53 UP!

I've invited a few friends, colleagues and students to R66 for my 53^rd birthday, my last in China, as I don't want it to pass by without seeing it in. I don't really expect many people to come as I don't get all that many replies. I teach all day today so I take a taxi out there as soon as I've finished. (The students in my class sing Happy Birthday: I'm touched!)

So I'm overwhelmed when so many people arrive. I start on the verandah outside but within 30 minutes we've run out of chairs so we move indoors, and try in vain to move enough tables together. Finally we take over the upstairs bar which is empty as there isn't enough room downstairs!

I order a giant pizza to share and the students end up taking some of it home! I have a wonderful night and a lot of fun! Everyone seems to have a really good time and I'm given a few gifts (and flowers) as well!