Like every year, I thoroughly savoured every second of my birthday (come on, you only get to wear them birthday gloves once a year!) a few weeks ago. 22 November isn't the best timing because it always falls within the exam period. This year, it was the day before most first papers and so I really wasn't expecting anything.

Of course I was caught off guard, yet again. 

When Nora asked me a week before if I was free on the Friday (coincidentally two days before my birthday), I already knew something fishy was going on. I didn't expect the balloons though, so the game was upped this year!

I attended five camps as a freshman and to be honest, many of those friendships wane as time goes by. The one group I cherish the most out of that busy summer holiday would definitely be my friends from Starring Camp. Three years later, we're still us. We celebrate every birthday and go on short trips together despite our individual commitments. They still make me laugh at the smallest of jokes, and they never fail to remind me how I'll always be the butt of these jokes ;) Thank you for being a constant in my University life. You'll always be the people I can fall back on and ask for the most serious of advices.

And like the past four years, the eve of my birthday was spent with my BFF :') Talking endlessly over a good dinner followed by dessert and rounding the night off with Hunger Games. 

Service at Amarone that night was top-notch and they didn't fail to deliver on their food quality as well. The risotto and tagliolini were one of the most perfectly al-dente ones we've tried. They even took a picture for us and emailed it to me (in exchange for a superb review on TripAdvisor). Sadly, the Hunger Games series have come to close. But we're adamant on finding a new series/movie to catch during my birthday.

And when I got home, I was surprised/shocked/dismayed/perturbed that my room was WRAPPED in newspaper. It was... like a humongous present. Wrapped in black-and-whites, and leaving some dirt on my walls. I turned around to birthday shouts and a birthday cake (noms) and a video from my parents who were in Europe. So they apparently spent three hours on this grand masterpiece and it took me less than an hour to tear it down. Getting rid of the messy sheets of newspaper was another headache but we completed that in peals of laughter.

Thank you for all the effort put into this prank (I really did feel pranked!) and for staying up with me till almost 4 in the morning cleaning up and making sure my walls weren't too stained...

At 7am I was rudely awakened by a bunch of screams and my sleepy eyes registered three girls bursting through my room door and pouncing on me on the bed. 

We had brunch at Super Loco along Boat Quay. My girls know me well enough to know that I like all things exotic sooooo they indulge my tastebuds once a year hehehehe. Mexican fare here was more than decent and prices were the standard. I'd come back for the ambience though. And of course, we were like our usual selves with the photo-taking and plate-arranging. 

Headed to Marmalade Pantry not knowing who to expect when I saw this bunch of sailors. Much appreciation for the three different cakes we had and for taking time off to sit in the cafe with me talking about everything (okay, mostly about sailing...). Joining the Club is the best decision I've made in SMU and we've all grown so much together the past three years :')

Chairperson of the Organising Committee (aka Brendan) picked me up and we headed to our next location: Artistique (I quote, "Are you feeling your creative juices flowing today?"). We spent the next three hours sitting there, highly concentrated on our pieces, sipping our tea/coffee with the occasional "hey lemme snap this!!!" antics. 

Look at that face of utmost focus.

The greatest surprise was seeing Darren performing his magic tricks as we were walking to our dinner venue. We spent a good 30 minutes with him but to cut it short, he made the words on Bren's letter to me disappear and presented me with a box that contained the letter (with words) and the gift from Bren and Cheryl (that I previously thought was missing). In other words, I was obviously speechless and puzzled and dumbfounded and confused (as usual) but I eventually connected the dots hahahaha. 

After a day filled with surprises and non-stop eating (so, so, so much food), Bren brought me for buffet... really. He taught me all about the sunk-cost theory when it comes to over-eating so I'm glad I kept myself in check.

Despite having an exam the next day, Bren spent the week (I think?) arranging everything and making sure that I was truly surprised. I was. I had a wonderful day I'll never forget and I'm ever so thankful he let me decide on not having an elaborate party because the day was more meaningful the way I spent it. 

I give you A+++++++++++++++++ for effort :')

So rounding everything up, I genuinely thank everyone who took time off their busy schedules (they could be studying at that point in time) to celebrate my turning 21. This includes every wish I got on text, Whatsapp group chats or on Facebook. I mean, even writing a simple HPBD takes some time and it shows that I mean something. For that I'm grateful.

To be honest, I don't want to ever grow up. 

Things are so much simpler without further complications when we are thrown into the adult-world. I'm still taking baby steps (how many baby steps do I have left!!!!!). People say that after your 21st, the years pass by in a blur but I hope that won't happen to me. How many years do we have in our life? Shouldn't we savour each one as if it were our last?

This post goes out to each and every one of you who loves me, for my ugly side and all my flaws. I truly am blessed.