A Birthday in Russia

well, i must say, if you ever get the opportunity to celebrate a birthday in russia, do it.  russians LOVE birthdays.  they are serious about them.  and they are generous and loving and eloquent.  they don't just toss off a quick "happy birthday!" as they pass you in the hall.  they seek you out.  and give you a kiss on the cheek, and wish you a hearty congratulations.  and then, they stand before you, look you in the eye, and tell you all of the things they wish for you in the coming year.  luck, success, to stay true to your heart, believe in yourself, love, happiness, there is no end to what they wish.  and everyone does it.  at first i didn't realize how serious this is.  i kept saying thank you and then attempting to sit down.  but they kept going, so i learned to stop, listen, and take it in.  they are very sincere.  and it is beautiful.  and they do it one at a time all day long.  a tradition i'd like to keep going when i move back home!  how incredible is that!  and they give FLOWERS!!  fresh flowers are one of my most favorite gifts ever.  just such a sweet expression of love and joy.  so several of my female colleagues gave me sweet bouquets tied with a festive ribbon.  and my parents win for figuring out how to send me flowers!!!  a beautiful basket of summery, sweet flowers.  i was so touched!  and then my closest colleagues collaborated to buy me a gift certificate to a fancy russian banya.  kind of like a spa...but they scrub your skin to the bone, and beat you slightly with branches.  and plunge you in an ice bath.  the russians are a little, um, intense.  but it's supposed to be amazing!! :).  i can't wait, regardless.  so very generous. so yeah, have a birthday in russia.  you will feel like a queen.

here are some pics from the day:

these are tasty perogi.  like pies.  anne knows i LOVE cherries, so she picked up 2 cherry pirogi and 1 plum one.  this is another russian tradition.  typically the birthday girl/boy brings treats in for the ENTIRE office.  they must break the bank, seriously.  i am fortunate that i did not have to do that, and anne so generously brought in pies for our department, and whomever else happened to be lucky enough to stop by.  

this is anne and i sampling the goods.  very nice.

sasha, anne, myself and julie-ann chowing down.

the flowers mom and dad sent!!

these are all the flowers from co-workers, and the gift certificate they made me for the banya.

birthday dinner!  these are fancy bruschetta pieces...with crab and avocado and i don't know what else.

birthday dinner out crowd: campbell, julie-ann, luba, sasha, jason, me, anne.

so it was a great birthday, even though i was far away from my family and closest friends.  my russian and international friends did a pretty darn good job at making me feel special and loved.  i thank them from the bottom of my heart.  was a fantastic day.