생일 축하합니다~

생일 축하합니다 생일 축하합니다
Blah blah blah 이차드~
생일 축하합니다~!

Today was my birthday and I had a blast. Breakfast was good, talked to family through the web for a few hours, finished a movie I started the night before, and because I don't have classes today I was able to do all of this pretty easily.

The rear wheel of my bike was out of alignment and it turned out to be an easy fix. Within 10 minutes I was off riding away and went farther than I had gone before. Path went to paved, dirt, paved, dirt (first time this far), paved bridge, dirt, little concrete as it dipped downhill into the stream with about 2" water, dirt, and then I had to turn around because the road was covered to tarps with rice drying. It is harvest season so I am seeing this all over the place.

At first I was hesitant to ride through the water, especially since the path was at such a downhill angle; I made 2 round trips. I felt like a little kid, it was such a blast. I know some people laugh when they hear my laugh; I've heard comments about it on 2 continents now :) But after going through the water I laughed like I have not laughed in years. It was so refreshing.

Ended the hour long bike ride just in time to get lunch in the cafeteria. Lunch was so good; bulgogi (barbecued beef) with fresh lettuce and steamed rice; which is one of my favorite dishes in Korea.

Now a few people had told me happy birthday that morning but nothing big had happened and I was wondering if something would. This was my second birthday outside of the US; the first was at Yonsei and my classmates took me out to pizza. Had like 7 countries represented at the table; it was wonderful.

Back to today, soon after I sat down with my food I heard a student start tapping out the birthday song on the piano - you know 'just practicing.' I hear a couple students say "birthday" behind me, real quiet like. Then the Chinese teacher and the RD stood up and starting singing me the birthday song in Chinese. Fun~

Someone hits the lights and a cake is brought out from the kitchen. Before I realize it all of the teachers and soon all of the students in the cafeteria start singing me happy birthday. The funny thing is I truly don't remember what language they were singing in ^^

The rest of the day has had random bursts of singing from groups of students; again in various languages. Gifts include cool fridge magnets, a pack of pomegranate gum, onion snack, persimmons, mandarins, candy bar, peach drink, and steamed bread.

download -> Utada Hikaru - MTV Unplugged "Parody" 7 megs

Update: I thought the day was over when I was given a few more gifts by friends and then told I could listen to a story at 10:50 on the 3rd floor (I get cryptic messages now and then so this did not raise any suspension ). At 10:50 I found the entire female student population crammed into one of the dorm hallways with a birthday cake of 'choco pies' (cookies in effect) with candles built in sitting on top of a box of cookies. They sang Happy Birthday to me in two languages, gave me a large bottle of corn tea, several energy drinks, and two handmade cards.

This has been my best birthday ever, period.