my sweetest 21st.

in all my 21 years of existence, i have never...

i. am. speechless.

even now, i find conjuring up the right words difficult. there are no words to express how i feel/felt. when i saw all those familiar faces that filled up the entire room, standing before me, the 21 candles lit for me, the 52 cupcakes (yes, fifty-two! or more) spelling out "happy birthday vic!" in pink icing, laid out before me... i was, for lack of a better word, speechless.

i stood there, gaping like an idiot before i managed to sputter an "ohmygod". classic vic, classic. after which i launched into a spiel of chinese words (i was that shocked) which no one understood *laughs* hence lili had to play translator, because i was beyond doing it myself. heh heh

lili the subtitle-r
chinese: "wo zhen de shi bu gan xiang xing!!"
english: "i really cannot believe this!!"

for those of you who lost the plot: my bfffs mandy and lili *HUG* organized a special super secret silent sunset surgery surprise party (greys ref.) and a CUPCAKE themed one to boot!! they know how much i absolutely ADORE cupcakes, been craving them since portobello. multicoloured balloons strung up everywhere, cupcakes on tiered serving dishes everywhere, 21-shaped confetti littered everywhere, people ohmygod people everywhere.. all my beloved new friends.

note: sweetie, babylamb! i got my wish: cupcake!

i recall, when i first arrived in the uk, i was so sad about being away from my loved ones on my 21st (only the most special birthday ever), and the thought of spending it alone was just too depressing to even consider. yet today, i was surrounded by all these new friends of mine who genuinely seemed happy to celebrate this special occasion with me!

once i got over the initial shock (which took quite awhile, believe me) i had to blow out 21 candles, almost setting my scarf on fire in the process.. i just couldn't believe, i still can't believe it actually. those two managed to pull the wool over my eyes for roughly 2 3 weeks! a remarkably difficult task given that i'm always around them 24/7, in their house, on their couch. and there they were, secretly blowing balloons and baking cupcakes in the middle of the night, running off to the supermarket without me, inviting everyone behind my back, plotting and scheming to keep me away from the house.. etc.

the fact that i didn't see the signs, i didn't suspect A THING, god i must be dense. pity, i didn't wear makeup today and my attire.. ugh. in-appropriate. luckily i didn't go home and change into track pants or something far worse, lili wouldn't have allowed me to anyway *grin* it was her sole mission to keep me in the library for as long as possible :) her stalling tactics - hilarious!

NO ONE in my ENTIRE LIFE has ever put in that much EFFORT for me before. (not even my friends back home) i repeat, NO ONE.

seriously, seriously! (amanda and i usually turn to each other and share a look at this point) this is what i've dreamt of for the longest time; my secret wish - for someone to care enough to actually organize a surprise party for me. i waited 21 years, and finally, someone DID care enough apparently. tonight, even before i made my wish and blew out the candles, my dream came true.

oh mandy, lili, i simply can't thank you enough. words are not enough. thank you, i love you. now you've set the bar up so high, no one else can compare. i'm humbled, grateful, and incredibly touched.

what can i say? i have the most amazing friends in the world.

p/s: a huge thank you to everyone who came! i wish you guys could've stayed longer - everyone had to go write their essays - but i'm so touched you showed up at all! *HUG*

p/p/s: my real birthday - 7th december friday night, 6:30 mandy/lili's place for pre-party drinks then clubbing in london! be there!

hugs, kisses and cupcakes
(i ate at least 10 tonight. ugh stomachache)

xoxo