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November 17, 2000
My Sixtieth Birthday
My sixtieth birthday was on November 14 and I was both excited and disappointed that I would celebrate my sixtieth birthday in China. Excited because I would be celebrating in a different culture in the middle of an adventure. Disappointed because I would not be among my friends and family. I was, and still am, rather surprised to be 60, but I am liking it.
The Chinese approach a sixtieth birthday in a special way. Their zodiac consists of 12 years. Since 60 is a multiple of both 12 and 10 they consider 60 to be a very powerful birthday. I was assured that the University would plan an event for my birthday, but given my experience to date, I was not about to leave it up to them. I planned a dinner party at the Grand Sun hotel for my birthday night and invited my American friends. We agreed that if the University came through with a plan we would switch our dinner to the night preceding my birthday.
On Friday I got a call from Martin from the Foreign Affairs Office telling me the Mathematics Department was hosting a birthday banquet for me on my birthday. I told Martin that was great and that I would like to invite the three Americans who live in my building. He hesitated. I said, "Martin, it is my birthday. I want my American friends to be there." He said, "it might be OK and he would let me know."
My birthday dawned on a clear day and I began a long day of celebration. My room was filled with flowers when I returned from a wonderful brunch. The flowers were from a friend in the states who had arranged for them by email. People came to my room with presents, card, and more flowers. I taught my one class and was greeted with flowers and a card by my class.
The banquet was great fun with food, drinks, and laughter. A Chinese tradition is the eating of long noodles by people on their birthday. Eating long noodles
grantees a long life. I'm getting very good with chop sticks and the technique of slurping noodles into ones mouth. My life will indeed be long.
After the dinner many students joined me. They carried presents more flowers, and much goodwill. We shared birthday cake and songs. I received a steady stream of birthday notes and cards via email from my friends in the states. It was a great Chinese birthday.
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