My Birthday Story: Hello everyone, this is Noriko from Nihongo Story Time. I’m a Japanese teacher who teaches Japanese online.I have many different projects.

This podcast is Nihongo Story Time, a beginner podcast where I speak a little slowly.

I also have another Nihongo Story Time on Substack, where you can read Japanese blogs and essays.

And I have my main podcast, Japanese with Noriko, where recently I’ve been talking about more difficult topics for intermediate and advanced learners.

I also have my website, Japanese with Noriko.

There are so many things, so I’m busy every day.

How are you everyone?

Today’s story is about me.

When is your birthday?

When your birthday comes, do you feel excited?Do you feel happy?

I actually really like birthdays.

I’m an older woman now.I’m not young anymore.

But I still like birthdays.

When my husband and family say “Happy Birthday,” it still makes me happy.

My birthday is in May.

In 2026, this year, I turned 53 years old.

I’m getting old now. Maybe half of my life is already over.

But actually, I didn’t feel sad about it.

That weekend, I celebrated a lot.

First, my husband and I went to a restaurant for dinner.It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Liverpool.

We ate delicious food there.

I think I drank cocktails too.

And presents.A present for myself.

I bought many books.

I love reading books.

Recently, whenever I have free time, I go for a walk, read books, go for another walk, and read more books.

Honestly, I don’t really want to look at social media very much.I don’t want to watch YouTube too much.

Actually, I still watch it, but much less than last year.

Instead, I use that time for reading.

For my birthday, I bought many books from Amazon Japan.

That made me very happy.

How do you celebrate your birthdays?

Some people say:“I don’t really care about birthday celebrations.”“I don’t need presents.”“I don’t want to celebrate.”

And that’s okay too.

That’s all for today. See you again.

• 誕生日（たんじょうび） — birthday

• お祝い（おいわい） — celebration

• わくわくする — to feel excited

• ドキドキする — to feel nervous/excited

• 若い（わかい） — young

• 人生（じんせい） — life

• 暗い気持ち（くらいきもち） — gloomy feeling

• 週末（しゅうまつ） — weekend

• お食事（おしょくじ） — meal / dining

• プレゼント — present / gift

• 読書（どくしょ） — reading

• 暇な時間（ひまなじかん） — free time

• 散歩（さんぽ） — walk / stroll

• 実は（じつは） — actually

• 去年（きょねん） — last year

• 読書タイム（どくしょタイム） — reading time

• 別にいい — I don’t mind / it’s okay

• 大丈夫（だいじょうぶ） — okay / fine