Your weekend sounds wonderful. I envy your 'real' summer. It's so bloody hot here we really don't get to enjoy the typical outdoor events that make summer, well....summer.
Congrats on your retirement and Happy Birthday a bit early.
New York is a splendid city in which to celebrate.
Wondering - are you a fan of Lisa See? Her novels, which are very rich in detail and are well-researched,center around Chinese life and history. You might want to check her out.