Turning 22 in Timor-Leste

My actual Birthday began at 4:30 a.m. when I was awakened by the frightful howling of the pesky dog that likes to sit outside my window all night and personally serenade me. I dozed in and out of sleep until I finally got up at 6:30 to get ready for the day.

 I read my daily morning reflection and it seemed to go along perfectly with a Birthday. The title was “Time Slips By.” The passage said, “Time slips. Days pass. Years fade and life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time. After Michaelangelo died, someone found in his studio a piece of paper on which he had written a note to his apprentice that said, ‘Draw, Antonio, draw, and do not waste time.’” A slightly morbid passage to read on a Birthday, but very true. However, serving students, orphans and sick people here in East Timor makes me feel like I AM following God’s plan and am NOT wasting time here on Earth. I feel like I am in the right place in the right time and am grateful for this chance to be following God’s call to service.

I joined the sisters for breakfast and was greeted with a Happy Birthday song in English and Tetum! All of the sisters then hugged and kissed me and wished me a very happy day! There were 4 beautiful pink roses at my place setting and 2 bright and colorful hand purses-the perfect size for my camera and rosary! The sisters and I discussed how we have celebrated previous Birthdays and had a lot of laughs. One of the sisters got up quickly and said she had to go check on the cake. I thought she was joking and didn’t think anything more of it.

After breakfast I headed back to my room, meeting many smiling faces of students who wished me a Happy Birthday on the way. In my room I opened the 3 cards that my parents had secretly tucked away in my suitcase for me to open on my Birthday. My friend Marlene had also sent me a card during the summer asking me to open it on my Birthday. It was nice to have cards to open, even if I did not have any family or U.S. friends present.

As I was opening my cards, I was interrupted by a knock at the door and a student’s voice that said, “Mana Keelan?” I opened the door and was surprised to find 8 smiling students and 1 sister holding a heart shaped cake that said “Happy B-Day!” on it with 2 candles on top. They began singing “Happy Birthday” and asked me to blow out my candles. I couldn’t even think of something to wish for-I felt like I had everything I could ever want. After I blew out the candles, I asked the girls, “You all are going to help me eat this, right?” They laughed and again wished me a Happy Birthday before heading off to their class. Clearly they had not understood what I meant. I was so grateful for such a beautiful cake, but I WAS serious about needing help eating it. How was I supposed to eat an entire cake by myself? I certainly couldn’t keep it in my room-it would definitely attract ants. I wanted to share it with the students, but knew there wouldn’t be enough for all of them. I decided to take it to the dining room where the sisters and I ate. I figured they could help me eat it! The cake was delicious! It was vanilla with orange frosting. While I was eating it I remembered a girl yesterday asking me my favorite color, and I had told her orange. These girls are very clever and attentive J

After reading all of my Birthday cards, I was again greeted by another knock on the door. This time it was Sr. Olga. She informed me that the internet would be working for the next hour and a half (a pleasant surprise since it usually only works from 6-12 p.m. every day) and she would like for me to try go get my criminal background check in order so I can get an extended Visa when I travel to Dili later this month. It didn’t take me long to send off the necessary e-mails regarding my background check, and I was able to use my extra free time to Skype with my parents! We talked for a good half hour before a student came in to inform me the internet would be shutting down soon. It was such an unexpected surprise to talk with my parents and to tell them about all of my exciting adventures in Venilale and also about the little part of my Birthday that I had celebrated thus far.

As I was walking to the health clinic at 10:30 I was swarmed by a huge group of beaming orphan girls who were on recess at their school. They all warmly greeted me with a hug and kiss and a joyful “Parabens!” (Congratulations! The customary Birthday greeting in East Timor). We took dozens of pictures together before I told them that I really must be going to the clinic. They escorted me there and when we arrived and saw the doors closed I remembered that the clinic is not open on Thursday mornings! The girls had to return to their school but I decided to head to the orphanage and hang out with Ulla (the volunteer from Germany) and the 4 year old girls who were too young to go to a full day of school. Ulla was nowhere to be found, but the 4 year olds were excited to see me and we played for an hour and a half before lunchtime. First we sang a few songs. Then we played the “East Timor School Girl version of Baseball” using a flip flop as the baseball and your hand (and arm) as the bat. It was a lot of fun and very entertaining. After “baseball” we played Hide and Go Seek and then pretended to go on a car ride to Baucau that went awry when we were suddenly attacked by ferocious cats and dogs (2 of the girls). Ulla arrived as we sat down to play Memory. We walked to lunch together.

