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
Portugal