Baghdad Birthday!

So yesterday was my 23rd Birthday! Crazy how times flies! ;) I had mentioned that it was my birthday to Vanessa & Spence just so that we could make sure to go to the Embassy DFAC (mess hall) so I could get a birthday ice cream. We had a packed morning full of meetings so we actually missed lunch at the DFAC - Burger King was my special bday lunch! No ice cream but it was still a good morning/afternoon. We needed to come back and get some memos out for an Iraqi and I of course was too distracted with all my wonderful bday email messages. So i finally gave up and went to have a beer w/ the PSDs and watch them play darts. Well they all knew about my birthday so they all wished me happy birthday and I even got a present from the Kiwi's! Next they all - the PSDs and Vanessa & Spence - surprised me with a birthday cake and candles. I was sooo incredibly touched. So we had cake before our dinner meeting and hung out w/ the boys some more. I was also awarded Employee of the Month for PILPG Baghdad for November 2006! I was sort of a lock since I'm the only actual employee here! ;) It was my bday present from Vanessa & Spence and now hangs in our office! We headed off to one of the 2 restaurants in town - the Baghdad Country Club for a dinner meeting w/ 2 other NGOs and then 3 of our PSDs and our new British friends came and joined us for drinks afterwards. All in all it was a MARVELOUS, LOVELY, very touching bday. These ppl are amazing and giving and I am just amazed every day by their generosity. And now this morning (the 15th here) the Iraqi women who come in every day to take care of us came in and gave me Birthday wishes and kisses. This place is truly amazing! I missed being able to spend my birthday with all of my friends and family back home but I have had a birthday I will always remember and cherish. Miss you all!