Three Phase Birthday

I believe it is over, my birthday that is. Technically it was only one day last week, but the celebrating has lasted a little extra this year. It wasn't a Switzerland birthday, but not much could come close to that extraordinary birthday. The 2 surprise birthday cakes in 2 different countries on my birthday, the Swiss fondue dinner in Switzerland and the walk in the Alps, well, what can one say? It was heavenly last year and now life is definitely back to earth.

But it has had a touch of heaven, when all is looked at as a whole.

PHASE 1: At the end of the British Isles cruise I stayed an extra day and flew over to Portugal for a day. Crazy, maybe, but I was too close not to visit César, so we made it work. I arrived there the evening of July 7, exactly 2 weeks before my birthday. It didn't seem like a birthday celebration, but it was a wonderful 24 hours. We checked into the hotel and then César rushed me to change and get ready for my 'birthday' dinner. In Portugal it is bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before their birthday so he tried hard to not wish me one, but still make the visit special. My dinner was a wonderful surprise, he had booked reservations at a Fado restaurant. Fado is the traditional Portuguese music I love and we had talked about visiting a club, but had never done it. Not only was the candlelight dinner excellent at the little Portuguese restaurant, but there was a variety of entertainment including folk music and dance along with fado. A wonderful evening, actually very exciting! After dinner we got ice cream and sat on our balcony enjoying it as we enjoyed the full moon reflecting off the Atlantic Ocean. A beautiful Portuguese night, and so comfortable to be back with my friend. We talked until early the next morning, slept a little, and then had a nice breakfast at the hotel before he walked across the street to his hotel for work. I relaxed in the morning then went into Cascais and walked around the beautiful little town, I had lunch alone overlooking the ocean once again, you can't really avoid the ocean in Cascais. I didn't feel alone, César and I talked often that day. I walked back to his hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on a canopy lounging bed overlooking the ocean in the pool area of his fancy hotel. Finally I was cool! And lying there looking at the deep blue ocean and feeling the breeze over my body, I hoped that I would never forget that feeling, the ultimate in peace and relaxation! And I felt so safe with my friend inside watching out for me. When work was finished, we drove to a little local sandwich shop in Lisbon and ate some delicious food, nothing like our sandwiches here, just perfect, another unique taste of Portugal. I have to give César credit, we have eaten all over Europe and he always orders for me and I always love whatever he chooses! We had 2 pieces of a pastry like cake that had whipped cream filling and a caramel top for my birthday cake and he did what he had never done before in his life. He wished me a happy birthday early. We decided that since it was our only chance and since I'm not Portuguese it would be okay. After our rushed meal in the hot little corner cafe, we rushed to the airport and before I knew it I was telling him goodbye and on my way back to London. My first phase of my birthday celebration was over. And as always, seeing César was incredibly wonderful.

PHASE 2: I flew to Winnipeg the afternoon before my birthday to enjoy the day with my friend there, the man I met when I flew through Winnipeg to go to Churchill to see the polar bears. It seemed like it would be an exciting visit...until immigration decided it was strange that I was visiting for just 3 days (what would there be to do for more time I wondered, but didn't ask) and I was in for quite an experience being interrogated for an hour. I arrived feeling like an excited teacher ready for another new experience, but finally left the airport feeling as though I'd been treated like a criminal. It took a while to get over it and start enjoying the time with Mr. Perlman. We had fun, it was a nice, relaxing time, and there is so much of Winnipeg I didn't get to see yet. Maybe I'll go back for 2 days and see what immigration can do to me next time! I was alone most of my birthday and when I stopped to buy a cake, they decorated it and brought it to me and it had real pansies on the top. It looked so pretty, actually it looked better than it tasted. The pansies made me think of my mom, they were her favorite flowers, a birthday wish from my mom, perhaps? The Fringe festival was in Winnipeg so I enjoyed seeing some of the sights during the day and even went to one play. There were many, many plays all over town and it would have been fun to see others too. The one I saw sounded familiar when the people were telling me about it as I bought my ticket and I realized that I had heard that story very recently, when I was in Edinburgh. And that is where it took place. Evidently the best plays of this Fringe will then go to Edinburgh for the big Fringe festival that is there in August, when the Tattoo is also there. Such a coincidence. I flew home the next day, and Canada had no problems with my leaving, although I was a little sad, I'd had such a nice time. I arrived home in the late afternoon, picked up Bram from the kennel and got ready to start work, again, the next day.

PHASE 3: After 2 days of work and meetings, I flew to Oklahoma on Saturday to see my cousin's son, Jamie, in a big production of 'Jacob and the Technicolor Dreamcoat'. I've never gotten to see him perform and this was his biggest show and part ever, so it was a good one to see. Reba and Chuck picked me up at the airport and when I walked up to my hotel room door I was delightfully surprised! The door was decorated with a 'happy birthday' banner, balloons and streamers. I walked inside and the whole room was decorated! It looked beautiful! Finally someone had really planned a celebration for me! Now it felt like a real birthday. Reba knows how to do decorating! We laughed and enjoyed the afternoon as I opened the gifts they brought me. Later Jillian, Reba's daughter arrived from Dallas with a birthday cake she had made for me. They had planned a party after the show with some other cousins who live in the area. The funny thing is I have always loved the 'funfetti' cake mix and that is the one Jill made for me so it was even my favorite kind! We all went out for a big dinner and then to the show. Jamie was a star! I was so excited to see how incredible he was! And he's my cousin! He is at OU now in the music program, he acts, sings and dances! I am sure someday I will be flying to Broadway to see him! And he is a sweetheart too. I did some reiki while I was there, the first in a long time. We went back to the hotel, ate cake, I drank my first Cosmopolitan, and then the party and the final celebration of my birthday was over. Today I flew home.

Tomorrow I start working full time for a while and then it will be part time. My job is seeming like it will be wonderful! The philosophy of this school is a perfect match for me so it should be a great fit. I have a lot of responsibility and independence, and already appreciation! And so my new year begins with settling down to reality. My 2 year fairy tale ended when I left Winnipeg I think. I know I can't complain, that was quite the 'grand finale'. Although César wants me to visit in the fall and spend time at the castle that you can stay in, I'm not sure I'll make the trip. It's a long way to go. And I feel like the polar bears of Churchill are calling my name, so I might head back up to Hudson Bay in the fall. I'm afraid that reality might take over and all my traveling will cease. Only time will tell. I'm going to try to hold on to bits of the fantasy life I created.

And so now, I do feel a year older...and a little wiser too!