celebrated

My birthday was friday - and i feel so celebrated.

the day started with staff prayer...a regular friday occurance...but we had 2 dishes of baked oatmeal on friday...cause sheila and sarah both wanted to start the day off in a special way...2 dishes of baked oatmeal...an outward symbol of the abundance of love that i receive from this community.

Friday evening we went to the airport to pick up Brooke (a new staff member who has joined us...but really is already in Dhaka for language school). we stopped at "The Oly Pub" on our way to the airport and ate steak...and i opened presents. and again, i felt so loved and celebrated.

Last night we had a party at our flat. a small party (cause, sadly, 4 of my good friends who i would have loved to invite to my party are out of the country til the end of Feb...).

Beth made enchiladas (amazing)
Sarah made bean dip...and an amazing chocolate cake
Kyle made the chips (he's our resident fry-cook)
Sheila made the salsa
and a few friends came over and shared a meal...and great conversation

also, my christmas package from my family finally arrived...i was beginning to worry it wasn't going to come...and then it did...just in time for my birthday. and i loved opening those presents with my community here...

My birthday feast

Sarah made this homemade chocolate cake for me! Sheila donated the candles (a friend sent them to her for her 27th birthday...but 27 came and went a few year ago for me)...sheila cleverly pointed out that 2+7 = 9 and 3x3=9 and i'm 33...so it all works out.

also, in the interest of full disclosure...i ate come cake for breakfast this morning!

My community gave me this amazing sari bari bed spread for my birthday! i've been eying it for awhile...and i love it. i love that its bright and colorful...and lots of different colors. i love that its cheerful - and a celebration in my bedroom. i love that i saw it being made at sari bari - and i know the woman who made it.

they also gave me 2 shirts from thailand that i saw and loved...they're so sneaky...and perceptive - and gave me beautiful, thoughtful gifts.

we're intentional about birthdays here. i've been a part of planing birthday parties and figuring out gifts that communicate love and care. i've made meals for my friends' birthdays - joyfully cooking in the kitchen so we can celebrate the lives of one another...but this is my first kolkata birthday...and it was beautiful. absolutely beautiful.

i feel so cared for. and loved. and celebrated.

if you want to see more pictures from the celebration you can check them out by clicking here