Thanksgiving & My 18th Birthday

Well everyone today was my Thanksgiving /18th Birthday. I have to say that last night I was excited about today, but was sad that I wasn't going to be home for Thanksgiving or my birthday. I have never spent either one away from home, or without my family. So this morning I got up two hours later than I had planned on. It really is ridiculous how lazy I can be. I got up and did all of the norm. Then I got on skype. Just the boys were home, but only Aaron would talk to me. That kids cracks me up. I love him like a fat kid loves cake. He was not impressed that Korea doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving I think he thinks they are all a bunch of communist. Yes he really was that disappointed. So I got off because I had to finish getting ready, and Aaron said that told me that when I called back that he was going to answer, and him and Adam were going to talk to me. He also said he had to go because he was going to call David Bunting on skype even though he lives down the street. Hello Aaron I am in Korea David is not more important. Sure he can throw you around, and throw things at you, but is that really what you want? Really lets thinks about this. Well a hour later I got a call from Mom & Ash. No, no Aaron. Him, and Adam lied to me and went to the Buntings to have pizza and play the Wii. Here you go Stef this is me blaming Dave for something taking away my brothers! Well Mom, and Ash were great, and tons of fun to talk to. I do miss Ash, and all of her ridiculous comments they sure are swell. Well after I got done talking to them I was on my way. I looked into my mailbox first and noticed I got a package. It was from the fam. I was so excited. I wasn't going to, but I just ran back upstairs and opened it. There was two letters, and a card from Grandma. I had just done my make-up right before leaving....that was just a waste of time after I read those babies. Letters from home, and loved one's are the best! Mom also sent me Shrek 3, and the sound track, and my I-pod cord(my life savor). Well the Burtons absolutely refused to allow me to bring anything to dinner. They even rejected my Peanut Butter Ritz crackers. I don't think I said Peanut Butter maybe that was it. I was determined to bring something though so I walked to the market, and was on the search for Martinelli's sparkling Cider. I was sure I found it. After carefully examining the bottle for 20-30 minutes no joke I finally discovered the little word WHISKY I put it down. I didn't really think that would have been crowd appropriate. So I ended up not bringing anything. Ugh. I knew I should have just brought the crackers. Well after the almost whisky fiasco I went to the Burton's. First thing I noticed when I walked in was the HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner; so great. I got there in time to watch the end of October Sky. Never saw the full movie, but the end was good. I cried a little and I wasn't sure it was cry worthy, but the music made it sound like it so I did. Well after that it was the normal Thanksgiving prep. I really do like to do that, and I have no idea why. Right before people started arriving I got a b-day gift from the Burton's. It was great. Everything had important value. Just to name a couple Peppero, and a face mask. Not just a normal patient face mask, but a pink one with a little animal face on it. Everything that Korea is. So when everyone started showing up it was time for some Thanksgiving grubbin. First we sang the Hymn Because I Have Been Given Much, and had a blessing on the food though. Everyone also sang happy birthday to me in Korean. I have to be honest every time I have that song sung to me for some reason i get really embarrassed. I don't know why I just do. I get totally red, and refuse to make any eye contact. After that we ate. Sister Burton let everyone know that my seat was the only one reserved I think I saw it earlier, but didn't get it, but at my seat there was a birthday hat, and a wand type thing. It was lovely. I wore the hat the whole night. Well we were asked towards the end of dinner to all say something that we were grateful for this year. I hate this just because I always get emotional. I cried though, and I wasn't expecting that. I am such a baby, and that really needs to stop now that I am officially an adult. Brynne refused to cry at all so I just looked dumb all on my own. That's always lovely. Well after my public break down we had dessert. Always my favorite part of the holidays. Sister Residori got me Cheese Cake because she knows how big of a fan that I am. They all sang happy birthday again and I blew out candles on my cheese cake. Sweet! After that all the Elders started to leave, but not without doing a "Korean Mask Dance". I think it was for my birthday, and it was great. Elder Choi was the Korean, and Elder Moesel was the mask. It was awesome. I will try to post the video but I don't think it does it justice. Then was the normal clean up, and such. There was also a mini photo shoot courtesy of Brynne. Sure I don't think everyone was into it, but I loved the pictures that came from it. I came home shortly after that. I was holding my b-day because I couldn't sit up in the car with it on, and when I got inside my building my thumbs up doorman was totally excited that it was my birthday. He kept yelling happy birthday! Happy Birthday! until the elevator door shut. Such a sweet heart. Well I am now home. For some reason it took me forever to get all settled in. I started watching Shrek at 11 p.m. It was great. Classic I love the characters I hope when I am all grown up I can be like the Ginger Bread man. Truly inspiring, and Justin Timberlake as a animated character. No words my friends no words. All around I loved today. I love that I was able to spend my birthday, and thanksgiving here.
Seriously though. Today is/was Thanksgiving. There are really so many things that I am grateful for. I can't name them all because this post is already freakishly long, but I will name a few.
I am so thankful for my job and the chance that I have to be here in Korea. I don't think I know how lucky I am to experience this. I have learned so much about myself, and the others around me, and the people that I surround myself with everyday here, and at home. My testimony has been strengthened. The people who I have met, and have come to know I don't think I could have done so well to this point without, and am blessed to know. Truly.
I am thankful for my friends. New and old. No matter what I can always count on them to help me out even if it's something completely stupid. Also very grateful for all of you. I really do have some great friends.
Last I am going to say my Family. I am so blessed to have the family that I do. They are all so supportive, and amazing. Crazy, but amazing, and I love it. They are all so great that words can't describe how I feel. I have to end this before I cry.
So I tried to sum things up and keep it short, but we all know how that works out for me. Here are some pictures from the day. Hopefully I will have more soon. Hint hint you know who you are. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving all!

The table

My Birthday sign

I am just so dang proud of that pie!

My Cheese cake with Candles....mmmm

Me & Sister Residori

Let the photo shoot begin

He's just a stud!

Always a party

My family in Korea