Yesterday was my birthday, my second in California. Where I sometimes catch myself feeling a little bit lonely, or convinced that I’m a bad friend that doesn’t have other people to connect with, what happened yesterday proved me very wrong and it felt wonderful.

After my Leo told me “Happy Birthday” at the stroke of midnight, and approximately 1 million times thereafter during the day, I also really enjoyed those Facebook wall comments, as random as they were– people took the time to wish me good things, and even though Facebook comments are so simple, it really did mean a lot!

My mom and dad both called several times, including once to have me listen while they clinked their glasses, toasting their *heavily* alcoholic drinks to me, from 2,500  miles away. My brother sent me a text message in the midst of counseling summer camp for a bunch of 3 year olds. Oh, family.

During work, the folks at the office surprised me with a cake and sang me a song! I feel that I’m gushing, but to have workplace do something like that, just surprise you and sing for you and wish you a great day– it made me so happy, about everything and about workplace. Thanks guys!

The cherry on the sundae came during dinner. I thought Leo was taking me for a meat-tastic dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse with at most 2 friends…when we walked in, there was a table full of people who were beaming at me! I  was utterly surprised, exhilarated, a little teary, and it was wonderful. I am SO thankful to have all of these people in my life– Leo, my handsome man who went all out and completely surprised me, Kris who came down from San Francisco, Orkut and Derek who brought me karaoke video games (…yes, a karaoke party is now forthcoming), Melissa and David who brought champagne for the birthday girl, Nick who drank the darkest beer I’ve ever seen (like black oil), and Dan and Cristina, who will soon move straight into my apartment complex and I will pester much more often.

Thanks guys! Having all of you there to share in good meat and good food meant the world to me– I floated on clouds, and that’s how a birthday should be. I am completely grateful.