Xronia Polla (to Me)!!

I have to admit that I usually have pretty high expectations for my birthday. Because its in the summer I have had the opportunity to celebrate this day on many family vacations and in all parts of the world, including New York, Hawaii, Branson (better than it sounds) and Hong Kong...haha :) Needless to say, this one had a lot to live up to. Despite these expectations, this might have been one of the absolute best birthdays yet! It actually ended up being a 3 day celebration, beginning on Thursday and ending on the real day itself, Saturday the 13th.

Thursday night started off the festivities with a "Texas Party" at our Steki. Marta and I had been wanting to plan a Texas night, but it never happened. But now with 35 Texans in Athens, one was bound to take place. The highlight of this was having Tom (a summer proj student) teach all the guys to two-step and seeing some of them paired with my Greek friends. It was such a cross-cultural night, with some Greek dancing thrown in...so memorable!

Our scheduled trip to Corinth was supposed to be a relaxing day of reading under a tree while everyone climbed the high fortress in the ancient city (i've done it twice already), a great meal at Nikos, and a few hours WATCHING people bungy jump at the Corinth Canal. Little did I know I would be a jumper as well. YES, I BUNGY JUMPED!! As a release form was thrust into my hands, I was told that people had pitched in to pay for my jump...for my birthday. Oh Gosh. I was in shock. Shaking. Silent. Heart beating a million miles per second. Could I really jump 300 feet in the Corinth Canal?? Well, yes, I could and I did!! Seriously one of the most phenomenal experiences of my life. I highly recommend it ;) Thanks everyone for that amazing gift!!

My 23rd birthday itself started with a morning pancake breakfast at the Apels. Then Jonah Apel (age 7) took me on a date to get ice cream and play Skip-Bo ;) His dad is teaching him well!! I fit in some shopping, and then watched a movie and ate cake with our team at the Apels that night.

I could not have asked for a better day...or days. Thanks to everyone who made this day so special! It was great to feel so loved while so far from friends and family at home. My 23rd year was a year I will never forget!