Oh Happy Day!!!

My birthday was September 11th. It was my 21st birthday, and I was hoping that people wouldn't make it a huge deal. I'm not a big fan of big birthday celebrations in my honor. So I made sure to get up early in case there were any big suprises, I wanted to be prepared!


When I woke up, there was a note on my door from one of my small group girls. She had prepared a scavenger hunt for me and the first clue was on my door. Because I was up early, the ship was quiet, and I found my second and third clue quickly despite the fact that the notes were in broken english. (She is from Switzerland!)

Me and Caroline

Everyone started to wake up and my clues were hidden all over the ship. One was taped on a the higest point of the bow of the ship. I had to climb to find that one! And several of my clues were hidden with other students, I had to do nice things for them in order to get my next clue. This little adventure went on throughout the day, finally ending in my room which was full of all my favorite New Zealand candy. It was hidden EVERYWHERE and I am still working on finding it all. Every now and again I find some chocolate hidden in a t-shirt, or a stuck in between my curtains or up in the life jackets. It has been the gift that keeps on giving!


The director of the school took me out to lunch, and my good friend Patty took me out to coffee later in the day. I was really enjoying that my birthday had been lowkey! After Patty and I finished coffee she told me she had to pop into a restaurant to talk to one of her friends, (this isnt an unusual thing for her to do!) And when we went in, my three small group girls were in there waiting! We had a great small group dinner, plus Patty! And headed back to the ship. I must admit, I was glad my birthday had not been super celebrated and embarassing! When we walked on the ship it was so quiet, and because it was small group night, when everyone leaves the ship, I wasn't suprised. I had just mentioned how nice the quiet was when we walked into the dining hall and I was attacked with birthday balloons, streamers, party poppers, and a tray with cookies and candles!


So much for a quiet birthday....

I must say, I was truly suprised. And my best friend here, Lauren had worked hard to keep it that way! She had all my favorties. Favorite ice cream, favorite dessert, favorite movie. She did a great job! And the next day, her and I took all the leftovers, and the movie, and a laptop, and drove to the beach to enjoy a nice quiet birthday party!

All in all, I felt very loved, very celebrated, and very thankful that I have an amazing group of people here to hang out with me! I got lots of great presents, and even had my dear friend Josie from Ruel Foundation here to hang out with me! It was a fantastic 21st!

The dining hall during my party!