Birthday Girl

Today is my birthday. I had my mom on the phone at 8:45pm -- two minutes before I was actually born, thirty-one years ago.

I had to work today which wasn't unusual -- I have celebrated my birthday at work before -- but it was a bit different because I had parent-teacher talks until 7:30pm and also because I will be having them all week. And it's weird that my parents are going away on holiday tomorrow so I won't even see them in the weekend.

I treated my mentor class to some candies the first hour and then played games with my other two classes today (after they both had a short test; it is my birthday after all) and I treated my colleagues to some cookies and cakies (no actual cake as I couldn't get to a store yesterday). It was all very nice and I kept hearing how this would be the "last time" they could congratulate me on my birthday since I was "leaving them". There are still some who "joke" that they're going to start a petition to keep me at school. They say you never miss the water until it's gone.

The best part of today, though, has been the virtual (literally since it's mostly been via internet) inundation of love and best wishes from all over the world. On MySpace (myspace.com/teachjoanne), on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=842180502), on Hyves (http://joanie28.hyves.nl) and on the 30 Seconds to Mars Forum (http://thirtysecondstomars.forumsunlimited.com/index.php?showtopic=311798). So many lovely birthday wishes from old friends, new friends, people I have yet to meet and people I haven't seen in a very long time. Some managed to reach me on almost all of the different sites! Because, wishing me Happy Birthday once just wasn't enough, apparently! *grin*

Then there were the text messages and "regular" e-mails. My phone kept on getting message after message and my inbox counted 26 new messages when I got home!! I am such a lucky, lucky girl. Er - ... woman. <- I cannot get used to calling myself that.

Then there was also the fabulous package that Jenny had sent me a week ago (or was it longer?) that I got to open when I got home and I would have never guessed the contents but I *love* it!! It couldn't have been more perfect!! I also got a few real cards and a phone call from mom and dad. And a note from the postman that he tried to deliver another package today but there was no one home.

And I have been told there are still more parcels on the way. From all over the world.

So, to conclude -- my 31st birthday may not have been the most conventional. It wasn't the grand surprise-filled party of last year and it wasn't spectacular in any way but it has been, so far, a very special, wonderful, magical day. I feel loved, happy, healthy and on top of the world.

Thank you everyone who contributed to that feeling today
(and any/every other day)

Mood: Sentimental sap
Song: We Have All The Time In The World -- Fun Lovin' Criminals