"never leave home without Betty & Pansy"!

Birthdays are not normally my thing... I think.

Well (rephrase), I don't think they're a big super huge deal - where I would get upset if someone forgot or didn't wish me happy birthday; where I expect all my friends to band together and plan something special for me without my knowing. This is not how I think of birthdays. Unless of course it is YOUR birthday... because then I get to buy you cute gifts, mail you cards and get you cupcakes with candles in them. If I remember the right date.

I think my approach to birthdays frustrates our dear little Ryry. Because when he continuously asks me "Whaddya' wanna do for yer birthday?", I would have no reply. Or I would say "I don't know... let's just see what happens". Rybot is not the type of gentleman to wait and see what happens. Not his style.

Let it be known now that the R can wrap a present, despite what he will tell you.

So this year, the birthday in Taiwan, was spent doing the following: having TWO EXTRA days off (scruptuous), sleeping in, EATING FOOD, going to the flower market, laughing with friends, receiving birthday internet greetings, returning to Ximending for the Campo festival... and probably more. *shrug*

The flower market (which I'm sure that I've mentioned) could quite possibly be my favorite place in Taipei. I could probably walk around that underpass for hours. But we limited ourselves to about 45 minutes. AND for the grand total of 270NT, we managed to buy lavender, spearmint and basil plants, an orchid, and a bouquet of cut lotus flowers. My apartment will be converted into a greenhouse yet!

The Campo festival (I honestly don't know if that's what it's really called...) was recommended by a friend. It was at Ximending (see previous blogs for explanation)... rated as my second favorite place in Taipei. Where all the cool kids hangout, of course. Ryan and I went there on our own and wandered around the area, a little bit confused. However the confusion resulted in us finding our friend, as well as a section of stores that we had only been to once and could never find again. Now found. The actual festival was on a cement square outdoors. Tables set up, covered in plastic, with bright lights. Because, of course, it was dark and raining. Yay for craft and vintage fairs in Asia! I think everything cute was located here. In case you're looking...
I bought the tiniest hot pink stuffed star pin, with beaded eyes, a cute smile and tiny dangley chains and beads... and this sticker (to the right).

Saturday. Spur of the moment. I decided that we should invite folks over for a little dinner and laughter. So we send out a round of text messages, rearranged the furniture, swept the floor, folded the laundry and went out to buy food (after the flower market, of course). FOOD included cheesecake, chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, curry, rice, nachos, salsa, coconut, foccacia, dip, fresh guava, wine and ginger tea. Jokes were made (chocolate truffles are "kisses from God... with tongue". Thanks Nikki!). Gossip was shared (ah ha haaaaa... Ateeka).

So what sort of pirate booty did this birthday bring? Well let me tell you (because I like to make lists): the above-mentioned plantlife, star and sticker, bronze ballerina slippers, star/anchor earrings, t-shirt, cds, lip jewelry, a Ganesha statue from Thailand, a hulahoop, striped socks, cookies, cheesecake, hugs, smiles, silly faces, and many many warm birthday wishes from home. Thank you. *hug*

So what, other than birthday schtuff, do I have to share? I don't drink enough water. Teaching is still great. Ryan and I are going to Thailand in November, when he needs to renew his visitor visa. I've been working on taking photos/photoshopping. No new sketches or funny poems. The furniture is rearranged. Our sink is full of dishes. Our fridge still doesn't work properly and the food is going bad as I type. Regular meditation is continuing nicely. The weather is cooling down and I can wear t-shirts some days. Oh, and I love you and miss you. xX. -n.

P.S. - What's with all the pictures of me? I'm the only subject that will stay still enough, in the right lighting, for me to photograph. Plus it's kind of fun to make silly faces. But there's this too (teamwork by Ryry and myself).