Birthdays and World Festivals

I had a nice birthday last weekend (May 26th in case you missed it!) I went home to Columbus for the long weekend. Drug out my birthday as long as I could. Had a few celebrations and a couple of cakes. I got to spend my birthday with family and good friends from home which is always nice. I'm 24 now, how old! Anyways, good times were had. And I saw Spiderman 3 and Pirates 3, both were entertaining but a little on the long side. It was a nice mini vacation from work before gearing up for our big World Festival which was this past weekend. We had a kick-off concert Friday night and then the festival all day Saturday (2-10 p.m.). I stayed for the long haul. This was the first year the festival was held in June and at Americana (and it was the 17th annual one). It was formerly in September and at a shopping center. This confused people and we didn't have as big a crowd, but it was still a lot of fun. I mostly sat at the booth representing Americana where I was kept entertained by all the kids (basically they wouldn't leave me alone, but it was fun). I also ate some good food, danced some salsa, and made my own tye-dye t-shirt. Not a bad day.

Now that I am settled into a routine I feel I don't have much to write about! And I have been working at the same place for nearly two years so what else is there left to tell? I assume it is obvious that I still enjoy it and have fun with the kids. This past week was my last working the evening shift which I am quite happy about! Not sure what my schedule will be now, but I think I'll go in at 8 tomorrow. The earlier I'm there the earlier I can leave. I'm excited about having evenings again, but not excited about getting up earlier. Oh well, can't have it all! I'm still working out regularly at the Y which I actually enjoy. I am going to start taking group fitness classes this week (the only ones I could take with my old schedule were "silver sneakers"). My housemate Dan and I are trying out Pilates tomorrow evening. There are a bunch of options so I shouldn't get bored. I am also immensley enjoying leaving work and being able to think "what shall I do tonight?" instead of "oh my gosh I have so much homework I should be doing". Whether I decide to go out or stay in, I am enjoying myself. Oh yeah-I am leaving for Hilton Head this coming Friday for a week vacation with my family, which is a part of my yearly routine but still exciting. I will miss the first week of the summer program at ACC. That's when I got hit in the head with a basketball last year, so maybe it's a good thing!

So today started out normal - went to church and then out to lunch at the good old Vietnam Kitchen. Then I had an interesting afternoon - I think I'll do a separate post for that.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and the return of my ramblings. The garden one is for any former LUCers looking at this. It's still alive and kicking - and the Bosnian women are still out there every night!