Croisants for breakfast, Hello Kitty decoration at my desk, presents wrapped in pink paper, umistakenly it was my birthday today!! I know a lot of people do not like to celebrate their birthday after they have gotten over the excitement of getting presents and cake (around the age of 16 maybe?) but for me it still is a special occasion. That is why I made all my colleagues aware (I almost put in a meeting request for my boss in his calender so he would not forget) of this special happening. I have to say, they really made it happen, singing happy birthday as I walked in the office, hello kitty decoration and also presents on my desk!! Thank you so much :D

This birthday also got me thinking about the effect of social media on celebrations such as birthdays. Since I am not on facebook for that long, this was the first time people could 'write on my wall' for my birthday instead of sending me a nice sparkly postcard. This year, I had 30 birthday wishes on my wall. Awesome! But it also feels a bit like a competition, because everyone can see how many 'friends' I have that 'rememberred' my birthday (or were reminded by facebook...). It is all so public and in the open. And even though it is nice, it does not compare to the excitement of opening your mailbox, seeing all these colorfull envelopes and putting your pink sparkly cards somewhere where you can see them every day (on your fridge for example...). I already noticed this effect when mobile phones started to become normal and people sent texts instead of postcards. I do realise I sound really old right now, must be because I am now on the wrong side of the 20s....  Or maybe I am just oldfashion.

But what I like most about my birthday, suprisingly, is not that I get presents, or that I receive cute postcards, but impressing people with my treats. Some of my (non Dutch) colleagues are really confused about this Dutch habit, because since it is your birthday you should be getting treats instead of giving them away. Even though I can see their logic, I was brought up with making awesome treats from my first birthday, and I have always liked this a lot. Well OK, the first years my parents made them, but when I was 1 my parents made me this awesome candy house (see picture).

Looking at the title of my blog, it should not be surprising to you that I baked cupcakes this year. Even though I am just a beginner, I received many compliments. Also, one of my colleagues thought I bought them from a professional bakery, and when I told them I baked them myself he said ' they look better than the ones we had at my wedding...". So I guess I can be proud and all my hard work has been rewarded with happy family, friends and colleagues eating cute little cupcakes to celebrate that I am on this planet for another year!