The Coldest/Warmest Birthday Ever

My 22nd birthday celebrated last week was in the running for the best one ever. Having a summer birthday I always associate it with Beach Club Parties (probably at least 12 years worth...), sun, summer vacation, etc. this year I found myself in a down coat, wool socks and a red WINTER English Camp T-shirt. It was cold. However, the warm messages I received from the students, my friends and family here and at home, and overall love was better than I could have ever imagined. Birthday Highlights: 1. Celebrating with the program volunteers on Thursday night. Plans to go to the Casino in Temuco were deferred due to the high volume of high school students at the club. We found ourselves doing a mini-bar crawl down Avenida Alemania (Boca de Lobos, Beermania) and then a karaoke bar where I channeled my inner Rihanna with a gringa rendition of We Found Love and the Pobre Rico theme song. Allison, Silvia and Nicole also gave me a beautiful necklace from the Mercado! 2. Cake and candles for breakfast courtesy of our camp monitor Vanesa. 3. Gifts, cards, and tons of besos from the students. More cake at lunch with the students singing to me and presented me with a card signed by all of them. (I cried at the table). 4. A call from Tatiana saying her siter gave birth to her baby (expected at the end of the month). We visited Viviana and Ariel in the hospital that evening. 5. I ventured back to Galvarino for the night to celebrate. We ate vacuno, pollo, and cerdo at midnight. Had my face pushed into the cake after both Spanish and English versions of "Happy Birthday" I was given very thoughtful gifts from my host family including Mapuche style traditional earrings and a figure called the Indio Picaro(of which have to be seen to be believed...).Enjoyed wine and conversation until about 3 am when I could no longer keep my eyes open. It was different being away from my family and friends on my birthday but that is what I am here for: a different experience. I am continuing to try to embrace everything and appreciate what I have rather than what is lacking. I am extremely grateful for all of the love and support.