My second birthday here in Manila was a lot of fun! I decided I really didn’t want to take a trip
anywhere seeing as we will be going to the States soon. I wanted to relax and enjoy time
together with Edi, Kona and Kimbrel and that is just what we did.
On Friday evening, we put up our Christmas Tree. I know it is early, but the Christmas Season
begins here in the Philippines the day after Halloween. Plus, we are leaving December 18, and I
wanted to be able to enjoy our tree a while before we go. The tree is artificial and we have no
breakable decorations, so Kimbrel now has her own little playground. She has been even more entertaining than she
already is.
Saturday we just hung out and ran a couple of errands. That evening Edi and I went to dinner at
Brasserie Girolle with Carol and Bill.
Unbeknownst to me, Edi and Carol had been in cahoots planning a little
birthday surprise for me. After dinner,
the background music in the restaurant changed to “Happy Birthday” and the
waiter brought a cake to our table that said “Happy 50th
Leisa!” I was so surprised! It had one candle burning, so I was able to
make a wish. Edi had told Chef Ian that
my favorite flavors were chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and cherry. The cake had a crust with a layer of caramel
followed by chocolate ganache, topped with peanut butter icing. It was delicious!
Sunday, my actual birthday was really nice. Carol and Bill dropped by with a gift
(chocolate coconut cream bars and honey wine – both local treats here in the
Philippines). Edi had bought everything
to make a butternut cake – he didn’t want to go a year without the cake my mom
always makes me. The thing was butternut
flavoring is not available here, so he used almond and vanilla flavorings. The cake was beautiful and delicious; we have
been eating on it all week!
I opened my gifts which Edi had put under the Christmas Tree
– that was a first. For dinner we went
to Chihuahua Cantina a new Mexican restaurant here. We enjoyed overstuffed burritos with chips
and queso dip. We of course had to have
a margarita to accompany our meal!
Back at our apartment, we had birthday cake and tea and
enjoyed the rest of our evening. I think
I’ve decided that fifty is going to be a good year!
