Tanti Auguri a Me!

September is a fabulous month. It is not yet cold but you begin to feel the crispness of autumn in the air. The leaves change colors, Football season is in full force, sweaters, boots, and scarves reemerge into your closet, and lets be real...the best people are born in September (am I right Aunt Cathy, Grandma, and Papa?) ;)

Not only is it an exceptional month, but I also happen to be spending it in an exceptional place. Here is what crossing the threshold of TWO WHOLE decades feels like in Italy:

Unfortunately I had to spend majority of the day in class (BOO) but there were some lovely moments amid the very interesting lectures (I say that without sarcasm) where my eyes wandered to the lovely view outside the window and the pleasant Fall breeze reached me and rustled my papers, so it wasn't TOO bad. But I was glad when class was over!

On Sunday, my dear roommate Libby spilled the beans and told Anna that my birthday was on Tuesday. Amid a few squeals and claps, Anna insisted that we were to have a "festa" and she was going to make something "dolci." She then insisted on me choosing, course for course, what we were going to eat. Well considering that EVERYTHING she cooks for us is delicious I really wasn't too picky! So Tuesday I came home from class and was greeted with all kinds of delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. Anna went all out, and even let Libby help her! ( a rarity among Italian women, trust me)

When I was beckoned to the kitchen for dinner, Anna greeted me with a giant hug, kisses on both cheeks, and then proceeded to pull my ears ("uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque,...etc") 10 times then exclaimed that 20 is too much. Um...Italian birthday tradition?? Whatever it was...it was hilarious :)

My one request was for Carbonara pasta, one of my favorite Italian dishes! The homemade version was fabulous.

Main course: roasted potatoes, salad, and this delicious contraption which I can't remember the name of but turkey wrapped around a fertata.

 After the first two courses were finished, Anna turned off the lights and disappeared for a minute only to reappear coming down the dark hallway with candles lit and singing "Tanti auguri a te!" It was adorable.

She made a delicious moist cake with lemon and roasted pine nuts on top!

I am TWENTY?!

Anna also made me cut and serve the cake. I wasn't so sure how to go about doing that.

After dinner I met up with some girls in the Campo as usual. They had a special treat for me. They gathered all around in a semi circle and had coordinated a little song/chant in honor of my birthday. It was very adorable/slightly creepy sounding! (I was going to insert a video here of the above but unfortunately the internet here won't cooperate...imagine what you will)

Though I had to spend it faraway from family and friends and felt a bit homesick all day, Anna, Marcello, and all my girls here made my twentieth birthday a day to remember!

Here's some birthday shout-outs to other fabulous September people:

Aunt Cathy: I know this is late but I hope that you had a wonderful day on your birthday! I wish you were here in Italy with me, I think about you often! The food is divine and the window shopping drool-producing! I love you so much and thank you for all you have taught me. Happy Birthday!

Grandma: I hope you had a fabulous day on Monday! I missed being there to celebrate with you! Was there a donut cake involved? Growing up I always felt so special having a birthday just one day after yours, and still do! :) Love You!

Papa: I am sad I am missing your visit to Utah this weekend but I hope you have a Happy birthday!! Your curly-lox is doing fabulous and embracing her Italian heritage. I hope I make Nani Mary proud! Love you!!