036
Dear George,
     How are you? I haven't seen you for a while. Hope all is well. I'm writing because I'm inviting some friends over for dinner to celebrate my birthday and I thought you'd like to join us.
     The dinner will be at my place, next Friday at 7 o'clock p.m. I will do the cooking and provide the beer and wine. I'm sure you will be pleased to learn that I will be cooking Sichuan food. I've included a map of how to get to my new apartment. It's a little out of the way, I'm afraid, but I've got a spare room and you're welcome to stay the night if you wish.
     Anyway, do let me know if you can make it. My new number is at the top of the page, so you can give me a call at any time. Take care and see you soon.
Yours,
Li Ming

亲爱的乔治：
     近来可好？已经有一段时间没见到你了。希望一切都好。我写信是因为我想邀请一些朋友参加我的生日宴会，我想你会想参加。
     宴会将于下周五晚七点在我家举行。我会亲自下厨，还会准备啤酒和葡萄酒。我相信你知道我要做川菜会很高兴的。我随信附上了一张说明如何到我新家的地图。恐怕我新家有点偏，但我这儿有一间空房，如果你愿意欢迎在这儿过夜。
     总之，告诉我你是否能来。我的新号码在本页信纸的最上面，你可以随时给我打电话。保重。希望尽快见到你。
你真诚的，
李明
道长点评
　　本题中的生日宴会是一种轻松愉快、非正式的场合，性质与大宴会很不一样。因为受邀者一般是亲朋好友，邀请的形式比较活泼、简单，用语切忌矫揉造作。

     for a while 一段时间
     celebrate 庆祝
     cooking 烹饪
     apartment 公寓
     spare 空闲的
     welcome 受欢迎的
     anyway 总之
     at any time 随时

1　It is a great honor for me to invite you to the occasion of my 22nd birthday.
     能邀请你来为我庆祝22岁的生日是我莫大的荣幸。
2　I will be expecting you; so please don't disappoint me by saying no.
     我会等你，希望你不要拒绝、让我失望。
3　You don't have to buy me a present but a bottle of wine would be nice.
     你不用给我买礼物，带瓶葡萄酒就够了。