Birthday '08...Part 1

How can you go wrong with a Birthday Week??? That's right, I had a birthday week this past week and it was great. Here are a few hi-lights from the festivities:

On Saturday the 2nd, we had a birthday party for Sean, Lydia and me, as all of our birthdays are in May. Sean and Lydia celebrated a significant birthday milestone (I won't say which one, but I will say that we used black plates and napkins) which is why they're wearing these ridiculous glasses. I promise they don't really look like this! And, I got to wear the princess crown since Sean and Lydia had fun glasses to wear. I had to take it off because it was giving me a headache. Apparently I'm not meant to be a princess. Bummer.
On Thursday, we met with Ania and Alina (the two new girls we've been meeting with for about a month) and, through Facebook, they knew that it was my birthday, so they brought me a gift! How sweet are these girls?! They brought me a cute coffee mug and a beautiful candle holder with some scented tea lights. They are really wonderful and it's been great getting to know them.
On Friday, the Big Day, we were planning to meet with Nina and Ala for a bit. Amber and I were in our kitchen, getting things ready, when we thought we heard laughter out in the stairwell. I peaked out the peep hole and didn't see anything. Then, a few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and there were Nina and Ala with this cake, with candles lit, singing the Polish version of "Happy Birthday"!!!! Again, how sweet are these girls?!?! I was truly shocked and overwhelmed with just how blessed I am to have met these girls a year ago. This was definitely a memory of Poland that I will never forget.
And, might I add, they baked a pretty stinkin' delicious cake! They said it was their first attempt and they had to call Nina's mom for directions, but I would say it was a success! The top of the cake said "Sto lat", which means " 100 years", as a blessing or wish for 100 years of life. I took this picture of the inside of the cake so you can see the different layers. There was a layer of a creamy filling, then a layer of forest fruit jam. It was delicious!And, on Friday evening, Amber, Patsy, Alethea and I headed uptown for dinner, then went back to Patsy's flat for cake, ice cream, and coffee. We had a great time just talking and laughing and enjoying some good food. I really appreciate and am grateful for these ladies. They really made my birthday a special day.

I also got many birthday cards and wishes, which truly do help so much, being so far away from home. And, of course, I got to talk to my mom and dad and got a package from them which is pretty much like Lake Erie in a box. I will work on a post about that one soon =)