Part 1:
Today is a big day. A
day thirty years in the making. Today I
am thirty! It is funny how much
difference a year makes. Last year I
turned off my cell phone and tried to avoid anyone who would wish me happy
birthday. It was not something I wanted
to be reminded of. Actually, all the
birthdays after twenty-one were pretty depressing. Each year was a reminder that I had not made
much progress toward my goals. I still
have not finished my break out novel, but this year has been filled with so
many other experiences and milestones. I
am finally living abroad, something I have always wanted to do. I am experiencing a new culture first hand
and growing in ways I never imagined.
Somewhat grudgingly I am getting back in shape. And I get to spend my days with some amazing
young people. Not being able to
celebrate with friends and family kind of sucks, since I actually want to
celebrate, but I know they are all happy for me. At least they will be tomorrow, when it is
September 26th in America.
Part 2:
Usually I am not a huge believer in fortunes. I take them with a healthy dose of
skepticism. But I am starting to believe
the fortune I got on Mount Myoken might be real.
It said I was super lucky. And
you know what, I am!
I had to leave it to make sure it came true. |
Today was not just
my birthday; it was also my school's cultural festival. There were no classes. Instead, I spent the day getting to know my
students outside of the confines of English class. I knew they were amazing, but they really
took my breath away with their creativity, energy, and personalities. We started off with a choral
performance. Every grade performed. Some grades even had students playing the accompanying
piano. They all did very well and I was
very glad I wasn't asked to judge. The
morning assembly also included performances by the brass band and everything
was run by the students. The only adult
performance was a comedy routine by one of the elementary teachers. I didn't understand every word, but it was a
story about a boy with a very long name.
His father couldn't decide what name to give him, so he ended up with
all the suggestions. It was very funny.
In the afternoon each class had their own special
activity. They had spent hours preparing
and it was great to see their ideas and passion take shape. There were games, a cardboard maze, a movie
written, filmed, and starring one class.
There were also two different plays and a scavenger hunt. Students were running around from activity to
activity. I was pulled one way and then
another as I made my rounds to each class.
It was so different from the school carnivals I was used to. There were some parents, but this was by the
students for the students. Ninth graders
played board games with fourth graders.
Everyone was laughing and having a blast. It was a fantastic experience made all the
more special because it was my birthday.
I am so glad I got to spend it playing with my students.
Part 3:
When the festival finally ended, and all the props, games,
and prizes were cleaned up, all the teachers breathed a sigh of relief. While the students did the majority of the
work (and clean up), it was still a draining experience for the staff. In order to celebrate and unwind, we all went
out for dinner.
Japan has an amazing tradition called a nomikai. You go to a restaurant and for a certain
amount of time it is all you can drink.
There is a set menu and plates of food are shared, but the important
part is the drinking. This is a chance
to really relax and get to know each other.
I was so glad to be invited.
Because I live pretty far away from my school, I don't have a lot of
chance to get to know my fellow teachers.
Some of them I talked to for the first time as we shared food and
stories.
It was also my first Japanese birthday party! I was caught by surprise when the lights in
the restaurant dimmed and the waitress came out with a birthday cake and
balloons.
Mmmmmmmm. |
Everyone sang happy birthday,
in English, and set off the poppers they had been hiding all through dinner. They even gave me a tensile garland to
wear. I was completely overwhelmed. It was a wonderful evening. I truly am super lucky to be assigned to such
a wonderful school.
So happy! |
Part 4:
I finally made it home a little after midnight, exhausted
and a little drunk. I had left at 6:30
that morning. It was a super long day,
but it was one amazing birthday. I was
dreading turning thirty. But in the end, it was one of the best birthdays I
have had in a very long time. It even
beat twenty-one.
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