Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
The Birthday Story.
Within in a year, there have been a lot of changes. People I use to see, and now I don't. It's more than that but the bottom line was, because so many things have changed, I didn't feel like having a birthday celebration this year. I didn't want to have to deal with the conflicts between friends, especially since I would want to celebrate it with them. Coming up to my birthday, I just kept pushing it out of my head, despite having my friends continually encourage me to organize something. Eventually, they began to reassure me that it would be fine. So I at the last moment, about a week and half before my birthday I organized to have drinks in the city. Just a quiet night. Or so I thought.
The "Plan."
Apart from from the plan to have drinks on the following Friday night, the day after my birthday, I had planned to have dinner with Josh on Thursday, my actual birthday. I didn't feel like doing and could not be bothered doing anything else. Josh was pushing me to make plans so I wouldn't be alone during the day on my birthday. I told him, I'd find something to do, go for a swim at the pools, or paint or sketch for the day, because I hadn't done that in a while. He wasn't pleased. And then one day, Hannah proposes for the interior girls to catchup, and suggests that we have a birthday lunch with me. I told her that we could have predrinks as I had dinner plans with Josh, and she agreed, and so did everyone else.
The Morning.
On Thursday, I woke up at 6am and couldn't go back to sleep. I wouldn't have slept for much longer anyway as the wave of birthday messages began at 6:30am and I had also planned to wake up to see my Dad off to work that morning. I knew I wasn't going to see him till the day after because I had plans. At 6:45 I crept downstairs before right before my Dad stepped outside, and he said "Happy Birthday." It still surprises me that my parents remember my birthday for some reason. Twenty-two years. That is still a long time, daughter or not. I smiled, thanked him and gave him a big hug. I think my day began perfectly. I wanted to fall back asleep and just couldn't. At the moment I wanted to see Josh right then and I thought why couldn't I? I rolled out of bed in my pajamas, got in the car and drove to Josh's and was at his front door by 7:30. Josh had work that morning so we had a little bit of time for breakfast and then we headed off to the city together. I needed to go shopping for an outfit, so after dropping Josh off at work I ventured to Brunswick Street. I had wandered around for a couple of hours and didn't find anything until I found myself in Sidewalk Soul.
The Boots.
The moment I walked in, I saw it. The exact same pair of boots I had seen at Windsor Smith. It was a fraction of the price there, and it was infact suede! The shop assistant informed me if I was a member, I would have 15% off. And hallelujah to Lynh and I's coffee date last year where we ended up shopping and becoming a member, for the boots I originally saw were $189.95, where it was $139.95 here. BUT because of my membership, i got it for $119. BEST WIN. My birthday present to myself! I took a tram to Spencer Street and picked up a couple of items before racing back home. I had planned to meet Hannah and the girls at 4:30pm. I would get home at 2:30 and have an hour to get ready before needing to head out again! Biggest rush of my life. Quickest shower, makeup and lack of hair-doing ever.
The Setup.
Got to Michelle's apartment much earlier but The Croft Institute where we planned to go wouldn't be open till 5, so we caught up and wasted beautiful time till then. Upon entering the Croft, it wasn't that displacing or creepy as people have made it out to be. And then Martine to me to the ladies room where it was a little disturbing. It looked like a experimentation room. It had a lone hospital bed in the corner with white sheets, the walls were tiled a light pastel green colour, but the surface was dirty, so it in no way appeared hygienic. The lamps were also reminiscent of torture labs in movies - It made me shiver. And frown. But in a very intrigued way. After the slightly creepy bartender made us some drinks, we grabbed some pork buns and went back to Mich's and waited for Josh to finish work. Which. Took. Forever. I was so hungry, starving, dying, that I was whinging to the girls relentlessly. I started to become a bit kooky, as I do when I'm that hungry. I picked up Mich's star glitter wand and kept waving it over my phone to make Josh call me.
The Long Walk.
Eventually Josh called. Michelle and Martine had dinner plans elsewhere, so Hannah offered to see me off to Josh, because she didn't want me being alone at any point on my birthday. i pointed out I was alone till I saw the girls at 4 that day. It was well past 8pm but Josh said he was being kept back from work and told me take me time, so Hannah and I went window shopping. When we arrived at or destination, 25 Market Lane Josh had instructed, he called and said he was inside, and he'll come out to get me. I said bye to Hannah, but even as Josh was leading me deep into the restaurant, I felt like there was someone walking behind me. Was it Hannah? I didn't turn to look because we approached some stairs, at which Josh pointed out my new fine boots. I was again filled with triumph as I did earlier int he afternoon finding such a bargain. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I looked up.
