23

I remember once thinking that by the age of 23 I would have the whole world figured out and I would be the person I was always meant to be. Now that I'm here, I feel like looking back at past Ali and going, "Seriously?!" I have moved from the choruses of Taylor Swift's '22' to Blink 182's 'nobody likes you when you're 23' and I'm starting to understand why these songs were written. When you're 22, you're only one year older than 21 and nobody really takes you very seriously. When you're 21, you're still allowed to not know what you be one day when you grow up and 22 is just one year after that...but 23, well that's like life's standing with folded arms tapping it's foot at you.

If you had asked me on my 22nd birthday what I would be doing on my 23rd birthday, I would have painted a completely different picture for you than what I actually did. The day started with waking up with a couple more housemates than I originally have with a few of the people who had come for a few drinks the night before staying. I had been spoiled with flowers and wonderful presents from some of my Russian friends which helped to make me feel special. I then pulled a not-so-23 move and woke everyone up because it was my birthday and you always get free passes to do things that would normally get you in trouble.

Jackie and our friend, Alex, lovingly made nachos for breakfast/lunch while I opened more presents, Skyped home and shed a few tears. Homesickness is a sneaky little piece of work; he rears his head when you least expect it. Rosi brought over such special gifts that helped to make me feel a little closer to home, including a hand drawn picture by one of my big brothers. That was homesickness's best trick of the day :/

The day was then spent doing the exact thing that I wanted to: exploring this beautiful city. The sun was out to play and so were thousands of Russian people so sporting our sunglasses, my birthday panda scarf and our birthday gees (translastion: afrikaans word for excitement, happiness, positive vibes) we headed out. These buildings and statues and views are made of things you simply cannot imagine and most of the day was probably spent with my mouth hanging open and many "ooooooh my word guys". These photo's are on Facebook for your viewing pleasure. We then met up with Freddie and Tomas (the new English addition to our motley family) for a sushi lunch near Red Square. This was followed by eating a MASSIVE chocolate ice-cream cake at a place where everything is made out of ice-cream. A birthday I could have thought up this time last year? I think not.

In true birthday style, I unfortunately have to give into the cliche of saying thank you afterwards. My little family here-Ree, Jacks, Roses, Fredster and Dean- really helped to ward off the home pangs by being just really awesome and lovely. I feel so spoiled and lucky to have you all. My Russian friends added to the gees (translation:see above) of the day and really made an effort for me even though they have only known me for a short time. My family and friends back home who sent such heartfelt messages and phoned to offer praise and encouragement, knowing how much I missed you yesterday. All the incredible people in my life: somehow I managed to feel all your love even from all the different places in the world. Some people make the world a better place just by being in it, some people make up our world.