I guess today wasn't as melancholic and depressing as I'd thought I would've been. Of course throughout the day there'd be instances where I'd moan and ponder about those unhappy and worrying issues. But I try to keep them out as much as I can. Today was a pretty amazing day. I'm really thankful to have so many wonderful friends around me who take the time to plan and arrange surprises for me, go all out of the way to execute their plans, and walk to extra mile to make the day extremely special to me. I'd just like to list them out in a chronological order the events that happened beginning from 12am today:

12+am: Level 7 Eekers came to my door and surprised me with a heartwarming birthday song as well as a chilled cake for Gastronomania to top it off! The crowd outside my room really made me feel so loved and cared for; to know that they actually noted and made the effort to celebrate this moment with me although I wasn't too active in hall made me so grateful. I really hoped my less-than-emotional response didn't disappoint them or paint me out to be an ungrateful and unfeeling person because I was really so tired and exhausted at that time, with eyes all droopy and red. All I could do is keep a cheeky grin and say my countless of 'thank you's with the sore voice of mine.

1.30-3am: At about 1+am Nigel papa whatsapp-ed me to ask if I was still awake. Odd, I thought, cus what would it matter to him anyway. He justified that he wanted to discuss some LAWR stuff with me, but that made it weirder as he knew I wasn't doing the same topic as he was. I did suspect something strange to crop up but didn't think much about it. Then a while later Felicia Dajie appeared in front of my room door and beckoned me to take a look at the artwork comprising of notes from Nigel, Jimmy and herself! That was just so sweet.. It was such a loving sight and I felt so touched that they made the effort to show me how much they care even though it was so late into the night. Felicia, after excitedly promoting her masterpiece arrangement, got me to accompany her to the toilet and so I did. As we walked back, I stood outside my room and noticed something strange, again. My lights were turned off and the room was pitch black. I knew it. Something had happened. I didn't want to get scared or shocked so I attempted to use my leg to push the door open. No movement inside. Then as I kicked harder I noticed a ray of warm orange light shimmering from inside. I walked in and saw Nigel standing inside with a cake lighted with a candle. Jimmy popped up from behind my door and attempted to scare me. And the birthday song was sung. ;) Once again, I felt a gush of satisfaction and gratefulness for the time and effort they took to stage this entire plan and make my quiet and dull midnight so much more lively and energetic. We sang the song again for Felicia, whose birthday was two days before mine, and cut half of the cake up to share. A creamy-moose chocolate raspberry awesome cake. Yum - the perfect way to gain weight overnight. But it was so fulfilling and absolutely delicious. After the clearing up was done, I told them to take a group photo to commemorate this special moment so we walked out of my room. Just as Jimmy was getting ready, flashing out his phone to prepare to take a shot, I felt some force grab me from behind and I was immediately taken aback. It was such a sudden movement it did not even cross my mind what was happening. I was just struggling to restrain myself from the strength that was controlling me. I looked around and realised it was Nigel and Jimmy! One on each side, they grabbed my limbs and tried to lift me. Amidst the struggle my slippers were kicked away and my spectacles were taken away. I pleaded them to let me off; I didn't want to be a victim of any shocking hall birthday culture but it seemed like there was nothing that could stop them - not even my weight. Finally relenting, I let them transport the heavy me all the way across my block and to the next block, where they brought me into the toilet. All the way I was screaming, half trying to induce them to let me go and the other half trying to keep my volume low to not wake anyone else up. Finally they dragged me to the toilet and released me on the ground. Then I felt streams of water flowing down from my hair to my face to my body, and I was completely drenched. I see where this is going, I thought. I was completely breathless and unmovable. Nigel implanted the idea to do the same to Fel since she just had her birthday as well, so I spurted up and turned on Fel. As expected, she got soaked too. Now, it was Nigel's and Jimmy's turns. After a series of muscle-straining pulls and grabs and chase and struggles, we managed to get them under control and soaked them as well. Now we were all soaking wet geese roaming round the corridors of the block as we returned back to my room. This was when I found out my flipflops were broken!!! ;( From the earlier struggle. And there goes my first and only pair of Havaianas! SIGHS. We finally got down to really taking photos of this truly memorable day/night - us in our completely wet and untidy mess. All I gotta say is a HUGE HUMOUNGOUS thank you to this bunch of fellow law and hall mates. You guys have been such an extremely close and helpful and simply amazing friends to me all these while. Although it's barely been a semester, but it feels like we have really become a family and I don't know what I'd do without your constant encouragement, company and help. You guys have been such such amazing friends - Papa, Dajie and Good Friend! ;) Really love yall to bits.

After having such an eventful start of the day, I finally got to bed (after discovering that Fel got ponded on the way back to her room HAHA, and I'd have really wanted to be there to witness that but ohwell) at about 3am. The next morning was a disaster because I completely ignored the four alarms I set and woke up late! 10 minutes before I was supposed to leave my room! I quickly washed up, grabbed my stuff and got going to meet the 'family' to catch the bus.

