To compensate for a lame dinner (all alone by myself) on my actual bday, Lum (housemate) and I decided to plan a get together mainly to tempt our tastebuds on food we haven't had the chance to try yet.
So, the week prior (Lum, his workmates and I were at Gold leaf; our regular 'hang-out' spot) we asked for them to ship in a king crab for the get-together. Apart from the obvious cost implications, it is only really appropriate where there involves more than the usual crowd (2-4 ppl) to tackle this dish.
Weighing in at 10.5 lbs, with its formidable claws and toned 'armour/shell', it looked like a good treat; the restaurant 'captain' recommended it to be served with noodles (with garlic and ginger sauce) , with the crab roe used in hot and spicy soup. Apart from the relatively more significant amounts of crabmeat, I don't think it really justified the cost (would have preferred snow crab instead) It was abit of a disappointment but an experience nonetheless.
Food aside (other dishes include steamed barramundi, oysters, sauteed pigeon with mushrooms, pork ribs in 'wierd' sauce (literal cantonese translation), it was a great time to catch up with my friends, whom I've known from different phases of my life: from uni, dundee, working here at Northern hospital . The consensus was 'stick to mud-crab or snow crab next time'; which is really sound advice, seeing that the King Crab didn't do its charm on our palates. (and part of the claw was not partially raw, which Cicily had the unfortunate pleasure to find out; sorry) The wines that accompanied the dishes were pretty good though, so it wasn't all bad. (Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc and Crawford River Riesling)

It's officially the twenty-seventh year of existence on this earth for me. That essentially means in accordance to average life expentancy, under fifty years to go (that's an optimistic outlook, I think)
I'm not intending on getting a cake, but strangely enough my parents have plans to buy a cake and then enjoy it themselves on my behalf (they've done it last year, and seemed to have enjoyed it, hence a repeat of this, hehe) But the sincerity of their intentions is what counts, and I'm really really blessed to have been brought up by my parents who have always been supportive.
As I'm still stuck in Shepparton until the end of the week, I've planned to meet up with some of my friends over the weekend for abit of a feast. (Emperor crab is on the menu; ie. a monstrous 4-5 kg crab, served in several styles of cooking; haven't personally had it before, so gonna give it a go)
Alot has happened for me over the past year; I have been very fortunate to have Tine in my life again; she has been always been there for me, supporting my decisions and journeying with me. There is lots more happening in the upcoming year; with the wedding and the start of a life with my soulmate (for real, hehe), change of accommodation, exams (gah!), and many surprises along the way I'm sure.
I'm very grateful to both my parents and the Big Daddy upstairs who's 'got my back' all through this life journey thus far...and also for my friends and associates along the way who've directly or indirectly shaped my life experience and my outlook on life.