My Birthday

Everyone celebrate birthday's differently, some like big parties and lots of attention while other try to hide the fact that it is their birthday. I don't like to make a big deal out of my birthday, but it was yesterday and so I thought I would share with you what my birthday on the Africa Mercy was like. 

It started when the clock stuck midnight, and I was sitting in the ward working on my chart checks for the night. Yes, I was working a night shift. Then at 7 in the morning, when the next shift comes in to take over they all sing happy birthday to me before we pray and then give handover (or report). 

After I finished handover, I quickly went to drop off some stuff in my room before running up to breakfast. While I'm walking up to my room I see balloons hanging from the ceiling and signs hanging on the wall. 

The HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner 

The balloons outside the door

Anyway, I was able to make it to the cafeteria and get something to eat before they closed up for the morning. After eating, needless to say I went to bed!! Sleep was so nice, the room was dark and quiet and it didn't take long before I was sound asleep. 

The next thing that I knew, I heard someone calling my name. It was one of my cabin-mates and I was so confused as to why she would be waking me up. As it happens, there was an extra nurse and so they gave me last night off. That was a very pleasant surprise and so I rolled out of bed around 2 in the afternoon. After that, I got coffee, and socialized with different friends and then watched the sunset.

Another one of my friends made a cake, so I did eat a piece or two of really amazing sour cream cake laced with cinnamon and pecans. That is the extent of what I did on my birthday. 

I am going out tonight to celebrate some more. Since I thought I was going to have to work last night I didn't plan on going out yesterday. Tonight I'm going out with some friends for dinner and to celebrate a friends birthday that's today. Since they are only a day apart we decided that maybe we should go out and celebrate together with some friends. 

The one thing that I wanted to do yesterday I did manage to successfully accomplish...avoid the cafeteria singing!!! One tradition that is aboard the Africa Mercy is that if you are in the cafeteria on your birthday, your friends may ring the bell and announce that it is your birthday. Then everyone proceeds to sing happy birthday. My goal was to avoid that at all costs, I do not like to be the center of attention! 

There really isn't anything else to tell, but it was relaxing and enjoyable.