The problem with international living is that you often only have a few days to enjoy being with very special friends. The good thing about international living is that, if you're lucky, you can see those very same friends in so many different places, and sometimes, if you're really, really lucky, you can celebrate their birthday too!
Every year close to Chinese New Year, Sarah turns a year older. Usually we have a special event for her knowing that the real day is a couple weeks away. But this time, as it turned out, we were leaving on the very day that was her birthday! Though it wasn't perfect (we didn't actually see her on that day as we had to leave at 5:30 am), it was close enough, and Trina went over to The Blue Pumpkin to get some little goodies for a special get together. Then, after returning to the hotel after the day's events, we had a bit of a surprise party for Sarah. She was thrilled so much that it took her several attempts to blow the candles out.
What ensued was simply beautiful. She and Amalia and Irini sat on the couch and laughed and giggled and played to their hearts' content. Later they would follow Trina and Natalia around as they did a choo choo train around the room. They would make faces for the camera and, finally, we managed to get the group shot that had been so fleeting until then. It was a great ending to a fantastic few days. It also marked the end to a small tradition of spending Chinese New Year with our China-based friends. Next year they're off to Bahrain and there ain't no Chinese New Year celebratin' in them parts of the world. Not be be disillusioned, the gang is already working ways around it. Perhaps June in Greece?
Happy birthday Sarah! See you soon Trina and Joe (and Sarah too, of course!)
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