Today I turned 20 years old.
I’m writing this when I should be either sleeping or doing university work. I’ve got two articles as assignments, two articles for the websites I write for, a radio package to edit, a video package to create, a questionnaire to distribute, and an essay to write before I set out on my European tour during the winter break. And don’t even get me started on the number of Christmas gifts I have to buy. But I’m floating. I’ve had the best birthday. There is a familiar frustration to me when writing about happy things. I feel exasperated at the English language, which does not provide me with the proper words to describe my joy without sounding cheesy or cliche. I’ll try, just please know that every word I write is genuine. I started the day with my first ever traditional English breakfast with one of my lovely flatmates. Then I went to do the final two shows of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (in which I played the role of Susan, the older sister). Immediately, everyone in the theatre company started wishing me happy birthday. I was given Reese’s, which I’m told was the most American gift they could think of. I also received a balloon and a card signed by everyone in the play, which was incredibly sweet and unexpected. We put on two amazing shows. I felt so proud to be part of the company and so happy to have found my place with these delightful people. For the final show, I had eight friends in the crowd. All my flatmates and a few other friends. Everyone had said their happy birthdays at this point (I thought) and things were going well. The show was in the second act when something happened. Santa Claus had come on stage and was doing a hilarious job, as usual. I was standing in the background trying to keep my composure as he improved and gave out gifts (which I had been trying to do every show somewhat successfully, as long as I covered my mouth to hide my laughter). Santa is supposed to give Susan two gifts and he does just that. I step back as Susan, ready to move on to the next scene. “Oh, and I have a third gift for you, Susan,” said Santa. I faltered. This wasn’t in the script. What could he possibly be doing? “I hear it’s your birthday. So we have a choir here for you,” -he gestures to the audience- “bet you weren’t expecting that. If you’ll all join me in singing Happy Birthday.” Then the whole company and the whole crowd (including all my friends!) sang to me, wishing it to “Dear Susan.” And here’s where the cheesy words come out: in that moment, I felt completely submerged in love and joy. It was wholly unexpected and so nice- but so much more than nice. The words are failing me here. It was the sweetest thing I could’ve imagined. Throughout the day, I received so many messages from friends and family back home. My heart ached with how much I missed everyone and the amount of love I also felt from a thousand miles away. I feel immersed, engulfed in the love of all the people in my life. From every place, no matter how far or near, people care about me and I care about them. It was the best birthday I’ve ever had. Thank you to everyone who made it special. I love you all.
3 Comments
Edie Golden
12/4/2017 09:07:21 am
What a beautiful girl you are.I .Iove to read the blogs.
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12/12/2017 01:17:24 pm
I love your blog! If you ever want to make a colaboration just say so ^^
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Randa Qualley Lasley
1/11/2018 06:07:52 am
Beautiful share Amy, thanks to your GQ and mom passing on your blog address. Hugs n love on your wonderful adventures.
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Amy Golden
Amy will be spending the academic year at the University of Sunderland in England studying journalism. Archives
February 2018
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