They say it's (my) birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday this week. My day started with a phone call with Mom and Dad, which is always one of the highlights of my week. Then all the teachers at my morning preschool sang Happy Birthday to me in English, despite being nervous about it. When I got to my regular school in the afternoon, my friends had flowers for me. I got a lot of hugs and "I love you"s from kids all day.

On Friday, I went out to lunch with the mothers' class. As we were walking to the restaurant, one of the moms started walking away from the group. I asked the others where she was going, but they pretended not to me. She showed up at the restaurant a little while later with a cake. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me.

I invited my friends from work over to my apartment for dinner on Friday night--salad, minestrone, and pizza. One of my students had given me a cake on Thursday, so we ate that, too. Everyone seemed to have a good time--I sure did.

It was a very happy birthday. It only would have been better if my family and friends at home had been here, too.

Everyday I am thankful that I work with people who are also my friends and have become my family here in Korea. I love this picture. Back, L to R: T, H-k, M, Catherine, Jenny. Front: Chloe, Joy, E and L (on Joy's lap), and myself.