Friday, Febuary 16, 2007. It was a dark and stormy night...just kidding. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have hit the big 3-0. You know how the saying goes, "30 is the new 20" and "40 is new 30?" Whoever coined that wannabe younger phrase well, just wished that he/she was younger or was just afraid of getting older. It's a fact of life folks and there's no getting around that. Hmm, makes me think that maybe the generation X-ers & Y-ers are taking longer to grow up. And I am no exception to that sentiment.
Alrighty then, deep thoughts aside...for my birthday this year, we ate, drank and made merry with close friends and family at Kit n' Kitchen in Pucks Alley. The shindig was a 2 for 1 combo event - Arv's Birthday + Gratia Plena CD completion party. We celebrated my birthday 3 days early, because that was the day that everyone could get together. Kit n' Kitchen is a cozy place with a unique charm and very friendly staff. If you're ever in the area, do stop by. I highly recommend the Beef Chimichurri dish, one of their house specialties. That's all I ever order when I go there. Their garlic pillow toast is worth checking out too.
I was honored by all of those who came to help commemorate these two milestones and I express my deepest thanks in your attendance and generous gifts. I'd like to especially thank my mother-in-law, Mom-E, for planning and coordinating the event. And of course, I thank my parents for procreating me. You both are my heroes and I aspire to be as good a parent (when I grow up) to my future progeny, as you have always been for Sha, Din, and me. For those who couldn't make out that night, thanks for remembering my Birthday. I was touched by your phone calls and emails.
It actually was a dark and stormy night. Go figure. I stayed in my car for a bit to wait for the rain to die down a bit. I liked how the street lights and neon signs looked through my car windshield as the rain water smeared and distorted the view.
Here's Lauren of Gratia Plena giving her Aloha.
A candid of Angelyn having a conversation.
All in attendance (clockwise) Uncle Richard, Aunty Allene, Aunty Betty, Uncle Leo, Dad, Mom, Aunty Nita, Mom-E, Lauren, and Angelyn.
My Lilikoi Birthday Cheesecake. Kit, the owner decided to play a funny trick on me, but I was on to him the moment he put the plate down. It was one of those reigniting candles. I could see that it was letting off sparks (dead giveaway), but I decided to play along to be a good sport.
Not shown in this picture is the prismatic rainbow effect of my spit misting over the candle as I tried to blow it out.
Dad aka "Shutterbug Sr." snaps a picture of me taking a picture of him. I was the snake to his mongoose. Or is it the other way around? Either way, it was a funny moment. You had to be there I guess.
Aunty Allene and Aunty Betty - they're also my God Mothers.
Mom-E laughs in amazement after looking at the bill we ran up. Speaking of money, Mom-E is the bookkeeper for Gratia Plena.
Either Dad was ready to go home, or he was getting annoyed by me taking so many pictures of him. What can I say? I get it from him you know? That is, good looks and my shutterbugness (if that's a word).
Mom, the other half of which I got the good genes from. At
cough cough years old, she's still a looker.
No, I'm not Santa. But Angelyn did sit on my lap and told me what she wanted from me when we got home - to finish this year's taxes. You thought I was going to say something else? You naughty people you ;-P Hey it's
my Birthday?!? I thought I was the one who gets to ask for things?
Aunty Nita and Mom-E buddy up for the camera.
Aunty Betty and Uncle Leo - they look so cute together!
Uncle Richard and Aunty Allene. Aunty Allene is the Executive Producer for Gratia Plena.
Mom, Kit, Aunty Nita, and Mom-E. Kit is the owner of Kit n' Kitchen. He's such a ham.
I forgot to mention that Kit and I used to work together while I was in college. Wow, that was 12 years ago. Ouch! I'm getting old!
A Birthday self-portrait.
(continued in Arvin's Birthday Part II)
