23.... where do I go from here

AHHH my birthday night of course! I can't believe I am 23, does that make me old? It was so nice, we went to "my parent's" restaurant, Quim Quima, one of the best restaurants in Tarragona, if not THE BEST. "My parents'" friends heard it was my birthday and they decided to come as well. One thing led to another an the restaurant was full tonight! I sat at a table with the grandparents (Carmen and Jordi, and Baba) and the kids. We were all supposed to sit at one long table, the family and the friends, but it started raining so the terrace was out of the question. Unusual, because we all know where the rain in Spain usually falls.

One of Eva's friends that I have only met once, the night I first arrived, came to eat at the restaurant tonight and brought me a present. It was a gold colored cuff bracelet that I loved. And it also fit perfectly with the jewelry I wore tonight. Honestly, when she gave it to me I couldn't believe it. It was the only present I received ON my birthday and it was from someone I barely knew... honestly I almost cried. So thoughtful.

I was sitting at the table tonight and everyone was speaking Catalan. In my head I was so frustrated... it is isolating honestly. Catalan is nothing like the Spanish I know. It is a completely different language. It kinda sucked for lack of a better word. But I am the only one here to speak for myself so unless I request otherwise (Castillano) I can't expect them to speak the Spanish I know.

That said, I am so lucky to be with the family I am working for. I have now met many of the other au pairs (which are friends of my "mom" Eva) and their mothers are not so nice... some of them actually scare me.

Sooooo after dinner, I met up with a fellow traveler Uriah. An Australian I met in Greece, who currently lives/works in London. We had a blast in Santorini with my sisters and his friends a couple summers ago. He is now backpacking Europe solo... how brave... I felt bad that I couldn't offer him a place to stay tonight, he is going to camp tonight instead. Either way it was good to see a familiar face... and it was only familiar still thanks to Facebook. The most amazing tool for vagrants ever invented.

I miss you family! I love it here... trying to have patience in learning the language and making local friends. The weather isssss perfect, despite a quick shower tonight. And P.S. my mom wrote me the coolest email ever, which I will now include in my blog whether she likes it or not, because it made me cry. I Looooooooove herrrrr.

I can hardly believe that 23 years ago it was one of hottest summers on record, I had just finished reading Chesapeake, meg and Robbie were spending the night, we had all just watched the rocky with living in America, dad and i were watering the yard to a full moon, and we finally got in the bed only to awaken to the alarming fact that my water had broken and becoming parents was an immediate reality. Whew! It was really time to go to the hospital to have our first child. By the way it didn’t go quickly. 17 hours later our beautiful kate was here. Dad almost fainted at the sight of you he was so over come. I thought you were the most perfect thing I had ever seen. Papa always said your first impression is the best and he was right you do continue to be perfect in my eyes. I have been blessed to have 3 most precious daughters. Thank the Lord and you for that. Have a wonderful birthday. I am sorry I am not there to celebrate it with you. Be safe and know that I am giving many hugs to you on this side of the Atlantic. I love you. Happy birthday. mama