Jacky's Birthday 5.15.2014

This year I haven't been as excited about my birthday as usual. I usually have a countdown, make all sorts of plans, and can barely sleep the night of the 14th in anticipation. This year has been different. Maybe because I've grown up a little and didn't need to make a huge deal of it (although I made sure my students knew what the balloon meant our May calendar) or maybe because I'm here in Beijing. I knew celebrating without my family and friends would be weird and possibly make me miss home more. But alas, here we are on the fifteenth of May and it's been different in a really good way.

Charlotte is an amazing friend. I knew that even though she is on crutches and has 10 stitches in her foot, she would surprise me with something clever. I woke up to signs around the apartment wishing me a happy birthday and a hanging display of cards. She asked some of my favorite people to send her birthday wishes that she hand wrote in separate colorful cards. It was adorable and the sweet words everyone wrote made me cry. Especially my dad's last sentence, I think the world of you. So special!

Then she sat me down and played me an awesome video of a compilation of birthday messages from people I love at home. It was amazing and there were so many people I was surprised to see. Thank you ALL for being a part of it! It was so special to see you all on my birthday!!

But THEN she said she had one more surprise for me… She played another video set to the music of Pharrell's Happy and video clips of all my family and friends dancing to it! It was absolutely amazing and I was cracking up the whole time. It was perfectly edited to have everyone lip syncing different parts and dancing to the music. Again, my dad stole the show with a clip of him dancing on the table during a "meeting" in his office. Hysterical! Thank you all for being a part of it - check it out here!!

Morning love on the mirror

The adorable card display!

Notes from my parents

Stickers & a little extra love today

Had a small birthday party the following weekend - a girls night to remember! We invited a few of our Chinese co-teachers and had a great time with them. We learned a Chinese drinking game and taught them "Never Have I Ever." It was a great time and such a special way to celebrate my birthday!