a quarter of a century later...

well, it is official. i have have aged 25 years. i have never had a birthday that i didn't enjoy, and celebrating it here in thailand in my little village is no exception.
i walked into my first class, grade 5, and the whole classroom was covered in balloons and bubbles, and the whole class had their families chip in to get me a bday cake. then they sang happy birthday in english and it nearly brought me to tears. next came my 4th grade class which held the same ceremony, but instead of a cake, they somehow knew that i was obsessed with sunglasses and bought me a very cute pair of new red shades! again, near tears (i have vowed to not cry in front of my students or coteachers). next came lunch, in which, in a very impromptu manner, the principal threw a party with all the other teachers and some very interesting thai food they certainly dont serve in thai restaurants in america. they also gave me a cake, in which we promptly ate. the last class i taught were my 6th graders, whom i am absolutely in love with. i walked into a dark classroom, and they were all standing in a circle with a birthday cake with candles lit and they sang happy birthday to me as well. i was so moved by their love and care, a trait of thai people that is unmatched anywhere else. if i wasn't a professional i would've grabbed all my students and given them the biggest hug in the world. but alas, it is not professional and also not something they do in their culture, so i withheld such desires. and also, all the bday wishes were just so overwhelming from friends and family, it was simply out of this world. i have felt myself growing here in thailand for some time, and turning 25, a significant age i believe, just made it all the more real that i am indeed more grown and mature and aware.