A weekend-get-away for the birthday girl, it is!

Doing nothing is great (okay, a little bit of reading is fine):

Eating is also cool (who would say no to food?):

And checking out nature is fantastic (if I could give each of them a traffic ticket, I’d be super rich by now!!!!):

Green papaya salad

(adapted from Viet World Kitchen)

1 green papaya, about 2 lbs (shredded)
1 tsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp salt
4 oz Asian-style beef jerky (shredded)
1 small bunch of Thai basil (coarsely chopped)
Roasted nuts (coarsely chopped)

1. In a coriander, mix shredded green papaya with sugar and salt, rub vigorously for a few minutes, then rinse under cold running water.
2. Use hands to squeeze shredded green papaya to force out the liquid.
3. Before serving, add beef jerky and chopped Thai basil to green papaya.
4. Pour dressing (choose one of the two below), toss well.
5. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Soy-sauce dressing

4 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs rice vinegar
2 tbs sugar
2 tsp Sriracha hot chili sauce

1. Mix all ingredients together.

Fish-sauce dressing

4 tbs fish sauce
4 tbs sugar
juice of 1 1/2 large lime
1 red chili (finely chopped)

1. Mix all ingredients together.