John's 30th Birthday

First of all, thanks to all of those who sent John emails, cards, etc. He is the most important person in my life and it really makes me feel good that those I care about support him. I love you guys.

John and I decided after all the 30th birthday parties we had been to, to keep it low key. We had it at one of our favourite locals, the Winchester. Hopefully, when we move to Highgate later this year we will consider it our definite local pub. Everyone came from all over to celebrate John's birthday bash and it was a good celebration, but I am getting ahead of myself.

I have been trying to get my QTS, qualified teacher status in this country, as quickly as possible. Because I have been working so hard I have been offered a contract, starting February 1st, to stay with the school I am currenlty at. They are going to keep me as long as they can so I am secure in staying here forever! Isn't that great? I enjoy it, don't mind the distance so much, and can see me working there a long time, or at least until John and I have kids, then we both agree we need to get out of the big city!!!!

Anywho, I had two lesson observations the week before John's birthday so I didn't really get to his decorations or etc, until the Friday that school got out, his birthday being the next day, the 17th. Fortunately, I had my wonderful friend Kyla, a Canadian teacher I met over here, who came over Friday night with her boyfriend Dan (an Englishman friend of John's I set her up with a year ago! Woo hoo!) and between the two of them they created great posters of an assortment of John's life in pictures courtesy of his mother. She steathily handed them to me when we left after Christmas and I grouped them into what I thought were appropriate themes.
They spent the night with us, Dan is currently in the middle of the renovation from hell, and Kyla and I took off running after serving John his favourite breakfast, breakfast burritos. We got balloons, decorations, baked a cake, Kyla (who worked ten years in a bakery) decorated the cake. Finally we got all the decorations up, the cake done, and we were ready to go. All the while, typical Engish boy, John was with his friends, who one by one joined him, including Dan who deserted us. .. in the pub. ;-)

Finally the party began, the posters, streamers, and balloons were up, John was there and so was everyone else from all aspects of his life. Kyla bought him a flashing light pin that said 30 on it. He, (somewhat grudgingly) wore it with pride. The pub played all of his favourite music, turned down the music for his cake and it was magnificent. When asked to make a speech John turned immediately to me and said to everyone that I was the light of his life and the most amazing person he has every known, hands down.

I didn't even feel that I had done that much!, But I am happy that he had a good time. Wish you all could have been there. When I have my 33rd birthday party in May, John's family and friends intend to come out and help me celebrate. They have really taken me in with open arms, I have never felt alone or purposely left out. If you can make it, you are all invited! It is a bank holiday weekend so Monday will be off for us all!