It’s finally here!
It’s about 9.30 on birthday morning and I am sitting all snug and warm in bed using Nog’s laptop and being totally spoilt. Nog has brought me some lovely hot coffee and a plate of our favourite arabic pastries for brekky. Mmmm . . .
Later on we are going to open some 
and then go out for lunch at our favourite restaurant – it might even be warm enough to sit outside on the terrace.
And of course there is still the Barcelona trip to look forward to (next Friday). 
I’m also thinking about what ‘being 50’ means to me. Sure, you can say it’s just a number, but I think it’s quite something that I’ve made it this far and feel that this should mark some sort of turning point in my life. At least it’s a time to take stock and finally get to work on all those things I’ve been putting off, as well as accepting that I’m not actually young anymore and need to take better care of myself.
I was considering having a mid-life crisis but then decided that would be somewhat overly optimistic. Anyhoodle, welcome to my birthday – help yourself to some bubbly and pastries (there’s more in the kitchen).
Glad you could stop by. 
casa azahar 
Happy Birthday! 🙂
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50, eh? (that’s the same as 50, but in Canadian). Been there, done that, got the fluffy slippers.
In retrospect it’s not such a big deal. Like being 40, but with bigger numbers.
You’re going to have the best 50th birthday you ever had, or anyone else for that matter.
Happy birthday, sweetheart.
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Happy Birthday from J and me too.
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Thank you!
Just opened the cava and also checked the long-range forecast for Barcelona. Looks like clear skies and temps of about 18º. Yay!
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Happy Birthday, az! May it be a joyeous one.
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Happy birthday from me, K and Herman.
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Congratulations. Happy birthday.
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Penblwydd Hapus i chwi
Penblwydd Hapus i chwi
Penblwydd Hapus i az
Penblwydd Hapus i chwi!
Sung to the tune of Happy Birthday.
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Happy Birthday!
Being a guy I forgot it was two days after mine. Or was it that now that I am WELL over 50 my memory is failing? Or was it that being a guy I forgot it was two days after mine?
😛
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Are you suggesting that not only your birthday is two days before mine BUT THAT I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT AND NOW FEEL LIKE A REAL JERK???
Shit. You’re right. I DO KNOW your birthday is the day before epiphany except I did stupidly forget. So rather than pathetically grovel here, Nog suggests that we both just wish you a very happy (slightly belated) birthday … and also say that we did miss you at Robles this afternoon. Hey, we even got to sit outside it was so nice and warm.
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Oh, and here are the birthday photos. Maria Paz has asked me to say hello to you, zoomer, and you can see a lovely photo of her here …
50th birthday.
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A wonderfully happy birthday to you, az.
It’s great that you don’t seem to be depressed about turning 50. I know some adults who are definitely growing agitated about their looming birthdays.
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happy birthday – I’m glad you’re not going to have the mid-life crisis (I’m having one big enough for the both of us anyway ;-))
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Well, I could only have a mid-life crisis at this point if I seriously thought I was going to live to see 100.
Meanwhile, have never understood this crisis biz. Just like I never get jet lag. I reckon I’m so totally life-lagged all the time that I don’t tend to notice such piffles as not having slept for 48 hours.
But don’t ever tell me I cannot return a piece of merchandise simply because it has a small bit of lint on it (you don’t wanna know what happened to this person).
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I bet they got a small piece of lint on them, at the very least.
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Happy Birthday, azahar. The weather sounds good, the company sound great and the day is off to a wonderful start – even if I am a day late 🙂
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Happy birthday az and don’t let it get you down. Rousseau didn’t start thinking about politics until he was 45 and became one of the all-time greatest political thinkers. You’re far from being too old to do whatever you want!
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Happy Birthday, az!! That *is* a cute haircut. You and Peter look so great, in those piccys. (bighug)
Old is just part of that crap that the media pushes off on us, anyway. I dare you to tell me you *feel* 50!, because then you’d have to explain what *50* is… Just a number, honey-bee.
