An Amazing 23rd Birthday!

I am not going to lie, I was a little bit depressed in the days leading up to my birthday. I was homesick and not really looking forward to being a year older, but oh boy did my new friends and family in Armenia make me feel 100x better! I woke up late on my birthday, but still managed to make it to my Armenian lesson on time. My class went very, very well...and my tutor (who is amazing) gave me a pomegranite necklace! It is very cool. Pomegranites are a symbol of Armenia, and bring health and good fortune. Also fertility, but I have no use for that at this point in my life much to the dismay of many Armenian friends! After my session, I stayed at her house and we had coffee and talked for quite some time. It was very interesting, and we got on the topic of cultural money and gender differences. A very enlightening conversation. In Armenia if a new bride is found to not be a virgin, she is literally returned by her in laws. If that applied in America, the divorce rate would be even higher than it is now!

After my lesson I went home and helped my host mother and a friend prepare some of the food for my party. I helped to make the 'salad' before I got distracted. Around 2:30, my director called and asked me to come in to work. I walked there (it takes about 2 minutes) and she was in a meeting, so I sat and waited. Another teacher came into the teacher room (where I was waiting) and asked if I wanted to watch her class...of course I said yes! The class was a painting class with about 6 students, all who were very talented. After about 10 minutes another teacher came and told me that my director was ready for me, so I went back downstairs. As I walked into the teacher's room, all of the other teachers were there saying happy birthday, and there was a spread of wine, chocolate, watermelon, and one of the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen. I almost cried! It was gorgeous! They sang Happy Birthday (1/2 Armenian, 1/2 English) and then we all sat down to eat. There were toasts of course..to me, my parents, and my health..and it was a good time all around! They also surprised me with a few gifts. The last time I was at work, my sandal broke, so I wore my director's slippers for a few hours. Well, they gave me a pair of super soft slippers. Also, a beautiful cell phone pouch and a book about Dilijan in English. It was great!

When I got home, my brother was putting the finishing touches on another amazing cake! I helped to set up a little bit more, and when my sister got home she had eyeshadow and mascara for me. Somehow both of those things didn't make the cut to be brought from America, and they were both neccessary! They were amazing, so of course I stopped to get dressed and all made up! When I had finished everyone was there and we sat down to eat. My mother had made my favorite Armenian dish, dolma, and there was also fried eggplant, 'salad', tomato and cucumber, and of course bread and cheese! It was delicious and a good time. They had also prepared some raspberry vodka, which was flowing all night. More toasts were given, and after enough of the vodka, I even gave my first toast in Armenian. It wasn't bad, only one small mistake! It was a great night all around!

Stayed up late for some phone calls, and when I woke up this morning (around 11), my host mother told me that the post office had called, and one of my birthday packages came in! I was super excited. Walked to the office and back, the whole time rushing so I could get home and open it! Made my day when I finally did. I am not going to lie, all of the cards made me cry a little bit and I want to thank all the kids for making them for me! The jeans fit great, thank you Mem and Gramp, and my host mother has said she can hem them for me since they are still a bit long! The sewing kit is great and I am very excited for the crayons and markers! The calenders will also come in very, very handy. All of this stuff on top of my DS and the other box is pretty overwhelming. I feel like I hit the lottery! So, thank you again for everything!!!

The knitting book made me laugh! I love that it was my mum's so many years ago, I am going to hang onto it, but I am nowhere near skilled enough to make anything in it! I guess I will stick to my scarfs!! They will come in handy in the cold, Armenian winter!

Well..off to work. Today the kid's are deciding what kind of animal costumes they want to make for the big carnival coming up in Yerevan. Exciting stuff!

I miss you all and love you lots! Thank you for the birthday wishes!!

and p.s...I recently found out that I am in fact getting the red hat. Thank you for your support!!