In Bulgaria, there is a tradition of name days (<em>immen den </em>in Bulgarian<em>)</em>.  These name days are different than your birthday.  Based on what I understand, you can celebrate both your birthday and your name day.  Your name day you celebrate with everyone else who shares your name--usually a name related to a Saint of the Orthodox Christian Church.

I've been invited to my first name day party and I'll be going tomorrow afternoon.  It's for the wife of my landlord.  Her name is Anne for short but her full name is <span class="style1">Ivanka.  Technically January 7th was her name day but she's celebrating it on Sunday.  I have a hunch it will be like most Bulgarian dinners/parties that I've been to--lots of food, lots to drink and me trying to use some Bulgarian. </span>

<span class="style1">It should be a lot of fun.  I've got a little gift for her and something for my landlord's family from Vienna.  So hopefully I've got my bases covered.  These people have been so nice to me which makes me feel like I want to be the best guest possible. </span>

<span class="style1">I am running out to meet friends for coffee right now and then there's a party tonight to send off one of my new Bulgarian friends to the states.  She's moving to Washington to work and study for a semester through a joint program with Georgetown University and the Center for American Studies (or something like that). </span>

<span class="style1">I'll aim for a longer post tomorrow.
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