Celebrating A Twentieth Birthday with Egyptians in Pajamas!

digging for mummies and other fun stuff: two decades?: "two decades?

It's strange for me to think that I have now lived two decades on this earth. It seems like such a long time. I suppose it is a long time. I never expected I would spend my twentieth birthday with an Egyptian family. I actually started the day out with the best part. I went to the internet cafe and got to talk to my bonnie lass, who I hadn't spoken to since her flight down under. After that I went to church with a group of students from my program. I again thoroughly enjoyed the incredible diversity at the church and it is always a blessing, or 'breath of fresh air,' to be able to go there and worship with these people. After church, my roommate Josiah was kind enough to buy my lunch as a birthday present. We went to our usual after church restaurant called Spectra where they have some incredible 'Brownies on Ice'. After a late lunch I returned to my homestay with Barrett. We spent a lot of the evening getting help with our arabic homework from the nieces and nephews of our host. And then, somehow, Barrett and I found ourselves watching Titanic (in English with Arabic subtitles) with 5 Egyptian women. It was actually Nasser's (our host) sister in law, her three daughters and one of her nieces. It was quite an experience. Lets just say I never expected to spend my birthday watching J"


File this under "It's Amazing What Life Hands a Person." Who could predict a fellow would spend his birthday watching the Titanic in English with Arabic subtitles while surrounded by five Egyptian girls in their pajamas?

Robbie's 19th Birthday - Unwrapping 19 Kinds of Cash!

Robbie's 19th Birthday - Photos - Gifts: "Wanted to share this with you : ) We had my daughter Robbie's 19th and I went to the bank and got her:

* 19-$5's
* 19-quarters
* 19-dimes
* 19-nickles
* 19-pennies

We wrapped each in aluminum foil. Each contained different amounts from one penny to a five dollar bill. She had to be careful in order not to rip any, just in case it had paper money in it and some were empty, but she didn't know that until she opened them. I didn't tell her what the 'pattern' was, if she guessed it then she could keep it : ) If she didn't, well then I would be richer."


This young lady had a smile on her face as dove her hand into a bowl filled with tiny foil packets, unwrapped them and spread out her loot. Money, honey. A universal language that speaks to any teen loud and clear.

Chocolate Stout Birthday Cake Recipe and Renaissance Faire!

dolphmusic: the birthday cake recipe - oh MY.: "the birthday cake recipe - oh MY.
Here it is. We did it with just powdered sugar on top instead of the ganache, just because we were running short on time. But still -- oh MY.

The birthday was otherwise excellent as well -- about a dozen of us made our way to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Besides the roast turkey leg and all the lovely beer (no more expensive than at most Chicago bars, by the way), the highlights of the day were:


1. 'The Royal Falconer' -- A falconer, yes, with falcons. And with a pronounced New Jersey accent. Every time there was some pronouncement or other about 'Please remembuh dat dese byoo-tee-ful creatures...', we all just about broke out into uproar. The only thing holding me back was the suspicion that these falcons might have mob ties.

2. 'Christophe The Insulter' -- A vulgar olde tyme! He apparently makes the rounds nationally to ren-faires far and wide, insulting for money. The more you contribute to having someone insulted, the better it is. We put in $60 to have our friend Dan roasted, and that was sure roasty all right."


As if an astounding cake for any chocoholic isn't enough, this fellow celebrated his birthday at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Seems to me a person who makes and eats chocolate stout cake would need to lie down. And eventually, he did, but only after the faire. Sturdy fellow!

Birthday Canoe Trip!

Debbie's Blatherings: Killarney canoe trip, part 1


Alison, the woman in the blue jacket, celebrated her birthday by taking a canoe trip with friends. They didn't invite the bear or the snapping turtle, they just joined the fun. Click the link to see more of this picture and another.

Disney World Obsession--Not Just For Kids!

