November 13, 2014

Tuesday was my birthday! I am accustomed to having a national holiday on my birthday (Veteran’s Day). Little did I know when we moved here that Korea also has a national holiday, albeit not quite as important, Pepero Day.

Korea actually has several couple holidays throughout the year, including Valentine’s Day, and Pepero Day is November’s. On Pepero Day friends, co-workers, couples, sweethearts, and students give out Pepero sticks. The holiday is on 11/11 because the numbers resemble 4 Pepero sticks. Pepero sticks are basically slender sticks of bread that have been dipped in chocolate. Some of them have additional flare, like the almond one below. There are fruit flavors and even tiramisu. This is a big day for all of the convenience stores and they set up elaborate displays outside their shops! The one below is from the CU in our apartment building.

Pepero sticks

Pepero Day display

I had a pretty nice birthday. I Skyped with my parents in the morning before work and then I got a present and a really sweet note from one of my students first thing in the morning. I made hand turkeys with my kindergarten class and for dinner I had delicious Indian food. It was a pretty great day!

The sweetest note ever!

My cake from the school – yes, there are tomatoes on it

A drawing of me from one of my older students, Rachel

Delicious samosas! Then I put the camera down…