Mark In Santa Rosa : Happy Birthday to....everyone!

Thursday July 31

It's July 31 and it's a big day! First of all it is still July 30th back in Nova Scotia so it is still my wife's birthday. It's great to have 2 days to try and remember it! :-) Try to get a quick Skype call in to Annette but she is on her way out the door as my son is taking her out for lunch to Cora's...what a fella!

There were other important birthday's in the vicinity and there is no topping the mayor of Santa Rosa for pageantry. Arlene B. Arcillas celebrated her birthday today. There was a delay in our noon transportation so our smaller team missed the celebration but some members were there and it was a party with bells on. Singing, banners, food and lots of gifts. I am not sure if Mayor Mike Savage in Halifax does the same thing but I will have to head downtown Halifax for his Birthday just in case!

We got some work done in the hotel conference room on Thursday afternoon before we head out for a scheduled team dinner on Thursday night. The plan was to throw a surprise party for our teammate, Becky Ju. She was on to us though(sharp girl that Becky!) so we did not exactly jump out and ambush her! I think after the 10th person asked and insisted she come for dinner her spidey senses were tingling. That and we had gotten the idea after seeing a great big mango cake in a bakery(week 1) and immediately polled the team if anyone was having a birthday! It was a real fun night at Gilleys roadhouse (and Dance emporium) and the whole team made it. Food, cake and of course a little karaoke from Becky and Brian. It did not take a lot of coaxing!