A Very Nice Birthday

My actual birthdate was on Friday, 11 April. However, due to my having to return to campus on last Friday evening for a foreign language program, I could celebrate only a little bit on The Day.

So, The Day began with a colleague announcing to the entire school during Community Meeting that it was my birthday. Many students, and a few faculty, came up to me to offer me well wishes. Two students gave me hugs - very sweet. I then proceeded to an off-campus excursion with one of my Spanish 2 classes to a local Puerto Rican restaurant, where we enjoyed a variety of traditional foods. It was nice spending time with the students in that setting, talking and eating. It also exposed them to a section of the city to which many have never ventured, and afforded them an opportunity to experience the Spanish speaking culture in an authentic way.

Later on that day, my parents and brother delivered a dozen long-stem yellow roses to the school. So beautiful! They are now in full bloom, and I am enjoying them immensely. I left school early for a haircut, and dinner at Ruby Tuesday. I ordered my usual - Ruby Minis with fries and the salad bar, and a martini - not my usual - called Georgia Peach. It was good. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate cake with the gooey chocolate middle. I was a bit disappointed that the server did not put a candle in the dessert - despite my having told her it was my birthday. When I arrived home from the foreign language program, I spoke to one of my dear friends. She and I are the same age, and, we share the same birthday - April 11. She, however, is eight hours older than I. It was nice to receive her greeting, and to hear how she spent her day: A day off from work, spent at the day spa, and then dinner with a friend.

Saturday, I went to visit my parents and brother. My mother prepared my favorite meal - fried chicken, along with oven roasted Yukon Gold seasoned potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. She also made me a birthday cake - yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I had two pieces of cake. My parents and brother presented me with birthday cards and gifted me with money.

Sunday, I prepared breakfast for the family: Grits, hard boiled eggs, toast, and bacon. Later, Mom and I prepared dinner: oven roasted New York strip steak, which I marinated with Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, and a paste of apricot preserves, white sugar, garlic, cinnamon and extra virgin olive oil. The meat came out tender and flavorful. Mom made macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans, and corn muffins. I did some chores for Mom, and took a nap before my brother took me home.

Thank you to all of you who stopped by and wished me Happy Birthday. It made my special day all the more so.