"Just another 365 day journey around the sun"

I woke up Saturday morning at the crack of dawn to go to Owino Market to get the items for this birthday meal I was to prepare for my party the next day. Now when I say "market" I'm using that term loosely as I really mean The Most Crazy Place on Earth of People Selling ANYTHING. Everywhere you turn, someone is trying to sell something. "My friend!" one vendor called out, as if that was going to entice me into buying the nail clippers painted with Allah. "Sister, sister!" shouts another holding World's Largest Pack of Sugar. Scarves are flying, pants are hanging from the rafters and the quiet hum of sewing machines can somehow always be heard over the screaming men. And don't get me wrong, who doesn't love the smell of freshly ground peanuts, but add the smell of hundreds of fish (albeit fresh)/pineapples/chopped onions/gallons of tomato sauce (okay-that I hate) and the ever-present pollution of Kampala...now you're talking overload. Did I mention it's 8am?

Sunday brought the party and we had a lot of fun; the food came out great to my surprise. My friends decided I was African (enough) in their eyes/stomachs, and that's good enough for me! The night came to a high when a couple friends dropped off some gifts; not just any gifts but a pretty set of drinking glasses, a wine glass, and a package of Playtex pads. Wait, what?! Yes, indeed, pads. It was awesome. Ok, in all fairness it was probably the packaging for the wine glass, but I prefer to take the slightly more awkward option here. Either way, it was hilarious. Stay tuned for some pictures...

In continuing the celebration (well, Monday was my actual birthday!) Court, Adam and I started the day off with a trip to our friends art gallery. It was fascinating and there were some beautiful pieces. He, himself, did not have much on display at the time though, but after we toured the place, we did get to talk about the possibility of him coming to talk with the kids and even to do a screen printing class. How cool is that?!

After the art gallery we decided to head to this awesome little diner called I Love NYK (New York Kitchen!!). It even looked like a real NYC diner (actually, probably better than some I've been to...)! Of course, I got a bagel with lox and then, just because I could, got the world's most massive slice of red velvet cake. Seriously, wait til you see this thing! It was delicious, even if I could hardly finish a 1/4 of it... After a trip down NYC lane, we checked out some local crafts markets, of course, and then we ended the night at an outdoor restaurant where I got steak & Belgian style frites, and the most delicious passion fruit juice! (Is it me, or is this turning into a food blog?!) Anyway, it was an awesome weekend full of (real!) food, love from home, and friends here in Uganda. I even got to have a surprise mini-celebration when some of the kids came over on Tuesday!

Thank you again & again to everyone who sent wishes; it really was so nice to hear from you!!! Extra thanks to Marina, Marvelle & Mark, Mrs Grossman and Brother for the birthday donations, to Adam & Court for the whole weekend, to BK girls for your early morning call, to Fe for your perfectly timed package and untimely everything else and of course, to my parents for all they've done & continue to do...

Here's to 26!