Happy Birthday to Me!

I am having a wonderful 28th birthday! I've been hanging out with Cate and I swear we were friends in a past life. It's like seeing an old friend after a few years. We just have a lot to catch up on. She is studying and working here to build peace in situations of religious conflict. I went to a Women's Lucky Jewelry meeting, a Muslim and Hindu handicraft business that creates and sells beautiful pearl jewelry. Cate is helping them create and grow their business through microfinancing. (If you're in Atlanta and interested in purchasing some of their jewelry, let me know.) It was so wonderful to meet the dedicated women and see how far they have come. Then Cate and I went to the lake to see the largest free-standing Buddha statue. Cate took me out to Paradise, where the Prime Minister eats when he comes to Hyderabad, and gave me my own pearl necklace and earrings. They are gorgeous! And this morning I had a piece of chocolate birthday cake:) My birthday has been filled with wonderful friendship, inspiration from women entrepeneurs, good Indian food, and jewelry. It's been a great way to start a new year!