A few weeks ago, all the foreign teachers in Kaohsiung County (county in Taiwan = state in U.S.) had dinner with the governor. During the dinner, the governor's secretary, Kris, invited me along with the other foreign teachers to join the English conversation group that some of the county employees have. I mentioned that my birthday was around that time. Kris got so excited and decided to turn the dinner into a birthday party for me. So now, I'm had a birthday party being thrown by the government. This is wild and I just keep thinking this would never happen in the States.
The party was a full on Taiwanese banquet and, apparently, I was the guest of honor. That was a wild concept in my mind. Most of the other foreign teachers in the country were there and many government officials. There was so much food it was almost obscene. Traditional Chinese banquets serve food family style from a giant lazy suzy (lazy susan in the States) in the center of the table. I think there were 10-12 courses at this dinner. The food was never ending. There was also Taiwanese red wine and Taiwan Beer (brand name).
I was sitting next to a man named, Hup. Hup is the Director of Civil Affairs (disclaimer: any names and titles could be wrong because I'm writing this from memory two weeks after the event and the name cards they gave me are all in Chinese). Kris kept telling Hup he wasn't doing his job because I wasn't drunk. Hup, however, was drunk and having a good time with his Taiwan Beer. It was a Tuesday night and my principal was there so I had absolutely no intention of getting drunk anyway. Kris tried to help me feel more comfortable with imbibing more. He asked my principal if I could have the next day off. Of course, she said yes but I knew I was really expected in school the next day. Furthermore, I had no intention of taking the day off. I had work I wanted to do.
The cake they bought me was stunning. One thing you learn quickly in Taiwan is baking is an art form. There are coffee shops with baked goods on every corner. The cakes in the cases are outstanding. I love to just look at them. Even better...they're cheap. Such an elaborate cake in the U.S. would cost more than $40 or $50. Here, you might pay $15-$20 USD. They taste good, too. Everyone sang to me and I blew out a candle just like back home. Then I was asked to cut the cake. This is an important tradition. The birthday person makes only one cut into the cake for good health. You DO NOT cut a whole piece or it's bad luck. You just make the first cut and then someone else finishes cutting for you. The cake tasted as divine as it looked.
We enjoyed the good food and conversation for awhile. Soon Kris stood up. Thanked everyone for attending and then said the party is over. Another banquet rule in Taiwan, when the party is over, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. The beginning time is flexible but the end time is firm. In the U. S. you always have people who linger and talk. Our parties end much more gradually. I don't mind this cultural difference. It's nice to know when I'll be getting home.
My students also celebrated with me at school. My advanced sixth graders surprised me with flowers, chocolates and a speech in English during class on my birthday. They're teacher came in and took pictures as they presented me with their gifts and a card. They also sang to me in English and Chinese. They're a challenging bunch to teach but still a fun group of kids. My principal also came into class and presented me with a small statue as a gift. Then she took pictures of me will all my grade 6 students in that class. Needless to say, I didn't get a whole lot of teaching done that day.
All day, students visited my office with little notes and gifts. One little girl, Ruby, brought me a bear in a wedding gown that was one of her toys and a blank book with a happy birthday note she wrote in English and another note that her friend wrote. It was so sweet because I'm not actually her English teacher but she always talks with me in the English office. All the students are like that. They are so eager to use their English so they can speak to the foreign teacher. They make any of the tough parts of living in a foreign country worth it.
Below are some more pictures from my party. I hope you enjoy.
Okay...so Xiao Hu wasn't at my party but she's so darn cute. I just had to show her off. She's getting so big.
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