The Dawning of a New Age

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October 8th (Wednesday) was my birthday and I had a pretty darn good time. It started with me going to the hospital. No, I did not maim myself in some fantastical way, as per my usual custom while traveling in another country. I simply had to go get my medical exam for my job. You know- eyes, ears, blood, urine check. Fun times. Got you there, didn't I? Ha.

After that, Brittany and I had sushi for lunch. Delicious as always! Then I had to go to school. I brought candy in to give to the kids, and I'm pretty sure I bought the affection of at least 6 of them. I'll consider that a victory. My co-worker, Sara, had a card and goodies from the nearby bakery waiting for me. Very sweet!

After school, I dashed home to change out of my school marm clothes and then hustled down to a Chinese restaurant just down the street from where I live. There I met Brittany, Diane and her twin, Debbie (who is in town for a few weeks), Liz, Karen, Kristi and Audra. I even got a few presents! A beautiful scarf, a teacup, a journal, a bookmark and a little Korean style post-it set. I was not expecting that at all. I am truly blessed to have found such great friends in just the few short weeks that I have been here. They also made me wear a party hat. So yes, I was the ridiculous looking waygook (foreigner) stumbling the streets of Busan. We were quite rowdy, sharing minerature glasses of plum wine and eating chocolate cake and to-die-for chow mein. Mmm.

Then we headed to Ol 55, a western bar that has Open Mic night and is a popular place on Wednesdays. There I met up with the crew that went to Jinju, plus a few other friends I've made here. I had such a wonderful time. Started the night with a margarita! Felt like I was at home. I played darts for a long time, and apparently I only get better as the night goes on. A bulls-eye with my eyes closed! Birthday luck, perhaps? We hit up our favorite food stand on the way home and then I slept like there was no tomorrow.

What a birthday! Thanks to all for the well wishes! Much love from the Far East!

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