De one with My 22nd Birthday

Ceremonial day

There's a saying "time and tides waits for no man". I remember hearing this from others or seeing this phrase printed on the cover of my fullscape paper pad when I was then a primary schoolboy. Back then, I wonder what does it mean?

Many would interpret the phrase with the irreversibility of time. No doubt, there's nothing wrong. Personally, I'd agree. However, there might be just somethings which contradicts this phrase apparently. One of which is the repetitive sight of the Firehouse Happy birthday ice-cream (the supposedly alternative form of a birthday cake) which has seemed to bring back time.... almost every year, on my birthday. August 21st.

Compared to prior year, this year's birthday was pretty worrying to some extent. Last semester, I managed to be freed from any mid-sem test. This dreadful thing found its way into this semester. Can you imagine how "detriment" it is to have an exam on the next day after your birthday? Omg.

The next worrisome part arose from the eve of my birthday. It suddenly occurred to me that I was aging. Omg. So embarrassed I kinda panicked and messaged some of my friends, exclaiming about me turning one year older. *Blush*

But then... it turned out quite good. I was on leave due to me having applied 2 days leave from work for both birthday and pre-exam reasons. Met Honey in town to purchase this grey knitted sweater from G-star @ Paragon. Hehe... I fell in love the moment I saw it just a few days again when I was out with Clara. Omg..looks like I've cultivated a habit of buying things for myself on my birthday. Erm.. I'd like to confess.. I'M NOT A NARCISSIST hor!

After which, I collected my clothings from Domanchi @ Centrepoint before heading for dinner at my favourite restuarant, Swensens!! Why? It's because since young, my parents have been bringing me to Swensens to celebrate my birthday. Always, there was a firehouse which I'd be extremely delighted and fascinated too, by the dry-ice evaporating effect!

Without saying, I had Fish and Chips while Honey ordered a Breaded Chicken main course.
While waiting for the food, Honey presented my birthday. It's a mug with my Chinese zodiac painted on it. I guess it's telepathy ba since earlier I've brought ourselves a lovers-cup. Now we both have two cups. Sigh...

Honey actually sang me a touching happy birthday song.. man, it's really way better than previous years. After a stomach-filling meal, we decided to watch a movie at Cathay AMK.

Royston Tan's 881. It was fantastic, funny and seriously touching towards the finale. I believe mostly everyone must have watched it or have the least knowledge of what's the film about. So guess I'll skip the narrative part and proceed to how I feel about the show...

Personally, I derived the facts of life. The oppression we are experiencing in our daily lives, towards love (like how Little Papaya conceals her feelings for Guan Yin), the oppression from rich and powerful (depicted in the hardship and tough times the Papaya sisters and others face in preparation for the final showdown with the "smelly Durians")

I witness the desperate ambitious yearning to want to achieve something (when the Papaya sisters plead to the Fairy for help to be famous). The unvoluntary participation in competing with others even arising from the jealousy of others around us and illness, prima facie.

881 reminds us of our grand instances in life (particular my band performances outdoors) and also, the aftermath support and shelter we gain from someone close in times of loneliness and hardship.

Besides Honey, Jasmine also bought a fruit cake for my birthday. It was really very delicious not only on the presentation but it taste superb too! My colleagues wrote lovely messages in the birthday card which they gotten for me. My dear friends who delivered their heart-warming sms on my special day. My most-loved doting granny who cooked Mee suah, exclusively for me on my Chinese birthday... and last but not least, Clara, my closest friend, who gave me a memorable birthday gift in a stylish black package with red ribbon!

Million THANKS to Honey, family and friends... Oops.. I hope I don't sound like some award nominee delivering his award speech. hehehe.

Birthday... August 21... a magical moment in time that seems to be suspended and waiting for me every year...