And fun was had by all. But especially me.

I'm sure all of you know by now that my birthday is right after Christmas, and I hate it. I've never had a proper birthday party, because everyone is always off visiting family for the holidays on my birthday. Well, the folks out here at the sanctuary knew it too. Yesterday was my half-day off (no bear chores, but still working in the gift shop in the evening); I took advantage of this by going to the lake, doing laundry, reading, showering...and for just last night, I was leaving the other volunteers to their own devices for dinner. When I got back around 3:30 in the afternoon and heard scrambling in the cook shack, I thought to myself "Oh no, they've screwed dinner and I'm going to have to scramble something together." When I opened the door there stood all the volunteers shouting "SURPRISE!" with balloons and streamers and hats--the whole works for a birthday party. There were little wildlife and dinosaur-themed party blowers, presents, and a chocolate cake. I was surprised and amused and embarrassed, and it was wonderful. Pictures to come after I steal them from everyone's cameras.