Sometimes it feels like I grew up too fast. It's how I feel celebrating my
21st birthday in Thailand post-grad. I
can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on the debauchery of American 21st
birthdays. A
quiet dinner with my host family is not the rowdy climax I anticipated for turning legal.
Because my birthday
would not involve trashy college bars and vodka, I made sure it did
include my third favorite thing, cheese ;) Cheese in Thailand comes at a high
price. The going rate is 80 baht, which should buy dinner buy dinner for a family of four. Still a Sconnie needs cheese on her birthday, especially when someone
else is paying.
There were other highlights on my special day. Several
volunteer friends showed off their art skills and made birthday cards. I got lots of birthday hugs. I capped off the workday with a birthday bee-ah lee-oh, Beer Leo.
My host family was waiting in the car when I got home, ready to take me out for a birthday dinner. The food at the restaurant was actually so good it reminded me that I like Thai food.There were relatives and cake and presents. I received a big
stuffed penguin. My host family said, "Geng Mak" when I learned the Thai word so quickly (the word by the way, is penguin).
On the way home I couldn’t help but smile to myself. It’s
incredible to be half way around the world and have a second family and friends
who make sure I had a happy birthday. Growing up too fast lead me to Thailand and I can't complain about that.
And as I final birthday treat to myself, I am about to watch
several illegally downloaded episodes of 30 Rock. Then it’s off to bed for some
sweet Alec Baldwin dreaming.
