Joseph's Birthday

Joseph celebrated his birthday shortly after me, but unfortunately he was not lucky enough to share his birthday with the Buddha, so he had to work on his regular old tuesday birthday... but with that in mind, I tried to make it as special a day as possible. It is hard for us on holidays and birthdays to be away from our families, but we ended up having a good time.

We started the day with a sub sandwich, since both of us had been missing subway like crazy recently!

We actually found turkey for the first time in our stay here so we grabbed it up. It was about four dollars for this package, but it was so worth it just for the one big sandwich we made with it.

Here is the finished product, I could so be a sandwich artist.

A picture of the birthday boy on his birthday!

When we got to school we were surprised by the other Korean teacher with cake and ice cream. You can see Grace's arm, Next Cindy, Crystal, and May. Jenny somehow managed to sneak away from my camera.

The cakes are so pretty, this one had fruit and nuts. Very interesting combo.

And May teacher took a pciture of us together! Awwwwww.

Joseph with his presents, he got a new shirt and flowers, which are now sitting between our desks!

After school was over we quickly headed over to the new McDonalds and grabbed a quick bite to eat so we would be able to catch the movie at 8:50 for the Ghostwriter, a thriller mystery movie. It turned out pretty awesome.

After our dinner and a movie we headed home for a small birthday party I planned with the help of a certain box from a certain mother from home.

Since the box came after my birthday and before Joseph's we decided to wait and open the presents inside together on Joseph's birthday.

I also used some of the decorations as best as I could. I managed to get glitter all over the apartment, so you know we had fun!

The finished product of our Pirate party (since we live on the Island!!!!)I also bought a chocolate cake at the Paris baguette since we wanted to have a good desert at home. (two cakes in one day, what a lucky boy!)

Joseph and his eye patch blowing out the candles.

I totally burned my finger lighting all those candles. I am not skilled at all with lighters. That or there were too many candles on the cake.

We also had made a stop the day before at Baskin Robbins to pick up some delicious ice cream to go with our delicious cake.

Joseph cut the cake himself!

After cake and Ice cream, it was time for PRESENTS!!!! Joseph went first....

He got a really nice white shirt.

Then I opened some headbands. Thank goodness, I have managed to break the other ones I brought.

And then I opened a necklace because Joseph wanted to open the last present too. Thank you Mrs. Kelly for the lovely gifts.

"A TOTE BAG?!?!".... was all joseph said when he opened the gift.... "Why did my mom get me a tote bag?"

It was about ten minutes later he happened to look inside the bag and found the cool handmade cupon telling his real gift. After that the confusion left and the excitement started!

So thanks to everyone who sent well wishes, we both felt very loved on our birthdays. And we both look foward to spending them at home next year!!!!

Renovations.

To celebrate last weekend Joseph and I purchased one of the amazingly beautiful cakes we see all over the place at different bakeries. The woman told us "Much chocolate" so we figured this cake for 12,000 won was a steal, but it ended up having huge walnuts in ever layer of chcolate... so it was kind of a bust, but really you can't complain too much when there is chocolate, so we gutted up and picked out the nuts, and will know next time the korean for "nuts" followed by the crossing of my arms in a big "X" for no sign.... that move has saved my life a few times... But here is a picture of the cake in all it's chocolatey splendor before we found the aforementioned "nuts".

So beautiful against the 70's wallpaper in our kitchen!

Now on to the real reason for this blog. The renovations of the school are FINALLY complete...

( NO MORE PAINT FUMES)

This is where the front desk used to be, it is now just the Boss Graces office, the windows just got frosted yesterday, so for about two weeks she had NO privacy, and the kids would constantly press their faces up against the windows... come to think of it, that is probably why they frosted the windows so late... haha.

This is now where the reception desk is, if you come in the door and look straight ahead, the desk is right in front of you when you enter. It used to be on your left, but they moved it so it could be closer to the teacher room. Which is now in the old Canada room that belonged to teacher Jenny! The Bricks are supposed to add a "cafe" feel to the school. I think it actually turned out really pretty.


Inside the old Canada classroom that has now converted to the Teacher Room. Joseph and I sit in the back ( unfortunately away from the copy machine and heater... bummer) but we have nicenew shelves to put all our stuff in and they have our names on them too! They put up wallpaper, new desks all the way around the room and so much shelving room.

The Old Bookroom and teacher room were converted into two joined classrooms, so now this hallway has been created. The refridgerator moved out onto the porch area, and we have a bistro nook outside for the teachers ( which we will enjoy much more once it warms up!), but now the old book room and teacher room are two connected rooms with moveable doors ( I could not get a picture because Teacher Jenny was teaching when these photos were taken) This way if we ever need a school meeting, we can move the doors and everyone can fit comfortably!

The new floors are great too, really slippery, which is funny when the bell rings and all the kids Rush like mad to get to the door, some more successful than others.

And Just because this caught me off guard during class, I had to take a picture of it. I didn't really look over the material in the book because normally it is reallybenign and a functional use of the English language, but the authors of the book must have been cracking up when they made this example of future tense with will.

Oh, My Jimmy!

That made me smile! The kids of course didn't really get it, which is probably a good thing!