TODAY WAS MAH BIRTHDAY...

My Yakudoshi birthday to be exact. 

What is Yakudoshi?
Bad luck ages are referred to as yakudoshi, with yaku meaning “calamity” or “calamitous” and doshi signifying “year(s).” These years are considered critical or dangerous because they are believed to bring bad luck or disaster.
For men, the ages 24 and 41 (or 25 and 42 in Japan) are deemed critical years, with 41 being especially critical. It is customary in these unlucky years to visit temples and shrines to provide divine protection from harm. In Hawai‘i, it has become a widespread tradition among men of Japanese ancestry to celebrate the 41st birthday with a festiveyakudoshi party or gathering to ward off the bad luck or disaster that may strike. The birthday person should wear red to bring good health, vitality and long life.

The equivalent yakudoshi ages for women are 18 and 32 (19 and 33 in Japan), with 32 thought to be a particularly hard, terrible or disastrous year. Like the age 41 for men, precautions are taken to ward off bad luck, and some women in Hawai‘i celebrate their 32nd birthday with a special yakudoshi party. (from the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii website)

Marc took me to my most favorite restaurant-- one that we only go to on my birthday.

alan wong's!!!

for our appetizer, we chose the "poki-pine"... it's basically ahi poke (raw tuna cubes) mixed with a wasabi sauce and topped with deep fried won ton sticks...avocado on the side...

we also had a hamakua tomato salad with jalapeno vinaigrette, but didn't take a photo of it.

for our main course I chose the ginger crusted onaga (snapper)-- no surprise here.  this is what I order everytime we eat there!! YUM!

and marc had the kalbi (korean style short-ribs), with shrimp.  it was so soft, no knife required.

marc on the other hand, always orders something different each time...

and as if we weren't already stuffed, it was time for dessert...strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream...

and a very creative banana split. banana ice cream wrapped in mochi and topped with coconut ice cream...

this awkward pose with my right arm is from trying to position it in a way that my arm would appear smaller.  but I guess there is no escaping the huge arm syndrome...

the yakudoshi celebration with friends is not until late september...

after our early dinner we had time to get home and play with em jay...perfect day!