Birthday day started like any other, Wednesday, but this time I went to school with a cake pan full of birthday treats. My English 99 class were the first recipients, and added candles to the festivities. Of course, they asked how old I was, so I told them I was somewhere between 20 and 30, so my cookie got three candles. I wasn't exactly sure when to blow them out, as no one really knows the "Happy Birthday" song it kind of died after the first two "Happy Birthday to you's." But I made my wish, and was proudly presented with a stuffed animal cat (of which I sadly do not have a picure) who we named Lota and is our new class pet. 
The other class that knew it was my birthday also had surprises in store. One of my students who is very good at English, always talks about how his family has pizza nights, and he brought in homemade pizzas for the class. We also had decorations, and a latecomer who added a fabulous and tasty cake to the operation. 
Every year since we were born, my dad has taken a picture of my sister and I on or around our birthdays in this (hideous) burnt orange chair that we will keep forever if for nothing else but this purpose. Not to let the distance from the actual chair stop this tradition, I made due with a slightly different shade of coral. It might mess up the album a little, but as my dad said, it was going to be a huge hassle to take the chair with them when my parents come to visit in February.
In the evening, Fulbright friends came over for dinner and dessert. The menu was a delicious spinach, fruit, walnut salad (fresh greens, what!), a bulgur tomato dish, and random leftovers from our fridge. yum. Dessert was by far the best part, those most dedicated to my birthday happiness (and who didn't have to work) made a carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting! Of all the deserts I've had in the Middle East, this one took the cake. heh. 
From there, we went to Champions (same chain as in the good ol' USA) which is in the Marriot hotel and beautifully decorated for Christmas. Things got about as wild as you see in the picure below, which was perfect. With truly touching wishes from friends here and abroad, my birthday was special, and lived up to the build-up of birthday week.
Continuing on, this week will be a busy start to my next year of life. I have been helping to organize a conference with Leaders of Tomorrow, that has over one hundred registered participants! This is a very healthy sign for the organization and an amazing turnout for what was originially planned as a small affair for 20-25 people. It is nice to feel a part of such an active community. On Wednesday, my English 1 classes will begin oral presentations for their participation grade. That should provide plenty to blog about. Wednesday evening I will also have my first lesson with the Somali refugees. It's nice to be busy, needing things to get me out of the house as the weather continues to deteriorate into the winter that I am oh-so dreading. I am also looking forward to a break, though, and hoping to stay in touch this holiday season with all of the loved ones that have made the days after my birth so worth living.
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