Lunch at the other convent was another very special meal. All of the sisters and aspirants sang me Happy Birthday! I have always felt that the traditional American Birthday Song lasts an eternity when it is being sung TO me. The Tetum version (which includes English and Tetum verses) is more than twice as long, and so I felt a little awkward having so many eyes focused on and celebrating me for so long. Still, I tried to just enjoy the moment and smile-it was so nice of all these people who had known me for just 2 weeks to make such a big deal out of my Birthday. A chocolate bar and decade rosary ring was at my place setting. Sister explained that the rosary ring was in honor of my sharing a Birthday with the “Our Lady of the Rosary” commemoration that is also celebrated on October 7. I had noticed many of the sisters wore one of these rings and thought it would be nice to have one-I never expected to receive one from them for my Birthday!

As a special Birthday meal treat, Sister Cellina pulled out several canned drinks from the fridge including Sprite, Coca-Cola, Orange Fanta, and Tiger Beer! I couldn’t believe my eyes! Why do sisters have beer in their refrigerator? Maybe it was a gift from someone, and since they don’t drink it they can never get rid of it? Even if I liked the taste of beer, I couldn’t imagine myself drinking one in the presence of sisters-it just didn’t seem right. Plus, from my spot at the table I have a very clear view of a calendar with a big picture of Mary, Help of Christians on it. I could never drink beer in front of Mother Mary!

At the clinic today I finally met Sr. Olga from Baucau. She is a lovely lady with a friendly personality. She seems to really love her job and loves to comfort kids and make them laugh. She is definitely a physician I would like to emulate in my own practice one day. We saw a lot of interesting cases, including a man who was bit by a pig!

I arrived at the church for the 4 p.m Rosary and Mass about 10 minutes early, but I didn’t see anyone I knew. I could see the orphans gathering down the hill, and they began waving to me and calling out to me. I decided I would wait around with them. As I walked down the steps, a dozen or so girls ran toward me, ready to greet me with “Parabens!” and a hug. I couldn’t help but feel so blessed and honored.

In church I sat by two adorable orphan girls (but then again, aren’t they ALL adorable?), one was 5 and the other was 8. They would periodically look up at me during the service. and flash one of their big, bright, beautiful smiles. How can you NOT be happy when these girls are around? Although I couldn’t understand most of Father’s homily, I had plenty of things to keep my mind occupied. I spent most of the time counting my blessings and thanking God for such a wonderful day! The orphan girls lead singing and did a beautiful job. It is so neat to hear the girls beside me belting out the song with joy and eagerness. I KNEW every other girl was singing with the same fervor.

After mass I was greeted by even more hugs, kisses and well wishes, including from the twins who were celebrating their 16^th birthday today. We sang a song with the sister who plays the guitar and took a few more pictures. I didn’t notice that the sister and most of the girls had headed down the hill already. The girls that had remained with me pulled me along with them, insisting I come with them to their tutorial. I said I would walk them to their class at least, but I wasn’t planning to stay. Once I got down the steps I was greeted by even more well wishes. Then, all of a sudden, sister started playing her guitar and a huge group of orphans started singing Happy Birthday to me! I pulled out my camera and was able to record some of the song. Playing it back, I laughed when I realized it was hard to hear the song over so many of the little girls that were surrounding me shouting “Mana, mana, mana!” trying to get my attention or wanting me to take a picture of them.

I noticed a guy on one of the girls’ notebooks and I asked who he was. Apparently he was some famous Indonesian actor but she said he was actually his brother. I joked and said he was cute and asked her if she could introduce us. I am sure she didn’t know what I meant, but we were all laughing and giggling and having a good time.

Next, I attended tutorials with the girls in their large school room behind the cafeteria. The girls are separated by age at different tables and work independently. There is only 1 teacher in the room with more than 100 girls, and she spends her time teaching only about 20 of them. I don’t know if she rotates so that she teaches all of the girls throughout the week or only works with girls of a particular age and in a certain subject.

