Hi, how do you like to spend time on your birthday? I had a good time on my birthday, which was last Saturday, May 19th. I cooked Japanese dishes for my friends and myself. Although it sounds a little weird since I was the one who cooked for my birthday, I really enjoyed doing that.

Many of my friends in Japan sent me nice birthday e-mails, and my family sent me flowers. My friends are funny because every year they send a birthday e-mail to their friends, they mention how scary it is to turn 30 -years-old. Of course, in the e-mails I received from them this year, they said, "Hey Akane, you turned 28, and only two more years are left until you will be 30!"

I think we, Japanese, consider that 30-years-old is an important age because we are supposed to be grown up by then. Also, we consider that it is better to get married and have own family around that age; therefore single women tend to be the target of sarcasm... (This is kind of old -thinking, though.)

Anyway, some of my friends, who were out of the city on the day, will celebrate for me, so I will have another birthday celebration this weekend.

I appreciate everyone who remembered my birthday and gave me warm greetings.

By the way, here is the link to the pastry shop where my birthday cake (CHOCOLATE MOUSSE) was from: Veniero's .