How to live in America (and not go crazy): Another Weekend, Another Party

So the weekend rolls round again and, with it, another BBQ in the sunshine at a colleague's house (hey, as scientists we all work hard so i think we're entitled to play hard as well). Anyway, the occasion this time was the 36th birthday of Chiara - a former postdoc at my current lab who has now become a semi-independent researcher with her own lab. As a result her other half (soon-to-be-husband Maurizio) arranged a party on early Sunday evening - drink, good food (as Italians, they naturally make a fantastic bowl of pasta) and a good time all round. It was a very pleasant evening indeed - even when it got dark and the storm clouds came (there was a HUGE thunderstorm in Charleston that night - but that's another story indeed). Certainly, one of the most interesting occurances of the evening was the singing of Happy Birthday in a good few languages (English, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, French, Polish and Dutch). Anyway, attached are a few photos of the evening for your perusal - and for the record, this is only the second party in a row. Honestly!!