Happy Birthday Scotty!: "Happy Birthday to my good pal Scott! I wanted to take a moment and tell you a little about him.....and, our friendship! I met Scott some years ago on a Disney Pen Pal site, and have been great friends ever since. Our mutual love of Disney World has given each of us an outlet for which we can take our obsession with it to a whole new level!! We are both fortunate to have wonderful spouses who love Disney, too, although at a much higher level of maturity than Scott & I All four of us have been able to meet up in Disney World, enjoy great (fattening!!) food together, and celebrate our love of the most happiest place on Earth! Our e-mails fly back and forth with Disney gossip, trip plans, and we have fun laughing about the crazy things each one of us does on our trips, that others think is weird!!"


Here's a story about a best friend who shares an obsession with Disney World.

I always figured a birthday at Disney World would be a thrill for a kid. But now I know better.

Here's a woman who would love to celebrate her birthday at Disney World. She's tracking her weight loss on her blog, so the ultimate would be a birthday at Disney World at her goal weight! Whoo-hoo!

17th Birthday Pilot!

Student earns wings on 17th birthday: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Student earns wings on 17th birthday

By Sallie James
Staff Writer
Posted August 7 2005

POMPANO BEACH · Jake Rothstein may not be old enough to vote, but he can fire up a single-engine plane and fly off into the wild blue yonder.

On Saturday, he made three big strides: He turned 17, earned his private pilot's license and took his jittery mother for a ride."


Way to celebrate! Maybe he got cake and kisses, too, but you know the highest high was the flight! Woo-hoo!

17th Birthday With 17 Girls!

everyone!!!!!!! photo - *Jenn* photos at pbase.com

Here are a whole bunch of girls who seem determined to crush the birthday girl. See her? The one in the middle, all pretty and smiling? Oh, wait. They're ALL pretty and smiling.

There are TONS of pictures. Go look. Enjoy. They sure did!

A Girl's 15th Birthday the Aztec Way

air06: My Culture Traditions: "My Culture Traditions

As far that I know about my tradition is that when girls turn 15 their family makes them a celebration. These celebration is known as quinceaneras. Quinceanera is a celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday. A special elborate celebration, the young lady begins her journey into womanhood. This celebration often includes a religious ceremony at church, in which the young lady recognizes her heritage and her spiritual journey. Many quinceaneras include a candle-lighting ceremony, where a young woman illuminates her parents' candles using the flame of her own candle. In turn, her parents light the candles of their parents, and so on. In some Latin American countries, a young woman changes her shoes from flats to heels during the ceremony.According to the Aztecs fifteen was the age at which boys became warriors and girls were also presented to the community because they were looked upon as the vital force of the tribe and its future since they had the power to become mothers and to give future warriors to the tribe. The fifteen-year old Aztec girl was exhorted and instructed by the King in the duties of womanhood, and the funeral honors for an Aztec woman who died in childbirth were the some as those for a warrior who fell in battle. Sometimes girls have a 16th celebration is called a sweet 16th they celebrate it the same way as a 15th."

Cool insight into an Aztec birthday tradition!

The End of The Birthday Curse?

They Call Me Red: GREAT WEEKEND!: "After a shower, a bit of cleaning, and some salsa making our friends #1 and his wife came over for dinner. Hubby made an excellent meal of tacos. They were so good. It was also a lesson for him due to the fact that he never cooks and had no idea where certain items were in the kitchen. It was funny though; Hubby repeativly said that he did not need any help with dinner which I happily complied with. It was only after he had finished the meat, the beans and corn had been heated up and the lettuce torn, that Hubby looks at me and said that I forgot to tell him to make the rice. To which I replied that he asked for no help. Telling him to make the rice would have been helping. He of course took that comment of mine as a joke. You've just got to love that guy.

After dinner they sang happy birthday to me and we all had cake and played card games into the night. Overall it was a great birthday. Surrounded by friends and my hubby, what more could I ask for?"


She blogged for three days on her anxiety over this birthday and what did she get? One of her best birthdays ever.

It started with a sleepy "Happy birthday" from her hubby at 5:45 a.m. and included Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. NOT a bad birthday. Yay!

Splish, Splash I Was Taking A...Birthday Party!

'Tis but a flesh wound: Jonas and Madeline's...: "Jonas and Madeline's...
...birthday party at The Wave Pool, Waterford Oaks Waterpark http://www.co.oakland.mi.us/parksrec/ppark/waterford_wp.html

I actually took a day off from work and had some fun.

