After my mail being kept by Israeli Postal Inspection, being delivered to the kibbutz, then to Roni, and then passed along to three or four dancers, I got a wonderful birthday surprise in the mail.
It's almost as big as me.
Lovely pictures and letters from all of the Folkmans, Stacy, Tyne, a foot stamp from Stella, Margaret, SF roomies Betty and Meelz, my dear family, and my second mother Janet.
It just warmed my heart to see these beautiful faces. I have rarely felt home sick (thanks to skype and loving Israel) but this pulled at the heart strings a little.
Thank you for always supporting me and inspiring me to grow.
I love you guys!!!
I feel so humbled by the love that has been expressed to me from people here and back at home. I am so grateful to have these amazing people in my life...including when life lead me to Israel.
In the past, no matter how hard my dear friends try, I always know when something is a-brew'n and no ones telling me. I don't think it’s because of my mad detective skill, I just think I know my friends well enough to know when they are not telling me something. Well, dear friends in the states, if you thought it was bad there, try living on a kibbutz of the people who are planning your surprise. Hali finally told me to stop making things so hard and go away. hahaha. It's difficult when we literally, eat, sleep, dance, grocery shop, and socialize together.
I woke up to Hali gone and I knew something was going on and was excited to see what Hali had planned. I got bombarded by balloons while in the bathroom and pictures snapped. Allie in the morning is always a lovely sight.
Hali, Ruby, and Becca told me they came up with a way to exhaust all this excess energy that has been piling up all week. (They literally have had to take me on walks a few times this week and let me run around outside because I was creating a ditch in our room from all the pacing)
They planned a Birthday Scavenger Hunt!
21 balloons with a clue in each.
The clues lead me all over the kibbutz and at each spot there was a little gift from Hali or other people here. I'm overwhelmed with the thought that went into this. I got hair scrunchies to hopefully keep my hair up in REP. (Ya right) A day planner in Hebrew to assist with my future planning, literally. Cookies to eat with our next TV show marathon. We just finished with Dexter and are starting 24 today:) Earrings from our resident jewelry maker: a scarf, flowers, socks and a delicious cake baked by my neighbor. Thrown in there were also only things you can get at the markolit, Aka Bratz stickers, bee magnet, and chocolate with a cow on it.
21st balloon!
My collection at the end of the hunt
Hali did an amazing job and snaps to her for the hard work she put into me not finding out!
We lounged during the afternoon at Megan's and watch Sherlock Homes only to find it had started to rain...torrentially. We ran home in our flip flops and were soaked to the bone in our short flirty jog.
We made Shabbat dinner, which gets better every week and started getting ready for a night at Pub Ga'aton. Were liven’ the big life here;)
After Ruby took a day and a year to get ready we went back to Megan's to pre-game. She is an excellent bar tender and made everyone there drink of choice...some, three times over. We popped the bubbly I got for my b-day and headed to the pub of 90's music, bro-mances, and men who have the weirdest way of hitting on you.
Exhibit A:
Yes, this is a man with a turtle. Instead of having normal human contact and dancing, he insisted I hold hands with the turtle and dance: Then continued to harass me with it the rest of the night. Anytime someone came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder or waist I would give my friends a horrified look and mouth "Turtle man?" I might be traumatized for life. ;)
There was a band that sang, as usual, 90's songs and did a countdown. The Israeli's don't normally celebrate the New Year so no one was excited as us foreigners. My friend took over DJ post and the music started to make a turn for the better. Thanks David!
It was an excellent New Years Eve and a birthday for the books.
I missed everyone who wanted to be with me today and
thank you all that made the first day of being 21 great!
They thought free sushi was the way to go on a night when people drink way to much.
That's Yehuda, casually in the background
Wow!! That looks like so much fun. I'm glad your dance friends took over this year, because we we're able to through you a bash. Happy Birthday. You look so beautiful in that white top/dress looking outfit. :)
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