Last Friday was my 18th birthday. A milestone in my life which I would normally enjoy with the company of others, but I was doing my part by staying home and practicing social distancing due to COVID-19. This meant that I could not have a birthday party. Instead, I set up a Zoom party with some of my friends and baked my own cake. I had high ambitions for my cake. It was going to be 3 tiers, each one more extravagant than the next, with varying flavors. That did not happen. Due to a lack of time? motivation? spirit?, a less elaborate cake was born. Vanilla funfetti (because everyone loves sprinkles) with a chocolate swiss meringue buttercream and raspberry reduction inside, keeping the layers moist. My parents made eggplant parmesan and pasta for me, and after my friend zoom party, we zoomed with my grandparents and uncles. I can’t say it was the best birthday I have ever had, but not bad considering I was stuck inside 🙂