Xinyi birthday celebration took place last Saturday evening, 18 July 2009 at the roof top of Naumi Hotel. I would normally write my post event articles in script language, or mission language, or simply say code, but in this case this is meant for everyone to read, so I rather speak English.
I must start by saying that at the time of the party, I already otang (owe) Xinyi two presents.
The first is for V day, for which she was overseas on exchange. The second present is of course, for her birthday. Xinyi is an important person in my Hall life. Not only is she an old friend since my freshie DnD as well as an excellent Block Manager who helped me out of several tight spots while I was Sub Com IC, but she was also a person who trusted me and saw me for who I really am long ago, during a time when many people misunderstood me. For this I honour her in a respectful (though entirely platonic) friendship and decided to give her something to show my appreciation.
To choose a present for someone who deserves it is like choosing a light sabre for a Jedi, and that means not easy at all. It requires planning, critical management decision making, balancing, and taking into account several constraints. But first, it is important to understand what she might like.
Unfortunately, there is only one person who was in Singapore at that time. Fortunately, she is probably the best candidate to give an accurate opinion. For she is someone who loves her since way before our batch entered Hall, but separated between heaven and earth now. Still, she remains contactable. So I texted her on msn and interviewed her on her views. She advised me to get her something that she can use, rather than try to guess something she likes. When I asked her what she likes, she declined to answer, saying that it is part of sincerity to do it myself as much as possible. I then consulted another person who also knows her very well, and her reply was make up. When I enquired however, a girl from my school who is well known for her piloting of make up advised that it would have been unwise, for make up is something that varies for individual tones. With that, I finally decided on a note book and asked a fourth person to accompany me to buy it. I also got a pair of keychains for the V day present. One will go to her, the other I intend to give to her roommie, Qianqi, to honour their deep roommie bond.
The beauty of the ceremony lies not only in the logistics, which is to say the niceness of the place and the coincidence of the fireworks display for NDP rehearsal. More importantly perhaps, is the range of guests invited. The whole parade of fellow shock troopers from all of Hall, school and secondary school made the entire reception more like a coronation than a birthday ceremony. As the three delegations intertwined, new friendships are forged and old friendships are reinforced or discovered. I for one, did not realize that I have two St John juniors among her clan (clique) of Dunman High troopers (friends). That is in addition to one that I already know.
It is highly impressive how close Xinyi is with her DHS clan. I see in their bond a view of my past while I was back there myself. It was like travelling backwards in time, like how singing old songs remind us of our childhood.
It is customary for traditional chinese to write poems and caligraphy during major events. Since Xinyi and I are both chinese educated people, I thought it was appropriate to write a poem, freezing the magnificent scene that was in my scope, and preserving it for eternity. I spent a while drafting, then wrote an essay long entry on the guest book and copied the poem into it, presenting it as a third present. I know that my parents, aunties, and roommies will probably have been able to do it faster and nicer, but as someone said, a present should be given on my own.
The fireworks came and we took a few photos against them. Then cake was cut and the ceremony sort of officially ended. But the night was still early and we sat around. Here I must emphasize my gratitude to Xinyi and Zhenni who both insisted that I do not drink the red wine that is being served. This is the first time that anyone had told me to not drink instead of egging me on and pressurizing me, and I really appreciate that. I drank a little though, to wish Xinyi luck. When we had to go later, we went to a pub to talk cock for a while; in the mean time, Xinyi was still at the party area. There a most unusual forfeit happened, with me as the subject.
I was asked why is it that normally when people ask me to drink I dun drink but today I drank wine. I replied that today is Xinyi's birthday, and therefore a special occasion. Gavin then asked me whether this meant that if Xinyi came to the pub and joined us, and asked me to drink, I would drink. I answered yes. Gavin called Xinyi and to my surprise, she really did come. Well, since I said it, I honoured my word and drank. Anyway, since when was I one to run away from a forfeit that I got?
All in all, it was a great event and I felt both honoured and fortunate to be invited. The particular significant moments are, the invitation, the welcome, the photo taking, the poem writing, the present giving and the fact that I was asked to not drink alcohol that night. These are the particular moments where I was really grateful to. And Xinyi I am really, really glad to know you.
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