Birthdays Galore

March and April are my b-day-filled months. Started with mum-in-law, Sue, on Mar 9, then mine and Licca (Debbie Lin's little girl) the day after. Barbara's and Jo's fall on St Patrick's Day. Bruce, Steve and Paddy (FOHH director) share the same day on 25. Then came Dian. Gwen's is on Apr 12 and finally, Anna's and Thierry's b-day are towards end of Apr. Altogether 12 people I know. Now Alison's Apr Fool's birthday to add to the list.
After rushing back from Daffodil Garden, I took a little nap b4 heading off to Ayara Thai restaurant to celebrate Steve's b-day. We brought along a Japanese sake. When we arrived a little early, Bill was already at the door. Bill, a Japanese-American, told us that it was a good bottle of sake (what do we know?). Whew!!! Thank goodness! He brought champagne. Whoo-hoo, my fave bubbly.
Steve and Gabe arrived shortly. The food was great and I was amazed how much Steve can eat... while on a diet!!! Bill did a good job ordering. Pad Thai was outstanding. I like the minced pork with basil.
Before long, we were hooting with laughter over our sorry travel tales and squeamish food fiasco. I had my ears closed most of the time : P Apparently authentic restaurants are rated "C". We found out the hard way that the restaurants were too busy cooking authentic food to care about inconsequential hygiene issue. Most owners would nonchalantly waved such ratings aside. Bill's encounter with a wealthy Hong Kong tycoon takes the cake. Bill found a rat dropping in his rice. When he remarked to his wealthy host, the host advised in a normal tone, "Eat around it". When Bill protested, the host remarked that Americans are such wussies, Chinese do not waste food. I didn't find out the ending!!
We were about the last ones to leave... one of the bus-boys was already wolfing down his meal. Before we parted, we made plans to eat at a dive with authentic Pan-Asian food or Hainanese chicken rice. LOL! It has to be a "C" rating for good food!
The next day, I received a call from Bruce to change our restaurant venue at 8:40am. Akasha in Culver City. At a normal dinner, the appetizers start around $25. It's his and Gwen's joint b-day celebration, so we obliged. Good organic restaurant with good ambiance... nothing less for this couple. Anyway, they invited another couple friend, Alison and Paul. Alison had her b-day a few days ago, so we had 3 people celebrating their birthdays at the same table. We bought Bruce a bottle of Goldeneye, a sister company of Duckhorn. The grapes came from a different vineyard and so the different label. It was the same pinot that they served at Obama's inauguration night. What's good for the President, is good enough for Bruce. Obviously he knew of the vineyeard and love the wine. Not easy to buy something for a man who had everything, and nothing but the best! My gift for Gwen was an easy choice. A 925 silver with pearl beads and curved silver hanging from the necklace. Designed by Robert Lee Morris. My packaging was clever; I used the wooden chocolate box with red bow that George gave me for Valentine's Day. She loved it already.
Molly, now a transformed sophisticated young lady, joined us towards the end of the meal.
Again, it was always good company with Bruce and Gwen. I like Alison and Paul, easy couple to get along.
Whew! Four birthday celebrations in one weekend!!