At 24
I had such a great birthday celebration! And so far, being 24 is great! However, it just sounds o-l-d when I tell people my age. Even my own sister thinks it sounds funny =P Nonetheless, I spent my 24th with close friends and family and it's more than I could ever ask for.
Day 1 : March 9th
I spent my actual birthday with Mister Man. Our first stop was the Bata Shoe Museum, somewhere we've been dying to check out. Can't you tell we're museum freaks? =) We had a great time checking out the displays and flickering the camera. Never seen so many different types of shoes in one place. For the album, click Here. The evening ended at Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club, downtown Toronto...another place I've been meaning to check out for sometime. Personally, I've never been a fan of watching them air on the Comedy Network, but it's a totally different experience when you're sitting in the crowd. Prior to the main comedian, there were 6 other shows. They were frickin' hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing. The guest star of the evening was Steven Kravitz, who's also been in movies like "Hot Chick". He's funny, but some of the guys before him were a bit better.
Day 2 : March 10th
I made reservations for 18 seats at the Red Violin Brazilian Steakhouse Rodizio. An all you can eat steakhouse buffet, with show and dancing included. I stumbled on their website by accident when looking for a Portuguese restaurant to hold my party. A first in Toronto, and surely not the last. The service, food, and ambiance was incredible. We started with appetizers which were on the buffet cart. It included jumbo shrimps, mussels, raw salmon, salads, and even california rolls. I think I liked the shimps and the mussels best, but I saved my appetite for the main course. As soon as we were ready to eat, our waitress brought bowls of rice, black beans, something that looked like bread crumbs (but I was told there was casava in it), and a kind of salsa looking thing. Fortunately, she instructed us how to eat them. The rice, black beans, and "bread crumbs" are mixed together and eaten. It was delicious! There was also steamed veggies which were wonderful. We were then given square cards, where one side was red and the other green. To continue getting served, we had to leave it on the green side. To take a break or to stop, we just flip it onto the red side. Waiters with sword-like skewers pierced through thick pieces of meats approached us and asked how many pieces we wanted. Lamb, beef, pork and chicken...it never stopped coming! For dessert we had the option of getting decadent cakes, which was not included in the all you can eat. However, roasted pineapple dipped in cinnamon and sugar is offered for dessert as part of the all you can eat price. Both were so yummy. As we devoured our dinner, the live band played samba and salsa music. Brian had the waiters surprise me and sing "Happy Birthday". They all wore birthday hats and brought out this small rich chocolate cake with a candle. Everyone was singing along; I almost came to tears. At 10 PM, the buffet carts were rolled away and out came the belly dancer! She made her way to our section and first pulled Yvette (killaaa), then Brian (copacetic1), and finally Dennis (8d1) to dance with her. Everyone cheered them on and if you ask me, they were perhaps the best dancers on the floor ;D After the belly dancer's performance, the dance floor opened.
All in all, it was an unforgetable experience and if I could do it all over again, I would. Thanks to everyone who made it such a joyous occasion =D
Oh yeah...did I forget about pix? Click HERE
Day 3 : March 11th
It was Yvette, Emelyne, and Tracy's birthday celebration at D'Martinis. It has been a long while since I got a good buzz, and damn did it ever feel great. We started the evening at Vanessa's house. Sipping on wine, chip'n'dip, and a caramel crunch cake. We arrived fashionably late (haha...) only to find the place still dry. In due time, the club filled up and it was impossible to get anywhere without bumping into people. The music great and I finally had the chance to take my first pic with Tara (bra_less) and Melissa (ohhhlissa)...who by the way, was not impressed with my dancing...
Hahaha...I love your facial expressions, Melissa!!!! =D Complete album found Here
Day 4 : March 12th
I spent almost the entire day sleeping. My sleeping schedule have been screwed since my school went on strike. I spent the later afternoon bike riding at the beach/park because it was such a beautiful day. Although the sun didn't stay out too long and it wasn't as warm by the water, I was reminded of the summer days I so long for. A few ponds were still a bit frozen, but it was great getting out for some fresh air.
Here are a couple pix I had taken...
The same two swans graced the pond, as they do every year. Crowds of families gathered and awed at their beauty. A few ducks were present and went skating on the ice. So cute!
During the night, I stopped by the hospital with my sister. We carried a plate of noodles and a fruit platter for the staff. If my school wasn't on strike, I would have worked the Sunday night and celebrated with my team. I figured since I wasn't doing much tonight, I might as well have the celebration anyway. My team was happy to see me and kept asking when I'd be back. We threw a few jokes here and there, and they loved my mom's noodles.
I miss going to clinical and hope this strike ends soon.
Anyway...that's it for an update. Come back next month for another ;)