2011: The Year of the Road Warrior (Part II)

Visited Missouri again just in time for a wedding,
Jen Hartman was beautiful, and we left the dance floor sweating.
The next weeks to come involved a lot of the Mississippi River,
I never imagined a few months later I'd be in it with the shivers.
Rode my friend's jet ski and watched some others play in the water,
I feared at the end of the day I'd find a human that was slaughtered.

Enjoyed Bluegrass music at the site of Mud Lake,
It's memories like these that I can't believe I get to make.
The following weekend, I returned a moving favor,
Reggie and Chelcy's house is awesome, and family time I did savor.
Later that night, our cab driver put on a light show,
Once at T-Layne's I heard, "This ain't my first karaoke, ho."

We danced the night away, at this point, out of habit,
We had an opportunity to hang with Phil; couldn't help but grab it.
Stayed an extra night in STL after a Sunday at Hammerstone's,
Saw a lot of my new Jap friend, Parker-- could've been his flesh and bones.
Winery weekend was an event not to be missed,
Megan Mullen in rare form hitting on Phil, Em wasn't even pissed.

Jessica showed up much to my surprise,
Asked me to be a bridesmaid, happy tears came to my eyes.
Another successful weekend, but ready for what was in store,
Lollapalooza in Chicago? There's nothing I want more!
Emily with two idiots riding the train to the city,
I show up at Spitz's apartment, the place pimpin' like Diddy.

Emily and Ash cherish every moment of Black Cards and Little J,
Catching up on meaningless discussions, always so much to say.
That night we try the fishbowl, we drink it fast with no apology,
Can't forget to check in at the 17th church of scientology.
The next day we wake to find a rainy, rainy day,
With Grace and Walk the Moon on the agenda, water will not get in our way.

Meet up with the guys, Ryan is a fist-pumping fool,
I break away to see Slim Shady cuz let's face it,I'm a tool.
My Morning Jacket with another stellar performance,
Much like Mr. Double Fist-pumper and all his endurance.
Spitz decides to break the rules and jump over the fence,
Searching high and low, his absence adds to our suspense.

We meet back up at the apartment, some are still wanting to have more fun,
But we knew our night was over when Ryan started chewing a wet one.
Sleep it all off for a bit the next day,
I head back on a scenic drive to the state that ends in "a."
I get my float trip fix with my girls Lindsay and Lisa,
Tubing along their canoe is a perfect way to please-ya.

Emily brought Phil for his first taste of this town,
Princess cups filled with mimosas, how quickly they went down.
Taking off hiking around the Mines of Spain,
Ashley running from snakes until she gets a sidepain.
Saw what we call a great band at Summer's Last Blast,
By the end of the night, Phil went missing, it happened so fast.

Picked him up in the ghetto, said he hated this place,
The next day he laughed and called those words a disgrace.
Labor Day weekend was as great as you can imagine,
Wineries, Picnic and BBQ- going on in true SFC-fashion.
I attend a Booze Cruise with my Rugby Loves the next week,
We are karaoke fools singing til we can't speak.

Let's just say my September was off to a great start,
The crazy thing is, we haven't even talked about the best part!
After crossfit on a Wednesday, I took off for Harrah's late at night,
Finally get to see Nicole after six month of only skype.
We are headed to San Francisco in the wee hours of the morning,
Her and Penny are about spend four nights with my snoring.

There is so much to do and people to see,
First, I went to the IBM Office to say hi to my old team.
Later that night, we went out and had a blast,
Nicole was at a jazz bar getting hit on by foreign ass.
Shopping and eating and sleeping here or there,
Just excited to be together in the California air.

Spend Saturday in Berkely with my sweet housemates of the prior year,
Every time I see them I start to cry and start to cheer.
Sunday is the day Nicole and Penny head North,
I spend it all with Jan and Dave, who I feel I've known since my birth.
These two are the greatest friends someone could ever have,
Jan takes me to the airport, I don't even need a cab!

Even though I'm exhausted and could really use some sleep,
There is no time-- to the next big event I must leap.
Starting to party and to celebrate my 25th,
80s and 90s-style, the whole weekend I could kiss!
First to arrive were Em, Phil, Will and Brad,
Playing catch phrase may have made us all a little mad.
Aubrey showed up holding a dog statue with eyes that sag,
I immediately turned into a crazy lady with some bags.

My momma appeared around ten that night,
I am the luckiest girl to have her in my life.
We left Diane in bed while we hit the Rainbow Lounge,
No idea we'd be hearing such a beautiful sound.
Brad and Aubrey sing amazing, we really gave them no choice,
But the Grammy goes to our strokin' lady, whom we call Joyce the Voice.

Run around the next morning getting ready for the party,
Maid Rite food made us wanna barf and probably a little farty.
Get ready in the hotel after we decorate the hall,
My mom hung up surprise collages of my life and all.
Off to a slow start, but it did pick up quick,
Prizes went to those with the best costumes that I picked.

Rollerblades, flip cup and beer pong before we hit the bars,
Nobody's leaving til I sing my song, How Bizarre.
We don't stop dancing, we're all in a pack,
Jessica is here, and there's Brooke and Zach.
It meant so much to have my closest friends here,
Moments like my 25th, I will always hold dear.