Twenty-one!

Well it's my 21st birthday... in Spain! Kinda cool, even though I'm already legal in Spain so it's not even that big of a deal (which I'm actually okay with)!

Here's 21 good things that happened today!

01. Next to my bed when I awoke was an adorable pink birthday package from my wonderful roommate Hannah and our friend Stephanie from across the street... inside I found cookies, M&M's, AND gummi bears! They know me so well after so little time!

02. This morning, I ate a huge breakfast (in comparison to most of my breakfasts here). I love breakfast, it's my favorite meal I think. I had cereal AND toast with peanut butter! Score.

03. I got to teach English to some pretty cute 4-year-olds for an hour. They learned how to say "I'm cold" and "I'm hot" and we sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" which was a toughie, but they got a few words here and there!

04. When I returned home from teaching los niños, I ate the entire package of M&M's from my birthday bag. And it wasn't a small package, exactly. I seriously have a problem, I can't stop eating chocolate if it's in front of me. I'm okay with it though. Especially today.

05. My feet got soaking wet in the rain, but I got to use my yellow umbrella, which I'm never mad about. Cause it's yellow.

06. I woke up to a couple birthday texts from my good friend Bryce in the USA, and continued to receive texts throughout the day from people I really love and appreciate! I know it's just some texts, but it makes me feel special and loved, and who doesn't love feeling that way?

07. I got the best birthday email update (which included pictures) from Keit, who I dearly miss. I ALSO got birthday emails from my Ugandan friend Akello Julie and from my friend Elana! They remembered!

08. I didn't have to write my sociology paper cause the due date was moved from Wednesday to Monday!

09. My grandma sent me a card and it arrived exactly on my birthday! Talk about good timing.

10. My sister Katie sent me a list of 21 great memories that she and I have. Best list I've ever heard of, and it made me miss her extra much!

11. I took a hot shower! Joy in the small things...

12. Drank super strong coffee (that's how they do it in Spain) and ate two of the most delicious cookies of my life (PRINCIPES DOUBLE CHOC, courtesy of Hannah & Steph). Sugarrrr.

13. Heard that my beautiful kids in Africa are doing well and loving life. Joy.

14. Went to my one class of the day (Spanish Phonetics), made a new friend, and was told that our only homework for Thursday is to practice our Spanish pronunciation. DONE and DONE!

15. Relaxed for quite a long time (aka the Spanish SIESTA) this afternoon. And was the least productive I've ever been probably. It was nice.

16. My host parents, Mercedes and Pepe, gave me a box of Ferrerros Chocolates! Om nom nom. Also they sang and clapped for me. Also Mercedes kissed me on the cheek like 8 times. It was sweet.

17. My sister Liza made me a video and sang to me! Which made me feel so loved, and also made me miss her so much!

18. Had flan for dessert, which is something that both Hannah and I HATE, but we choked it down while laughing about it, so it made it all okay...

19. Went out after dinner to a place called the Carboneria, and saw some decent Flamenco with some great new friends! We all split a pitcher of Tinto de Verano, which is a pretty popular drink here in Southern Spain. It's kind of like sangria. Quite delicious!

20. Dressed up for going out... including heels. I'm moving into the grown-up world now!

21. Got to climb into a warm bed... and now I get to sleep. :]

I'm blessed. I'm happy I'm alive!