Always,

Kirsten Nicole Huxtable

21 Ideas for Your 21st Birthday

I’m of legal drinking age (21) . . . but my best friend is currently planning her 21st birthday as we speak. Helping her plan her birthday extravaganza reminds me of how I felt last year when I was struggling to find something to do for my 21st birthday.

On my old (retired) blog I wrote a little post about some options for what to do on your 21st birthday. And I feel like it’s time to share that over here on KNH. So without further ado, here's today's Monday Morning Mumbles:

"My 21st birthday is fast approaching, it’s less than 2 weeks away.

I’ve been racking my brain for the past month (with no prevail) trying to figure out the perfect birthday plans to celebrate my 21st birthday. So today I sat down and tried to figure out what I wanted to do for this pinnacle in life. 

Now before you all say the same word; “VEGAS” let me tell you a bit about myself.

I decided from a young age that a successful social life was not very important to me. I would much rather focus on my school work than hang out with the 'cool kids' at the biggest party of the year. (Now don’t go thinking I had no friends, my invisible friend Beth and I had plenty of fun together) On a serious note, I was not a complete hermit, but I never really found myself feeling at home within large crowds or huge parties. 

When I entered college there were parties abound. Every night, even on school nights, there were parties. There were Jersey Shore ragers and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show kickbacks. No matter your hobby, there was a party catered to you. Even with so many outlets for drinking, I never got into the whole party scene. I much more preferred my movies, books and art. 

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am not a drinker, and nor do I really want my 21st birthday party catered around drinking, especially since when I turn 21, most of my friends will still be underage. (Update: I did not center my 21st around alcohol and it was great. I had a simple dinner with my parents in Napa and then a few weeks later went to Disneyland to celebrate with a Zombie Frost (unbelievably good))

After hours upon hours of searching for ideas, I have compiled a list of 21 things to do for your 21st birthday that DON’T involve alcohol. 

For those of you who do drink, that’s fine! I don’t condone underage drinking, but I can’t deny that some of my favorite people in the world do it. I don’t judge or think I am any better for not drinking, it’s just a choice I made. This list is complied to help others who don’t drink or don’t want to drink on their 21st birthday find something fun to do."

21 Ideas For Your 21st Birthday

1. Bowling

I know I know. This sounds super lame and lets face it, we have all done this for a birthday party. Even if it was just a friends party when you were 7, the bowling idea is getting worn out. However, sometimes things that we let go of as a young kid we underestimate as adults. So bowling may seem lame or too slow paced for you, well have you checked if your bowling alley has night bowling? The bowling alley near my house offers $15 night time bowling where there is upbeat club-esque music, huge music video screens and neon lights.

And can we also admit that anything when done with the right group of people can be a fun time. So don’t rule out the bowling lanes until you have taken a good look into your options for events and guest list.

2. Go to the Cinema

Take a look at your nearest movie theater and figure out if there are any films that catch your eye. This may seem like a very traditional move for a birthday party, but don’t underestimate the power of a good film. 

For my 18th birthday party I wanted to take a group of my friends to see the film Love, & Other Drugs with Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal (because of Hathaway, of course). Anyways, one of my friends was not allowed to see the film because she was 16 and her parents vetoed the movie. At first I was really upset because I had my sights set on that film, but then I was eased into the idea of going to see Disney’s Tangled. 

Yes that is a “little kid film” and yes I did LOVE IT. I decided to go all out and just be a goofy kid again. So we bought the plastic table cloth and cups and had a blast. We may or may not have also decided to purchase some Tangled temporary tattoos and cover our faces with them before the movie.

Again like so many other party ideas it really just depends on the people you invite. Due to my amazing friends this night was a blast and we even stopped to take a few photos with Justin Bieber, who we came across in the Cinema.

3. Travel to the City (the nearest big city to you)

For me this means San Francisco, but Los Angeles is only a 6 hour drive away, so that’s not out of the picture quite yet. I may actually take this advice and drive to a large city near me. If you live in an area like I do then you don’t have much around you but farm fields and grocery stores. 

