I am 23 now. I can't really say that I feel much differant, however I do feel like as the years pass I am some how behind schedule. I know that I am not, but there are still so many things that I want to do as I am gaining more and more responsibility and growing closer and closer to the place I live and the relationships that I have it will be even harder for me to leave. I still want to leave one day. To fulfll my dream of living in Africa, but for now I am pretty content where I am. I could see my self here for several years. I think this is the first time I have admitted that, and it might just be a good week. But I suspect I will be in the States for at least two more years.

So, yesterday was my birthday. Last night Mom, Dad, Wil and Amy and I all went out to dinner. Outback! Pretty much amazing. We went all out. Appitizers, drinks, steaks. I felt loved. As I was sitting there I could not stop smiling, I was reminded over and over about how blessed I have been in this life. My family is more than I could ask for. Mom and Dad drove from Atlanta and Wil and Amy came from North Carolina, just to have dinner with me and to eat a little birthday cake. Mom made my favorite, Chocolate Peanut Butter. To die for.

My housemate Corinne came into my room and gave me something I treasure. Chocolate Chips. I am sitting here eating them as well speak. Brian came over and gave me a funny card and Sour Patch Kids. You know why he gave me sour patch kids? People who know me really well know that when I eat anything sour my right eye twitches. Without fail. Its pretty amazing actually. Annoying from my standpoint, but histarical to those around me. I appreciate them.

I got to talk to my whole family yesterday. Even Meg called from Tanzania. And all three of my verbal nieces called to wish me a happy birthday. They all said they loved their Aunti Anna and I almost cried.