The Good Girl Gone Blog

My first open letter: I'm 21, ok? May 19, 2009

To Whom it may concern:

Yes, I know I'm tiny. I'm the smallest person in my family, standing at a wonderful 4 feet 11 inches...and 1/4. Yes, the 1/4 is important when you're under five feet. I also know that I don't look my age. I always make sure to show my ID at the liquor store and at bars before it's even asked for. Yes, I look young.

But 13? Come on lady serving wine at Hillel on Friday. Give me a break. I KNOW I don't look that young. Do 13-year-olds wear 3 1/2 inch peep toe heels? I don't think so. Do they occasionally show a bit of cleavage? I hope not.

Oh, and I know I'll love it when I'm older. You're definitely not the first person to mention it. Yes, I know I smile and give a little chuckle when you share that piece of wisdom, but I've heard it before. Actually, I think I've been hearing it since I was about 10.

So please, give me a break. At least tell me I look  19 17 16!

Sincerely yours,

Alana

PS- here is a photo of me from around age 13:

Yes, this photo is slightly embarrassing (I know you're staring at my pre-braces smile), but I'm proving a point here. And hey, I was kind of cute all decked out in my ski-headband and winter coat.

My first liquor store purchase! January 30, 2009

Today after work, I crossed the street and entered the liquor store...bum bum bummmmmm. I felt really out of place and was worried they were going to kick me out because I definitely don't look 21. Also, I had no idea what I was going to buy. It was very awkward.

When I went up to the counter, I handed the guy my ID before he even asked. He wanted to see my credit card, and quizzed me on my birthday. I answered him and admitted that I had just turned 21.

He wished me a happy birthday, and that was it. I did it! I called my dad on the way to the T to share my triumph.

Yum!

Good Girl Gone Bar January 25, 2009

On Friday night I went out to a bar with my friend Lynn, her roommate and a few other girls. I stressed out for a while about what to wear, and finally decided on a strapless purple top, jeans, and my cute black boots with the bows.

When we got to the bar, the bouncer checked my ID, wished me a happy birthday and let us in. It was that easy!

I know I seem to say this a lot, but Friday night was one of the most fun nights I can remember. Lynn kept insisting on buying me drinks for my birthday (she played the role of sugar daddy that night) and even convinced a guy to buy a round of drinks for our group!

I particularly enjoyed the fact that the bar was not entirely populated by college students. In fact, we all totally got hit on by a 24 year old, who happens to be Jewish, smart and kind of funny. He asked me to dance and of course I obliged, even though he'd been wearing a stupid scarf inside the bar. I told him that was not cool and he took it off. Poor kid, he didn't know he'd be subjected to my strict fashion rules.

Oh yeah, and then he asked for my number. I'm pretty reluctant about giving it out because I have a fear that I'll get my hopes up and the guy won't call. I voiced my concern and he said he'd call on Sunday, because he has to wait two days. Apparently, those are the rules.

Well, today is Sunday, so we'll see. I don't even know if I'm interested in this guy, but it would be nice to go on a date. And who knows, he could be really amazing.

And speaking of amazing, I totally found someone who's willing to speak Hebrew with me. He's one of Lynn's friends, and I discovered on the walk home from the bar that he's fluent in Hebrew too! Conversing in a language that no one around us understood- what a great way to end the night!

Pink Thursday: birthday edition January 22, 2009

A few weeks ago, I was browsing the Target circulars when I found something amazing: a hot pink desk chair. I excitedly showed it to my mom, and then promptly forgot about it. The next day, I came home to find my mom in the kitchen, where she excitedly told me she had a surprise for me.

You guessed it- she'd bought me the hot pink chair! Not only was it beautiful, but also functional. In the PPC  (pre pink chair) era, I was forced to steal chairs from the dining room if I wanted to sit at my desk. Of course, when we had guests over, the chair I'd stolen would mysteriously migrate back to the dining room, and I'd be left with nothing.

Until now. This is the dawn of a new era- I call it, the PINK AGE!

Happy Pink Thursday everyone, and thank you for the birthday wishes!

I know, my room is very pink. I like to think of it as the inside of a giant pink cupcake!


I love you Mommy!

Pink drinks and birthdays January 21, 2009

Hello everyone! Although yesterday was a momentous day for our country, today was a pretty important day for, well, for me: my 21st birthday!

At midnight, I was about to go to bed when I was bombarded by phone calls and text messages from my friends. The fact that I was going to bed instead of going out partying made me feel old.

Tonight, I got dinner with some of my closest BU friends at Pizzeria Uno. Although they are all underage, they INSISTED that I order a drink. I felt weird being the only one drinking, but knew I had to partake because you know, you only turn 21 once...and it would be my first (legal) drink in the states.

When the waitress came back to our table I said- "Today is my 21st birthday and I'm going to order a drink. I know I don't look like I'm 21, so let me get my ID."

It was that simple. And then I had a scrumptious pomegranate margarita, on the rocks with salt, of course!

So hooray for birthdays and friends and pink alcoholic beverages.

XO

PS- I'll write a more coherent post tomorrow, but right now I'm a bit sleepy from my CRAZY night (haha just kidding).

Is my grandma hinting that I should get shwasted on my birthday? January 17, 2009

Yesterday, I received a birthday card in the mail from my grandma, whom my sisters and I affectionately refer to as "Gigi." Now, Gigi already gave me my birthday present before I returned to school (an amazingly warm, red cable-knit sweater from the Gap), but told me that she'd sent a birthday card as well and that I'd get it when I got back to school.

As you know, I got the card yesterday. When I pulled the card from its envelope, I saw a typical birthday greeting card, think pastels and sparkles, but when I opened it, a crispy $10 bill fell out. I skimmed over the card's pre-printed message and glanced at my grandma's black cursive writing:

"Gift is coming in the mail. This is extra because you are 21."

Wait, so is my grandma sending me booze money? I wouldn't be that surprised. She has a great sense of humor. I remember visiting her in the hospital on my 18th birthday...she called me a shrimp. She's also joked that she'd no longer be my grandmother if I took her spot on the scrabble board.

She's such an amazing lady.

Here we are back in 2006 when I first got my Mac and discovered "Photo Booth."