21 abroad

I have to say I was a bit apprehensive about being away for my 21st. I don’t usually celebrate birthdays in a big way because I find it a bit embarrassing, but you can’t get away with doing that as well for your 21st because people are so desperate to celebrate with (or for!) you. My family in particular were messaging me on a daily basis in the run up to my birthday asking me what I’d be doing, and got very frustrated at my non committal “maybe I’ll do something” comments.

Really I just wasn’t that fussed about it. I couldn’t think of presents to ask for because whatever I have in Germany I have to pack and bring back at the end of the year, so I’m not very big on having things at the moment- another bane of my Mother’s life. And I didn’t want to ask people to do anything because, I don’t know, what if they were busy but felt obligated to celebrate with me? That would be terrible! And shouldn’t I be celebrating my 21st with my family anyway? I was kind of sad that I couldn’t.

But in the end I had a lovely time. My family skyped me the evening before and the morning of my birthday, singing a rendition of happy birthday that included the serenading of my dogs… yep. I opened some nice cards relatives had sent me, and at lunch time I went out to a waffle shop I’ve wanted to try since I got here in September! (It was amazing). Then I had class, which was fine, and when I came back my flatmate had made me a cake so we had tea and cake. In the mean time I had received lots of well wishes on facebook, including a montage from my friends from last semester who live in Israel, which made me cry it was so thoughtful! Then in the evening I went out for drinks with a couple of friends, which actually turned into being about 20 people all in all. I was overwhelmed in a good way that people were being so kind!

So that’s how turning 21 in a different country went- not too shabby! And in answer to the “do you feel any different?” question, the answer is so far a resounding no!

Anyway, I have 2 presentations to prepare for next week, so I think I’ll be preeeetty busy for a while now!