Birthday Festivities

I'm not one of those people who shy away from birthdays. I love them - be them mine or someone else's, and yes there may be something to do with the fact that cake is usually involved at some part of the day.

My Desk - Birthday Surprise from the Teamies!!

Having a birthday away from home is always a little strange, although this is my third consecutive one in the USofA. This was the first one that I have even celebrated without anyone that I haven't know for longer than 12 months. It can be a time to feel homesick, but luckily for me this was not the case for me.

My birthday actually started a day early. The first person to actually wish me a happy birthday was actually Mr Google. It did freak me out a little to start with but then it just made me smile. Then I got into work to see that the birthday fairies had visited my desk in the form of my Teamies. You couldn't help but notice it as soon as you walked through the door as we have a big open plan office. I simultaneously burst out laughing and went bright red in an instant!! Best surprise ever though!!

Airmail from home! Such a welcome sight!

Waking up on the morning of my birthday, I had a big smile on my face as I set about the task of opening my cards. Never before had I seen so many airmail stickers in one pile! The love from back home was coming through thick and fast.

After the cards and presents opened from the Bestie, I set about with three hours worth of FaceTime and Skype. Speaking to my mum, my dad, the Bestie, two of my brothers and my sister, niece and brother-in-law really made me feel like I was not far from home at all.

You have to eat cake on your birthday
- its the law!!! 

Cynthia and Chiaki came and joined me at lunchtime as we grabbed a quick slice of pizza before heading off to my very first proper massage. When I told people out here that I have never had one before I was met with disbelief! But there I was about to lose my massage virginity and put my poor unsuspecting body into the hands of a complete stranger. It was a combination of Thai and Swedish massage, although I don't really remember it being as relaxing as I was anticipating, and ever since then I have had a string of chiropractor appointments ever since, so I don't think I will be rushing back anytime soon.

Here come the girls!

Glass Walled Kitchen

We stopped off on the way home to buy cake (it was my birthday so it was the law), and then followed that by ice cream which all three of us were given for free given the occasion. We walked back home along the beach and had some Cupcake Proseco to drink with our cupcakes (cake theme, again with the birthday law thing...).

Kitchen Tour at Tamarind of London

Tandori Oven

In the evening we went to an Indian restaurant called Tamarind of London. Being a curry fan I was a little worried about finding somewhere out here that could do a proper curry, and having 'of London' in its name I was hopeful, and it didn't disappoint. I decided on a girls night out and there were six of us enjoying the evening, but when the food eventually came out we were all so hungry and distracted by the tastiness of it all that no one managed to take any pictures of the feast - oops!

After we had finished with our dinner, the manager cam over and offered all of us a tour of the kitchen and showed us how to make the naan bread and the tandoori chicken in the special oven pots that they have. It was great to see the behind the scenes and added a novel touch to a fun day!

White Chocolate Covered Mint Leaves
Best thing ever tasted!!

The next day after a lazy morning I met up with another friend for lunch over-looking the ocean with yes more ice cream to follow and more beach time! The SoCal weather definitely came out to play.

The amount of messages, cards, emails, texts and presents that I got was truly overwhelming. It made me remember just how luck I am to have such lovely people on my life and truly great family and friends. Thank you to all who helped me celebrate!! I had a truly great weekend! :-)

Birthday Lunch CA Stylie!

Lastly, as I post this, I just want to mention that today hosts another birthday - that of my beautiful Sister. I am so lucky that she is my sister and I love her to bits! Happy Birthday Netty from your little Sis!! xx

Happy Birthday To My Beautiful Sister! xx