10.30-11.30am: After torts lecture ended half an hour early, the Yiting, Eunice, Jiahui, Ben, Lijie, Nigel gang started acting weirdly. They kept pestering me to have an early lunch when they knew it wasn't a habit of mine because my next class would be starting soon. They shooed me all the way to the Summit where one by one they vanished on the pretext of getting their food. I was just wandering about at the same area hoping they'd come back soon so I wouldn't look so awkward standing about alone. When I finally decided I would go to the toilet, Jiahui insisted I get back to the table and dragged me back. There it was when I saw the bunch of them trying desperately to light up the cake in their hands, and using their bodies to keep the cake away from my view. It was such an amusing sight to behold! Just when every single of the 19 candles were about to get lit, a strong gust of wind blew them all out. You can never imagine the look of helplessness in their eyes. Hahaha! But they just sang me the song anyway and I blew out imaginary candles to complete the deal. ;)) Thank you guys so much for being there to make my birthday such a special one. The cake was really scrumptious; thanks to yall for remembering my undying love for chocolate! It was so thick and heavenly, no one can ever deny. Also, the tin of Garrett's!!! <3 all="all" already="already" also="also" although="although" an="an" and="and" appreciate="appreciate" as="as" awesome="awesome" ayyee="ayyee" bag="bag" been="been" being="being" but="but" celebrate="celebrate" colourful="colourful" completely="completely" contribute="contribute" did="did" done="done" earlier="earlier" eyes="eyes" floatmates="floatmates" for="for" garrett="garrett" guess="guess" hahaha="hahaha" has="has" have="have" heeheeeee="heeheeeee" holding="holding" i="i" in="in" incredible="incredible" it="it" law="law" life="life" lijie="lijie" love="love" made="made" me="me" meaningful="meaningful" more="more" morning="morning" much="much" my="my" nbsp="nbsp" obvious="obvious" of="of" ogmates="ogmates" on="on" overwhelmingly="overwhelmingly" p="p" really="really" s="s" saw="saw" school="school" so="so" some="some" sparkled="sparkled" spotted="spotted" such="such" surprise="surprise" t="t" thank="thank" the="the" there="there" to="to" today..="today.." uni="uni" ve="ve" wangye="wangye" wasn="wasn" well="well" when="when" who="who" whoaaaa="whoaaaa" with="with" you="you">

3-5pm: Caught my first 3D movie with Fel! Bait, it was. Not much to say about the movie, except that it was my first 3D movie-watching experience. The movie was, frightening at times, but annoying at times too. After a few spine-chilling and shrilling moments in the cinema, we left with many of our personal commentaries on the movie.

7-9+pm: Had buffet with Mum, BB, and Sis at Carousel at Royal Scott Hotel! Wide array of seafood, Japanese cuisine, Chinese, Malay, Indian food, and desserts to savour and gorge myself on! The food was great, the company was fantastic and I guess the most unforgettable portion of this segment was when a bunch of waiters came along with a huge cupcake on their hands singing their own special rendition of Happy Birthday. At first I thought it was another patron's birthday (and momentarily I forgot it was mine, probably because I was too occupied with my food), so I just glanced over my shoulder and headed back to attack my food. Then as the singing grew louder in volume I noticed the shadows approaching my direction. The 3 staffs stopped their tracks right beside me and while singing, the entire restaurant shifted their attention and gaze to me. OH MY. So I was to target of this surprise! It was so strange but hilarious as I thanked them and received my 4th cake of the day with happiness and gratitude. Thank you, Family, for 'promoting' me at such a public area and giving me such a pleasant surprise, apart from the sumptious and weight-gain inducing buffet dinner! The surprise was really invaluable and I really appreciate all the thought you've put in to put up this little surprise! ;)

10+pm: Headed back to hall with a bloated but contented stomach and proceeded to check out what was up at JTS. Saw everyone at the rooftop enjoying the JTS videos being screened and just shuffled myself into the crowd. When all was said and done, and just as I thought we were all going to disperse, someone suggested to the rest that it was someone's birthday today. For a moment I stoned, not knowing where this was headed to. Then as it was announced it was my birthday, the lovely Eekers began to chorus in the Birthday song while I stood in front awkwardly, trying to look less uncomfortable but thankful for their well wishes. My 5th birthday song of the day (and year, of course), and the day concluded well. Really glad my blockmates have been so understanding towards me and my lack of participation in hall activities due to my undescribably packed schedule and curriculum. Also really thankful they accepted me for who I am and didn't exclude or chastise me for not being able to contribute as much as I'd love to, and they even constantly tried to make me feel like I'm a part of them. What wonderful blockmates I have! ;)

Today was a really interesting and fun-filled day.. Thank you to all of you and all your birthday greetings and well wishes, although many I have not listed here. You guys have made my day so much better than I'd expected and I'm utterly grateful. Really hope that as we all grow older we will continue being so innocently and passionately kind, accepting, fun and helpful like you all are now, and that our friendships and family ties will only continue to grow tighter and stronger! It's been an amazing 19th birthday and let's strive to keep that sense of sanity and child-like purity in us as we brace ourselves for the challenges in future together! I LOVE YOU, FAMILY AND FRIENDS!