Goodbye 22, Hello 23!

      There is something exciting about celebrating your birthday at the end of the year. It may be the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the pending New Year, or perhaps my personal love of winter. This year my birthday was very special.
      The day itself however, was preceded by a little freak out..."What... I am already 23?!" I am aware that 23  is not old by any means, but being 23 in Korea makes me 24 in January. That puts me well into my "twenty somethings." It was reassuring to remember that I am an adult, I do have a full time job, my own apartment, and am able to support myself. Wow, I guess I am ready to be 23. Not only was I overwhelmed with becoming older but time has been passing too fast. December 15th, was upon me before I had a chance to finish celebrating Thanksgiving. Therefore, on December 14th, as I was rushing to the post office during my lunch break in order to mail a few Christmas cards, I was overwhelmed with planning my birthday party, become a year older, and not feeling a bit prepared for the upcoming week of Christmas carols at school, travel plans to China, Christmas present exchange/shopping and saying goodbye for the week to friends that have become so dear to me in Korea. When you work and live so closely with people a week good-bye to life lines, such as Natalie, is a little scary. After the support of my co-workers and a goodnights rest I woke up on December 15th excited to be 23.
      I began celebrating by talking with my parents and opening all of the lovely cards I received from family and friends back home. I felt so loved. I am very grateful for the great big "hug" that came my way. This feeling of gratitude continued as I was able to go for a beautiful run before work. At work, my co-workers all wished me a "Happy Birthday," every class sang to me, and my  students (with the help of my co-teacher) made me wonderful birthday cards. The day went by quickly! After work, I went out to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant with my friends/co-workers. We indulged in vegetables, meat (for the carnivores), rice, and noodles. At dinner I blew out candles from my first Paris Baguette birthday cake, opened wonderful presents and shared splendid company. I am so lucky to have such great friends. Not only did they help me feel at home, but they also bought me a blender (smoothies here I come) among other homemade crafts (a new felt, lady bug glass case, they thought my water proof, shatter proof, wilderness case was a bit much).
      You may be thinking the fun must be over right? Wrong, after dinner I went over to a friend from church's house where I was greeted with more friends, a room full, and I mean full of balloons, and another birthday cake! It was one wonderful moment after the next. I don't know if I have ever celebrated my birth so much. Thank you to everyone here and abroad that thought of me on my special day. It is your love and support that helps nourish me daily.
      Lastly, For those of you wondering, "Yes, I am now both taller and wiser."