Jessica on Tour in Kazakhstan

I have been meaning to write about my birthday for two weeks now. My birthday was the 1st week of October and I was sick in bed. I had plans to go out to dinner with my cast, but had to cancel that. It was also Teacher’s Day at school and I had to miss that celebration. It was just the worst to be sick on my birthday–not to mention that it was my first birthday this far away from home…….

However, my sickness was overshadowed by the abundance of calls and text messages and emails I received. Not only did I hear from my parents and Gram from home, I heard from so many old and new friends here in KZ! I heard from my friend from last year, Zhandos, who’s in Atyrau, from my very close friend here in Almaty from last year, Gala, and from several of my cast members which was very sweet. Jessie was also taking care of me while I was sick and showered me with various gifts. I even heard from teachers at the international school I’m teaching at, which was nice.

Then, the next day, at the KIMEP Anniversary (in which Jessie so fabulously led the KELT presentation), members of my cast led everyone in singing Happy Birthday to me. Then , the following Monday, at rehearsal (I was still sick!) a bunch of my cast decorated the Fun Club with posters and  presented me with a cake, flowers, and this huge home-made card with all their pictures in it! It was the sweetest thing. I loved it.

To cap it all off, Gala, Arad, and Assel chipped in to buy me a Russian language cd set and book! I love it, and am so excited to use it. I really want to learn Russian (at least some) while I’m here.

So even though I was so sick and almost drowned myself in tissues and toilet paper filled with yellow junk (gross!), I still had a really nice birthday.

And I felt better in time to move to my new apartment a few days later!