-^-for posterity-^-

it was the birthday of a friend of mine yesterday. it was typical

normally, the person who is having the birthday invites everyone out to eat a large meal. they choose a good restaurant and we all go out and enjoy a good time. the person with the birthday must pay. anyone who invites other people out must pay. if you invite someone out for coffee, you must pay.

some people bring gifts and someone will order a birthday cake. the cakes are all the same: there made with super-sweet, fluffy, icing. there is always a large flower on top. the inside is always white and tasteless. in between the nothing-cake is a layer of yellow dried fruits and sugar. usually it’s raisins and apples. i don’t like the cake.

the gifts shouldn’t be opened until the person goes home. however, many times, the person will ask to open them first. they are normally a shirt, belt, tie or something stuffed and fluffy.

after the meal the person with the birthday usually invites everyone to go and sing karaoke. we sing late into the night and the birthday boy/girl pays.