I used to be excited about birthdays but no more now. Completely no idea what overcame me to produce such effects. Perhaps, it's because the sick bug is back to haunt me! I am suffering from constant abdominal pain since this morning! Fortunately, I have already had dinners and get-together with my friends already. Now, my body needs to recharge and have a good holiday.
Last Saturday, Omma, Jan, Jy & Lionel had dinner with me to pass me my birthday present. :)) It definitely caught me in surprise what they got for me. I totally wasn't expecting that. Nevertheless, I love it. Not because I am a materialistic person but apparently, I've always felt the gift you choose for someone is a representation of the person's worth in your heart. It need not be the price tag that tells the whole story but whether you had exercised concerns about the needs and likes of that person. It wasn't anything new on that day, KTV followed by dinner and finally a great movie to end the day.
I can't deny it's been ages since we last indulged ourselves in so much fun. At certain points and stage in life, we drift apart because we have embarked on our personal careers and future. However, I likened our bonds to those of DNA Strands. Our lives are twinned together and we all need support and concern from each other to make our days every now and then. For the occurrence of our encounters was one that was timely coupled with absence of hypocritism and shams. It was the presence of candidness that was never meant to be erased. I love this bunch of friends! :))
Source: Omma's Blog! :))Upcoming was an All-expensed paid for Trip to Batam cum Seafood Dinner in M'sia sponsored by Chris and Pigsy Ang. I think it's a pretty good idea honestly. Pigsy and I once talked about sending birthday gifts to each other. We have all aged and are equipped with the ability to purchase the items that we deeply want. Instead of sending each other gifts, we might as well indulge each other in a good holiday treat or a smashing treat. That explains the idea. There isn't much sightseeing to be done on that small industrial island. All we did was EAT, CONSUME, DEVOUR and INGEST without ceasation! Lol! Pigsy was commenting that the amount of oil we consumed was equivalent to that of a month's intake! Lol! But the seafood at Malaysia was fabulous! Delicious and economical! The most hilarious thing is Pigsy and Chris told the Batam Tour Guide that I had gotten the trip for free as I had participated in the lucky draw organised by Pigsy and administered by Chris. The tour guide got really excited and started inquiring if she could have a try at that for an All-Expensed paid for lucky draw trip to Europe. Oh well, I apologise in advance. If there's really a lucky draw, I had already been the winner for all subsequent ones. The fact that Chris and Pigsy became my buddies simply showed that Lady Luck is and will be with me not this time round, but ALWAYS. Thanks Buddies!
The third round came when my NUS friends and I decided to get to Botanic Gardens to picnic and idle our afternoon away like how the Caucasians always do. Lol! I have to admit it was pretty cool and I finally LEARNT How to play BRIDGE! We met up at the Swan Lake with no real swans. Rachel was pretty disappointed that there weren't real swans in the lake. Apparently, she had caught hold of photos with swans in the lake. Oh gosh, GIRL, Which unauthorised website did you visit?! Lol! Yet the unheartening start to the trip failed to dampen our spirits. We headed to the ginger garden, then the National Orchid Gardens but the sun was extremely glaring so we finally came to grass fields near the Symphonic Performance Stage and laid our mats, food and music. What an afternoon spent!
Bridge is a tactical game. You need to know the rules really well to be able to figure out what's really going on. Apparently, Rachel hates games with lots of rules because her memory is deterioriating with age according to her personal testimony. Pauline was a new-timer no longer so she could guide us along. The most hilarious moment happened when all thought Pauline was my partner and that lucky winner turned out to be her though not. It was RACHEL!! We were so taken aback and burst into a series of laughters... Hilarious.
It was a great day spent because it was simply relaxing. Cupcakes were their way of cakes because there weren't cakes in the bakery at 630 am in the morning. Nice.! Advance Happy Birthday! Thanks PALS !
The highlight was probably when we were in the Children's playground and slowly our uncovered innocence and childish behaviour! Lol. Pauline and I were extremely amazed by a tree that gave off cooling water. It works the way those cooler fans in the coffee shops work nowadays. But Once a child, always a child I guess. Lol.. Hilarious Expressions all over.
