I write this post on May 19th, a day after my 23rd birthday. It was the first and only birthday thus far that I have spent away from friends and family from home. However far away from home I may be though, it was possibly the best birthday I've had in a while!
The day started off with my 1st hour class playing a joke on me. As the bell rang to start school, my 10C class was mysteriously replaced with the 11A class. I had no idea what was going on and the students were not very helpful (as you can imagine). After about ten minutes or so with the wrong class, my coworker Kate came up to my classroom and told me 10C was down in her classroom waiting for me.
Of course, when I walked in a loud rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" sounded in both English and then in Chinese. Not only that, but they had ordered a cake for me too! They gave me a card with all of their pictures and notes written from all of them that they made themselves (the pink heart shaped one you see in the picture). It was a great way to start my birthday.
At lunch time, my advisees were likewise sneaky. They hid everything from me and as lunch ended, they led me out to the picnic tables outside of school where they had ANOTHER cake for me waiting. While eating my second piece of cake, they gave me cards they made themselves and a few gifts (including a really pretty pair of earrings from my advisee Angel!).
My last class of the day wasn't much different, they acted normal until one boy asked to go to the bathroom and came back with a HUGE card/sign (the big yellow one you see in the picture) that he made himself. The whole class signed it and wrote little notes which were pretty adorable (most of the messages asked me not to give homework on my birthday).
I never really expected my students to make such a big deal out of my birthday, seeing as how I generally don't advertise it much myself. But it really did make my day. As if the students adorable displays of affection and gratitude weren't enough, the package that my parents sent arrived at 5 p.m. on my actual birthday. What good timing postal service of Taiwan!
Even though turning 23 is somewhat unimportant, my students and family wishing me happy birthday from home made it exceptionally special. So thank you to all of you who wished me happy birthday, sent me a card, or skyped me yesterday. You made my day! (well you, and tons of Asian students giving me presents...)
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