To celebrate Daisuke’s birthday (now my brother-in-law), we all decided to meet at The Palm Restaurant for dinner. Even though it was not the actual date – Taro’s mom was actually in Japan on the actual day – it was nice to get together and have dinner since all of us are constantly busy. It was a time to catch up and talk about Daisuke’s upcoming events that he will dj for, hear about Mrs. Takeoka’s trip, and share our trip with her since she left the day after we got back. It was a “catch-up” session surrounded by great food.
Taro and I have actually been to The Palm a few times and each time, we think it gets better. The first time we came was for his birthday a couple years back and even then, I remember how tender and perfectly cooked the lobster was. Since then we have brought my family to the restaurant and Taro has dined with a friend at The Palm. So when Taro suggested having steak for his brother’s birthday, I mentioned The Palm since we are members of the 837 Club and they had a pretty good deal for the month of April-May. We each were able to order either a 9 ounce Filet Mignon or 12 ounce New York Strip. Since Taro’s mom does not eat meat, she ordered the Pan Roasted Wild Alaskan Halibut Fillet. To make the night even more fun and special, we ordered a four pound lobster! It was a beautiful sight as our waiter set it down in the middle for all of us to share – and gave us lobster bibs so we wouldn’t make a mess all over our clothes.
As always with the The Palm, there was an excessive amount of food since a starter – either salad or lobster bisque – was included and there was one side included with everyone’s entree. To end the night, we shared a slice of Key Lime Pie (one of my favorites at The Palm and the best Key Lime I have found so far) and Tiramisu. It was nice to go out as a family, which we have not done for a while, and celebrate Daisuke’s birthday.
Happy birthday again, Daisuke, and cheers to good eating with family!
I started off with the Lobster Bisque, which is not too bad. Taro ordered the Caesar Salad with Anchovies so it was a nice balance of soup and salad. Our food came out relatively fast. Taro ordered the New York Strip au Poivre – Aged USDA Prime 12 ounce with brandy peppercorn sauce served with sweet potato fries and creamed spinach. It was a nice cut, but nowhere as tender as my filet!
At The Palm, I have learned to order my meat medium-rare, but on the rarer side. It was delicious, especially since my filet mignon came with jumbo lump crabmeat with hollandaise sauce served with grilled asparagus and three cheese potatoes.
The Takeoka Family:
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The English Department tries to get together with other departments throughout the school year. One thing we always look forward to is a lunch BBQ with the Science Department. As a department, we trek over to what is known as “Man Land” where the grill is fired up and the hamburgers await. It is always fun a week prior to the luncheon when the sign-up list is compiled up; each person claims a food item that coincides with burgers while jabbing at another individual – sometimes from the same department, usually to the other one – through a Google document. By the time we meet, though, there is just good food, good times, and a nice bond between two different departments – and of course, the continuing of the jokes and jabs.
It is always a treat to go over to “Man Land” and speaking for the English Department, we look forward to the next BBQ! Thanks again, Science Department, for hosting lunch!
We celebrated Princess Ron’s birthday as well. Happy birthday again, Ron! Also, we had our own birthday celebration in the English Department to the true princess, Jen! Love you, friend!
A miracle. That’s the only way I can describe it. The first time I felt Isabella kick and move, it was amazing. To think there was this tiny individual growing in the safety of Melissa’s cocoon was simply unbelievable. What made it even more special was the look on Melissa’s face as she would gently place her hands on her belly and talk to Isabella. Isabella always loved the touch of her mother’s hands and whenever anyone else would try to feel a hand or foot, Isabella would quickly shy away and Melissa would fondly call her a stinker.
And then there was Jason’s Facebook post: This is it. And all of a sudden, after much anticipation, Isabella arrived. Friends frantically posted up comments and well wishes during the delivery. Jason had pictures posted of Isabella within ten minutes of an adorable, yawning baby girl. From everyone, there was instantaneous love for little Isabella. Personally, I just adored her from the pictures – and could not wait to meet her.
A day before her one-week birthday, Taro and I had the chance to visit the new parents and Isabella. I have never seen a newborn baby before and the minute I laid eyes on Isabella, I fell in love. In between sleep and being awake, Isabella yawned, smiled, made a “kissy” face (as Melissa calls it), and even made cute, funny sounds (that sound you make when you pout her lips and blow air out). What I loved even more was how Melissa looked at Isabella with unconditional love – cradling her closely in her arms, talking to Isabella, and just showing how powerful a mother-daughter bond is. Jason, too, has that glow – the proud father, the one who is going to protect his daughter, but obviously shower her with hugs and kisses.
Taro and I cannot wait to shower Isabella with love and are proud to be her auntie and uncle. Congratulations, again, Jason and Melissa! Isabella is a beautiful girl and we cannot wait to watch her grow!
Isabella in Grandma’s arms:
Isabella with Mommy:
The happy family:
The little angel:
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