Birthday Reflections
As I grow older, I tend to dread birthdays. I'm not sure if its about the age issue or more of the fear of the unknown, and knowing that the people around you are aging as well. The vunerability of mortality. Plus the feeling that I've still perpetually stuck in a time warp - always a few years prior to the present.
The years have had its share of ups and downs and I can't say that I haven't learnt from life, the suffering, the joy and the kaideloscope of experiences, which have made me the person I am today. In terms of qualifications and achievements, I'm still lagging behind my peers and struggling to fulfil my own expectations. But in terms of personal blessings, I think, look around and I really thank God for what I have.
Still, as much as I have that kind of appreciation for life. There's still something missing/lost which I can't figure out what it is. Its like even if I were to achieve all the goals that I have overnight, I'm not sure if that would be enough...
So, back to the good stuff. I had quite a memorable birthday week despite the dread.
1) The chillout session with the J, LS and NR a week ago @ Ben & Jerrys. The thoughtful gifts that came in the form of a lavender blank Prints notebook (my next journal), Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat. Pray. Love (highly recommended book from LS), funky accessories and scented candles. For dinner, we went for smashed fried chicken at Far East Plaza and thankfully, this time my throat didn't die because of the fiery chili sauce.
2) The annual traditional cake-caking and photo-taking with Mom and my sister. The cake from Awfully Chocolate was chosen by myself. Sis gave me a toy turtle massenger named Tobo for my backaches and surprise! a Japanese movie version of Veronika Decides to Die. My bro was away @ some school camp, feeding hungry mosquitoes and insects in some forest reserve located in Malaysia.
3) Meeting the long-lost Ed who treated me to lunch @ some Japanese fusion pasta cafe. Seeing my favourite dentist in the whole world which put a wide grin on my face. Evening was spent with good chums SL, YL and R who treated me to dinner and dessert. The night was capped off with a round of beer and games @ some Chinatown pub with YL and her friends, including the hilarious L who never fails to crack me up with his crazy antics. Discovered that my family's favourite Japanese chef had opened a new sushi restaurant below the pub. Got into a minor incident but thankfully, nobody got injured except for the car. Some adrenaline that was.
4) My classmates, the 3 Ss decided to give J and me a birthday dinner treat but unfortunately J couldn't make it. Everywhere was freakin' crowded so we ended up @ Thai Express @ Serangoon Gardens. R happened to be in the vicinity and I tried the yogurt from the new shop which was opened by his friends. The guys and I chitchat the night away over teh tarik. SH bought me Joseph Heller's Catch 22 and Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird - 2 of the books on my to-read-list. Towkay gave me a Vintage Rock compliation cd which was recommended by SV.
5) I found out that my classmates were going to do charity and I asked if I could go to. But the person in charge fell sick so the rest of us ended up going prawning near Bishan Park instead. The 4 of us caught 31 prawns using 2 rods after 3 hours. My second prawning experience after the previous one, which was a few years back was pretty exciting and fruitful, considering that I managed to get the hang of it after a while. The guys decided that I should bring the prawns back since I would be attending a BBQ at my aunt's house later in the evening.
6) It was good seeing all my paternal relatives at the BBQ event to celebrate two of my younger cousins' birthdays. My aunt, knowing that it was my birthday, had called me up earlier in the afternoon to ask if she could get me a cake as well but I declined, citing age and embarrassment. My cousin P, who has never forgotten my birthday, gave me some goodies from Body Shop. Watching the younger ones bask in the attention, I had mixed feelings. Delight at being able to share in their innocence and euphoria and some nostalgia, for once being in their shoes.
7) Receiving a handwritten letter and gift from J via snail mail and that belated but nevetheless thoughtful long-distance phone call from A.
Here's thanks to all those who celebrated and spent time with me, treated me to good food, put thought into choosing the presents and who remembered :)
The years have had its share of ups and downs and I can't say that I haven't learnt from life, the suffering, the joy and the kaideloscope of experiences, which have made me the person I am today. In terms of qualifications and achievements, I'm still lagging behind my peers and struggling to fulfil my own expectations. But in terms of personal blessings, I think, look around and I really thank God for what I have.
Still, as much as I have that kind of appreciation for life. There's still something missing/lost which I can't figure out what it is. Its like even if I were to achieve all the goals that I have overnight, I'm not sure if that would be enough...
So, back to the good stuff. I had quite a memorable birthday week despite the dread.
1) The chillout session with the J, LS and NR a week ago @ Ben & Jerrys. The thoughtful gifts that came in the form of a lavender blank Prints notebook (my next journal), Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat. Pray. Love (highly recommended book from LS), funky accessories and scented candles. For dinner, we went for smashed fried chicken at Far East Plaza and thankfully, this time my throat didn't die because of the fiery chili sauce.
2) The annual traditional cake-caking and photo-taking with Mom and my sister. The cake from Awfully Chocolate was chosen by myself. Sis gave me a toy turtle massenger named Tobo for my backaches and surprise! a Japanese movie version of Veronika Decides to Die. My bro was away @ some school camp, feeding hungry mosquitoes and insects in some forest reserve located in Malaysia.
3) Meeting the long-lost Ed who treated me to lunch @ some Japanese fusion pasta cafe. Seeing my favourite dentist in the whole world which put a wide grin on my face. Evening was spent with good chums SL, YL and R who treated me to dinner and dessert. The night was capped off with a round of beer and games @ some Chinatown pub with YL and her friends, including the hilarious L who never fails to crack me up with his crazy antics. Discovered that my family's favourite Japanese chef had opened a new sushi restaurant below the pub. Got into a minor incident but thankfully, nobody got injured except for the car. Some adrenaline that was.
4) My classmates, the 3 Ss decided to give J and me a birthday dinner treat but unfortunately J couldn't make it. Everywhere was freakin' crowded so we ended up @ Thai Express @ Serangoon Gardens. R happened to be in the vicinity and I tried the yogurt from the new shop which was opened by his friends. The guys and I chitchat the night away over teh tarik. SH bought me Joseph Heller's Catch 22 and Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird - 2 of the books on my to-read-list. Towkay gave me a Vintage Rock compliation cd which was recommended by SV.
5) I found out that my classmates were going to do charity and I asked if I could go to. But the person in charge fell sick so the rest of us ended up going prawning near Bishan Park instead. The 4 of us caught 31 prawns using 2 rods after 3 hours. My second prawning experience after the previous one, which was a few years back was pretty exciting and fruitful, considering that I managed to get the hang of it after a while. The guys decided that I should bring the prawns back since I would be attending a BBQ at my aunt's house later in the evening.
6) It was good seeing all my paternal relatives at the BBQ event to celebrate two of my younger cousins' birthdays. My aunt, knowing that it was my birthday, had called me up earlier in the afternoon to ask if she could get me a cake as well but I declined, citing age and embarrassment. My cousin P, who has never forgotten my birthday, gave me some goodies from Body Shop. Watching the younger ones bask in the attention, I had mixed feelings. Delight at being able to share in their innocence and euphoria and some nostalgia, for once being in their shoes.
7) Receiving a handwritten letter and gift from J via snail mail and that belated but nevetheless thoughtful long-distance phone call from A.
Here's thanks to all those who celebrated and spent time with me, treated me to good food, put thought into choosing the presents and who remembered :)
