Yesterday I celebrated my 24th birthday with some good friends and Honduran family. The day started with people singing outside my bedroom door at 7am...everyone in my house got up early to serenade me with well wishes. I was kind of out of it when the song started, and really confused...then I remembered it was my birthday!
We went to church and I had made plans with another friend to go out for lunch. I felt bad about not being around to have lunch with familia, but they didn't really say too much...they seemed pretty calm about it (this should have been my first clue). Also, they mentioned nothing of cake (a Honduran standard for birthdays) and didn't seem to worried about me not being around. I was a little sad, but thought, 'no big deal. i'm a grown-up now...its just another birthday.'
Then my lunch plans fell through, but my fellow SALTer and good friend Elise called (almost immediately) to invite me to her house. She said her family wanted to wish me happy birthday, have coffee, etc. Again, my host mom was very calm about me leaving for the afternoon. When I got to Elise's house, most of her family wasn't even there...but we had a relaxing time, even took a nap. Ok...so to make the long story shorter--we got back to my house around 4:30, some cousins and grandma were waiting outside, and no one was opening the door. I was a little confused...finally, when we got inside I realized they had asked Elise to occupy my time all afternoon so they could decorate the living room and prepare the food! They had planned a surprise party but I was the first one to show up!!
It was really sweet and we had fun celebrating and eating cake together. I was amazed to find out how many little lies had been crafted throughout the weekend to keep the party under wraps. Made me feel very special though :)
The other fun thing was opening my email to have more than 95 emails awaiting me. Many were facebook posts, but still it was great to feel so loved and missed by so many people.
All in all, it was a good Honduran birthday. Today there will be a celebration at work (for me and another coworker) and tonite I'm going bowling to celebrate with some friends too. I guess I'll just keep stretching out the celebration!!
Enjoy some fotos of my birthday weekend...
favorite friends who took me out for dinner
the cake! didnt really spell my name right, but thats ok
the family + extended family at the party
Hey girl, Congrats and enjoy the rest of the year as u enjoyed ur b-day! Wish every morning brings u a different great surprise! xoxo Priscila
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