Birthday

Since moving to my new house, I have been hanging out a lot with one of the families that lives across the "street". Their names are Sione and Sivi and they have a son named Kasete. Sione works at Westpac Bank and Sivi is a nurse. Kasete goes to Vava'u Side School (where James works). I have been having a lot of meals with them and also practicing my language. I have also been reading books with Kasete to practice his English.

Well it turned out that Kasete and I have the same birthday, March 18, which was yesterday here in Tonga. They told me that I should come with them to the school and have cake and ice cream so Sivi picked me up at work around 10am and we went to pick up the birthday cake at Paradise Hotel (apparently the only place that makes birthday cakes in Vava'u).

When we arrived at the school with the goods I immediately heard a little girl scream "It's a birthday cake!!!!" and everyone went crazy. Sivi also brought two huge bowls of pie and a lot of ice cream. All of the kids sang happy birthday and happy long life to Kasete and I and everyone pigged out on the cake and ice cream. It was great. I really wish I had gotten a picture of all of us but all I got was a picture of Kasete cutting the cake.



After work yesterday afternoon some of us got together at Mana'ia, a local restaurant/bar on the waterfront for some pizza and beer. Everyone just sort of ran into each other at once and we all wound up there. The manager Mary found out it was my birthday and brought out fresh carrot cake covered with caramel icing. Everything was great and I had a very good birthday. I didn't get any pictures at Mana'ia but I think I can get a few from Steve. I will try and get those up as soon as I can.

Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes!