Hello! I don’t have a super long post today, but I wanted to talk about something that happened recently, which was one of my friend’s 13th birthday party. At about 7:30 in the evening I heard calling at the gate, and I went out and found that it was a few of the neighbourhood girls: Kwantie, Kwanta and Gaison. They told me that it was Kwantie’s birthday, and invited me over for the party. So I told Mom that I was going over and she gave me the phone so that I could take some pictures.
It was really fun being with all of the other girls my age, and even though I am still limited on how much Lao I know, I felt that I could communicate with everyone pretty well! After we sat there for a little bit and took a few pictures with the cake…
It was then time to sing “Happy Birthday” and serve the cake. I was surprised to find that they sing happy birthday in English like how we sing it, and blow out the candles on the cake just like us. My best guess is that celebrating a birthday this way is a bit of a new thing and probably in Laos because of influence from North America and elsewhere. I did get the singing of happy birthday on tape, but unfortunately I haven’t found a way to insert videos into my blog yet.
The cake was very saep (delicious), and overall it was a very meaun (fun) celebration.
I’m so glad that I got to be part of a Laos birthday party, even though it was a relatively small gathering. It was really nice to be included, and I feel that I am making lots of new life-long friends and becoming a part of the community.
*Word of the Day: Van-goed (Pronounced: Wan – good), It means Birthday
Taya's Laos Blog 
What a great story Taya. It must be so comforting to have girls your age to connect with. Friendship is it’s own language!
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Sa-baai-dii Taya ….. My heart is so full with this joy that you are feeling ….. Meus are the best, especially the meus you are experiencing from a totally different culture and language ….. Good for you !!! ….. You are putting yourself out there — and — WOW – look what you are receiving in return !!! ….. Your friends are gorgeous AND the cakes are out of this world – Lao people create such beautiful art xo ….. You look happy – I love you so very much ….. Khwap jai ….. La garn for now ….. Galoona give your Mom and You a big SQUISH from me xoxoxoxo
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Love you so much too! xoxo ❤
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