The Japanese Birthday

I don't know why I do this to myself every year.
I plan birthday celebrations that then leave me feeling stressed and even though they usually end up turning out ok, at the end of it I haven't completely enjoyed myself.
I usually take the day off work- end up in a shop somewhere trying to find the perfect outfit, which then depresses me when I can't, rush to where ever my party is being held and then stress some more as I watch my rag tag groups of friends who usually have nothing in common other than knowing me, try and hang out together.
I've given up on enjoying Christmas, and I'm beginning to think I should do the same for my birthday....

It wasn't all bad though, check the following...



This was waiting for me on my desk at school.



A Japanese teacher brought these cakes over to my house when she found out I was going to be on my own on my birthday.



Even more cake! This was from Nicky and G who also took me out for a Chinese on the weekend.



A picture made by one of my students for me- I was given a whole bunch!



My favourite picture from the karaoke party- this is Shoko and Solomon- a new JET from North London.

I got a lot of birthday love via Facebook and text messages, and I got a really big haul of gifts at the party which was a nice surprise- and makes up for the fact that my parents forgot...

So yeah, Happy Birthday to me.
Next year I'm spending it on a tropical beach somewhere with a hot gigolo pouring me cocktails or somewhere near the Eiffel Tower.