The Surprise.
Confusion. That was the first thing to strike me. What was Michelle and Martine doing here? Everyone then screamed "Surrprisseeee!" What was going?! I knew what was going on. But I was still confused. It was a surprise dinner. But still. Everyone was here, how is it possible? And then it began slowly. My heart began to beat really fast, or did it beat at all? Either way my chest started to swell, and my brain was starting to fry. I looked around the room again and again. I had just seen Michelle and Martine! They were in on this! Then i realised Hannah was behind me! She was behind this! I see Jen and Kathy smiling at me! They knew! How did everyone hide this so well? I turn and see Lynn, who cancelled on our morning plans. But she was there. Fi sat there in the corner. She knew!? And Lily was sitting in the back. I hadn't seen Lily in so long, but she was there. I felt my body move towards my friends, greeting them, kissing them, hugging them, laughing, smiling. Now my cheeks hurt. I got to Lily and hugged her, and she said she missed me. Then I started to cry, and couldn't stop. I rarely cry tears of happiness. Last time was on my twenty-first birthday when Jen made a speech. I was so overwhelmed, and even thinking back to that moment, it still blows me away. I'm the surpriser, no the suprisee. I was so happy, so full of love for every single person in that room that night. So much it didn't feel like it could be contained. I felt like I was going to explode, and then the sky would pour in rainbows and sunshine. It sure felt like it.
Everyone was seated amongst four tables but I wanted to sit altogether so I can see everyone there with me that night. I went over and sat by Josh and looked around and then I looked at Josh. I hugged him and kissed him and thanked him. And then my eyes started welling up with tears again. He laughed and told me to eat because he didn't want me to starve to death. I honestly believe I have the best boyfriend in the world. The swelling in my chest got worse. My hands were still shaking that my chopsticks were wobbly in my hand. I couldn't eat properly at first, I was too busy being happy. Haha. If only, happiness was the only thing was filled our schedules everyday. Felix was sitting beside me and cooking all the food, and then putting food on everyone's plate around my table. What a father, haha. He kept piling on the food on my plate before I could eat it. The food was amazing. It was my first time having Japanese BBQ. We were served a platter of fine meat, wagyu beef, pork belly, ox tongue .. Luxury dining. The next platter was full of seafood, abalone, scallops, king prawns .. I said LUXURY. Finally, we had ice cream for dessert. It was so delicious. I got up to take photos with everyone, but could not find Josh. I was told her was elsewhere preparing the next part of the surprise. The next part of the surprise? What could it be?
The Dessert.
Jen hinted of a hotel destination. Kathy hinted that I would get drunk. We left Shoya, walked and arrived at a hotel. Had Josh booked out a room as well, for everyone to get drunk in?? No. I saw the posters and banners, it was a Comedy Festival event. Josh seemed really down though. He was disappointed because we were late. It did not matter to me. Nothing did that night, I was way too happy. I told him not to worry, I was on top of the world. We walked in to the familiar sounds of a dirty, crude Canadian man. There was no mistaking, it was Mike Wilmot. That dirty, dirty bastard I was so reluctant to see. But he, and Family Guy, are the two crude humorous things that I can tolerate. We all piled in. I knew Jen wouldn't like him haha. But from the sounds of everyone else, they were enjoying themselves. Good, I thought, it would make Josh happy to know that everyone was enjoying themselves as well, and it was in no way, a failed plan. At the end, I met Mike Wilmot, where he wished me happy birthday and hugged me. Josh wanted to get me drunk afterwards, but I told everyone to call it a night and save their energy for the following night.
It was the perfect night.
I have the best boyfriend in the whole entire world.
I have the best friends in the whole entire world.
Will add photos.
The "Plan."
Apart from from the plan to have drinks on the following Friday night, the day after my birthday, I had planned to have dinner with Josh on Thursday, my actual birthday. I didn't feel like doing and could not be bothered doing anything else. Josh was pushing me to make plans so I wouldn't be alone during the day on my birthday. I told him, I'd find something to do, go for a swim at the pools, or paint or sketch for the day, because I hadn't done that in a while. He wasn't pleased. And then one day, Hannah proposes for the interior girls to catchup, and suggests that we have a birthday lunch with me. I told her that we could have predrinks as I had dinner plans with Josh, and she agreed, and so did everyone else.
The Morning.
