yee sib sorng.

meaning: twenty-two.
sounds like gibberish? well, welcome to the Thai language.

my first birthday out of the country, and, i must confess that this birthday (though insignificant in number,) may have been the best birthday i've ever had. in the past, usual birthday traditions included an early-morning birthday wish from my mom, beckoning from the kitchen that my "L"-shaped birthday pancakes were getting cold and that if I didn't wake my lazy, birthday-butt out of bed, I'd most likely be late for school. Once at school, classmates would congratulate me on another year of life completed with treasures such as awkward side-hugs, hand-made cards (my favorite), and maybe, just maybe, a wonderfully performed rendition of "happy birthday" sung in the tone of voice-change. After the 3 o'clock bell would ring, the nighttime birthday fun would begin; dinner out, presents, celebration and several phone calls from various family members packaging long-distance encouraging words for my birthday enjoyment.

Ah, yes..the birthday. What I love most about having a birthday is that that one day, it never fails that everyone is so concerned with your happiness. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! crowds, strangers and loved-ones cheer with smiles- (and sometimes, even balloons!) Afterall, nothing bad ever comes from an occassion with balloons- UNLESS, it's a hot-air balloon. Hot-air balloons are like the birthday balloon's high-altitude, risky, firey, evil little brother, out to destroy all the good that comes with birthdays- which, of course, is why I NEVER plan on riding in an air-balloon (or an airboat,) because, afterall, I'd like to enjoy the remainder of birthdays the Lord may give me on this earth.

Why was this past birthday so special? Being required to attend 3 hours of mandatory church services indeed added no significance whatsoever to the 14th of November of 2007 for yours truly; rather, there are 10 little 5th graders of whom I hold so dearly to my now 22-year old heart that made my day-my birthday-so spectaular. As I approached my homeroom around 7:30am, I heard rustling, yelling, running, screaming- excitment. As I entered the room (not even knowing they had any knowledge that it was my birthday,) I approached my desk only to find a birthday cake sitting on my chair. As they all screamed, "Happy Birthday, Ms. Lauren!!!!," they immediately ran up to my desk, showering me with crayola-made prizes, presents and tokens of appreciation. They sang, they danced and they rejoiced- and a seemingly normal day turned into a day of excitement. Every corner I turned random students would yell "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY! MS. LAUREN! MS LAUREN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" I may have heard that phrase more in that one day than I've ever heard on all my other birthdays altogether.

After the school day ended, my friend Mike and I opted out of church-dinner (which was a wise decision, seeing that the menu for the evening was something I like to call "nasty-fish-balls-in-oily-garlic-water soup") and went out for a good meal, and holiday coffee at Starbucks. That evening, I went to church and returned back to my apartment to spend the majority of the evening on the phone with my very-missed family members and friends. My day came to a close, laying in bed with an apple-pie-scented candle burning as I wrote in my new journal.

My day- my 22nd birthday- though absent of L-shaped pancakes and close family, was.... perfect.

I've made a few decisions for the age of 22. So many birthdays in the past have actually left me feeling a bit empty and I realize it was all by my own doing. Disappointments, self-inflicted pain and depression...all for no reason. I've come to the point to where I'm at the age where I have to start taking control of a few areas of my life concerning my day-to-day happiness. A few things, here-and-there, have gone neglected by the duties of each day- and, I like to say that although it's not the New Year, for me, it IS a new year. A new year of life, (regardless of what the calendar says,) and a year that I truly believe will be the best yet. Not a DAY..but instead, a YEAR to celebrate life...Mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically- change. newness. freshness.

so, hello, twenty-two- nice to meet you.
not a day- but, a year. a year for me..and, a year for you too (regardless of the calendar date)..

So, to all of you, a word of encouragement as well-
these words of worth and wisdom were written to me in a lovely little card of scribbles and paste by boy named Eun-Ki (3rd grade,)which read:

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALL THE TIME."