happy birthday you

i'm 21.
i feel so legitimate.
when i was 18 i remember wanting to take a trip with some friends. i can't even remember where it was to, but i just remember being so annoyed that i couldn't go because my parents said i was too young.  i asked them what the magic age was when i'd be able to do anything i wanted. they told me 21. since you know 21 is so old and wise and mature. you couldn't possibly do anything stupid at 21. but, really, 21 is a big birthday. at least to me.

now it's here!  special thanks to the fam back at home for the bday cards. i've had such a fun day with good friends. earlier today we had a field trip to one of herod the great's palaces called herodion and then we went to shepherd's field which is in bethlehem.  we had a little nativity program there. christmas in july AND on my birthday- what a good combo!! then a group of us went to west jerusalem- ben yehuda street- and i got a belgian waffle with caramel, whip cream, lemon mint gelato and  a special 21 year old lemon gelato. i promise it was so good.  mint lemon and caramel are a good combo. serious.

then i danced on the street to these guys playing drums with this random israeli who had a broken arm and a bunch of tatoos

this has been the most memorable birthday of all 21 of my birthdays. it was a perfect way to also celebrate the beginning of the end of a very unique summer.