This past weekend I finally turned 21! September 13 to be exact :) Being the baby out of all my friends, I felt this moment would never come, especially this summer when everyone was out and I was home getting phone calls at 2am to pick people up! lol Well despite not being in the States to celebrate this right of passage, I can't complain because I think I had the BEST 21st birthday ever.
The night began on Saturday, September 12th in Piccadilly Circus, which would be equivalent to New York's Time Square-loud, busy, crowds of people, and a ton to do. At 11:55pm we started the official countdown and at midnight, my group of friends were all with me to start loudly singing, "Happy Birthday" in the center of Piccadilly Circus. It was a great moment! Following that, we headed to a huge bar to watch our proud Trojans defeat the Buckeyes! It was airing live, which means 1 AM London, but it was worth it! At the bar, let's just say I didn't have to pay for a single drink ;) It was great and of course, we won!
In the early afternoon of my big day, I was given a little surprise party by all my friends! It was the cutest thing ever! I walked into a room filled with balloons, a lit cake, and a big card everyone signed. I literally was so surprised and couldn't have been more happier and thankful. No one has ever given me a surprise party, even a small one like that, and it was so thoughtful of them. I feel truly blessed to have them all in my life! After eating some delicious cake, we headed out to our first pro football (aka soccer) game. As you know, football here is a huge sport. We had great seats and the team we were rooting for won! Following the game, some of my friends and I had a delicious Italian dinner, upon my choice. I really wanted some good pesto, and I got it. They even sang happy birthday to me and let's just say, it was the loudest celebration I was ever given at a restaurant. Not only did they turn all the lights off in the restaurant, but proceeded with the banging of every pot and pan, utensils, drums, and were kind of screaming. The funny thing was they didn't even sing Happy Birthday, not even like the Olive Garden song ( I do know it! haha). But all in all, I loved it!
Once dinner was over, we headed for the Thames River festival and watched a firework show over the river! It was a beautiful, spectacular, and amazing ending to my 21st birthday. I don't think many people get personal firework shows. I think London had me in mind the entire time ;) Standing on the bridge overlooking London's lit skyline and watching the fireworks burst over the river, I felt extremely blessed and thankful. Even though I missed this milestone birthday in the States, I knew in that moment that it was meant to be in London. For having to wait so long, it was definitely worth it! Let me conclude with a re-cap of everything I didn't expect to happen on my 21st...
1. Everyone singing happy birthday to me in the middle of Piccadilly Circus at midnight.
2. USC beats Ohio State! Go Trojans!
3. Surprise party by all my lovely friends :)
4. First pro soccer game, and the team I was supporting won!
5. "Personal" firework show over the Thames River ;)
6. Having the longest 21st Birthday ever! Started at midnight in London, but technically 2pm in the States, when my dad actually remembered and texted me first :), and ended at 8am Pacific Time, 4pm London time on the 14th of September, when I still was receiving Facebook messages. In total, my birthday lasted 40 hours!
Overall, nothing beats my 21st birthday! I'm officially legal when I come home...it's about time.
Cheers from London
xoxo
glad to have shared it with you!
ReplyDelete