On Thursday, I woke up at 6am and couldn't go back to sleep. I wouldn't have slept for much longer anyway as the wave of birthday messages began at 6:30am and I had also planned to wake up to see my Dad off to work that morning. I knew I wasn't going to see him till the day after because I had plans. At 6:45 I crept downstairs before right before my Dad stepped outside, and he said "Happy Birthday." It still surprises me that my parents remember my birthday for some reason. Twenty-two years. That is still a long time, daughter or not. I smiled, thanked him and gave him a big hug. I think my day began perfectly. I wanted to fall back asleep and just couldn't. At the moment I wanted to see Josh right then and I thought why couldn't I? I rolled out of bed in my pajamas, got in the car and drove to Josh's and was at his front door by 7:30. Josh had work that morning so we had a little bit of time for breakfast and then we headed off to the city together. I needed to go shopping for an outfit, so after dropping Josh off at work I ventured to Brunswick Street. I had wandered around for a couple of hours and didn't find anything until I found myself in Sidewalk Soul.
The Boots.
The moment I walked in, I saw it. The exact same pair of boots I had seen at Windsor Smith. It was a fraction of the price there, and it was infact suede! The shop assistant informed me if I was a member, I would have 15% off. And hallelujah to Lynh and I's coffee date last year where we ended up shopping and becoming a member, for the boots I originally saw were $189.95, where it was $139.95 here. BUT because of my membership, i got it for $119. BEST WIN. My birthday present to myself! I took a tram to Spencer Street and picked up a couple of items before racing back home. I had planned to meet Hannah and the girls at 4:30pm. I would get home at 2:30 and have an hour to get ready before needing to head out again! Biggest rush of my life. Quickest shower, makeup and lack of hair-doing ever.
The Setup.
Got to Michelle's apartment much earlier but The Croft Institute where we planned to go wouldn't be open till 5, so we caught up and wasted beautiful time till then. Upon entering the Croft, it wasn't that displacing or creepy as people have made it out to be. And then Martine to me to the ladies room where it was a little disturbing. It looked like a experimentation room. It had a lone hospital bed in the corner with white sheets, the walls were tiled a light pastel green colour, but the surface was dirty, so it in no way appeared hygienic. The lamps were also reminiscent of torture labs in movies - It made me shiver. And frown. But in a very intrigued way. After the slightly creepy bartender made us some drinks, we grabbed some pork buns and went back to Mich's and waited for Josh to finish work. Which. Took. Forever. I was so hungry, starving, dying, that I was whinging to the girls relentlessly. I started to become a bit kooky, as I do when I'm that hungry. I picked up Mich's star glitter wand and kept waving it over my phone to make Josh call me.
The Long Walk.
Eventually Josh called. Michelle and Martine had dinner plans elsewhere, so Hannah offered to see me off to Josh, because she didn't want me being alone at any point on my birthday. i pointed out I was alone till I saw the girls at 4 that day. It was well past 8pm but Josh said he was being kept back from work and told me take me time, so Hannah and I went window shopping. When we arrived at or destination, 25 Market Lane Josh had instructed, he called and said he was inside, and he'll come out to get me. I said bye to Hannah, but even as Josh was leading me deep into the restaurant, I felt like there was someone walking behind me. Was it Hannah? I didn't turn to look because we approached some stairs, at which Josh pointed out my new fine boots. I was again filled with triumph as I did earlier int he afternoon finding such a bargain. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I looked up.
The Surprise.
Confusion. That was the first thing to strike me. What was Michelle and Martine doing here? Everyone then screamed "Surrprisseeee!" What was going?! I knew what was going on. But I was still confused. It was a surprise dinner. But still. Everyone was here, how is it possible? And then it began slowly. My heart began to beat really fast, or did it beat at all? Either way my chest started to swell, and my brain was starting to fry. I looked around the room again and again. I had just seen Michelle and Martine! They were in on this! Then i realised Hannah was behind me! She was behind this! I see Jen and Kathy smiling at me! They knew! How did everyone hide this so well? I turn and see Lynn, who cancelled on our morning plans. But she was there. Fi sat there in the corner. She knew!? And Lily was sitting in the back. I hadn't seen Lily in so long, but she was there. I felt my body move towards my friends, greeting them, kissing them, hugging them, laughing, smiling. Now my cheeks hurt. I got to Lily and hugged her, and she said she missed me. Then I started to cry, and couldn't stop. I rarely cry tears of happiness. Last time was on my twenty-first birthday when Jen made a speech. I was so overwhelmed, and even thinking back to that moment, it still blows me away. I'm the surpriser, no the suprisee. I was so happy, so full of love for every single person in that room that night. So much it didn't feel like it could be contained. I felt like I was going to explode, and then the sky would pour in rainbows and sunshine. It sure felt like it.
