We spent countless hours making up stories, cooking (mostly) delicious food, watching YouTube videos, and pretending I we were contestants on Chopped. Needless to say, it was a sad day when M and X moved away 4 years ago. Fortunately, I was able to make a quick trip to San Antonio this past weekend for X’s 9th birthday party. My short trip was filled with durian, roller skating, and bad movies (I’m looking at you Nicholas Cage).

The highlight of this trip was clearly the durian. How many 9 year olds do you know that want a durian birthday cake? That’s what I thought. Happy birthday X. You’re the raddest 9 year old in all the land.

Decade of the Durian: a photo essay

X and her birthday durian.

We tried to bust open the durian with our teeth. It didn’t work.

Then M tried…unsuccessfully.

Apparently knives are good for cutting things.

My accomplice in durian fabrication.

We ain’t pros, but we’re pretty good.

Durian rind or Bowser’s remains?

Save some for the cake!

Half way through the vanilla-durian cake.

It’s true. The durian cake was more popular than the chocolate cake. Rad.