Daughter and I stayed up, last night, and, at 12:00 a.m., she wished me a happy birthday and we toasted each other with non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider!
This morning, my half-sister called and wished me. Afterwards, I video chatted with a long time friend.
Shortly after noon, my daughter and I decided to go out to lunch at a Sri Lankan restaurant. We were going to order the food to bring home and eat, although they have a buffet, as well. They also have a small selection of Sri Lankan cookies, jams, teas, and other items for sale, so I bought two kinds of cookies (Lemon Puffs and Ginger cookies) and a container of jaggery (a type of unrefined sugar made from palm treacle). I also bought some appetizers: a type of bread roll called "malu paan" which has a fish filling and fish rolls, which are made by filling a type of crepe with a spicy fish mixture, then, breaded and deep fried.
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| Malu paan and fish rolls |
These are very popular snacks in Sri Lanka, especially at tea time.
We were waiting for our order of food when I felt a tap on my shoulder and it was cousin P and her daughter! They had been on their way to a shopping mall and had stopped by for some lunch! A couple of minutes later, a friend of ours, F, and her brother came into the restaurant! So, my daughter and I decided to eat in at the restaurant with our cousins and our friends! It turned out to be an impromptu birthday lunch and celebration! With our lunch, I had a glass of Sri Lankan iced coffee, as a treat.
Afterwards, we came home and relaxed. My daughter and I had discussed going to the La Brea Tar Pits, in the afternoon, but, we didn't feel like going anywhere, after we got back from lunch. We might visit the Tar Pits when she comes down for Thanksgiving (we've been there when she was much younger, but, felt that a return visit might be fun).
We are spending a relaxed evening at home, today. Tomorrow, my daughter will go back to Berkeley and I will spend the rest of the day doing some tidying up and laundry, etc.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to celebrate my 64th birthday
- Having my daughter here to celebrate with me
- An impromptu birthday lunch celebration with cousins and friends
- Being able to video chat with my friend
- Well wishes from family and friends
Today's joyful activity was celebrating my 64th birthday!
How was your Monday?
Happy Birthday, impromptu celebrations like that are the best aren't they? I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday and that you were able to celebrate with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. It really was a fun celebration, because there was none of the work of planning anything and making preparations!
DeleteIt almost sounds like they had a party planned as several people "just happened" to show up the same time you and your daughter were at the restaurant. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Bless!
It does, doesn't it? Except, no one knew that we were going there because my daughter and I decided on it just that morning and I hadn't mentioned it to anyone other than a vague possibility to my sister, when she called, and I know for sure that she didn't call my cousin or friend F. I think it was just a happy coincidence. :)
DeleteHappy Birthday! You had a wonderful celebration, impromptu and all! I am thinking that tea time would be a good tradition to start following your example. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. It was a good way to celebrate my birthday! Tea time was a tradition when I was growing up (due to the British influence), with dinner eaten around 8:00 p.m.
DeleteAnother new solar year for you. May the sun shine on you throughout, and your dreams come true.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ratnamurti. What a lovely wish! :)
DeleteHow lovely to have family and friends showing up at the same restaurant by chance, so that your lunch turned out to be even more of a celebration. I remember learning the word "serendipity" a long time ago. Good things that just happen are such a delight!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out to be a very enjoyable celebration! My daughter found it very amusing.
DeleteAh, yes, serendipity. A very good word. Derived from the word "Serendip" (or Serendib), the old Persian name for Sri Lanka! :D
Well, isn't that something for me to learn - the connection between serendipity and Sri Lanka. Must be a very special country!
DeleteWe like to think so. :)
DeleteHappy birthday Bless
ReplyDeleteThank you, Akasha. :)
DeleteHappy Birthday! I love that song ... for my 64th, I took a picture with each grandchild on my knee. Enjoy your year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris. Oh, I love it! If I had any grandchildren, I might have done that! :D
Deleteooh maalu paan and rolls! Mouthwatering! :)
ReplyDeleteThey tasted really good, too, although, my daughter said that they didn't taste as good as when I make them! LOL! I think because I put in more filling than they did. I told her I'll make some for her when she comes down next. :)
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