Feliz Cumpleaños para mi!

Celebrating my birthday in another country this year was a change but completely amazing. I realize I already have some really close friends here in México! The day started off great. I wore my new purple dress that my sisters, Daniela and Pamela, picked out for me at Tepotzlan the day before. Universidad Internacional makes a point to celebrate students' birthdays during the week. They announced my birthday and had cake for us for anyone who wanted to come. I hope everyone had a great time because I missed my own party. haha

UNINTER Commercial
At the exact same time as my birthday recognition, I was being filmed for a commercial for my school (UNINTER). There were about 20 Mexican and international students sitting around tables conversing in Spanish, representing the school with jerseys and shirts. I have yet to see it, but the commercial was aired on television last week!

Adolfo spent most of the day in Cuernavaca with my host family and me. We had a huge birthday dinner and presents at my house and afterward I got to help my sister with her English homework- probably the most exciting part of my day. :)

My amazing friends from NC State arranged a birthday celebration at the pizza place in downtown that evening. Got to the restaurant a little late but my friends had already started singing happy birthday. My friends, Katie and Sara had a beautiful sombrero waiting for me in my seat with presents and a card signed by everyone!

Pictured L-R: Maya, Me, Aaron, Carter, Marc, Michael, Amanda, Sara, Wes, Sammy, Katie and David

The biggest surprise of the night was when my friend, Aaron, arranged for the owners of the restaurant to bring out a chocolate birthday cake while singing happy birthday... first in English.. then in Spanish.

Adolfo also met my NC friends that night.

While it was mainly NC State people, we saw a group from the U.S. Naval Academy walking by and asked them to join us for the birthday celebration as well! A great time was had by everyone that night. We concluded the night with a little bit of salsa dancing in the plaza.

My friends Aaron, Sara, and Carter from NC State.

Sara, Me, Wes, and Sammy

I never forgot about my family and friends back in the United States on my birthday. My family stuffed surprise letters and presents in my suitcase before I left with a note saying "Do not open until June 1st"! Not to mention seeing all the pictures from all my best friends in Boone holding a huge banner saying "Happy Birthday Allison". This was by far the most memorial birthday with remembering how special I felt and how much effort everyone put forth into make this 22nd birthday perfect! Thank you to all!