Birthday Surprise

My "sister", my one student and friend who is my age, decided to surprise me on my last day of class before leaving for a conference.  She knew I would be away on my birthday.  CL stopped at a store on her way to class to get a cake.

She also gave me a pair of handmade slippers!  Her aunt (who is still in China) made them.  I think they are awesome!!

The best moment of all was my students singing Happy Birthday to me.  It isn't a matter of language, because their language is advanced far above the level of Happy Birthday.  I might not be able to articulate it. I felt such love and kinship and I felt so blessed to be loved and cherished by these dear people.

Birthday Blessings

Monday didn't go quite as I planned, but it ended wonderfully.  Snow started falling at about two in the afternoon.  Val and I had planned to go to campus to hear a guest lecturer, but I was exhausted.  Val told me I should lie down and take it easy.  When I woke from a nap, it was 7 p.m. and the snow was still falling.  Rather than venture out, we stayed in and made a vegetarian version of my mother's chicken gravy (so...gravy and peas and carrots) and baking powder biscuits.  It was a perfect warming meal for a beautiful evening.  

It felt like a wonderful lead-in to my twenty ninth birthday.

My parents and I were able to skype at 8, which was a great way to start my day.  The rest of my day was fairly un-birthdayish, as I worked on lesson preparations and paperwork for my new job.  The snow started melting and had dissipated by the time I left for an afternoon at Barnes and Noble with Val.  She spoiled me with a birthday latte and treat at the cafe.  

I left Val at 5:30 to meet my sister for a surprise birthday outing.  Val was going to a lecture on campus and was then going back to her parents' home.  I got home and had a surprise waiting at my front door!

My parents arranged for a beautiful potted gerbana daisy to be delivered today. I can't wait for spring!  I'm looking forward to creating a container garden on my little balcony and this little plant can be my first!  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

My sister arrived and gave me a wonderful spa treat basket, and included the hugest mug I have ever seen!  :) I'm drinking my Twinings of London Orange Cinnamon and Spice tea out of it right now.  

Joy and I then headed off to a "undisclosed" location for dinner.  She took me to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant.  We were there a few minutes before Val walked in the door!  Sneaky girls!  Then another good friend, Marleen, joined us as well!  My sweet sister planned a wonderful girls dinner out.  Several girls couldn't make it but we four had a great dinner.  We shared a cheese fondue, followed by a chocolate fondue for dessert. 

It has been a special day.  I'm so thankful for the amazing people in my life and especially in my family!