We got so lethargic that we simply got to the garden and started to discuss about pitcher plants that were hanging around the garden. Pauline had just finished a general biology module this semester and it was a coincidence that her laboratory experiment was all about observing the pitcher plant! Rachel told me you can get those plants and place them at home so they will get rid of the mosquitoes for you. They GROW EXPONENTIALLY. Scary.
The rest were all sitting around but me, the human without proper backbones, simply laze around. Laid my bag, and down I went, making myself comfortable, lying against the benches. Wahaha.. We are such distinct personalities. But we had a good chat there and then. It made me realised how little time I had spent with them over the past 2.5 years despite seeing them 2-3 times a week every semester. Rachel's graduating and such gatherings will diminish as time grows. :(( Treasure those moments in life which you know never come easily. :))
"The Day the Earth Stood Still"I stayed home on the actual day itself. I don't know why. Was just busy replying SMS and chilling at home since I wasn't feeling that well. At around 830 or so, met BY, KW, CB and TL at WM for a movie. One conclusion is: BY is a honest guy who really really really doesn't lie, even white lies! Lol.
QL: Hey BY! I have reached. Where are you guys?
BY: Ermm...
QL: Oh are you guys at the Arcade?
BY: Yeah, we are at the Arcade.
QL: Alright, I will catch you guys there then.
When I arrived, I saw Pigsy standing outside the Arcade busy text-ing. So the story was... They wanted to buy me a cake that's why he couldn't tell me where he was. CB suggested getting the cake cut right outside the arcade by the arcade while the Bangladeshs, Maids, Young and Old alike were 10metres away at the SAM machine making bill payments. Tell me, who on earth would agree?!?!?!
So we had to behave like those secondary school kids who hang around staircases. With a camera installed, apparently, it was suggested that we had to do everything hastily so that the security guard doesn't come around to chase us away. Lol!You can't disagree that the world's renowned song is "Happy Birthday to You!"
I thought the movie was pretty motivational for people who are resistant to change. But it is the kind of the movie that entails extreme opinions. People who are more sensitive to the world and dynamic would probably have a stronger liking for it. That was how I ended my day. :)) Simple and sweet.
Just when I thought all the birthday songs, blowing of candles have finally came to an end, another group of my NUS friends bought me another cake today when we met up for board games at Pistop. Totally unanticipated. Come to think of it, we weren't that close except my ex-roomie in beloved Stockholm. Our friendship took a drastic turn towards the end of the SEP perhaps due to communications and additional tolerance. Unanticipated but I am glad I had it.
I realise something. I have aged. I have changed. Physically, I am no longer excited over birthday cakes or songs yet emotionally, it still warms my heart whenever I listen to them. Sometimes, in fact, I feel "What did I do to deserve the love and warmth of so many really sincere and caring friends?" I spent little time with them, and one day, they may all be passer-bys in my life, or people whom I will never keep in contact with. The future is uncertain that's why I made such comments. But I told myself I will try to prevent that from happening even if it means meeting up only occasionally in future. There are people whom I know I will never bear to let go in life. It may be him, her, they, you.
In the past, I was naive. I thought "keep in contact, stay in touch" are promises or words meant to be kept forever and remember. But as I aged, I realise people use them too loosely. They are just words meant to display graciousness.
To me, the best way to remember someone is to never forget to send him or her a greeting every now and then and also on their BIRTHDAYS! A message a year isn't one that shows how much you really treasure someone, is it?
Some people dream about being rich, being good-looking, being successful, being famous, being wanted etc. Yes, I do dream of some of those things every now and then. But every year when my birthday arrives, I realise all those things ain't that important. Your happiness is never measured by those quantitative ideals. It's honestly measured by the qualitative aspects of life that are unmeasurable and unobservable. Only you yourself can set and observe the benchmark of those qualitative aspects. If I could dream of something, I would dream of everyday as my birthday. At least in this way, all my family members and friends would be surrounding me with wishes, love, care and concern. :)) I would appear on their mind for that very moment when they send me a text. They will allow me to be willful for once. :))
A million thanks for all the wishes! :))
