The Ego Episodes

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004

Joycie's 21st Birhday

Okay, this is it. I'm writing about my birthday.

I felt that I celebrated my birthday for the whole month of August.

The Saturday before my birthday (it was Tuesday), I celebrated my birthday with Donny. I wasn't really expecting anything, except for that one thing I asked, which was, a song. It's true. When he asked me what I want for my birthday, I didn't want a lavish celebration, etc. I wanted him to sing me a song.

But of course, he didn't do just that. And I have to say, it's a pretty good move. First, he cooked Chilli Crab for dinner. It's just so fitting! I've always wanted to try Chilli Crab since the first day I came to Singapore. But for some reason, I never got around to doing that and now I know. It's for this moment. I am meant to have my first Chilli Crab from a plateful of sauce, prepared by Donny. The crab meat was sweet and when eaten with a bun dipped in spicy sauce, it's irresistible. The sides of my mouth were burning hot from all that chilli and yet I finished everything, because I can't stop myself. It's that good.

After dinner came the highly anticipated dessert. He brought out a box which contained my birthday cake. When he opened it, the decorations were all over the place and I had to help him re-decorate. I wanted to put the strawberries into my mouth instead of placing it on top of the cake, but I controlled myself, so that I can show you this:

It's a blueberry cheesecake baked with an Oreo crust. White chocolate marbles formed the letter J, for Joycie, of course. The three sticks made of white chocolate, stood for my age, 21. Yup, two big ones for two tens and one small one for one year. Which means, I'm legal in Singapore. Yes! I can vote! I can watch R(A) films! Anyway, that was exactly my favorite cheesecake. And he baked it himself. Sweet, no? I meant him, not the cake. I was so touched that I hugged him while I cried. Nobody has ever baked a cake for me before, not even on my birthday. I can't help it but be moved to tears. Then I had to stop, because then I realized, oh no, how could I ever top this when his birthday comes this December? I can't bake a cake! Or slaughter a crab! Then he lighted the candles on the cake, distracting me from my thoughts. After singing Happy Birthday, I blew out the candles and moments after, I was taking a forkful of blueberry cheesecake. Yum! Mmm mmm mmm ... yum! Best blueberry cheesecake ever. It's creamy, with just the right amount of sour to go with the sweet. The texture is delicate but not mushy. And the crust smells so good, it tastes even better! Really worth gushing about. Plus, it was made for me. I love, love, love my birthday cake.

Then we had dessert wine after that to go along with the cheesecake. Nice. And for the record, it didn't get me drunk at all. At this point, I thought, wow, this is a birthday. The food was great, the company, even much better. I was so happy I couldn't ask for more. Then he gave me a white rose. Aww, man, he never stops. But I'm not complaining.

And I thought that was it. By the time I ate half of the white chocolate, I felt really spoiled. Which is what every birthday celebrant should feel on their birthday. Anyway, he then gave me a present. Yes, the rose was not the present. I was so excited to open it, I almost tore the wrapping until he told me that he wrote his name on the wrapping with a glow-in-the-dark glue. Now who would've thought of that? Only him. And who would've thought of giving me a mug (I love mugs!) printed with his drawing (I love his drawings!) representing my name. I was delighted by the mug that I didn't notice there was something folded inside the mug. It's a white sleeveless tank top (I love white sleeveless tops!), again printed with his drawing!

Love. It.

Shucks, I have class in an hour! Must take a shower!See you in Part two!

{ joycie at 9:35 a.m.}