My Birthday =)

So, last Tuesday was my birthday. I didn't have to work until almost 1 o'clock. That was nice. I had a quiet morning at home in which I read birthday emails from home, and I really missed my friends in LA. My mom sent me about five birthday cards (paper and electronic), and I finally had to call her and say it was enough. But it was nice...Grandmother and Annie also sent me very loving emails. I was glad to hear from them.

I went to work and the lessons were fine. Then the evening came...


I knew that some of the teachers were taking me to a birthday dinner, but they really made it special for me. Beautiful flowers and a really lovely silver bracelet! (Alena knows how I like silver.) A surprise!! Really, I was only expecting dinner--and I was happy about that. So, I was really honored that they made such an effort. We had a private room in a pub I hadn't patronized before. Good food! Several teachers showed up--even some who didn't speak English!! We had a wonderful time. Lots of laughing...


Me and Alena (a super lady)


Me and Irena (Ms. Personality) with our beloved cell phones


Sitting around the table...



Dasa and Majda having a serious chat--not! =)


Irena, Lenka, and me.


Alena (Assistant Principal), Majda, Me, Halina, and Mila.


The three M's--Majda, Mila, and Martin, a very friendly and funny guy. I just met him that night.



By the end of the night, I was reminded of a little song...

Make new friends
But keep the old
One is silver
And the other is gold

I was very happy for the opportunity to have met these new friends, even though I had been missing people in LA. This is a part of the experience, and one of the reasons I love to travel. I will have a special feeling for Zatec forever. I am at home here too. The people are fantastic, and they have been extraordinarily good to me. I am grateful and happy.