Had about 20 or so people and we had a great time. I went out and grabbed 7 Hot N Ready's, 2 - 10 piece buckets of KFC and a sheet cake from Costco (which does not open until 10am by the way). I also had to pick up some more ice so I stopped by the 7 Eleven grabbed some ice and availed myself of a Cherry Slurpee

Another wonderful occasion to get Madeline, Elias and Sophie together again. They are just hilarious, especially when we got them all in the Wave Pool. Got some video and lots of pictures. At the end of the day I had both Madeline and Elias in the inner tube with me and it was hilarious. It's just gonna get better as these kids get older... Had a great day."


I don't know who turned a year older, but this super-pool party sounds like a wet and wild time. No muss, no fuss food and great people enjoying the water sounds like a perfect way to celebrate in hot summer weather.

Where to Make New Friend? Birthday Party!

Ryan's Downward Spyral: My life, Inspired by Justin: "JE and me are really good friends now too, especially since henry is never home we've had a chance to kind of 'bond', for lack of a better word. Llol, it actually happened as a result of henry inviting justin to his birthday party and I wasnt too excited about that at the time, but it actually ended up (at least for me) making us fast friends as well. Hes pretty cool, and reminds me soooo much of myself... same mentality about a lot of things and similar mood swings and such."


Here was a successful party from a guest's point of view. Two guests meet and suddenly a friend of a best friend becomes a good new friend. Um, that sounds confusing, but I don't know how else to say it. Making a new friend, though? That's special.

First Birthday!

Locke and Demosthenes: "Happy Birthday Mark!
Mark, my little brother, turned one today! Yay! We celebrated by going to Tony Roma's, a ribs restaurant. Mark sat at the head of the table, grinning at everyone with a french fry sticking out of his mouth. The order came slowly, and we waited a long time for our drinks, and they charged us $50 too much, but Mark didn't care! He was just happy about all the attention people gave him. We had sundaes for dessert, and he loved those. So although it was low key, Mark still had a good time. Babies can be happy about the smallest things."


Here's a big brother's write-up of a cute little guy's first birthday. Check out the photo. That's a happy kid. Too cute!

Belated Birthday Dinner With Old Friend

What am I still doing here?: Belated Birthday Dinner: "I met my friend Candi for dinner, kind of a mini belated birthday celebration. I brought her a bottle of wine from Australia. I know how she loves to have a good glass of wine every now and then. I hope she enjoys it.

It was great seeing her. It’s kind of funny in a way; I bump along and don’t realize how much I miss her company until I see her again. Then it’s hard to believe how much time has passed since we last met. And we seem to pick up where we left off without hesitation."


If a birthday is good for nothing else, reconnecting with a friend is special. Apparently there's surgery coming up, and the friend is making her next year's birthday plans. Visit Africa? Way to go!

30th Birthday Moving Day and Surprise Party

Excuse Me, I Can't Find My Head: A Year Older, But Not Wiser: "A Year Older, But Not Wiser
So I am now officially 30. Someone get me my walker and arthritis medicine. Anyone want to hear me complain about my aches and pains? No, okay, I'll just talk to myself. Seriously though, I had a lot of fun this weekend (see pics to the right). My sister, Melanie, surprised the hell out of me. Here I was thinking we were just going to have the usual family dinner and go out to a bar to drink like fools. Well, my parents and Melanie come down on Saturday morning to help me move, and who is with them? My cousin, Megan, from Colorado! I had no idea they were flying her in, and those beeatches (Melanie and Megan), who I talk to every single day, managed to keep it a secret from me for a month! It was an awesome birthday present. So we did the move, which was a real hoot. I had my toe crushed, although not broken thank God, and chipped some furniture, but everything worked out in the end. Then we went back to the suburbs where my parents live to hang out until dinner. We ended up at Olive Garden for the birthday extravaganza, where my family insisted on getting the waiters and waitresses out at the end of the meal to sing to me while they all shouted that it was my 30th birhtday - gee..."


She goes on to say her family doesn't make a big deal out of things, especially for birthdays past 18--so she got choked up at this big fuss!

So while the celebration was fun, what struck her was the love behind it. That's true of any birthday celebration, right?