Birthdays in a Foriegn Context!

Birthdays at home are fairly predictable, reliable events. I usually try to plan something fun for the day, either a hike or an outing to my favorite coffee shop. Then in the evening my family and I usually go out to my favorite restaurant, which is almost always Mario’s in Holland, and we all enjoy the tastes of Italy together. I also make sure that during the weeks before, I drop hints to my family and friends that my birthday is approaching. I remind everyone that my birthday is the only day in the whole calendar that is a full sentence. “March Forth!” Its actually a command, but I find it is a convenient little tool to make sure people don’t forget my birthday. I try to pretend it doesn’t matter, but birthdays always matter. So this year, living in a different country, I was a little uncertain as to how my birthday would go. I tried to forget that it was coming, trying not to build up my expectations too much so just incase it wasn’t a big deal, I wouldn’t feel too disappointed as sometimes happens on birthdays. However, this year, I found that I was more than pleasantly surprised!! Fairly new but dear friends, gathered around me, and made sure that my first birthday in Portugal was a great one, and now that I think about it, not too entirely different from birthday’s in the states! My roommate was a gem, sticking with me almost the whole day. In the morning, we slept in a little and then made our way out to a fabulous trailhead where we climbed through tree framed trails up to the top of a bolder capped mountain/hill. The weather even cooperated as it was windy, overcast, and slightly drizzly. This weather was perfect for me because it made me feel right at home in Michigan, and hikes through trees are always better when it is slightly windy! After the hike, my roommate, my new dear friend Stephanie, who works with Young Life and my teammate Hillary made our way to Beline, a near by town that happens to have magnificent pastries! Also conveniently located next to this addictive pastry shop, is one of only two Starbucks in the whole country! So after quick grabbing our mocha’s in to-go cups and our tasty treats, we meandered up stars and found a cozy corner to commence my next birthday activity: a riveting game of Scrabble. I am happy to say that I pulled out a victory by a mere two points! (I have a hunch the girls let me win because it was my birthday!) After Scrabble and Starbucks, I went to volleyball practice where my team graciously gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers and sang happy birthday to me in Portuguese! After practice, we wrapped up my birthday, by all going to my apartment and having cake, ice cream, and goat cheese on crackers! It was such a wonderful time with a mixture of Portuguese, and American friends all celebrating my day of birth! They even gave me presents! So I am happy to say that my 27th birthday far exceeded my expectations and left me yet again glad that I am a year older! (Once I hit thirty I don’t know if I’ll feel this way, but until then I remain a very contented 27!)