i'm 31 flavors, and then some.

last week i turned 31. when i came to japan, i was 27! true, celebrating here (in my new city) just isn't the same as being surrounded by family and old friends, but i was still blessed with a lot of generosity by my students and new friends.
my gray hairs are coming in more insistently these days, but thanks to oily skin, i'm not too wrinkly.
before the day, i was taken out for sukiyaki by one class;


given a wonderful, thoughtful surprise party by another class;


treated by kj to karaoke at the fancy place with a column of bubbling water;




and joined by some friends for lunch, card games, and Baskin Robbins.
(deana, fern, jason, kjersten, me, matthew)



fern baked me some gorgeous cupcakes.


mom and i had a skype party. see the candle?


on my actual birthday i went shopping with my friend matthew, we had some delicious burgers, and i did some 1-person purikura.






thanks, everyone!