Birthday with my Family.

Ah, the final installment of Miss Sarah's birthday includes a BBQ with my family.

I wore this creamy pastel polka-dot dress. I put it in a "take to the tailor" bag in the spring, hoping to hem it for the coming summer. Then I forgot all about it so I just wore it in its long-ish capacity. Upon putting it on I also remembered I once wore this while riding the road bike. As a result (curse the lack of fenders, and Amsterdam was broken that summer) there are a few tiny mud spatters on it that have not come out. They're not that noticeable.

Before we left the bungalow I opened a present from Raffaella.

It was a zombie book!





Got to my parents' place and my niece Keira was there.





We took some family photos. My mom requires a little album she can whip out to show relatives when she visits Hong Kong. That way everybody can comment on who has aged and who has gained weight. Seriously!

It's a very blunt culture. Sounds rude to us but over there it's basically as common as talking about the weather.





Daddy's garden.





Grand kids love to feed the fish with Grandpa Chan.





Another view of the pond, in different light.





As usual we were encouraged to eat SO MUCH FOOD. Since my dad grew up very poor he is overly concerned that people do not go hungry. In essence there is some manner of overcompensation going on because he now puts the pressure on to be overly full. You know that scene in Gone With The Wind where Miss Scarlett holds up a carrot to the sky and vows never to be hungry again? That's my dad.

That being said, I'm glad I grew up with his insistence on eating and his hosting skills. I have gone to homes before where people will serve me half a portion because I am smaller than Don. In these cases I go hungry and that is a huge no-no where I come from.

I figure these homes just might not understand that I can eat an adult portion. I always make sure to have a granola bar in my purse and in such an event I will secretly eat it. I also have a fast metabolism which I have to feed or else I get those hunger headaches.

My parents say my metabolism is fast because being stubborn and temperamental takes a lot of energy.

I think they're just mistaking me for my brother :)

Anyway.

There were so many leftovers that we had to pack up to-go containers so that BBQ could be enjoyed today and perhaps tomorrow (my dad is obsessed with these take-out containers, I know they're evil).

Friends did some illustrations. The little squiggle on the left is supposed to be a dragon.





This "dragon" breathes fire.





Then we lit some candles and ate the cake that Leanne made me. From scratch! With Kerstin's baking chocolate.





Turning 30 is awesome. People treat you, and tell you they are glad you are alive.

I suppose I should also thank my mom for deciding to have me. Thanks, mom!

It was a very happy birthday weekend.