What a splendorific birthday this year!

I just wanted to thank everyone who helped to make my birthday totally awesome! This was probably the best one I've ever had. As usual I didn't really ask for anything but decided not to tell people they weren't allowed to get me anything. My Dad really surprised me when he bought me the Cd burner and speakers for my computer. And he and Mom are discussing financing a laptop for me! I got a beautiful card from my Aunt Janet and wonderful wishes for happy days from all of you, my wonderful friends. I got to hang out and sing with with Jess, Amanda, and Joe. My boss bought me a scrumptious seafood pizza the next day.

But if all that wasn't enough to keep me smiling until my next birthday, then my Mom's present surely put it over the top. She walked up to me the other day and said "Do I smell like a tatamunda?" I looked at her incredulously as the wheels turned in my head. Background info here, a tamandua is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) anteater that lives in South America. They have prehensile tails and curved claws to climb with and they are simply adorable! I have loved them ever since I first learned about them a few years ago. Well long story short, my Mom had gotten to pet one at the zoo! She had gotten to pet one and she couldn't even say the name right!!! I was not too pleased.

Turns out, she had arranged with the keeper for me to get to pet one as well! So yesterday while I was on break at the zoo, I went and found the keeper and she took me and my coworker Stephanie behind the scenes in the rainforest and I got to touch Yoda the 5 year old male tamandua. It was so cool! He curled his fingers around mine and squeezed, he tried to climb my leg, and he ate mealworms out of my hand. Then she let us pet the prehensile tailed porcupine. Very carefully of course, except for the nose which was soft and fuzzy. Then she introduced us to the male small-clawed otter that is kept isolated in the back. Even better, she took us down behind where the orangutans are housed at night. Ty and Chiquita, two of the orangs had refused to go on exhibit that day so I got to see them up close. Too cool! And she gave me the Christmas card she had forgotten to give me, which was painted by the orangs!!!!!! Needless to say, I spent the rest of the day beaming!

Hugz!!!