YOB: #3. Leave Random Gifts On Doorsteps

By Lara

Beth's 30th birthday was in January. She planned a large party for her friends and family. I managed to score an invitation to the event. I went to Philadelphia the day before to help her set up.

Some of the additional items that I brought with me were as follows: gift bags, tissue paper, and various leftover Christmas ornaments. I was prepared for item number three on the Year of the Birthday list. It was our plan to leave random presents on random people's doorsteps. Beth had a list of random people. We were set.

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Back To Real Life

By Lara

I got home from Alaska on Tuesday morning. Aside from a slight nap on the plane from Seattle to Newark, I was awake for 35 hours. I don't plan to do that again any time soon. The Peach Perfection Jamba Juice I purchased in New Jersey went a long way towards curing my hunger and bad attitude, but there are some negative aspects of travel for which there is no cure.

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YOB: #2. The International Spy Museum

By Lara

Item number two on the Year of the Birthday list was to visit the International Spy Museum in Washington DC.

Keeping in mind that I am one of those girls who loves spy movies, I was totally excited. I knew that Beth would love the museum too. We decided to ride to DC on the metro on January 2nd. Maeli came with us. We were not the only people with that particular idea. The International Spy Museum was crazy crowded.

After standing in line to stand in line to get tickets, we stood in line to get tickets. After getting tickets, we stood in line to get in the door. Once in the door, we stood in line to get searched by security. Then we spent some quality time in a maze-like line that lead to the elevator. The elevator took about 15 minutes to climb three floors.

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Alaska-Bound

By Lara

As you read this, I should be on a cruise ship in Prince William Sound watching sea otters frolic. That's right. I'm in Alaska. My dream vacation. Seriously. I don't remember how long I've wanted to go to Alaska, but it's been since I was a child. Now I'm there.

When things get stressful at work, I will close my eyes, pretend that I am in a canoe, paddling on a pristine glacier lake, breathing crisp mountain air. I also love the idea of glaciers and fjords and volcanoes and moose. Yes. Alaskan dream vacation.

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Letterboxing According To Lara

Lara's Version of the Letterboxing Story...

Well, I doubt that my version of this story will be as funny as Beth's, but I felt I should give everyone my perspective since letterboxing is on the Year of the Birthday list.

I was excited when Beth invited me to go letterboxing the first time. The whole concept of getting lost in the woods and looking for something to rubber stamp made me giddy.

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