Taking a drive to the city can bring so much joy. In large cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles you will find, great food, shopping, theaters, activities, art, culture, dinning, nightlife, and so much more. Even if you don’t know what to do in the big city, get together with 3-4 of your best friends, take the trip and see what happens.

4. Poker or Game Night

Game nights or Poker nights can be a whole lot of fun. Money doesn’t always need to be involved either. If you and your friends aren’t into betting with money then use candy or a point system. If you use a point system, then you can decide what the values are for each point.

For example, you could say that for every 5 points a person earns they get to do something to the other players(ie; face paint, put makeup on, do their nails, eat odd food, etc.) So if there are 3 people playing and “Person A” has won 15 points, “Person B” won 9 points, and “Person C” won 7 points then you can say that Person A gets to do 3 things to the player of their choosing, while both “Person B” and “C” can only do one thing to the player of their choice.

I know that sounded really confusing, it does to me too, but I think you get the idea. Sometimes it’s just fun to be competitive during a friendly game of poker.

5. Go Clubbing

"But Kirsten this is a list of non-alcoholic activities!” Yes I know! Now while a majority of people that go to clubs also enjoy the alcoholic beverages, that doesn’t mean you have to.

Sometimes it’s just nice to get all dolled up, go out with your friends, and dance to some beat dropping music. Some clubs have a drink limit or an age limit, so be mindful, if some of your friends are not of age yet, then you will want to stay with the 18 and up clubs. If you are not a club goer (like myself) then there are still 16 more things that you may like on this list.

6. Attend a Show (Theater, Comedian, etc.)

This may seem odd or expensive, but if you enjoy the occasional musical or comedy show then this can be a really fun thing to do for your 21st Birthday. While a lot of shows are rather expensive, there are certain shows that you can see that are within the $25-$50 range that are just as good. Also most comedy clubs are not that expensive and are so much fun to be a part of. Just check the areas near you for the upcoming shows.

However, just like the clubs, be mindful, some comedy shows do have a minimum drink limit and if you are trying to have a sober 21st then you need to watch for that. Just call the venue or research online to see if that pertains to their show.

7. Go Ice Skating

This activity is highly underrated. Nobody really takes all of their friends to an ice skating rink for their birthdays. “Ew Exercise?” Even though this may seem like an ankle hurting, but numbingly painful way to spend a birthday it is a whole lot of fun. 

I have probably had about 4 birthdays at the local ice skating rink. Now I am by no means a great ice skater. I can go forewords and turn with some speed but thats about it. Some people are born to be on the ice and can twirl and skate backwards, but if you are not one of those people, then sometimes it’s just fun to make a fool of yourself. 

Plus a lot of times there are handsome strong men that work the ice skating rink and they get paid to help you up if you fall. I may have even payed a friend $5 to do a hard core fall right in front of the cute worker that she could not stop talking about, just so he would help her up. What a waste of $5. I got nothing but an empty pocket, she got the money and the cute guy... fail on my part.

8. Go to the Beach

I myself am not a huge beach person, however I do appreciate good times in the sand with friends. If you are like me and don’t normally go in the water at the beach then think of it this way; you can bring a beach towel or blanket, have a nice picnic lunch, bring some sports equipment and have fun.

Beaches are so beautiful and full of activities. You can bring a football, soccer ball, volleyball, frisbee, dog (with tennis ball), etc. A lot of times we are forced to create the fun ourselves, so even if you aren’t totally keen on the beach birthday idea, let it marinade in your mind for a few days and then decide.

9. Attend a Sporting Event

Do I really need to explain this?

A lot of sporting events such as football can be rather money consuming, but that doesn’t mean all are. Baseball is one sport, while not in season currently, that is very fun and often pretty cheep, depending on the seats. Plus can we all just admit that ballpark food is half the reason we attend sporting events? Even if the food is rather pricey. Oh garlic fries...

