Tuesday 9th November (My Birthday)

It's my birthday! (It's actually now almost a week later; Suz has been here nine days and and I'm feeling pretty tired. Not that she's draining or anything but we've been busy, busy, busy. I'm a tad grumpy and I think it might come across in my blog. So apologies. Also, Jash is trying to teach Suz to sing 'Our God is an awesome God' in Kinyarwanda in the background with the Djembe I bought her (possibly the biggest mistake of my young life. Good luck Alice, Laura and Lisa. So it's quite hard to concentrate/ not commit GBH.

Thank you to everyone for your kind birthday wishes, and especially to those of you that sent me cards and presents. I feel very blessed! A special thanks to the Harringtons, Faith, the Mundels and my grandparents for sending me chocolate. You did a good thing! And thank you awesome people who posted me things. Nothing has arrived yet but we live in hope.

We started the day with a lie in; no 5 am prayer meeting, Hallelujah. We had croissants for breakfast and sang Christmas songs all morning. It's only six weeks away people. I've been banned from singing them in Dora's presence (I think she might be Rwanda's version of the Grinch), so it was a real release to just let loose and get festive. I think I freaked out the bike guy last week when I was singing 'Feed the World' at full volume as we sped through the city. Cat called me from Vienna for about forty minutes which was lovely, a real treat. Since I've been here I've realised how many amazing friends I have back in the UK.

In the afternoon we went to Ubuzima with chocolate fridge cake, possibly it's debut in Africa. A big thank you to my Mum for making it, my sister for bringing it in her suitcase and my Dad for not eating it in the interim period. It's better than I remember it.

When I got to Ubuzima, everyone sang for me and threw bits of gitengi over my head. The group gave me a bag, and a necklace and earring set, my own design, with beads that I crafted with my own hands. Oh yeah. And Mama Judith also gave me a jewellery set and bag which was really sweet of her. It was a really special time.

Afterwards we went back to the craft market to buy more gifts for you lovely people back on on the cold, wet, windy island we are proud to call home. I got Suz a massive Djembe - approx. 6 foot by 3 for Christmas. Don't tell her, it's a surprise. And we got our great granddad a walking stick beaded with the colours of the Rwanda flag. It's as awesome as it sounds, if not more.

In the evening we went to Shokolat for dinner, and just chilled out there for a couple of hours. Luscious.

So how does it feel to be twenty two? Honestly, old. Which is bad news for most of you guys back there in the UK. Because you're older.