Birthday SURPRISE

Getting a B-Day hug from Gamon

Friday was my birthday (as many of you already know) and it was the perfect day to turn 24. It started with my usual morning routine of yoga and breakfast. Also a few b-day cards. Breakfast was extra special though because my Mom made it for me. How you may say since she is home in Colorado and I am in Thailand? Well, she sent me some of her amazing granola and it was my first morning to enjoy it. It brought a huge smile to my face knowing my mom made my breakfast for me on my birthday just like every year minus 3 in college.

I got to school and had a chance to skype with my parents but it wasn’t a typical skype they immediately started singing happy birthday (which for some silly reason I wasn’t expecting, SURPRISE). There was also another SURPRISE, my friend Liz called my parents to see when she could go to the house and skype me when I was to call. I wasn’t expecting this at all and was overcome with joy at how thoughtful and awesome my bestest childhood friend is.

My students were also amazing today and my lessons all went so smoothly. I used some new activities I picked up from a fellow volunteer Zach when I observed him teach on Thursday. Thanks Zach for the ideas, they were a hit will all my kiddos! The best part may have been seeing all students even the ones who don’t typically fully participate participating in the activity. I also taught 4 classes today instead of my typical 3 to make up for not going to school when I observe Zach. It made the day fly by so much more quickly and I didn’t ever feel groggy because I was on the go all day. Also the Annuban (Pre-K) teacher’s niece was visiting for the day and observed two of my classes which I was excited that she was so interested in my teaching.

My teachers also had a little celebration for me during lunch. We ate Vietnamese spring rolls, one of my favorite meals here, with lots of peanut sauce. They also had a cake full of candles for me. It was also another teacher, Krew Toy’s, birthday but they put all the attention on me which felt so nice. . . I think they had celebrated her birthday that morning while I was teaching. So Thai not to make a big deal out of your birthday though.

While teaching my last class of the day Jes and Heather showed up. I loved having so many visitors in my classroom today. After teaching we went home and played Skip-Bo, Phe Nok was at the house waiting for us. While we were playing my 5 year old neighbor Gamon came over and sat in my lap and ate canome’s (sweet snacks) while watching us play.

  After dinner when we got to my house I opened gifts. I had many special presents from my parents and a big box full of goodies for me and things to use in my classroom from Auntie Kate! Thank you all!!! I did open one present before dinner and it was from my older Thai sister Phe Nok, my new blue skirt that you can see in pictures from the evening. Heather and Jes also gave me great presents that they got at the crafts fair in NKP. We ended the day by staying up late, 12:00, and watching movies.

Making Soam Dtam

For dinner my cook family (Naa Tak, Mah Nee and Paw Kit) had a dinner all prepared. My 18 year old  roommate Plair also joined us which I was so excited about. We ate Tom Yum Gong (a spicy shrimp soup), Phat Pak Gong (Veggi, Shrimp stir fry), Khai dtio (Thai omelet), dang mo (watermelon) and Soam Dtam (papaya salad) that I made when we got there. It was alroy mak mak (delicious)!!!!! I had asked for Soam Dtam (another one of my favorites) the day before but Naa Tak said there would be enough food without it. SURPRISE!!! To top off the dinner Jes, Heather, and Phe Nok brought a cake with them and it was amazing for a Thai cake and of course I wasn’t expecting a cake. SURPRISE! As I blew out my candles I also realized that it was at the time my birthday officially began, 6:58pm here so 4:58am February 25 back home the time I came into the world 24 years ago. Never thought I would be eating cake at the exact time but I guess that’s what happens when you are 14 hours ahead of where you were born. I was tickled to be surrounded by my most favorite people for my birthday dinner. We enjoyed many laughs and since it was my birthday I even broke Thai rules and licked my fingers when I got frosting on them from serving the cake and bit a cherry off the top of the cake before cutting it, I felt like a little birthday girl.

ME, Phe Nok, Plair, Paw Kit, Mah Nee, Naa Tak, Heather and Jes

The next morning continued with more fun. We made pancakes on the same stove as Christmas time which felt kind of like being gathered around a camp fire making breakfast. Gamon came over again and tried a pancake and sat with me, such a little love!

Late morning Phe Nok, Jes and Heather got a ride home with Paw Kit. As I walked back home from dropping them off I stopped by a house I have been to in my village once before. They make mats. I went and hung out with the women for a little while and unlike my first visit they allowed me to help make the mat. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera so no pictures, hopefully another time. The rest of the afternoon I cleaned up my house and as I was doing some dishes I heard 2 of my students who live behind my house studying their English from the notes they have taken in my class. I was so proud of my little 5^th graders and SURPRISED at how well they were doing!

Although this was my first birthday being hot and sweaty with no snow it turned out to be a birthday I will always remember. I received so much love from everyone around me and I felt as special as a birthday girl can feel! It has been a wonderful week of birthday celebrations beginning with Donah’s birthday on Tuesday, Krew Toy’s b-day shared with mine, and Mah Nee’s birthday the day after where even more cake was consumed. Thank you to everyone for all the SURPRISES and special memories!

Posting this on Dad's birthday. . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY Daddy-O!