10. Finally See that Concert You’ve Been Waiting for

This is your chance. If your friends have been refusing to go to the concert of the year with you then you now have the excuse that it’s your 21st birthday! Go out with your girls (or guys) and celebrate the night with some music, dancing, and fun. You could even go out to dinner before and then drive to the concert while blasting your favorite tunes. Get ready to sing at the top of your lungs because this night is about to a blast!

11. Have a BBQ and Pool Party

Do you have a pool? A friend with a pool? Either way most of us can find someplace to have a backyard pool party with a BBQ lunch. One of my favorite days of my college career was when my best friend and I went to play tennis, then decided to go get burgers, chips, watermelon, and soda and make a BBQ dinner. It was amazing to say the least. We topped off the night with ice cream from the local creamery and some movies (Cloverfield and Fame) at night.

It was so nice to have a full BBQ night. And food always tastes better when you work really hard to make it. So find the person with the most skills on the grill and start your BBQ pool party. It will be a splash!!!! (Too cheesy?)

12. Get all Fancy and Go to a Formal Dinner

I don’t know about you, but me and my friends love to get all dolled up and go somewhere fancy. We even break out our handbags which we have named “Michael”(Michael Kors) and “Bourke” (Dooney & Bourke). Okay too much info. haha. 

Anyways... It’s a blast to take out that little black dress you swore you would wear, those nude heels and a statement necklace. Top that all off with a little hair doing and makeup if you want and you are good to go. If you do decided to do this idea make sure you plan out where you want to go to dinner at least 3 days in advanced and call the restaurant to make reservations. That way you have less waiting to do on the day and you will have more time to eat and socialize with all of your friends.

13. Donate to Charity

This one may seem out of the norm, but don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this idea!!! If you are anything like myself you have always wanted to be able to donate to charity but you haven’t had an outlet or funds to do so. This is the perfect time to do just that. For a birthday gift you can ask all of your friends and family to donate $10 (or an allotted amount) to a charity of your choice.

Even thought you wont get anything material for your birthday you can know that you made a difference in someone’s life. Don’t feel bad if this isn’t your pace of things. It’s just an idea that I have been pondering with for the past few months. It’s an easy way to make a difference for those who may not have the opportunity to celebrate a birthday.

14. Have a Pamper Day

Now this is a total 180 from the last idea, but there is nothing wrong with pampering yourself every now-and-then. A pamper day may be exactly what you need. Ask a few friends to join you in a day of rest, relaxation, and good times. 

This can be the time to try out that new nail salon down the street or the spa around the corner. Wether its massages or mani pedis, your body will thank you after a day of pampering. If you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money you can opt for the at home spa day. Pick up some face masks and nail polishes at your local Ulta or beauty supply shop and work away. Play some relaxing music and focus on being in the moment.

15. Sing Karaoke (it's a lot more fun then you might think)

This may seem a little odd but trust me, it’s anything but. Karaoke may seem intimidating if you have never done it before. If you are a shy person and don’t like to sing anywhere but your own shower, don’t worry, this is perfect for you as well.

Karaoke places can be really sketchy looking but they are a complete blast. Even if the screen is playing Japanese soap operas while your best guy friend is singing the part of barbie in Barbie Girl, Karaoke will bring laughter and tears (the good type). It is a whole lot of fun to be outrageous and sing at the top of your lungs with your group. You can hyper yourself up by first going out to dinner or somewhere fun before hand.

16. Make a Short Film

This can be a music video, comedy sketch, drama, or whatever your heart desires. The idea is to create something great to remember that day by. 

From experience, a few of my best friends and I decided one night that we were going to be crazy and make some music videos. Now we rarely show people due to the absurdity of the outfits and dancing, but it was probably the most fun I have ever had with those girls. We didn’t care about what people thought of us and we just went for it. So we put popcorn buckets on our heads and mustaches on our faces and went 200%. 

The final result? Well just watch for yourself. (P.S. even if film isn’t your forte or much to your liking, I guarantee that the video you make will bring back so many memories of good times.) I absolutely adore looking back on these times.

