Birth-Giving

My birthday started on Thanksgiving Proper, since one of my classes whose students really like me (and having parties) doesn't meet on Fridays. Most of the kids came equipped with food for everyone: we got an ice cream cake, fried chicken with little rice bits in the batter; cups that had soda on the bottom and a long straw that goes up along the side of another cup full of chicken nuggets, nestled into the larger cup; fried potatoes cut into spirals on a stick, shrimp-flavored chips (gross), plus I had made chocolate pudding. We were all ludicrously full after that. I got presents from some of the kids, as well. Andrew's mom brought some flowers when she brought the potato sticks, Ashley gave me some potted flowers, which I still have on my window sill at school, and Melanie gave me a set of three little bags in varying sizes, for makeup and sundries.



Here's the ice cream cake:




Ashley's flowers:



Here's where Danny took over on the camera for me. He really loves that camera.



Then on Friday it was my real birthday and I had a party all day at school. There was a lot of food that day, too.


Here's my first class, Sean, Erin, Lucy, Albert, and Eric, watching the Simpsons. Those big cups you see are the chicken/soda cups I was referring to above:




Lucy gave me some earrings and a handkerchief set. I never know what to do with those things. The kids always give them to me. Albert gave me a back scratcher with a big stuffed heart on one end. I think you're supposed to pound yourself in the back with that part. Something I can actually use.

Here are Antonio, Steve, Ally, and half of Jane in my next class:




They brought more fried chicken, juice, cake, and tea, and I bought them sweet buns from the bakery nearby--Rotibuns, they're called.


Lucille set this little birthday wish up:



And they had kicked me out at the beginning of the class so they could do this and sing to me:

Lucille, and the cake Jane brought:

Ally:

Jane:

My next class also brought me a cake, and forgave me a year:

These are Monique, Ruby, Aimee, and Lilly:

The cake after the candles:

The boys in that class also brought me some individual snacks, like cookies and candies and such. Jimmy got me some lotion and body wash, and Ruby got me a whole bath set. Monique made a little stuffed dog for me, Lilly got me a warm, wide scarf, and Aimee made me a little card.

Here they are--Harry, Jimmy, Jeff, and the girls:

And from this angle you can see the last boy, David. He's just a peanut.

My next class is all boys--Dragon, Sean in the back, Charlie, Tom, and Jack's hair.

These guys gave me all these high-brow present ideas they said they would get when I mentioned my birthday previously, like manicures and makeup, but I think they were thwarted by their parents. I did get a little headband from Sean, and Dragon brought a cheesecake. Funnily enough, I didn't have any cake on my birthday, even though three kids brought cake, and I bought one of my own for my last couple classes. I was just too full from all the chicken and pizza all day, plus I find Korean cake infinitely disappointing. I like a nice, rich chocolate cake. White cake is a waste no matter what country it's from, and Korean chocolate cake just tastes like air. Stupid.

Jack, Dragon, Charlie, Alex, Tom:

I think Tom's going to be a little heartbreaker in like four years.

Cheesecake. It might be better than the other cakes, but cheesecake without fruit topping? Screw that.

Here are my last couple classes. I got multicolored pens and cell phone charms from Diane and Tara, but the older kids tend to be less givey. It's okay. I get the pleasure of seeing their shining faces three times a week. Joy.

Because there was so much cake from previous classes, we didn't even finish it, and I saved the cake I bought for my Thanksgiving dinner the next day at Heather's house. I'll have to save that story until next time. I'm leaving for Cambodia in a few hours. I'll czech back in after the holidays.