Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

February 22, 2009

Sometimes having a birthday party in a foreign country can be hard. I remember one year I was here and we celebrated me turning 22 at S.’s families beach house. Some of his friends came over to do a barbecue with us and drink. S.’s mean friend wouldn’t let me listen to country music and then sat everyone down to play a drinking game I didn’t know how to play…and he wouldn’t stop to explain the rules to me.

That year was just a reminder of how far away from home I was, and I went to bed crying.

This year, however, having a birthday in Chile felt like a happy thing. I spent it with girlfriends, sipping champagne by the pool in our bikinis.

Caira, Katina, Z’leste, Emily and Renee (who arrived shortly after this photo was taken) all came over to celebrate with me.

In this moment I was not far away from home. I was home.

Thank you to all the people who wished me happy birthday, in person, via Twitter, via Facebook or via blog. You made my 25th so happy!

And because completed a quarter of a century of life has made me all introspective, here’s a quote from Benjamin Button that I hope I always live by.

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

This post was approved by a post-bath, very fuzzy Papito:

All photos taken with our Canon point and shoot camera.

11 Comments

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11 Comments

I’m so glad you had a good birthday! Papito looks tan rica.

Comment by Amanda — February 22, 2009 @ 11:03 am

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Your birthday sounds fun! Papito is super cute! Where did you get her? You might have blogged about it in the past, but I missed it.

Comment by Sara — February 22, 2009 @ 3:14 pm

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Hey, I recognize that towel!! Wish I could have been there with you girls (but I wouldn’t have been in a bikini). That setting looks so enticing as I sit writing this on yet another cold, snowy, winter day.

Comment by Ritamae — February 22, 2009 @ 4:29 pm

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yay for fun birthdays! looks like a blast. and your adorable, wet puppy is just that: adorable and wet, haha.

i’m glad you put that quote up because it is SO fitting for the couple in my post today that I’m going to steal it and send it to them

Comment by Isabel — February 23, 2009 @ 6:54 am

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hey kyle,

Glad to read you had a gr8t birthday. I wish you and S. a great and exiting new year and cannot wait to hear the news about the big changes.

Comment by andreinchile.com — February 23, 2009 @ 7:25 am

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Papi looks so damn cute, as usual. Your party was a success, lots of fun – and S. came through with a really yummy cake!

Comment by Emily — February 23, 2009 @ 8:08 am

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Amanda, you have to come visit and meet her! You’ll love Papito!!!

Sara, I found her on the street after a wedding.

Mom, I wish you could have been here too, that was the only thing missing from bday.

Isabel, steal away, I’ll come read your post in a minute

Andre, thanks! I’ll be posting the big news soon!!!

Emily, I’m so glad you were there, I had such a good time!

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — February 23, 2009 @ 8:29 am

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Deatr Kyle

Happy belated B.day – I am sorry that I missed it and feeling kind of bad about the very late reply (- not the best first impression!!!!)
Anyhow, I am off work this week doing papers and working from home so I was wondering if you fancy lunch or coffee at Starbucks on Lyon, perhaps this wednesday? I get bored working from home all week so O can only imagine how much displine it takes to be you working freelance from home 365 days a week – drop me a line if you feel like!
All the best Caroline

Comment by Anonymous — February 23, 2009 @ 8:48 am

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Your bikini is super cute… and you look super HOT!

Comment by Molly — February 23, 2009 @ 8:49 am

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Sorry it’s late, but Happy Birthday!! 25 is a great age to be and I really liked the quote you used to show it.

Comment by ShawnaHanna — February 23, 2009 @ 8:57 am

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Happy birthday again! I see the day was all you hoped. 25 is a good age, but 28 is better.

Okay, that’s just to give you the incentive my mom did for getting older. The best years of your life are still ahead of you.

Comment by Ordinary Girl — February 23, 2009 @ 3:20 pm

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