De one with Rebound

Generating thoughts

"How long are you going to keep this up" keep revolving in the my head like a totem. It wasn't aching. On the contrary, it forced myself to come back to reality. It seems as though beads of invisible weights have been sewn to every inch of the hair till much effort was required to overcome downward pressure acting on my bowing neck.

A funny thing I realised about myself was the unbelievable recovery rate. Mood-shifter would probably be the most appropriate title to brand myself in for this blog. "Life is a stage" well said indeed. We react, display our emotions and leave it before moving on.

Sometimes we overreact. In such times, we become impulsive for no reason. If it were me, I've better learn to take a deep breathe and try to process the routes and course of actions I could choose from, then formulate what my next step would be. It takes practice. Most of us are unable to do so as human tend to want the most responsive actions to counter the disequilibrium abruptly presents itself.

It benefits me more as certain of my words sting. It shoots like a merciless sniper at times. Thinking through, I was glad not to have said much, conveyed what was necessary.

De one with Un's

Sonnet

Thee heart tells not where predicament lies
Heavy soul pulses, watch indifference time
Shadows never hung lower than pavement shines
Lonesome bittercold as salted ice,

Worst defeats worse in combat minds
Unleashes fear in struggling vice
O poor us thy friendliest ties
Undecipherable affirmation we never find.

(Picture in courtesy of Mike Duran)

De one with Birthday Touche

Nothing but Joy

Salutes, bows and blows kisses to those who made the 21st August 2010 an eventful and ravishing day! It's even sizzling, outrageously fun and euphoric than National Day or YOG! I sworn I'd never felt more like a comely star this year. The glamor outshone the dreadful age!!

 
Special gratitude to my "bros" who kick-start the beginning of the celebration and hastily fetched me to a posh restaurant (the Nautilus Project, in courtesy of luxury-insider.com) which I've never set foot in. Least did I expect being put through the embarrassing yet moving moment with cakes and candle. Have gotta admit I was near tearing when you guys deserted your masculinity and sung a birthday song in the presence of our neighboring kids and Caucasians at both sides of our table.

Next was Donald for our "nan de" dinner at Marche (below, in courtesy of singaporefountainpen.blogspot). A place I never been to since secondary school. A revisit to a place-from-history now situated at a whole new place. Ha! Glad you fare fairly well in your exams. Looks like our double-celebration was worth it!

If given a chance, I'd meet everyone who texted or wrote your well wishes on my wall (regardless of the automated notification / sincere memory work) and reward you $2 a beary hug! Lol. You know what? This is the premier of a new channel from which you could convey your greetings! Haha. You are like the red carpet for this year's birthday!

... The unlikeliest and stunning materialised when my close friends ambushed a "pre-birthday evening" plan on me! What meant as mere nonsensical suggestion turned out to be taken as serious command. They made a reservation at Giraffe (left, in courtesy of oriented.com), had appetizing seafood, enticing cheesecakes and hell lots of alcohol to consume till our hearts content!

It was like an uninterrupted date.. everything fell and saw through nicely. Play reshoots of our birthday gifts presenting scene repeatedly. Bet the surrounding crowds must have thought we were film-crazy. There was movie after dinner till the first minute of my B-day arrived! Too bad there weren't fireworks. Only Slyvester Stallon and bullets-firing, blood splashing and serial explosions in Expendables. Peeerrrrfect substitutes! Ho!!

Thy heart bloomed deeper into its core as the entire family was "activated" to this fine Chinese restaurant at Marina Bay Sands.

Two VIL(very important ladies) in my life...

Me + Jolly Daddy

...Cousins and a nephew

Uncle + me

There was superior dim sum, mouthwatering Peking duck, mouth-melting asparagus, prosperous Sharkfin dumpling and pastry.

Not everytime until today, there was an intangible priceless dish on the table which derived more satisfaction to the stomach and our hearts - Kinship.

House of J, with love from Marina Bay Sands

Wait, the premium gifts I received or got for myself with the privilege of being the birthday boy of course!

 

Dusk approaches came the people who sprinkled magic dusts to sparkle-up my actual Big Day! My dear colleagues brought me to a Peranakan restaurant and had our version of "tok panjang"! The spread was variegated and super delicious! Aww... I can't restrain myself from sharing the present...

"Jin zhi" (delicate in mandarin) right? "wah~ing" continuously as I turned the pages.

  
When asked if they felt pressurised ('cause they kept apologising for their artwork), they said they didn't. Just worried their deco didn't mean my standards. I was even asked if I'd touch up at home. Jokers la.

My heart burned with engulfing appreciation! It's ultra tough to buy presents for me. In this rare occasion, the gifts melt me heart!

After scrumptious dinner, we headed to this outdoor space. All the shops were closed, surroundings were dim. So we used the flashlight from handphones to brighten up our faces for better photo-shoots. Damn, I was like a celebrity la.. they played along, "more light here", "I'll be the mic-holder", "powder on Jason's face" when taking turns to have our photographs together. Then the cake and birthday song. Omg. Third cake for the period!

Wait, there's more.. we went to Mind's cafe till the last minute of 21 August 2010 passed.

One milestone, 9 days of celebration, 6 new venues, handful fine presents and countless blessings. It was a day I never felt more loved and centered in the world.Woohooo!!