I originally sat with 11 year old girls who were studying math (my LEAST favorite subject). A girl from another table was motioning for me to come and join her, so I did. She had already finished her lesson and so we had a chance to talk. She asked me about Zac Efron, High School Musical and volcanoes! When she discovered that I liked science, she went and got a science book for me, and together we thumbed through the pages, pronouncing words in Tetum, Portuguese and English (all of their school books are in Portuguese). It was a great way to learn new vocabulary for both of us. I asked several girls how to say 22 in Tetum. They didn’t know. They all told me how to say it in Portuguese..venti dois.

 One of the girls asked me what part of the U.S. I was from. I told them I was from Texas, in the “sur” (south). I was able to find a geography book to show them where Texas was located. Some of the maps even showed Dallas and Houston (I explained that’s where my brother Cameron lives). It was neat to look at a map of the entire world and to get a real grasp on how little of the world I have actually seen (even though as of now I have visited 12 countries) and just how far away the U.S. is from East Timor.

A huge pink card with a princess holding flowers on it was waiting for me at my dinner place! It was signed from all the girls at the orphanage! The front of the card said “To the Birthday Girl-you deserve all the Best on your Birthday! May all your dreams come true! The inside said “Hope your Birthday is a perfect blend of beautiful things from start to end!” Reflecting back, that is EXACTLY how I felt my Birthday had turned out! It was a beautiful blend of joy, laughter and love from the sisters and students here and family and friends back home!

At dinner I was again offered my choice of soda, fruit juice, beer and even wine (this kind was from California)! The sisters said the only time they drink wine is when they are celebrating a birthday or special holiday, so it is always a cause of celebration for them! It was so funny to see how delighted they were to drink a ¼ glass of wine. It seemed to be the highlight of their week!

After dinner I was able to get on the internet again (twice in one day!!) and saw that I had already received several Happy Birthday wishes from friends on facebook, even though the time in the U.S. was 6 a.m. on October 7! I got the chance to skype with my parents again and tell them about the rest of my blessed and exciting day. Even though we had talked this morning, we had a lot to catch up on. Sr. Olga walked in and even she talked with my parents for a couple of minutes. She told them it was my birthday and they were all glad they could celebrate it with me. She also said I was good and safe. Haha, she is so cute!

When I got back to my room there was a homemade card from Antonia (a 3^rd year Tourism student) under the door! The front had beautiful flowers she had drawn with a purple gel pen and the words “Parabens-Happy Birthday to You.” On the inside she addressed the card to “Dear: Baby” (a reference to when we sang Justin Bieber’s “Baby” song together the other day!) She then wrote “Happy Birthday to you, oh Baby, baby, baby!” (again referencing her and every other girl at the schools’ favorite song). Her message said, “Today’s a special day for you and I don’t have a wonderful present to give you, but I promise that I’ll pray for you so that you can do your activities with comfortable. Miss Keelan, I want to be friends with you forever. Love and prayers, Nina” My heart melted at her kind and sincere words. I thought my Birthday couldn’t be any more special, and then I received her heartfelt card! Inside she included a prayer card with a picture of Mary Help of Christians. I hope she knows that her card meant more to me than any gift she could have given me would. I was sorry I missed her because I would have really liked to thank her in person. I will make sure to give her a big hug tomorrow!

My brother Cameron and grandparents from Michigan called me within minutes of each other to wish me a Happy Birthday. It was so nice to hear familiar voices from back home and to catch up with them! Thank you to EVERYONE who sent me text messages, e-mails and facebook posts wishing me a Happy Birthday! It is so wonderful to hear from you all in the U.S. and I am so appreciative and thankful for your thoughtfulness and kindness. Your encouragement and support keeps me going strong!

A year ago I never would have expected to be spending another Birthday abroad, this time in a 3^rd world country. I never would have expected to be received with such love and kindness from people who were complete strangers just 2 weeks ago but who now feel like family. I once would have thought that celebrating my birthday while away from my family and U.S. friends in a culture very different from my own and a language I don’t really understand would be depressing. It turned out to be a very special, blessed and memorable birthday…certainly one I will never forget!!