Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...etc. Yes, it was a wonderful, happy birthday! It started with me opening my locker at 4AM to find a card from my 'secret admirer' in the locker next to mine. Then Mel left a bunch of nickel samples going dry in my hood, and on each one she had written a letter, so that they spelled "Happy B-day, Jess." Then Hope came in and gave me a big hug and told me she had forgotten my present at home, but that she'd get it to me when she could. Then I was taken out to lunch by four lovely ladies, one of whom insisted on buying my meal. Then I was dragged from lunch to the breakroom where Mel revealed the chocolate pound cake she had baked for me. And then everyone at work made a point of stopping to wish me Happy Birthday, and then laughed (seriously, laughed!) when I told them how old I was. Then, I talked to my parents and my sister, and they wished me a happy birthday. And then Darren took me out to dinner at Madra Rua's (I LOVED it!), where I had my first Irish Coffee (didn't so much love it). And then I stayed up late on Friday putting together my new bookshelf and then cleaning. I woke up on Saturday and assembled some food, but it turns out I needn't have bothered because everyone who came to my party brought at least one thing, and usually a lot more than one thing. So, plenty of food, plenty of cake, plenty of drinks, and most importantly, plenty of friends! We played Apples to Apples, and then Cranium, where the girls kicked the guys' butts. It was like celebrating at home, and I've been incredibly homesick lately, so this past weekend was just what I needed. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday, or who came to my party, or who got me a present. I loved all my presents! After the party on Saturday, I stayed up late munching on baguettes while doing word-sudoku and watching the Dark Crystal. And now my time limit on this computer is up, so let me simply conclude that I had a a wonderful birthday and I am so very grateful that I have such good friends.