Wow. This weekend has been one to remember. No, I didn't travel anywhere cool and exotic. What I did do was spend time with some very cool people at some very nice places. Oh, and I turned 21! Check out how things went following...
First things first, my date of birth is May 4, 1992. Since then, I've only had one or two birthday gatherings. They were organized by my folks because I was very young. I believe a 16th birthday party was discussed in the years leading up to it, but for what ever reason I didn't want when the time came. I had a lots of family come over for my graduation from high school, but that doesn't count as a party. That's about it...
Contrary to common belief about many Americans, we're not all "party party party let's all get wasted" as some movies portray. "Never have I ever" (get the joke) organized a house party back at USC and I didn't really go to many. I never bought a fake ID to get into clubs and buy alcohol either. For me it wasn't necessary. I didn't see the need to as I had a great time with my friends completely sober (for the most part).
That was then, and this is now...
Thursday May 2, 2013
Yes, it's 48 hrs before my actual birthday and I'm already started. The reason for this was that a friend here (Jenni from the UK) was also born on the 4th of May in the year 1992. She was leaving to head to Uluru for the weekend, so she started a bit early. I couldn't go out that night as I had to be up for work at 6AM on Friday morning, so I had a toast in her honor and a cupcake as well. Happy 21st Birthday Jenni (and me of course)
Friday May 3, 2013
Tonight was the first night of the my official birthday celebrations. Remember how I said that I had never held a house party and hardly ever had birthday party? Well the first time I did was Friday. I invited all of my new found friends here in Australia to come to Friday's (a nice bar/club on the river) with me. I'm gonna tell you a secret now: "People probably see me as a confident and outgoing person for the most part, and that's true. I like doing presentations in school. I love meeting new people. I'm not afraid of being in the spotlight I guess you can say. Well, having people come to a party FOR me BY me was admittedly kinda nerve wrecking. What if people didn't show up? Even worse, what if people showed up and didn't have a good time? Even creating a Facebook event and watching people select "Going" made me uneasy."
To my delight, all of my worries were foolish though. The evening started with me leaving work at around 4 or so. I was told that Fridays was a classy type place. It was the day before my birthday so I wan't to look the part. With that, I made a stop at the mall before making it back home. Rushing around to get some new threads for the night, I found some and didn't end up wearing them.
People started showing up slowly around 7:00PM. I was pleased to see everybody all snazzy. Getting ready for the night at Friday's before getting there because drinks are quite expensive.
We had a great time. It was a good night there though. I remember most of it. I was pleased to see most of my new friends from all over the world there. So many people had come along. Not everyone was there however, but the ones that mattered were. I know that my sisters back home and my friends would have had a great night with me, and I wish they could have been there.
Saturday May 4, 2013
I woke up in a room that wasn't mine with a shirt that wasn't mine either. It's not what it sounds like. Nothing happened. I swear. The day couldn't have been nicer though. It's was warm weather and sunny skies. AND I didn't have a hangover.
The day proceeded with a nice Egyptian lunch prepared by Ahmed mentioned a few posts ago. Chilled out for the rest of the day until the night. Partly because I was organizing the evening. When I woke up there were no official plans as to when things were going to happend, so I was figuring all of that out. My family timed the mail perfectly because when I checked the mail, this is what I found....
Starting down in the lobby we had drinks and pizza. Folks came by and I even was given a little birthday cupcake. We left and went out to the valley later on that evening. We had to go to three different clubs (Hot Gossip, Magic City/Electric Playground and The Met) before 11:00PM to get entry stamps. Thanks to Roxy (my coworker who I will miss heaps) we got onto the lists of each of these places are were granted free entry. We made it with time to spare, and we went to Cloudland as well.
The night ended was a slice of pizza and a very satisfied 21 year old.
Sunday May 5, 2013
This was the last day of the birthday festivities for me. Being Cinco de Mayo (drinko), Mandy and I went along to get a burrito and margarita for dinner.It turns out that Brisbane was celebrating the birthday of another foreigner this weekend as well. Buddha 17th annual birthday celebration started on the 3rd and ended on the 5th with an awesome fireworks display and band. It was a nice way to conclude a great weekend.
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| Met some more USC Gamecocks in Aussie |
Thanks to everyone who was a part of making my 21st as memorable as it was. I appreciate each of you sharing this time with me. A special thanks to Mandy for watching over me this weekend and Roxy for being so awesome by getting us all on the list and coming out.
Until next time,
Kyron S. Whitfield
Updated:
Funny story. When I originally posted this blog I was on campus headed to work afterwards. Well, I got to work and was surprised by the images you see below. The entire office presented all of the gifts in the kitchen complete with cupcakes and candles, birthday song singing and my awkwardness. I didn't know what to say or do besides "Thank you". For the most part it was completely unexpected if that makes sense. Admittedly there were a few hints, but I didn't know what was going on. They're the best, and as I said a while ago I'm so blessed to be in the company of such people in such places. Thanks guys!
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| Personalized Flask |
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| Signed 21st |
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| Rare "Bundy" Rum |
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| Surprise! Surprise! |
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| :D |