As all of you know the other day was Thanksgiving and it was my first major holiday here in Africa. We had a good time and most of the day was a bit different than "normal". We decided to head out to the beach and spend the day there. This was the first time for that...the beach on Thanksgiving. The only problem was that the beach we usually go to we couldn't really get to...they are developing a lot out there and so the roads are being closed off. We found a road that got us there but we weren't suppose to do that and the guy came out and told us we had to leave, but we could park somewhere else and walk to the bungalows we sit at. So we went a little ways down and parked and then trekked out to our bungalows, it was a lot farther away than we first realized. And then we got there and the guy said we still had to pay the 2000 shillings to use the bungalow which we all thought was ridiculous but we still paid. We enjoyed being out there and the ocean was great as well. But then while we were out there the crows came and ate some of our food...half of mine and Whit's food so we had a sandwich and a small bag of cheese nips between the two of us. Oh and the crows attacked a book too. They weren't very nice crows. Well we really didn't do a whole lot there just relaxed which was beautiful. I did get to open one of the gifts that my mom sent me...Grey's Anatomy, Season 2...so exciting! And I could then say I got to spend my birthday on the beach...I've always wanted to do that, either the beach or a pool party and I finally got to! After that we went over to one of our friends' places and had a turkey dinner...turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, potatoes, the works. We had a lot of fun and this year I didn't have to sit at the "kids" table. And that's about all to the day. It was a great day! And it was good to do something different from "normal". However when we got to dinner, I did start to miss the fact that my family wasn't there. I was happy to be with my family here but I missed my grandma's turkey and stuffing and celebrating my birthday with my aunt because hers is a couple of days before mine. I missed it but there are a lot of things that I am grateful for:

1. I have the greatest friends here...wonderful roommates who encourage me and hold me up, great friends on campus who I get to pour my life into and encourage and a beautiful community surrounding me.
2. I have the greatest friends located around the world...people that know exactly what I'm going through, people that are very wise and I have learned a great deal from!
3. I have a supportive family in the states, who loved me so much that they were very proud to send me overseas.
4. I live a life that is worth living...my faith is in Christ and He has given me life and for that my greatest desire is to glorify Him.

Part of our trek down to the part of the beach we normally go to...we had to go over barracades and brave the sand and heat :^)

This was me and Whit before the crows got to our lunch. Keri thinks were weird because we don't have very many pictures where we are just smiling without our mouths wide open.

My first birthday present...Grey's Anatomy...woohoo! And Mom you would be very proud because Whit likes to take multiple pictures so she got a few shots of me opening the gift.

Our turkey dinner...it was yummy! Nice to have a great dinner with all the works.

Us roomies...see we can take a "normal" picture, but who's to say what's "normal", isn't it all relative anyway? Don't worry we really weren't that red, just a little glow from the day in the sun and as always it was completely tan the next day, no red left.

Oh and I have to add...did anyone see that the Aggies beat t.u. the day after Thanksgiving?!? Yea we did...first time in a few years but who's really counting. It just makes me happy that we closed out our regular season this way! Gig 'Em Ags! WHOOP!!!