Here in Korea, and in a few other asian cultures, it has been a forever long belief that when a child is born they are already 1 year old. It is understood within the culture that the time spent in mother's womb justifies a baby as being 1 years old on the day birth. Makes sense right? Not really when taking into consideration that babies only spend 9 months (some less) in the womb. And to add to this on New Years eve, EVERYONE regardless of their birthdate automatically adds 1/2 a year onto their lives. I'm not a creditable source as to why this belief was formed, but a good Korean friend of mine told me that it is because until around the 1990's most Korean people were lucky to make past the age of 70 and people often wanted to count as much of their time spent on earth to add to their "numerical age".
However, times have changed and now the Korean culture is one of the longest living groups of people, many working into their 80's and then living in fully functional and in mostly healthy conditions into the ripe old ages the 90's and early 100's. If you ask me...they actually have the right point of view on age though. Instead of them lying and saying they are younger, they value age and wisdom and wish to aspire to live longer, experience life, and learn more about themselves and their world. They have a pretty rockin' view on old age...much different than the western society.
Anyways if your truly curious about the Korean aging traditions you should Google because I just experienced my first birthday in Korea :)
Due to my birthday falling on a Monday, I made arrangements for the weekend prior to the most wonderful day of the year. On Saturday the 21st, I spent the whole morning basking in the glorious sun. It has been raining here about every other day and when it rains, it POURS. So instead of taking a lie in and getting a late start to my day, I took the opportunity to rise bright and early and have some me time by the Gwangchedong river (the river that runs through my suburb of Bundang). It is a fairly large, beautiful, clean, and naturally flowing river that is ornated with and abundance of stone sculptures, countless flower beds, and not to mention that one entire side of it is butted against the mountain side. It also has a bike path that runs for literally forever as the river stretches an hour north to the center of Seoul and who knows how far south. Anyways, after studying my Hangul (korean language) and writing postcards to my friends and family back home, I was off to Kangnam (a very popular shopping district of Seoul) to meet with a good friend and previous boss at my beloved Cafe Paradiso. He and his wife live in the States but they are currently in Korea visiting his family. We met up for Coffee and chatted for a couple of hours. It was a very nice visit and great to see familiar faces who were equally as excited to see me.
After my meet up with him, it was back to my apartment for a quick shower and a nap before my night out of DANCING in Itaewon with good friendS!!!! Nights out in Seoul are so much different than my time spent in Illinois. Nicola, Alex, Harriet, James and I arrived in Itaewon at about 10 pm and first hit a few casual roof top bars. We spent a couple hours sipping on wine, long island iced teas, and memosas. After a nice casual start to the night, it was time for the real party to begin. I, who remained sober-ish, really love to dance and immediatey suggested that we hit up "the hills". There are 2 literal hills in Itaewon- one called Hooker Hill and the other called Homo Hill. Take those names as a hint as to what type of clubs they are. But hey...where else can you find better club music and good looking people ready to dance? :)
After dancing for a few hours at my favorite club in Seoul called "Why Not" My good friends and I stopped at a nice Turkish Kabob vendor who has the BEST wraps I have ever ever tasted and caught a cab back to Bundang where I went to bed tired yet very happy with my night out.
On Sunday, the 22nd.....it rained. Surprise Surprise. I took advantage of this day tho. I hit up a few of my favorite shopping areas in Bundang as well as within the south eastern portion of Seoul. I didn't buy anything other than a box of Jeju island chocolates (Korean most famous chocolate variety made in Jeju island, SK). Later that night tho, it was back to the area of Kangnam for another meet up. This time it was with my friend here named Ray. His birthday is actually the following day as mine and we took Sunday evening to have our own birthday dinner at a Chinese Bento restaurant called "Miao". We are convinced they just didn't know how to spell "meow"
Ray is a great friend. He has proven time and time again to be a really nice and genuine fellow. He is from California and is actually leaving Korea in November as his work is transferring him. that is kind of a bummer, but I also have some great friends who will still be here. The good thing is tho that he hasn't seen any of his family in 3 years, so it's nice he was able to get a position back in his home state.
So on Monday, my actual birthday, I obviously had to work. I was in a really great mood tho, filled with tons of energy which really helped my workday go smoothly. Instead of teaching phonics to my Kindergartners, I spent my first class period talking to them about how I am 24 in America but 25 in Korea. By the end of the class they all knew that in America they are only 5, but in Korea they are 6. This actually reminded me of my nephews back home who are around that age and truly made my day better just thinking about how bubbly and happy my "boys back home" are! =D
The rest of the workday went well, it was filled with lots of happy kids. Not a single one gave me issues- even my elementary students in the afternoon were really generous and sweet! It was very pleasant. However, just as I thought that the day was going to just another normal day at work, I was hit with a big surprise.
It was in the afternoon, about 2:00 and it is normally my only 30 minute break time. I was just about to head out the door for a nice walk in the sun when my boss said he needed me upstairs. Without going into detail of the reasons why...I always protest when my boss asks more from me. I said "no....its my break" He then insisted...I said "what is so important". He then grinned and told me that I want to go upstairs. I followed him upstairs and the classroom up there with a big glass wall I could see was dark...and there was candles. I opened the door and the lights came on. All the morning kids (which should have left) and the afternoon kids (which had just arrived) where all there singing happy birthday too me. My coworkers were there as well...which Nicola as you know is a very good friend of mine here in Korea. My boss had gotten me a triple chocolate moose cake from Paris Baguette. It was super delicious and I soon regretted giving such generous portions to the kids :)
My home room kindergarten class and also another Kindergarten class that I teach one class during the day to had made me the CUTEST hand made cards..which are shown here to you. So not only do I have the great memories of time spent with friends from home and here in Korea, but I also have the children's crafts to remember first birthday in Korea :)
At the end of the day, while I opened my families birthday cards sent to me from the states, I realized how nice of a birthday I had had. It was for sure my first in Korea..possibly not the last. Altho I would have liked to SEE my family at some point during this week, I'm honestly not bothered by it. I know they love me, and I can feel them here with me. I sometimes miss them, but mainly I just want to say "hi" to them and chat for a little while because I'm living my life to it's fullest in Korea...and it's where I'm gonna stay for a lil while longer!
Love the pictures of your students!! Sounds like you had a truly nice birthday!!
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