Turning 21

One year ago on this day I was laying in a hospital bed recovering from mono that almost killed me. It is crazy just how much we grow up and change in one year. I have been through so much this last year, it really  puts things into perspective! But today was simply wonderful, I stupidly already wrote this blog and then opened a new window to upload that pictures so it somehow deleted my SUPER LONG POST so I will try to recreate that but I also want to go out and make a story today! 

Sertec is rocking Red wings and
 Kristina is wearing UofM!

Kristina called me early and asked if I wanted to spend the day with them if I was not doing anything and naturally I said yes! I love being with her and Sertec, they make me feel like family and forget and feeling of homesickness that might arise. So they picked me up and we went to the market to buy the food for the dinner she was going to cook for me later in the day! We are having Mexican! I am so excited! But first we need coffee to wake up! This time when we order i get a double shot of espresso, mainly to force me to drink slow. They take their time when they drink coffee here! They want to just relax and talk when they drink coffee, it is really enjoyable. After coffee we head off to the supermarket to buy food. I also have to buy food because I have not braved the cafeteria yet and ate through all the food I bought. It is hard buying food here because all the food is fresh and my former college life consisted almost 90% frozen dinners and 10% takeout. So now I must try and cook food but i do not have  a kitchen. This is a problem but I will 

The delicious kebab I ate at the mall,
this is my substitute for burgers for the next seven months. 

make it work! I know I wont starve because i have been feeding my self pretty well so far, just got to get the swing of things down!

We then headed to Kristina's place, she started cooking while I finished writing yesterdays blog! While i was writing I received a nice skype call from my parents. They sang me happy birthday! I always feel awkward on my birthday when people sing you happy birthday, Is it just me or do you not know what to do. I feel like I should give a speech or something! like "Thank you, I am very happy to have made it around the sun once again, considering all the stupid things I have done this is quite the accomplishment and I hope my track record will remain unblemished for a while longer, Thank you again!" But it was nice to see my family back home while surrounded by new family here. I really know that I am loved, I am so blessed for all the people in my life that care for me. 

After seeing my parents Kristina's friends started arriving for dinner. They are just like Kristina! They make you feel like a part of their special club. I feel like they are just old friends that I am seeing again rather than a stranger. We sat down to a wonderful spread that smelled fantastic! I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into the amazing food! Sure enough another wonderful meal that left me far to full! Kristina defiantly knows how to cook one mean birthday dinner! The food and friends made the perfect way to start the night!

Then we started drinking some honey liquor! It was a delight, not too sweet but not too strong, or so I thought, I was feeling quite warm after only a few sips. It was really wonderful! We started playing old 90's music and dancing! It was such a wonderful time! I wish these moments could last forever sometimes. These moments are so wonderful I hope these moments will follow me throughout life! After dinner we let the food settle because we all ate until we couldn't sit upright! Then later Kristina brought out a cake she had made and everyone say happy birthday. The cake was covered with gummy bears and it was the most decadent chocolate frosting inside! She made it from scratch! I still can not believe how quickly they accepted me into their family. All this hard work on this meal and just for someone they only met a few days ago. They are so wonderful, if you cant tell yet THEY ARE WONDERFUL! 

After the cake we had a wonderful time! But I had to head out to my friends from school place because they also were throwing me a party! I arrived a little late and as soon as I walked in the door a cheer burst out and they all broke into happy birthday! We only stayed here for a short time before one of our friends, Sven, who has vip access to all the clubs around town took us to a local club. We walked right in past the line and was escorted to our table. I felt like a true VIP! I tell you what I now know why rappers love going to the club! a guy could get use to being treated like this! We even had bottle service of Johnny walker red label because they knew I like whiskey! I danced the night away. I ended up back at my place at 5am! A great night! I woke up feeling amazing this morning also so it was just a wonderful time! I am so excited for the next seven months. What a way to end my first week in Croatia and to enter adulthood! 

A friends apartment where they threw my party!