My Birthday, Yesterday.
So, I'm and old, old 26 now. Whadaya know? Anyhow, I think it's borderline interesting to see what I did on my Birthday. So...

Well, first of all, I had three days off work, so I visited by girlfriend Pamela in Cologne. (Köln.) But, what was I to do in the whole day while she was at work? Well, after a nice little breakfast, she took me to a train station -which was a bit of an adventure, because it was not so easy to get to. I missed the train we'd intended, and waited around there for a half hour. Then, I went to Düsseldorf to do training at an open dance studio there. That was nice, and I quite enjoyed the class. I was rather pleased with how I was working that day. And then... I went back to Köln, and took a walk through the city. I particularly went to the big Asian shop, and got some nice snacks for me, and some ingredients for my planned Szechuan Dinner. Then it was back to the train station, and trying to find the right connection to get to Pamela's Apartment. (It is not IN Köln, but outside of a town outside of the city.) So, I got a train to the right little country station, where I knew a bus would be leaving from. And I even found the right bus... but it wasn't going to be leaving for another 45 minutes. So I sat there reading my Dian Fossey Biography and eating Wasabi Peas. (Which in the end, did a right proper job on my tongue, and I couln't taste anything properly the rest of the day.)

When I finally got to Pamela's little town, I nearly got lost in it, but only had to backtrack some 60 meters. So, that ended up OK. Still when I got into her Apartment, I was a little beat, and it took willpower to start cleaning her Kitchen, (which we had no time for in the morning,) and then start cooking. Anyhow, I got all that done, and a bit of food into my stomach when Pamela came home, (she'd given me her keys, knowing that I'd be back before her.) So, we had our early dinner together, then she suggested I open my gifts. I normally would have waited until we were together, after eating cake, and have it feel like part of the celebrations. But, I was curious to see them... and besides: Pamela needed something to distract me, while she Made the cake. (Isn't she a cunning little one?) Anyhow, I managed to satiate my opening lust with one present still wrapped.

We then went off to Pamela's dance lesson. Yes; She takes ballet too. Only as a hobby, but it means that she can understand me that much better, and, in a way, I can also understand her. She might have (Probably would have, the naughty girl,) not gone to her class at all, and spent the time with me. But, they have an open-house thing in 10 days, so she had to be rehearsing the dance she'll be doing for that. Anyhow, I tagged along, and took the Barre, working on the little things in my technique. (Oh, the endless little things that need work.)

After that, I sat and watched Pamela dance. Then we chatted with the teacher for a bit. And then off home. I was terrified,when Pamela said that for the evening, she thought it might be good for me to get in the bus. After the long wait, and then the long winding journey in the bus earlier that day, I was vehemently opposed, as well as mystified over why she would say this. -On clarification, I found I'd misheard, and that she was actually suggesting that I relax in her BATH. (Which I am lacking at home in Detmold.) And it was just the thing too, it took care of my sore calves and left me feeling well refreshed. -And after the bath, into a cozy bed and to sleep. (Don't you love that feeling? Of having a bath, relaxing completely, and then being allowed to just drift off into sleep it complete and total comfort? Aaaah. it was good.)

So, I'd just like to say that in the morning, we had a quick little breakfast, and I opened the last gift, which I had totaly forgotten about the night before. And then I was on my way to get onto a train. (With a piece of the cake she made, which I also hadn't eaten before falling asleep last night.) Well, today I wore my stylish new T-shirt, (Polo-shirt, I think it might be called.)

Ah, and I should mention that I got a few nice, and very welcome birthday messages from a number of people here and there. Anna and Liis were the highlights of that. Oh! And another thing Pamela did, to distract me while she was making the cake, was suggest that I call my mom. I've never done this on my birthday before. She found it unbelievable. So, we went through quite some trouble, to find a good number to call long distance with... and then to find what my mom's phone number is, (which I didn't have with me.) At last, I dialled it correctly, and was lucky enough to catch my mom at home. Not only that, but my step-dad as well... AND my grandfather, who was there talking with Mike about Cars. So, I got a nice little set of Birthday greetings, after expecting little more than leaving a message on the Machine.

Well, that's all I can think of for my Birthday. Now... I only have to decide if I'll edit this a little and send it as a huge group e-mail...

Matthew.