So last week came faster than expected and with this my birthday. Earlier that week I made my first experience with Chinese medicine, as I was knocked out by a fever and a strong cold. Gosh, is that stuff sweet! It's a pulver you have to dissolve in hot water and then just get it down. Like 5 times a day. But to my surprise it did get better pretty soon, so that after 2 days in bed I was already back to normal - just in time for my birthday here in China. As for the day itself, I took our two Ayis out for lunch, and I think they might have been happier than I was that day ;-) so we had some yummie lunch together and a nice little stroll through the mall the restaurant was placed. I hooked myself up with some gloves, as I will be heading to a freezing cold Beijing in 2 weeks to renew my Visa. And our Ayi got me a nice sweater. And the other one nice earings. I felt so bad, knowing that they spend their own money, which they don't have alot themselves (or have to send 90% to their families back home) to buy me gifts. That was really sweet. Those two ladies really feel like family to me!
The afternoon was spent together with my hostkids, as usual, and for dinner our Ayi prepared my favorite curry as well as tons of other delicious dishes. But for sure, the exciting part was what came after dinner - yes folks, BIRTHDAY CAKE! And how crazy big! My hostmom really exaggerated with its size! That evening we maybe ate a quarter of that fat boy. But it was truly yummie! Lots of whipped cream and fruits, just how I like it ;-) Amy helped me blow the candles (probably more suliva on the cake than candles blown out in her case) and Rex helped me cut the first piece. They were both adorable, also making me crafts and drawings.
I have to say though that birthdays for Chinese are not really a big deal. Yes, they have birthday cake, yes, the family tries to have a dinner together that day, but that's basically it. No presents, no birthday cards, no hugs, no looking-in-your-eyes when congratulating. Text messages come but rarely anyone really tries to call you on the phone or meet you in person. But hey, why hugging people if I can hug the huge Pringle's reduced fat sour cream and onion can that I treated myself to that night?!
So I really had a great day that last Friday and liked it just the way it was. Though I do admit that I am looking forward to spending my 21st birthday in Germany again, together with family and good old friends. That just has something so warming and safe - and something so yummie as my mom's currant cake ;-)