turned 25 today

I'm now a quarter of a century old. It's hard to believe how fast time has gone.

Given our current financial situation, I didn't plan anything for my birthday this year. On the other hand, my aunt Cynthia insisted that we have lunch at her house. Connie was away in San Diego, but Cathy was home. Things couldn't have worked out better. Be sure to check out the pictures from our lunch.

I received a few presents, starting with a $100 check from Cynthia. Dad gave me a book called What Every Body is Saying by former FBI agent Joe Navarro. Though I've only read a few chapters, the book is really interesting so far. I also got six dress shirts from my mother. There are no words to express my gratitude. I'm blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

As per tradition, here are three random facts about my childhood:

1. I once thought babies were conceived by making out.
2. Super Mario World was one of the first video games I ever played. I was so obsessed with it that I pretended I was Mario, Dad was Yoshi and Mom was Princess Peach!
3. I had an orange toy hammer that I loved as a kid. It had a nickname: Doji.

October 11 update: One of my landlady Connie's daughters must have told her about my birthday because Connie bought me a small lemon cake. I'm guessing it was Anika as she had posted on my Facebook wall. The cake looks really good. Thanks, Connie!

In other news...

1. I attended the closing reception at St. Mary's College a week ago. It was just an awards presentation, but the lunch was delicious. Click here for the pictures.

2. Mom recently started her own blog and could use some subscribers. She mostly writes essays and articles about her art projects, although there are some recipes. The blog is in Chinese but should work through a translator.

Update: Mom has decided to shut down her blog due to people plagiarizing her articles. Sorry about that. :-(

Currently playing: Epic Battle Fantasy 3