A Very Korean Birthday

My birthday was yesterday and I had the most memorable birthday party of my life.  This birthday easily ranks as one of the best birthdays I've ever had.  Son Myungai threw a small party for me at her kimbap shop.  When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised to find balloons decorating the shop and immediately greeted with a very sweet card from her.    Some time after 7 p.m., she started to prepare one of my favorite Korean dishes, Samgyeopsal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samgyeopsal).  Soon thereafter her English teacher, Jang Eu-nam, (who is actually not her teacher, just a regular customer, like me, who has taken a liking to Son Myungai and helps her with English.  His profession is an English tutor though), comes in wishing me a Happy Birthday with this gorgeously, decadent chocolate cake.  Son Myungai tasked him with running to the market next door to purchase beer and virgin, strawberry champagne.  Once back they lit the cake, sang me happy birthday, popped the champagne and we had a birthday toast.  The cake was quickly set aside though, because we hadn't eaten yet, so from their we proceeded to eat a feast fit for a king (or a birthday queen).  The meal lasted almost 2 hours and was accompanied by many more toasts with a few bottles of beer and a few shots of soju. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

This was sooooooooooo delicious.  Easily the best cake I've ever had.

I love this photo.  I love how her sweet nature just shines through in photgraphs. 

The Party-goers, properly posing for a photograph while in Korea, by giving the Peace Sign (or "V" sign as they say)

The party wrapped up some time after 10 p.m.  One thing I like about Korean gatherings is that, once it's time to go, there is none of this wishy-washy, standing about, wondering if you are over staying your welcome.  A Korean will say, "Okay.  The End.  Finish." and everyone leaves less than 2 minutes after that.  :)  Every gathering, I've been to with Koreans, ends much the same way.  

One other thing I forget to mention is that we went by our desired ages at this party!  I desire to be 28, Jang Eu-nam desires to be 35, and Son Myungai was going by 15.  In Korea, age is very important because it determines your rank, so to speak.  Since we were going by our mythological ages all evening, it added a fun dynamic to the festivities.  The reason being is that there are customs surrounding meals...your role at the meal is determined by your age...so since Son Myungai went from being the oldest to the youngest, it added a bit of fun to break the "rules".

Last week Son Myungai gave me a goodbye gift, which is free meals every day up until I leave.  She told me, "Christine--EVERY DAY, you eat kimbap or mon du.  Every day you pay.  No more.  My gift to you.  NO MORE PAY!"   I loved the way she phrased it!  What a very, very nice gesture.   I am very thankful for this generous gift...but more so thankful for her.  I only have 2 more days in Ulsan, before I head up to Seoul and then on to SE Asia on Saturday.  I want to spend every amount of free time I have at her store, not because of the free meals, of course, but because she is there...and our time is quickly running out.