A birthday in Morocco....

What a wonderful birthday I had this year!

It started off in the classroom. My students surrounded my desk and started singing happy birthday to me.. They sang it to me in English, then Arabic, then French, then Berber (a type of Arabic), then Spanish!!! I was shocked and delighted!! They were so pleased with themselves! :) Quite a few had made a card at home for me and two even had a gift for me...one box of chocolates and one mini version of a disco ball (??)  ;)

 At noon this gorgeous bouquet of flowers was delivered to me in the school cafeteria! It was HUGE and so beautiful! I read the card and tears came to my eyes....they were from my kids in New York City!!!! Everyone was amazed that they were SO beautiful AND that they actually arrived ON my birthday IN Morocco!! (I'm telling you....NOTHING happens on time in this country! )  :)

Later in the day I went online to email Jim and Jenny a thank you note. I noticed an email from my other kid in San Francisco. Eric was writing to tell me that he had tried to give me a wake up call that am! He said he tried both phones. My cell phone only works in Morocco. I think he may have gotten through on the land line. Unfortunately I think I had left for school already and missed the call. That would have been a great surprise! Do I have great kids, or what?? !! :)

The young teacher-gals were going to have me over tonight for a Mexican meal with REAL margaritas, chips and salsa. (a real scarcity here in Morocco and I miss them so much!) But I was absent from school two days with the flu this past week and so were two other teachers. So, we decided to postpone the meal until next weekend. I can't wait!

So, instead, three of us went to TGI Fridays for an American meal. We had so much fun laughing and sharing our meals. Building relationships has been so fun  and interesting and challenging and awesome! When you move to another country not knowing anyone, you are thrown into these groups and you have to learn about these new people . Quickly you learn to love them,  depend on them and share with them....it's really pretty amazing and pretty awesome! I thank God DAILY for all of my new friends here in Morocco.

I ended the day reading over the SIX birthday cards that arrived that day also!!! AND the email and fb messages! It was sooooo fun to hear from so many people! Thank you friends and family for making my day wonderful! .....and a special thank you to Jim, Jenny and Eric....I love you!

I saw this on the trash can along the ocean...Thank YOU!! :)