So, it was my birthday a week ago! This means you have to humor me and pay attention to me and all my rambling about my amazing life and such, mostly because I'm practically an old lady now. I got Betty White immunity now, so no matter what outrageous thing I say or do, I am excused.
I feel I should give you a list, since I haven't done it in such a long time. So let's do this.
1. I HAD CAKE EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK.
It was glorious. From cupcakes to brownies to just classic Victoria Sponge or Chocolate, I had it all. Don't ask me if I'm going to be able to fit in my dress for the ball (you will hear about such ball soon). All I know is that I have no regrets.... until I look at the numbers on the scale. Then I'll be like this dog the next time someone offers me a cupcake:
2. I went to see Sara Bareilles, A.K.A. the best singer forever and ever.
DON'T JUDGE MY GRAMMAR, I AM A FOREIGNER.
It was a mind-blowing show in which Sara played her good'ole songs in a more raw, acoustic way. OH, not to mentioned she dedicated one of her songs--which she had never performed live before--to my good friend Clement who was standing next to me, so Sara Bareilles almost knows who I am. Deal with it.
3. I got to go to the British Library and see the MANUSCRIPT (meaning the original, hand-written version) of JANE EYRE. AND PERSUASION. AND MY FAVORITE POEM, ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING'S SONNET 43 ("How do I know thee? Let me count the ways").
The relevance of this will only be evident to the English Literature geek. THEY HAD JANE AUSTEN'S LITTLE WRITING DESK. AND HER TINY GLASSES WERE ON TOP OF IT.
4. SO MANY PRESENTS
It started the moment the clock hit midnight. The new Brazuca (look it up), a Jane Austen journal, books, Les Mis soundtrack, stuffed animals, a fancy feather pen (you know, like the stuff from the olden days , with the bottle of ink and all), perfumes! It was like being 10 again and having a bunch of presents, except that, unlike that time when people would give you clothes instead of cool toys, you actually like your presents now. But you know, all this was irrelevant because
5. SO MANY FRIENDS!
To be honest, I was not expecting a lot of people to come to the party, partly because the weather had been horrendous and promised rain, and partly because I was just feeling quite gloomy about celebrating my first birthday away from home. So when more than 20 people showed up to Bracks, I was 1) very moved and 2) terrified that we didn't have enough food for all of them.
6. All my friends wrote me beautiful birthday messages! I was sinking in love (and paper). Nothing like written love, really. It was as cute as this:
Special mention to my boys, Bhanu and Raja, who wrote me cute little poetic phrases, and to Irene's football-playing nun cartoon, Clare's Nemo and Cathedral, Paula's turkey, Toni's beautiful calligraphy, Mike and Liz's Spanish efforts, Marta's drawings, Anna's clarification about her own identity (as if I could fail to recognize the Anna hand-writing), and of course Elena's masterpiece, the most beautifully hand-crafted birthday card in history.
You guys are adorable. It's pretty impossible not to love you all.
7. MY FRIENDS FROM HOME ARE AWESOME.
They made me a Mean-Girls-inspired video, replacing Regina George with my name.
Although I am capable (and constantly threatening) to punch people in the face (and I'm sure it would be awesome), I wouldn't do that (anymore). But it's good to know that people know I have that in me. Anyway, it's basically the same awesome things said about Regina George, but said about me instead. This thing could win the Oscars.
8. BURGERS
We had classic burgers straight from the grill because God is good and He allowed us a fairly dry day. Even though I spent most of my birthday working, I thoroughly enjoy cooking and feeding my friends and seeing their face of satisfaction when they eat a good old Texican burger.
9. After-party with Karaoke
Singing to the classics (Celine Dion, BSB, that guy who sings Mambo Number Five), we closed the night in a properly crazy fashion. The highlight was having a bunch of Indians singing Ricky Martin's "Maria" (the most idiotic Ricky Martin song in history).
10. A weekend of adventure.
Friday, I walked over 10 miles. We went on a little walk from a town called Chester-le-Street to Durham and Saturday we ventured into the ruggedness of Lindisfarne. Although the weather was horrendous, we manage to have a lovely time--though with a lot less exploring and a lot more staying-in-a-tent-in-the-back-of-a-cafe-singing-Disney-songs.
OH, but we did manage to have a mini football match, and thanks to the hidden talents of my dear Belgian football-monster, we managed to win 2-1. Meanwhile, I:
The perfect birthday. I was not expecting it, but it was. It was full of love and joy and singing and cake. It was beautiful and special. If you were part of it, I cannot thank you enough. You are such an important part of my life and you have a place in my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
