I know it’s super cliché, but I’m a people person.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, I’ve got an interesting story- and I know others do as well.  I love learning new things about people…including complete strangers.

And that’s why I’m a waitress and it’s the best money a college kid can make.

You wouldn’t believe the incredible stories I hear from people who have known me for less than an hour.  Sometimes they’re happy stories, sometimes sad – and sometimes they’re stories of pure celebration.

For the last table I waited on this evening, tonight was a joyous occasion.

It was a family of seven who weren’t just celebrating their father’s 59^th birthday - they were celebrating his victory over lung cancer. Although he had lost a quarter of his lung in the process, his spirit and will to survive remained fully intact.

After they finished dinner and I cleared away their plates, I brought out the chocolate cake they had brought with them. We had been joking with each other all night, so I wasn’t surprised when one of the son’s dared me to sing the Outback birthday song to his father by myself – but I’m sure he was surprised when I immediately burst out in song, loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.

As they laughed at my horrible rendition of “happy birthday,” I passed out the dessert plates.

“You forgot one,” said the son who had challenged me to sing.

“One, two, three…there’s seven of you, right? I think I got them all,” I answered, counting and re-counting.

“Well you need one too.”

I smiled, got myself a plate and pulled up a chair.

Tonight, I celebrated the simple gift of life…and ate some of the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. 

After realizing I didn’t have to work for a week and stumbling upon a rather cheap flight to New York, I decided to make a quick dash up north before the spring semester! I called my sister’s (Danielle) boyfriend and I told him my sneaky little plan, and he told my sister that she had to pick up a buddy of his at the airport. Little did she know, it was me that was waiting for her :) 

We spent our evening catching up and playing with her pups. I’m here till Sunday evening and there are many more memories to be made <3

No matter how much time passes, it still doesn’t get any easier when I see my little brother posing in portraits with his “new” family. It’s hard to believe that its been a few years since the adoption was finalized and he changed his last name. I like to pretend that he’s still that Spongebob-loving 3rd grade boy I remember because every time I see how grownup he has become, all I can think about is how much of his life I have missed:

He looks so happy too… 

As part of my leadership and service class, my group has decided to adopt a few students at a local elementary school that are deserving of a great Christmas. We will provide Christmas goodies to five of the most adorable munchkins on the planet: K’aliyah, Tara, Brett, Briana, and Shamari. If you’re not familiar with my addiction to Christmas giving, check out this crazy video of me stuffing stockings for my African babies!

(As you can see I. Love. Christmas.)

If you would like to help make this service project a success (and give a child a Christmas they will never forget), please send a donation via paypal to uga.christmaskids@gmail.com!

Please reblog this post to help get the word out! 

And with midterms this week, it couldn’t have come at a better time :)

Just before I headed out to study last night,  I decided to check my mailbox. When I saw the envelop from my tumblr buddy my entire evening turned around! Thank you so much for the kind words and Starbucks giftcard! XOXO

(I’ve already factored in a Pumpkin Spice Latte tomorrow before work! <3)