Rachel's Adventures in Spain : My 25th Birthday

On Monday (February 8^th) it was my birthday. I turned the ripe old age of 25. I woke up pretty groggy as I had stayed up to finish watching a documentary and also my mum messaged me on Whatsapp to remind me of the time I entered the world. I got dressed and then made my way to the kitchen for breakfast. My host family were running about getting ready for school and they wished me a happy birthday. Soon I was on my way to school where, upon arrival I was greeted by my colleague Judit who wished me a happy birthday. I swiftly grabbed a coffee to perk up and we went to our first class where the children were learning about animals in the garden.

The morning past and then it was time to go home for lunch. I was pretty hungry by this time. As this was a special day we also had Coca Cola and lemonade to drink, instead of water. I can’t remember what we had exactly for the main course, but for dessert it was my favourite: strawberries. I made a smiling face with the spray cream and Julia kept reminding everyone that it was my birthday. It was really sweet.

After lunch, Julia and Alex went to their grandparents’ room where the keyboard is. Alex tried to play Happy Birthday, but I had to remind him of the melody! They sang Happy Birthday in both Catalan and English, which was really enjoyable. I also spoke to my aunt and uncle on Facetime plus many different family members and friends wished me a Happy Birthday throughout the day.

It was time to go back to school and part of my afternoon was being stuck with two misbehaving boys. After that I was with the same class helping them with arts and crafts. Their teacher Anna told me I could finish early and the whole class sang Happy Birthday. I left school and Marta was waiting outside for the kids, I talked to her for a few minutes and made my way back home.

This year was similar but different to last year. Unlike last year, I am living with a host family so I always have someone to talk to when I get home. This is the second year that I haven’t celebrated my birthday at home with my family. However the family I stay with here in Spain are so kind and lovely I feel like they are. They have treated me like own of their own and made me feel so welcome. They are also pleased with how I take an interest in helping their children learn English which is part of my job description, but of course I really enjoy doing it.

After school finished I had a snack and watched Shrek with Julia. Afterwards I spoke to my mum via Facetime and then it was time for dinner. We had a special meal to celebrate with chicken and I also had some salad (you have to be healthy after all!) We were all talking and laughing, Julia showed me videos of the minions singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and birthday songs being sung in Spanish and Catalan.

I then spoke to my mum on Facetime and introduced her to the host family. It was fantastic that they finally got to meet. Technology is great. My dad was out playing football, so unfortunately he wasn’t able to talk to them. Once I’d finished talking to mum, the host family told me that I was getting a surprise! They presented me with some lovely gifts – a warm fleece, leggings and two beautiful pieces of jewellery: three separate blue and silver bracelets which can be worn together and two necklaces which can be worn together or separately. One of them has ‘February’ written in delicate curled writing and the other one is my birth stone, the purple Amethyst.

If not only that was enough, I was presented with a beautiful chocolate cake which had a flashing ‘2’ candle and a red ‘5’ candle to make up my age: 25! It was a wonderful evening, we had so much fun and laughed so much.

I’m looking forward to what my 25^th year has in store for me!