Birthday Bash!

Yes, I turned 24 this weekend, and thanks to all my AMAZING friends I had a really fun time! The day started off with a nice run at 5:45, then I got to hang out with the oldies for a bit at the elderly home... I ordered a bunch of cupcakes from a cafe to take to my friends and co-workers, since you're supposed to bring your own birthday cake here:) I relaxed and was pampered for 3 hours at a salon getting a manicure and pedicure, had a lovely language lesson, and then went to this amazing, quaint French restaurant for dinner with some other foreign friends! Although I wasn't able to be with everyone that I would have liked to (back in the States), It was a really nice birthday... Then Saturday evening I threw a party for all my local friends:) Also a tajik tradition, the birthday guests are "treated" by the birthday person, so I chose a "south of the border" theme, and had tacos, spanish rice, chips and salsa along with the cup cakes and brownies! It was a lot of fun:) They were all sweet, and gave a really nice toast to this next year. I have come to realize I would not survive without friends:)



October 1st was the End of Ramazon Holiday, so Tuesday night I was invited to go out with one of my language teachers, her family, and several other friends to their hometown to spend the "ede" there... We spent the night, and then went visiting and eating all day Wednesday, after the 3 hour drive home we stopped to eat some more at another home, and then had a nice dance party to conclude the evening... what fun:)! Although I was not fasting, I am so happy the fast is over, and feel I have freedom again to eat and drink in public:) Life is so fun! O and I am on the countdown until I return home... I leave here on the 10th of November and can't wait to hug everyone!