February 5, 2013
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Mum’s and Dad’s birthday.
The month of January was the month of my parents’ birthday. Both of my mum and dad have their birthday within a week from each other. The same case with my sisters, who have their birthday within a week from each other in a different month. I’m the only one in my immediate family who celebrate a birthday in December. Well, unless I want to count my uncle who lives in Germany. His birthday is on the same day as mine!
Mum’s birthday came first. She is not the type who wants everyone to know of her birthday. She prefers to just buy herself some cakes and pastries and stay home. But none of my aunts would have that. Oh no, there HAD to be a dinner. Even when mum never wanted to make a big deal out of it. But my aunts insisted on having one. DRAMA. And so mum gave in. We celebrated her birthday at a Chinese restaurant of their choice, Hawaii, with a bunch of them relatives. They paid for the dinner. And my sister got a chocolate-cherry-rum cake for her.
Dad’s birthday is always a more private affair. He too prefers to keep it just between us the immediate family. And apart from me and mum, no one ever dares to object his decision. No drama. So without the entourage of relatives, we opted for something different. Something more special for the occasion. A French restaurant, Lyon. My pick. My treat. Now, dad could care less for cakes, for he is more of a meat and whisky kind of guy. But my youngest sister insisted on having one, whether or not he’s going eat any of it (she loves cakes, you see). And so she got him one at the last minute, a chocolate-walnut cake.
Between the two occasions, the French dinner by far outdid the Chinese one. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed it, and how much better the food turned out in comparison to the upscale Italian restaurant we went to last year to celebrate both of their birthdays. This won't be the last time I dine at the restaurant. Maybe we'll come back for one of my sisters' birthday. We'll see.
Mum. Dad. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Love you, always.
Comments (15)
You are always a good son doing the treats. Where's the food porn?
Glad to you had a good time. Deep down, I think, your mom enjoys the attention. *haha*
Always nice to celebrate parents birthdays especially when we are older.
Happy Birthday to them! They sound exactly as my folks did. Mum, no fuss but you better have something planned. Dad, meat and whiskey and he would give in and have some cake lol
May you enjoy your parents' birthdays for many decades, and I pray they have wonderful life with great health and happiness.
I wonder if it is an eastern trait, to not make a fuss about birthdays when you have grown up children. I am like that too. I would rather my children forgot all about it. But they don't and now I have a daughter in law who is just like my children, wanting to 'celebrate' my birthday. I feel I am just too old to be doing that, and do not like my children to waste money on me. This year we went away to Florida, and I thought that would be the end of it. But my sister in Fort Lauderdale remembered it and made a to do about it.
But like Nick says above, sometimes I enjoy the attention. I am sure I will feel bad if no body remembered it.
Awww.... enjoy the birthdays with your parents. Sometimes they do like the attention... it's difficult sometimes to figure them out.
btw - I'm like your dad, whisky and meat would be perfect for me.
It's great to hear that you and your family were able to give your parents such special birthdays. A lot of times those fancy upscale restaurants are not even all that great, so it's good you were able to find a great French restaurant to enjoy. Hawaii is quite an interesting name for a Chinese food place !
I think a lot of people don't want to have huge celebrations on their birthdays, but I don't think anyone can turn down special days with their friends and families while sharing delicious food. Now that you've had all these birthdays, December, January, February I guess you'll be clear of Birthdays for a while ! Take care and enjoy the rest of the week, bye for now.
Kyle
Both of your parents are introverts, huh?
Your parents must have been very happy that you were able to celebrate their birthdays with them.
where are the food pics?
Your parents sound exactly like mine hahah. I loved reading how you treated your dad and family to the French restaurant - glad they really enjoyed it, too. I clicked on the Lyon link and that place looks really nice.
I am thinking that planning your father's birthday party was stress enough, so that is why no pictures were taken.
My father and other brother was born in early January. It must be that Chinese people make children during the spring festivals. It is strange that I was born in July, but I must have been a 10/10 baby.....
Older folks are hard to buy stuff for. I suppose if your siblings were richer, then they would be fighting with you to pay for the restaurant.
@Devilzgaysianboi - @CurryPuffy - you know, i WAS going to post them food pics, but for whatever reason i have maxed out the limit for uploading pics for the month. as far as i know, i haven't uploaded more than 15 for the month of february. sigh, stupid xanga.
@Wangium - @beowulf222 - @ElusiveWords - it's not that they don't like the attention. we ALL enjoy a little of that once in a while. but the fact that they are much older now, they probably feel it's best to celebrate it with only few close people, the immediate family. no need for tons of people, birthday cake and candle and song.
@oxyGENE_08 - yes, it does. i feel like i owe it to them for celebrating my birthday each year when i was little.
@Fatcat723 - thanks robert. my dad did have some of the desserts we ordered at the restaurant, but he didn't touch any of his own cake.
@ZSA_MD - thank you, zakiah. i think it's not that we don't want the attention. but the older we get, it seems that it matters more WHO remembers our birthday than how our birthday is to be celebrated. as for me, i prefer to have a private dinner out with my parents and siblings. they don't have to get me anything. and i'm willing to even pay for the meal. as long as i get to spend alone time with them, as a family. by the way, thanks also for the rec
@kyle061685 - thanks, but it's not february. february is always for chinese new year. our family birthday months are december, january, and april
@stepaside_loser - thanks andrew. yeah, i really like that place. i first i thought it would be just another posh place that serves mediocre food. but they certainly surprised me and that place certainly worth it for celebrating a special occasion.
@PPhilip - yeah, i don't buy presents for my folks. they've got everything they need and i'm real bad at shopping. so i always prefer to just pay for dinner when we are dining out. my siblings can pay for the restaurant, but im older than them and so they always let me be the one who pays the bill
Only just noticed the pic of your parents there - I like their clothes. I've always wanted to get my parents better clothes!
First off, happy belated birthday to your parents! Second, I want to say I wish I was able to visit Hong Kong again like you did recently. Miss that place.
@stepaside_loser - lol. my mum always prefer to put on something colorful. my dad was wearing a BATIK. a traditional indonesian pattern of a shirt. we have many people wear BATIK here on daily basis.
@Roadlesstaken - thanks. you know, you can always go there for your annual vacation.