Everyone was seated amongst four tables but I wanted to sit altogether so I can see everyone there with me that night. I went over and sat by Josh and looked around and then I looked at Josh. I hugged him and kissed him and thanked him. And then my eyes started welling up with tears again. He laughed and told me to eat because he didn't want me to starve to death. I honestly believe I have the best boyfriend in the world. The swelling in my chest got worse. My hands were still shaking that my chopsticks were wobbly in my hand. I couldn't eat properly at first, I was too busy being happy. Haha. If only, happiness was the only thing was filled our schedules everyday. Felix was sitting beside me and cooking all the food, and then putting food on everyone's plate around my table. What a father, haha. He kept piling on the food on my plate before I could eat it. The food was amazing. It was my first time having Japanese BBQ. We were served a platter of fine meat, wagyu beef, pork belly, ox tongue .. Luxury dining. The next platter was full of seafood, abalone, scallops, king prawns .. I said LUXURY. Finally, we had ice cream for dessert. It was so delicious. I got up to take photos with everyone, but could not find Josh. I was told her was elsewhere preparing the next part of the surprise. The next part of the surprise? What could it be?
The Dessert.
Jen hinted of a hotel destination. Kathy hinted that I would get drunk. We left Shoya, walked and arrived at a hotel. Had Josh booked out a room as well, for everyone to get drunk in?? No. I saw the posters and banners, it was a Comedy Festival event. Josh seemed really down though. He was disappointed because we were late. It did not matter to me. Nothing did that night, I was way too happy. I told him not to worry, I was on top of the world. We walked in to the familiar sounds of a dirty, crude Canadian man. There was no mistaking, it was Mike Wilmot. That dirty, dirty bastard I was so reluctant to see. But he, and Family Guy, are the two crude humorous things that I can tolerate. We all piled in. I knew Jen wouldn't like him haha. But from the sounds of everyone else, they were enjoying themselves. Good, I thought, it would make Josh happy to know that everyone was enjoying themselves as well, and it was in no way, a failed plan. At the end, I met Mike Wilmot, where he wished me happy birthday and hugged me. Josh wanted to get me drunk afterwards, but I told everyone to call it a night and save their energy for the following night.
It was the perfect night.
I have the best boyfriend in the whole entire world.
I have the best friends in the whole entire world.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Year to be Daring.
I've always had this thing. This rule, you might call it, that I don't like cutting in the middle of things. I like to start at the beginning. It's the same for everything. I wouldn't watch a show, half way through the season, or a movie thirty minutes in, or skim through a page in a novel on page seventy-two. I wait to get the first episode, or rewind to the start and I would definitely start a book, from the inside front cover even, but not further on. I think it has a lot to with not wanting to miss out on anything. Not wanting to go in unknowingly. Needing everything before I commit.
Throughout my thesis project last year, I was always hesitant to dive in head first into projects. My mentor, eventually talked to me about this. He said, "I get the feeling you're just dipping your toe in the water Phuong. You don't want to do something without knowing what's going to happen." And I suppose that's true. I know that now, more than ever. With certain things, I just can't. But for a while now, I've needed change. I need to break that habit. Everything and everyone is changing, adapting to changes. So I should to. Change is inevitable. And being able to adapt, helps us through that process. So, almost a quarter of the way through this year, supposedly the year the world comes to and end, I've got my resolution.
Be Brave.
Live in & Seize the Moment.
It's the year for Adventures.
Throughout my thesis project last year, I was always hesitant to dive in head first into projects. My mentor, eventually talked to me about this. He said, "I get the feeling you're just dipping your toe in the water Phuong. You don't want to do something without knowing what's going to happen." And I suppose that's true. I know that now, more than ever. With certain things, I just can't. But for a while now, I've needed change. I need to break that habit. Everything and everyone is changing, adapting to changes. So I should to. Change is inevitable. And being able to adapt, helps us through that process. So, almost a quarter of the way through this year, supposedly the year the world comes to and end, I've got my resolution.
Be Brave.
Live in & Seize the Moment.
It's the year for Adventures.
It's the year to be adventurous.
Today is the 1st of April. This is my first blog for 2012.
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