Another Year Passing

Today is my birthday eve.  As many of you know, I am a birthday nut.  I advocate birthday week and insist upon celebrating my life in as many ways as possible.  (And yes, I realize this is a bit self-centered, but a birthday comes but once a year!)  Here is China my besties who normally oblige me are many miles away, and my family celebrated my Grandma's birthday last week and skipped out on our normal double party.  My friends here are wonderful, but I will admit it is just not the same as being at home!  Plus, as the youngest employee at Maple Leaf I am laughed at for my enthusiasm at passing years.  I am however, still excited to have a birthday this week.  Although it is midterms and my stack of marking is as large as it will probably get all year, it is still my day.  I don't even have to teach, I simply need to watch kids write a test.  And my boxes I shipped from Canada just arrived in time for my birthday!  I bought a few treats from the import store, and I am going out for a good dinner with some great people.

I am super thankful for my past year.  I think I can genuinely say it was the best so far.  It was the year that I experienced the most change and a year where I had the most happiness.  My 22nd birthday was in Vancouver, and I was able to welcome the year with both old and new friends.  I spent most of my year doing my B.Ed at UBC, and I absolutely loved getting to know a new city and an amazing group of people.

My Birthday last year!

I spent most of my spring doing practicum.  Which was hell, as most people who have had a practicum with attest, but I was blessed with a great school, supportive sponsor teachers, and a sweet crew of Teacher Candidates to make it through with.

Summer in Vancouver was relaxing and full of summer celebrations, beach time, and spending as much time with my family and friends as I could.  I finished B.Ed - exhausted but excited to be qualified to do what I have always wanted to do.

Next I packed up and moved to another continent, and another culture.  As much as I often miss home, I am enjoying the challenge of being here.  I am practicing my training from my last year of schooling, and creating a new strange life in a foreign country.

This past year was a year of firsts and I hope this next year is the same.  Last year I taught my first class, ran my first marathon, travelled to new places, and got my first real job.  To start the year off right, Meg and I are flying to Beijing in a few weeks to see the Great Wall for the first time.   Now all I need in my Mocha cheesecake and a China birthday won't be so bad!

One of my English classes threw me a surprise party and put notes up all over my desk.  I think they were just trying to use up class time, but I was ok with it!  They even had another teacher give me a fake errand so I wasn't in my room before their class.

The giant cake they bought

Some cards and a present.  The box is full of cards, and the little circle is full of walnuts.  It is a Chinese tradition to eat walnuts on your birthday, for good health the rest of the year.

Someone didn't finish his essay...and instead drew me a lovely picture.

All in all, despite my dread I think my birthday will be fabulous.  23, here I come!  I hope it is exciting as 22 was.