My Birthday & Bangtan.

Last week I finally turned 22, so I threw myself a glitter themed wine party, because that’s just me. Everyone looked fabulously sparkly, and Kohei, Sheridan and I even unintentionally matched. There was body and hair glitter everywhere, and I’m astounded I didn’t blind myself with any of the craft glitter I put on my eyelids. It was like a 90’s girls dream. All I needed was butterfly clips, Groovy Chick stationary, and some roll-on perfume and I would have been set.

It was actually a very adult birthday that didn’t feel like one at all.  However, some of my students at junior high school that day made me feel super loved, running up to me to give me hugs. 

The next day at one of my elementary schools, my teachers gifted me a beautiful towel, whilst some 8 year olds surprised me with origami and the cutest rendition of Happy Birthday during English club.

I’ve been away for a birthday before, but this was totally different. Nevertheless, I feel super grateful for being surrounded by so many people who made it special in a different kind of way. Gone are the days of BBQ’s in my garden back home, instead my birthday was filled with dinner dates with my Kumamoto darlings. 

At my party, Kohei surprised me with the cutest Winnie the Pooh ice cream cake, then a few days later, Sheridan made me pavlova and drunkenly decorated it at the dinner table. Both very different, but equally as thoughtful.

Bringing my birthday “week” to an end, Ruth, Chloe, Kim and I headed to Fukuoka to see BTS. Full title of the concert? 2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III. The Wings Tour – Japan Edition. Bit of a mouthful, I know. The venue was smaller than the past concerts I’ve been to and the atmosphere was so much more. They did everything from solos, to singing old stuff, to using a mix of Korean and Japanese versions which I actually really preferred.  

It was hands down the best concert I’ve been to because, damn, those boys don’t half put on a show. Jimin nearly killed me from being so beautiful and dancing how he does too. I mean, I expected it, but not that much. I’m still saddened my dream of them finding us mid-show and inviting us for a night out in Fukuoka didn’t happen, but at least now Kohei knows where my true loyalties lie.

It really sucks that you aren’t allowed to take pictures or videos, especially because I’m definitely watched by security more being a gaijin. Needless to say, I did manage a sneaky unfocused and muffled video by inconspicuously sticking my phone into the waistband of my shorts. 

I’ve now earned the coolest teacher award for sure. My students were all running to me for an update on Monday morning, followed by a chorus of “いいなあ” after telling them all about it. Even funnier was how they all knew the reason why I had no voice (I’m looking at you, Jimin), but kept that one of the down low for me. It’s like I have my own little BTS posse and I’m the ringleader.

It's all fun and games until the cops arrive, apparently.

I actually wrote this last Monday intending to get something up before my midterms, but obviously that didn't happen. I've now learnt the error in my ways regarding the very unreliable CSU wifi, which is also a hassle when you're trying to watch Netflix. So here's my 'flashback' post, written while I sit in Caragh's room having a 2000's music flashback session to complete the theme.

Last weekend actually started off in a pretty chill fashion, with Caragh and I going on yet another date for froyo (that girl is obsessed). After a night of more snuggling, we woke up Saturday and decided we'd be going to the football game at Hughes Stadium that afternoon.
Off I went to the liquor store, so at 11:30am I was roaming the streets of Fort Collins with 3.5 litres of vodka smuggled into my backpack, in the hope I didn't encounter the bike police. Once I got back Leif, Caragh and I hurriedly transferred this into our new sunscreen flasks to take to the game. After all, who would question three British kids taking sunscreen to an outdoor event? Clever I know.

The game was what is known as an orange out, where people wear orange to honour the "Aggie era" of CSU. This was before the ram was adopted as an official mascot, and currently the most recognizable reference to this era is the "A" located on the mountain side above Hughes Stadium. Every year the freshman class hike to the "A" and re-paint it,but we never got the chance to go cause it clashed with plans we already had.

We met the Australians there, and in all honesty I don't think any of us paid attention to any of the game. All I know is that the Rams won, cue my loud chanting of "I said I'm proud, to be, a CSU rammm".

We headed back, raided the dining centre for scran and all headed for naps to help ourselves prepare for the night ahead. Worst idea ever. It definitely sped up whatever hangover was going to hit us the next day. We all felt very grim, but being the troopers we are, we headed to Leif's room for round 2. This was when the drama for the evening started...

We headed to a block party not too far away from campus. When we arrived the cul-de-sac was crammed with a tleast 300 students,and if I'm honest, it wasn't any fun. We tried to scout alcohol, but with no music and everyone surrounding us acting like idiots, Caragh, Leif, Jack and I decided we'd leave.
Talk about perfect timing. Once we crossed the street and reached campus, a convoy of police cars came hurtling around the corner, sirens blaring, in an attempt to control the party. As many of my friends/family know since they saw the news articles, this did result in a riot, which apparently is becoming a common thing with CSU students and parties. My favourite article the next day described how "rambunctious students wreck havoc, citizens tomato plant destroyed". Needless to say, we left with very smug grins on our faces knowing we weren't involved in the riot, and the closest claim to fame we have is we were actually there.