Just another birthday, ok maybe not!

What a day! I don't even know where to begin.... I can't even begin to describe the feeling I have right now, somewhat feeling like I am floating/ being in someone else's body, happy/sad/tired/anxious, you name it and that is how I feel about now all except anger that is. I take that back, I am a bit angry, my wireless connection has suddenly gone away and I am quite angry about that. No internet for me is a curse. thankfully I know that I will have it again at work tomorrow where I can update my blog! :) 

So, today is indeed my birthday. I have had a lot of things happen on my birthday aside from the actual birth. There was the layoff from Schwab, going to a bar in Kentucky when I turned 20 (and got in!!), having a kidney stone operation, being broken up with (it's ok though I'm over it now...no really I am! haha), and now starting teaching in a foreign country. WOW! 

Today I got up nice and early, had a pb&j sandwich for breakfast and headed off to school (walking that is). The walk was about 15 minutes almost all of it downhill until the huge steep driveway at the school itself. Tell ya what this gal is gonna get her exercise. The school is HUGE! There are roughly 850 girls in grades 7-9 (ages 13-15 due to the way Koreans count age beginning in the womb you are 1). Annie met me at the bottom of the hill and escorted me to the top, showing me around and introducing me to other staff members as well as my Principal, Mr. Kim., coincidentally the VPs name is Mrs. Kim but they are not married to one another. I share an office with roughly 11 other teachers, most of whom are quite eager to test their English skills on me.

I pretty much just sat at my desk all day, was given a laptop about 4 hours into the day and told to go ahead and surf the internet. WOOT! Annie had me go to a couple of meetings, where I was completely lost but would smile and laugh when others would. I think I am good at faking like I know what is going on. Lunch in the cafeteria with the entire school was not only interesting but very loud. As a teacher one simply does not wait in line like the students, you just push your way through to the beginning. 2 types of kimchi, bean curd & fried kimchi, a stir fried type meat (perhaps pork or beef), a fish stew, rice and milk completed lunch. If I haven't mentioned it before... I think I am gonna lose some weight here, the food selections are... different but I am at least trying them! :D

Oh, roughly 2 periods into the morning a group of about 5 girls came into my office and very cutely giggling told me Happy Birthday. My heart melted! Everywhere I walked in the school students stopped to say hello instead of aenyong heseo (Korean for hello) as well as happy birthday. Annie had sent out an announcement to the entire school telling them it was my birthday. I was made to feel VERY special today from my new friends as well as all the love I received from friends on FB and email. THANK YOU!

At the end of the day Annie called to tell me there was another meeting in the English room (3rd floor of my building). I went up and met the other 4 teachers, she had bought me a cake and birthday hat. SO CUTE!!! I am telling you they have been wonderful and making me feel welcome and at home, it is truly great. My heart melted today many times. 

You would think that would be the end of my day but nooooo.... I got to go to the hospital where I was literally poked, prodded, measured and weighed. Asked multiple questions regarding my health. Funny thing, those little robes they give you to change into... yeah they were NOT made for women who are well... not ballerina size! hahahaha  Soooo I go out of the changing room and the back was open, OMG ppl were racing over to close the back for me. So funny! They are quite modest here, that is for sure.

Still not done, we had to go have my photo taken for my alien registration card. This is quite a process I tell ya.  After that we made a quick stop at the store where I picked up, of all things spaghetti and Prego! HAHAHA Yes, I found about the most Western food I could to make this week. It will be interesting with only 2 pans. I am sure I can get creative though. It was also nice to have a ride home so I didn't have to walk as the temp got up to 31c. 

Finally I finished my 38th birthday off with a meal of scrambled egg and grilled cheese sandwich with rice wine and will have my birthday cake!