Monday, 27 November 2006

• Quarter-of-a-century

  Well, it was bound to happen.  I finally reach an interval of 100 with my age.  I try to keep it "hush hush," dropping hints early on but no really recent reminders after that, but the day still gets remembered.  It was good, though.  I was given a lot of coffee by teachers, which I guess is telling of my habits at the language center.  Sent several eCards, which is nice.  Got a few physical cards, and the post office even "helped open" one my 93-year-old Great-Grandmother sent me (I won't go there).  Got a notice of a package being received at a nearby post office (I think it's your small one, Melissa; how long did it actually take to get here?).  Received a journal from a past student in Da Lat who is my "younger sister" and I'm her "older brother," as well as a notebook with ethnic designs from a teammate tonight.  Also had tonight a lovingly-insistent teammate make a nice team meal for my birthday, even with back irritation in the process.  So, maybe it's not a bad thing to "let people know" about my birthday once in awhile.  Even the little girls I tutor wanted to drop by when they knew about it on Saturday, but I knew they didn't have to.  Was sweet they wanted to.  I didn't really remind the family I live with because I didn't want them to feel obligated to "do something."  Not having a "model" as to how such relationships ought to look, I play it by ear, especially when some of them have been sick and going to bed a little earlier than usual. 

  So, if you feel like I didn't tell you, don't feel like you forgot (unless you did).  I didn't push it too much.  Given the response this year, I may need to continue to not try and "hide it."  Just not something I'm used to informing more than few people about.  May need to clarify with the one other student from Da Lat who thought it was in October and sent me something a month earlier.  Yeah, that might be good in the future. 

  Also did a little more tinkering with my other website.  Jury is still out about that one.  Set up some other features there, with some pictures of a university outing from an invitation by a student here.  Let me know your thoughts. 

  Update:  I just got a visit from one of the girls I tutor with her older brother (there was also a young woman there with a bewildered look on her face, which I'll guess was his girlfriend; was funny).  Was at 10 PM.  Received a card signed by the three girls, and a box with two mugs by Monokuro Boo.  Hadn't heard of it before and had to look online just now to find out about it.  Think "Hello Kitty" but with pigs and only in black-and-white.  Hey, if ain't got pink on it, it's fine by me no matter what it is.  All in good fun for an evening's outing.  Aww, I feel like I have three more little sisters.  Wanted to give a hug but it isn't culturally appropriate. 

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