Yesterday was my birthday. My 25th birthday. I am officially getting old. It was a nice birthday. Better than I'd excected. I was able to talk with several loved ones abroad who wanted to wish me a happy birthday. However, I have to admit that I was saddened by the substitutions of email for the more personal, traditional telephone call from close friends or relatives. I shudder to think what the future of communication will be like with all this technology bringing us 'closer' together.

Anyways, so, every Thursday my seminar group and I meet to prepare for Friday morning's presentation. So, I figured that would be all my birthday had in store -writing a report and powerpoint presentation.

I'm not one of those people who runs around 'preparing' everyone for their birthdays weeks in advance. In fact, I don't think I purposely told anyone here about my birthday. It's not that I mind getting old or anything like that. It's just that I honestly don't know anyway to bring it into conversation naturally without making it look like I'm saying, 'Hey, my birthday is coming up! Won't you buy me a gift?" Also, I figured that I don't really know anyone here that should care if it's my birthday aside from the polite, obligatory 'congratulations.' I suppose I'm just being pessimistic. I've heard that before a few times.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I opened the door to my study group and they presented me with a HUGE bottle of champaigne and a hearty 'Happy Birthday!' Also, I recieved a gift from one of the girls: Kyung-Wha, a card and a cake from everyone. I was shocked and amazed at how giving these people were. True, out of everyone I've met here, I've gotten to know them best of all, but still! They knew about my birthday because on one of the first days we met, the question was asked to each of us. Also, a few days ago, Kyung-Wha happened to be in my room when I recieved my birthday gift from Jin. Still, I never expected anything like this. It was certainly a pleasant surprise.

I didn't take as many pictures as I should have but here are a few...if I'd known that it would be such an occasion I would have made myself more presentable. I swear, I don't normally look this bad!...I hope.