Dear Family and Friends,
Please enjoy the twenty-three sparkling candles on my birthday cake. May they bring a smile to you as they did to me!
Birthday Candle #1 I stayed overnight at my friend Chihiro’s house on the eve of my birthday. That evening we went to visit her friend a few blocks away. (This marked the first time I’d ever been a passenger on a bike! I rode on the back of the bike while Chihiro pedaled. The Japanese do it all the time. They’re very talented at bike riding.) When we returned to Chihiro’s house, everything was dark. What!? As we came in the kitchen, her family sang me a warm Happy Birthday as glowing candlelight lit up a scrumptious chocolate cake!
Birthday Candle #2 The next morning we got up early to meet some other friends on a beautiful sunny day. Yay for friends! J
Birthday Candle #3 On this glorious morning we set off to spend the day at Universal Studios Japan!
Birthday Candle #4 At the entrance, the girls made sure I got my USJ birthday stickers. If you wear these stickers around the park, all the employees wish you a “Happy Birthday!” or a “Tanjoobi Omedetoo!”
Birthday Candle #5 You know it’s a great birthday when you get to be cookie monster…
Birthday Candle #6 …and travel back to the future!!
Birthday Candle #7 Since Valentine’s Day was just around the corner, we got to pose inside a big pink heart! xoxox
Birthday Candle #8 A few weeks ago, the girls had learned the word “buffet.” So, when they took me to a Chinese restaurant after USJ, they were excited to tell me there would be a BUFFET!
Birthday Candle #9 When everyone had their food, and we were all sitting down, a twittering of Japanese began. The girls quickly conferred amongst themselves (as they often do when they are trying to figure out just the right way to say something in English) and the designated spokesperson carefully and deliberately managed, “Besu!---Close—-your—-eyes!” I did, and I opened them to the sounds of Happy Birthday and a heaping plate of rice, which served as a makeshift cake, topped with candles aflame. How absolutely adorable!!
Birthday Candle #10 Dude. Delicious food!
Birthday Candle #11 The students even gave me cute little birthday gifts!
A whale wind chime, a Hugs and Kisses magnet, and a life-like candle birthday cake. :)
Birthday Candle #12 I went to Japanese class that night and told the teacher ...in Japanese... that it was my birthday!
Birthday Candle #13 Seike-san remembered my birthday with the precious and thoughtful gift of a Japanese book made for children (with stickers and everything!)…so I can learn more Japanese!
Birthday Candle #14 The Parry’s treated me with a bag of delicious American candy bars from Cost-Co! Yummy!
Birthday Candle #15 Then, when I thought my birthday was over, it wasn’t. I went to Tajiri-san’s for the weekend and she gave me a beautiful Japanese doll wearing a red kimono like the one I wore on New Year's!
Birthday Candle #16 Tajiri-san is an excellent cook. She made a Japanese dish called nabe. Japanese meals not only taste good (most of the time, hehe), but they are also made to be aesthetically pleasing.
Birthday Candle #17 Yakiniku party --- Korean barbeque at a Japanese Anglican church!
Birthday Candle #18 Another birthday surprise!? Oh my goodness!
Birthday Candle #19 The cutest cake ever!…and the exuberant Korean deacon you see a couple pictures back was extremely pleased that he spelled my name correctly! :)
Birthday Candle #20 I had my first glimpse of Osaka Castle!
Birthday Candle #21 The pear blossoms happened to be in bloom!
Birthday Candle #22 A little birdie told me, "Nah, don't listen to your sister. You're not old!" ;)
Birthday Candle #23 All the love and birthday wishes from home!! Thank you!!!
Thank you everyone for making year 23 so very special!
Love always,
Beth
yah! Beth this was absolutely adorable! it sounds like you had a really wondeful birthday, and i am so glad of that! :)
ReplyDeletep.s Love, Jackie :)
ReplyDeleteI am completely jealous of your experience in Japan and happy to see you had a great birthday.
ReplyDeleteThat birthday cake was amazing! The fruits are in various states of consciousness; some are awake, sleeping, winking, and one has died.
Also, I cant decide if all of your friends just love the number two or are all very strong proponents of world peace. Please fill me in, Andrew.
bethy! haha you are so funny. this was so creative? it seems like you can do anything. oh and i don't care what that bird said, you are old, where do you think the term bird brain came from?
ReplyDeletelove love love you
Oh my goodness Beth! I just read this again and it made me happy again!! SERIOUSLY!!I hope you wore your "fat pants" that wonderful eating day!! hahaha..oh i love you....you have the best birthdays EVER!! I felt like i enjoyed your birthday in that blog!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!
ReplyDelete