С Днем Рождения!!!

The Sweeties that came SO early to wish me a happy Bday! 

Today I woke up and skyped with my Mom and Dad. I was getting kind of weepy, for no reason really. I mean there is the excuse of not having my parents here, but that isn't really a reason to get too weepy. It is only one birthday, one year, and it isn't like they forgot and don't care- it is quite the opposite! Maybe that is why. Anyways, I was pretty much ready. I had my make up all good and was putting my second earring in when I was called from my room. There were pretty usual sounds coming from the house- Julia skyping Anya, and Arthur coming in through the door from Belka's morning walk. I could hear Anya's distinctive voice on the other side of the wall. I came out of my room, midway through putting in my earring, and saw my three good friends Lola, Veronika, and Liza walking in through our door before Arthur, all adorned with birthday hats!
The fact that I was walking out the door inwardly telling myself that I wasn't going to cry at breakfast for no reason really didn't stop me from beaming and letting those puppies go! Julia brought the computer from the kitchen to the doorway to the action. I hugged all the girls over and over because I was crying and they wanted me to stop. So they just kept hugging me and saying "Don't cry- Happy Birthday!" They gave me balloons and Liza gave me her present of a snakeskin jewelry box. They also brought a cake with 18 candles. They all had gotten together the night before and made the apple-cinnamon delicousness for me. So we went into the living room, where my friends gave me the birthday wishes. In Russia, on a birthday or at a party, each person tells the birthday person basically a toast. Then we lit the candles, took a picture, and I blew them out. I got all of em but the last two, and if my lungs weren't all stupid and puffy from my trying to not sob I would have gotten them. If they weren't on the far side of the plate from me I would have tried and put them out with my tongue.

Me with my cake my friends made! 

They then left, calling out happy birthdays in Russian and in English. Then, after I put my gift and balloons in my room, I come out and Julia and Arthur are standing together in the kitchen. This can only mean one thing: yup, more tears! I actually was going to hold it together until I opened the box. Earrings. Purple smooth stones were at the top, and hanging from them were small chains of Russian silver. I knew those stones weren't purple on accident, and that the earrings weren't long and dangly by mistake either. I knew they were perfect, beautiful, and sought out for. They must have searched for them just for me. As soon as Julia said "They are made from Russian silver" I started to tear up again. Arthur, of course, was like "don't cry!" But I did a little. Actually, Julia said 'There is no need to cry!" So I stood there and looked at her and tried to keep a straight face. Like when you want a little kid to smile, so you tell him to not smile. It was like that, only with crying! How did I become a weeper? I felt a little better. because when Anya saw all her friends gathered around her on the computer after I blew out my candles, she cried a little too. It was really sweet to see them kind of reunited all together for the first time since Anya left. She told them about her school, where she volunteers, and all the cool stuff she has been up to.
I am jumping around a little, but oh well! After I got my gifts all squared away, I ate a quick breakfast and it was off to the university. Because I was so sentimental today, I wore the hat and scarf my friend (Aunt) Becky made me. She knitted them for me, and gave them to me with a note that said to think of her hugging me when I wore them. So, since I was in dire need of a long hug, I wore them! I put on her hat and scarf, a zip up hoodie, and my jacket and left for the street. I didn't change my earrings because silver isn't supposed to get wet, and we all know they would have with my crying! When I got outside I realized that I forgot my phone and should have grabbed an umbrella- it was snowing! I was really thankful for the snow. It helped to dry my eyes out and made it easier to stop crying. I made it to the bus stop just in time to stand for a few minutes, feel my body temp go up, and get on the bus packed with people. I did get a nice little birthday present from God though- I got a seat! About halfway through the ride someone got up, I waded over to the seat, saw no one making a move for it, and sat down. I think the people around me felt they would be less squished if they let me sit down instead of sitting themselves, but I was just really happy to get a seat. Another cool thing that happened is that the bus conductor was lazy (which sometimes happens) and didn't want to scan my card, so my bus ride was free!