Oh, zoomer, a Happy Birthday, Belated to you!! I hope it was suitably disgraceful… 😉
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Oh, those arabic pastries? Are those by any chance called Baklavva, food of the gods? (drool)
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Happy birthday az, Wow – you must patent that elixir of youth quickly! I hope you have a wonderful year.
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Happy Birthday azahar (slightly belatedly as I don’t have email at home).
Hope you had a great day, it certainly sounds (and looks) to have been fun. How was the Barcelona trip?
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Thanks again everyone! For stopping by and for your lovely happy birthday wishes. It really was a perfect birthday. In fact, it’s kind of like having ‘birthday week’ as there is still Barcelona coming up.
We’re going from Friday to Monday, truce. Going the weekend after my birthday saved us 300€ on the airfare, which pretty much pays for the hotel.
Anyhow, I’m feeling very special and happy and if this what 50 feels like then you guys who haven’t got here yet actually have something to look forward to. 🙂
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Re: the arabic pastries, SC. They are very similar to baklava and, yes, heavenly indeed!
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Happy belated birthday!
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A belated happy half ton. I trust you’ve brushed up on your Catalan?
(It’s my turn on Friday. I’ll be mumblemumble years old.)
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Well, since this has been designated Official Birthday Week you are not technically late, RC and Edward. 😉
Apparently if you’re a foreigner the Catalans are quite happy to speak to you in Castellano, Edward. If I’d known that 13 years ago I might have moved to Barcelona instead of Sevilla – ah well. Might move there yet!
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Speaking of Barcelona, we’re getting quite excited making our preparations. Bought a cute medium-sized suitcase this morning (40% off!) as the only other luggage we have is either too small or too big for a 4-day trip.
Nog (aka Mr Map) has pretty much memorized the city map we were sent by Turisme de Barcelona and he’s also compiled quite a good list of interesting places to visit. And now he’s looking up interesting shopping areas (yay!).
Apparently I am responsible for looking happy and relaxed and totally pampered …
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Hi Az – Many many happy returns and do have a wonderful week in Barcelona.
You are almost a twin with my sister who was 50 on Saturday.
I only discovered this here (and the fact that it was your birthday) by chance – but I’ve just got a new mobile phone and am avidly filling up the organiser with birthdays and dates and things. So it came at the right time!
So I’ll make a note of Edward’s while I’m at it!
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Sorry it’s so late, but congratulatiosn Az!!
I don’t think you’re old enough yet for a mid-life crisis, I was going to say you’re almost half-way “there”.
Congrats again!
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You haven’t had your midlife crisis yet? What are you waiting for? I’ve had all of mine planned for years.
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*waves to TC and Arnie*
Hi Mist 1. 🙂
Having a crisis sounds like too much effort, to be honest.
Meanwhile, this looks very promising!
Barcelona weather forecast
Which raises the question – should I wear my wool winter coat or my raincoat?
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It’s my mother’s birthday today!
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Seems a popular week for birthdays. David Bowie turned 60 on Monday and Edward will be mumblemumble tomorrow.
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Well, we are all packed! Just doing some last minute cleaning. And Nog and I still have a couple of classes to teach this evening. As well as hand over the housekeys to the friend who will be checking on the cats while we’re away.
I almost can’t believe it. And I would rather not think about how terrified I’m going to feel at the airport tomorrow morning (I hate flying!!!).
But this is truly the best birthday present anyone has ever given me … looking forward to sharing it with you guys later.
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Enjoy your trip!
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Just a quick hello (our hotel has free internet in the lobby) to say that Nog and I are having a FABULOUS time and taking tons of photos – we’ve had to empty our memory card twice already (and this is only day two).
Anyhow, we’ve just had lunch and are now going up to the room for a foot massage session before we can consider going out again (man, our dogs are tired!)
Hasta . . .
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I’ll look forward to the appearance of the Barcelona photo album. 🙂
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