Birthday:)

I must say, I've never seen a group of people work so hard to try to make a day so special. Monday night, a bunch of girls were watching a movie in the lounge room. The movie ended around 12:20, but being in a daze, I thought nothing of it. They did- they burst out singing Happy Birthday. I don't even know how they planned that, since I was sitting in the room with them the whole time! Unless they assumed I would watch the movie, and decided way earlier in the day. I woke up that morning to take a shower. I didn't have contacts in yet, but I saw these blurry shapes at the end of the hall with balloons and streamers. I could totally hear them saying- "here she comes, oh no, quick go in this way" :) lol. my roommates decorated my bed, and then scared me when I came back into the room after my shower, when they yelled surprise, and I was expecting people to be sleeping still (I couldn't tell who it was that was at the end of the hall). I foolishly thought that would get everything out of their system. No. Apparently, everybody told EVERYBODY else (even a visitor who had graduated last year and who I had met 5 minutes ago, came running back into my room to give me a hug!). I also received an embarrassingly loud and awkward round of happy birthday singing in the cafeteria during lunch by everyone in there. Bethany then came by for a visit (APU is only like 25 minutes away:):). Dinner was normal, except for the fact that these pieces of paper that have all the announcements for the day and are on the tables said Happy Birthday, August. I also got laughed at uncontrollably for the fact that I like mannequins (it was a good laugh, though). We were having a Bible Study at 10, but the leader asked if everybody could come in a little early. I went in and sat in a chair. I should have figured something was up when a couple people were holding cameras..... nope. They turned off the lights, and brought in a cake covered in things that partly define me. Like paints, a brush, and two little masks (which are now sitting on my desk). It was decorated amazingly!! I am so amazed at these ladies who went so far out of their way for me. All day, I was receiving cards and gifts outside my door. They certainly succeeded in making me see how blessed I am to be here among them.