17. Work with Animals

This may not be your cup of tea if you don’t like animals. However for me this was a great idea. A lot of places that do doggy day car or shelter and relief are often looking for volunteers to help out in their facilities.

My friend and I decided to go work at a dog sanctuary every weekend for a school project and ended up loving it so much that we went back even once the report was over. We could bond with the dogs and take them on walks or play in this area with them for hours on end. It may sound like a chore to some of you, and if that’s the case then just go ahead and skip past this idea. However if you are an animal lover a day with the dogs or any animal may be just what you need for your birthday. Gather a bunch of your friends and spend the day volunteering. Make sure that you check into the place before hand so that way if you need to fill out a waver or sign up you can do so weeks before.

18. Go Racing

This may seem a little out of reach, but don’t worry, I’m not talking about the big Daytona 500 tracks. Find a race track near you. A lot of places will have indoor racing where you get all suited up in a sexy padded onsie and zoom around the track.

Now if you live by a real race track, it’s in your budget, and they offer deals to drive around then by all means go for it. For me this is a little out of reach besides, I’m pretty sure I would only go about 100mph then be scared and crash or vomit. haha. A day on the track can be a lot of fun and will bring out your competitive side. 

19. Be a Kid Again

For my 18th birthday party, as stated above, I decided to make it a Disney’s Tangled themed party. I bought the matching table cloth, cups, napkins, plates, stickers, temporary tattoos, and we even went to the movie midnight premiere. You can even do the whole goodie bag thing but place more adult items in the bag if you wish.

Another way to celebrate as a kid is to have a themed party based on when you were born(or your favorite years). For me I was born in 1992 so I would have a 90s themed birthday. Have your guests dress up in 90s outfits (ie; overalls, hair scrunchies, etc) and spend the night playing 90s themed games such as Pokemon, Dream Phone, Pretty Pretty Princess, and more. Dial in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and maybe even have some old shows playing in the background or watch them in the evening. Break out your old CD and Tape collection and Pump Up The Jam. Even make the menu themed with your favorite foods from the 90s. 

This may sound a bit crazy, but it can be a very nostalgic and fun night catered towards you. Just make sure everyone gets involved by getting dressed up and bringing a food or game, because it really gets exciting when everyone is in it 100%. 

(Side note: I may have been blasting some TECHNOTRONIC while writing that one)

20. Just Relax

This may not be the obvious answer to what to do for your birthday. A lot of times when we plan events and birthdays we forget that sometimes its fun to just step back, sit down, and do nothing. Now I'm not saying to stay in bed all day (unless that would really make you happy). I'm saying stay at home with family and friends or go out and do every day activities. Watch a movie at home. Make some food (maybe a cake or some brownies). Go for a walk and spend time with those around you.

You're 21 now, but that doesn't mean you forgot where you came from. Take the day to just be with those you love and love you. Be relaxed and be rested. This day is for you.

21. Go to Disneyland!!! (Most Likely what I will be doing. (Update: I did!))

This is by no means the cheapest option, but since I have an annual pass I figure I might as well take advantage of it. Plus Disneyland and Downtown Disney have entertainment, rides, food, drinks(alcoholic and non-alcoholic), hotels in abundance, music, people, souvenirs, etc. This is the best of all worlds to me. Disneyland is my second home. I can tell you where every restroom, food cart, ride, restaurant, shop, ect. is. 

If you don’t love Disneyland or long lines then I wouldn't suggest this to you. However, if you can plan your trip in a cold or rainy season then do that. A lot less people attend the parks on days when it’s cold and/or raining. Now Anaheim rarely gets super cold, but when it rains it’s truly magical. My mother and I once arrived at Disneyland around 9am by 10am it had started to rain. By the time noon came around all the lines were under 20 minutes and the park was empty. 

(For a Disney lover this option is the only option. haha.)

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this post and got some good ideas for your upcoming birthday. If you need me, I’ll be at DISNEYLAND!!!!