MY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY

A few days later, on my birthday, Ira, Makhmud, and I went to the top of Signal Hill. There is a beautiful paved road leading all the way to the summit.

We had a little picnic, getting comfortable on the grass. I had brought an impossible amount of food to eat in one day. It was just assumed that Stas, Kristina, and Kirill would be there too. But for various reasons, they didn't come. They couldn't make it.

But I wasn't offended. Just a little disappointed, perhaps. But that's okay! We had a great time even with just the three of us. It was hot, +35°C. For the first time in my life, I celebrated my birthday in the summer! On a hot, sunny day!

I received a lot of congratulatory messages on my mobile. From local friends and from back home in Russia. Other friends and relatives sent greetings over the Internet, sent cards, poems, and so on. In general, it was very, very nice to see, read, and receive all of it!

In the evening, I suggested going to the movies. We agreed to call each other after nine.

But at seven, I laid down for five minutes and slept like the dead for twelve and a half hours straight. That's what happens when you come home from work in the morning and only get about three hours of sleep.

THE HEAT

It started from the beginning of February. Now I clearly feel it: I am in Africa! I bought two chocolate bars and put them in my pocket. Fifteen minutes later, I felt them melting. Both of them melted!!! I took a bottle of cold water, and after about twenty minutes, it was practically boiling.

Sweat is pouring off me in buckets. It's a shame to wear new clothes—they fade in the sun in an instant. The ocean seemed cool before... Now: it doesn't matter, as long as I can cool off!

For a week it was thirty to thirty-five, and today it's forty!

Now this is what I call Africa! Summer! The heat! Before it was just twenty-five, twenty-five. What kind of Africa is that?! Not serious at all!

And now, THE VIBE!!! Off to swim!!! Hooray!!!

February 07, 2009