Older. Wiser.

One more year, come and gone. To celebrate the start of a fresh 365-day rotation around the sun, Dominic planned a day for us enjoy what I love: playing in the sun and eating delicious food.

The Bronx is lovely, especially when you surround yourself with the NY Botanical Garden and - new to me this summer - Orchard Beach. One bus from Fordham Road, just past Co-Op City, this 'engineering marvel' offers a beach fit for honeymooners. Ok, maybe not that relaxing, but definitely suitable for an afternoon jog and a cool dip. The beach is clean and the metal detectorists are very friendly.

Fun fact: I have wanted to go to a hibachi grill since I was 21. Seriously. They cook the food right in front of you! They do tricks with their kitchen utensils. What could be better? If it's good enough for The Office it will work for my birthday dinner. As it turns out we sat at a table full of people from the Bronx. Sure, the general mood was grumpy at the beginning, but it turned out to be a fun group after the birthday ice cream was delivered.

Last year's Vancouver B.C. Birthday kite. A forbidden activity on Orchard Beach, this picture must have been snapped right before we were scolded by a park ranger.

If you want a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery for your birthday the time to go is 10:30 p.m. Otherwise, put on your comfy shoes because you'll be waiting in a line that wraps around the block. The verdict: totally worth it.