It's my Birthday and I'll cry if I want to!

So, on my first day here I had a moment of sadness where I just had to cry. Coming to DC was hard because I wanted so badly to be home this summer, since I have no clue where next year will take me. I was alone in my room, but as soon as I was with people- happiness arrived!

When I got home from hanging out with boyfriend on Saturday night, I was having trouble finding people that I could go out with at Midnight, when I turned 21. People wanted to the night before, but after everyone's long day around DC, everyone was too tired. Also, everyone was out getting ice cream/watching movies/who knows what, so I was alone when the clock struck 12. Call me lame, but I kind of might have sung happy birthday to myself. I also wasn't getting any messages or calls, which confused me because there are always those few that roll in right at midnight. I was really sad, and had only bf tell me happy birthday. When I told him that nobody wanted to go out, he decided he would take me. So he came back and took me to a club that his cousin was at. They played a lot of African music, and I was able to get my birthday drink (I wasn't sure I would be able to later since we had work the next day). Also, I had forgotten that I am in a different timezone from everyone else. After we got off the subway, I had many text messages and a voicemail from my big, who had been trying to call me but I didn't have service. My night had turned around. :)

In the morning, I was able to wake up without an alarm for the first time since arriving in DC. It felt wonderful. I laid in bed for a while until I decided I should get some food and get ready for the day. Last week I volunteered to be a part of a group that is getting extra professional development training, and we met for the first time that afternoon. After that meeting, our groups presented about our Saturday adventures and how it related to Community. The word our group had chosen was "Acceptance." We were given a 3 minute limit, but most people took much longer. Our group was determined to make it, so we did. It was fast and entertaining. We made it into the top 3, but didn't get the popular vote to be the winner. That's okay though, because we accomplished what we wanted! After the presentations we all ate pizza, and some alumns of the program gave advice for this summer. Most said to not worry about sleeping. I am normally pretty good at not getting much sleep, but that is a skill that is fading. We shall see!

That day, some of the girls decided that we had to do something for my birthday. It made me happy that people cared enough even though I just met them! A group of 9 of us headed to a Cheesecake Factory nearby. Since we had already eaten, we focused on the desert menu (and me the drinks menu, of course). I ordered the Dutch Apple Streusal cheescake, which was perfect in every way. The waiters sang happy birthday to me while deliverying my plate, which had "Happy Birthday To You" written on it. I even got a candle! Based off of our waitresses suggestions, I ordered a Mai Tai and (I think) Georgia Peach. They were both delicious.

That was it for the night, as well all had big days the next day. All in all, it was a great birthday. I very much appreciate all the messages I got, and I especially appreciate everyone who helped me to spend a great birthday in DC.