I managed to round up 11 of my closest friends in Nagoya (from America, England, and Japan) for a tasty dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. My friends are from work, volleyball club, and the kimono dressing event!
I received a really fancy sensu (Japanese fan) from 4 girls from work. They've noticed that I'm always hot at work, and thought I could put it to good use!! In addition, they picked out a light green (because of my last name) one with fish (same pattern as my umbrella) on it!
Hari, Moe, & Kerri.
One more fan as a gift, but this one has ninjas on it!! LOL Also a bouquet of flowers.
Nobue, Kerri, & Gemma.
All of the Hard Rock Cafe patrons celebrating birthdays had to go on stage and dance to the YMCA! Oh yeah, and wear a goofy hat! Clearly, I was the most entertaining person on stage!!
KG and her friends who made her 30th birthday so special!
They even taught me a new way to say "thirty" in Japanese. The number 30 is san-juu, but if you talking about age it can also be misoji.
My birthday was also celebrated at work today! This afternoon I was totally surprised when they pulled out a cake box from the refrigerator in honor of the BIG 3-0!!
Cake in Japan isn't the same as America. Instead of a big sheet cake with frosting, they buy individual pieces from a department store basement bakery. The pieces are all fancy, all fruit-filled, all different sized, and all unique! I got to pick first, so I choose a sugary pastry roll filled with strawberry, peach, pear, and kiwi pieces with whipped cream. There was a fierce debate after that about who would get each of the leftover pieces. Everyone is so polite; they don't want to pick before someone else!! It's kind of ridiculous!
I also wowed my co-workers by saying "misoji desu". It's not a common term, so they all laughed and wanted to know were I learned it. It basically means "I'm in my thirties", and some of my co-workers said they wished they were still "misoji desu".
Finally, my friends from work emailed me today to tell me how great my party was and how thankful they were to have been invited. Here's some priceless excerpts from their emails:
"Thank you for inviting me to your special party last night."
"I'm glad to talk with your lovely friends."
"You looked so happy!", and the best of all...
"I love to see you dancing."
Thanks to everyone who called, mailed cards, and sent me goodies from America :)
Truly a 30th birthday to remember!
