So it was my birthday the other day. I turned 34. What did I get? Nothing. As with everything else in my life, my birthday was completely eclipsed by Hana. On the 1st, we had a Hina Matsuri party for Hana. I have to admit that this holiday doesn't make much sense to me at all, even compared to all the other crazy Japanese holidays and messed up versions of western ones. Hina Matsuri means Doll's festival in English. It technically takes place on March 3rd. But nothing really happens. The main thing with Hina Matsuri is the dolls. Everyone with a daughter in their family is obligated to put out this elaborate dolls of the emperor and his wife and the princes and princesses and all their retainers and servants and accessories. Apparently, if you don't out them all out just right, your daughter will turn into a craggly old hag and never get married. Our set is actually pretty small, with just the emperor and empress and some lamps. Even though it's bigger than the TV, and cost more than the TV, all the people who saw it seemed to think it was so small and cute. As for the actual celebration, all the family came over and we had sushi. Not especially interesting really. But actually, I did get one nice birthday present: Hana called me "papa" for the first time.