August 18th, 2012 by Karmun

My birthday this year was going to be different, I knew, simply because it would be my first time celebrating it away from home, away from family. But I wouldn’t have been able to guess in a million years just how different.

Somehow, behind my back the Ninja Rabbit had schemed out the perfect surprise party that would see all my closest friends show up. It was so perfect that I harboured not the slightest suspicioun until I walked into my own home and had them all chime loudly the clearest, most audible “SURPRISE!” I had ever heard.

I wasn’t away from family this year. I was just celebrating my birthday with another kind of family, those to whom I’m technically not related by blood, but by something else equally as strong — friendship.

So in little words, and more photos, here’s my 22nd birthday. Because I don’t quite know the words to describe a night like this. In fact, I hardly registered enough through my initial shock to remember much. All I remember was that I had the grandest time.

Hameed, my favourite Persian, who makes the best potato salad I’ve ever tasted in my life.

Joanna and Emmy, two girls whom I had no idea would become such a big part of my life when I first said hi to them in my first year of uni.

Super BFF Mandy and her beau, Jon. It fell upon her shoulders to keep me out of the house the entire day and she did it so exemplarily.

My favourite marathoners showed up too! Khit Yeng, Karthig and Meng Leong who supplied us with only the most essential barbecue food — chicken nuggets, hehehe.

Jia and KaySze. We go so far back I don’t even remember how we met.

OK, maybe I got it wrong. I did have family with me. The Ninja Rabbit’s cousins, Ian and Ervin showed up too and gave him hell on my behalf, tehehehehe. Now I know what it’s like having older brothers!

We ate, we drank more than we ate, and we made noise like we owned the entire apartment complex. Definite ingredients to a good time.

Sam and Hariz, two people I know I can always count on to show up on any occasion =D

Will the Beale trying to figure something out. Wonder if it’s got anything to with his shiny new medal?

Hello my two most favourite housemates in the world! I love you as much as the level of noise we make together at home! ♥

The whole time I was just reeling from the surprise that refused to leave me. Even after we’ve finished off most of the food and emptied all the beer cans, I was still floating in a little surreal cloud of my own, kept from reality by a small part of me that was still reluctant to believe that this is all actually happening.

These people had all come to celebrate me. On the day I came into existence 22 years ago. I have never felt so special :’)

They came right from work, from uni, from capoeira class. They came from the down the street, a short drive away, the other side of town. It was a working day, and I’m pretty sure everyone was tired from a long and hard Thursday, but they all showed up nonetheless.

I have the best-est friends in the whole wide world.

Emmy had even made me a homemade cake for the occasion. I have never gotten a specially-made- only-for-me cake before, it makes me want to cry just reliving the night through these photos.

It was topped with special sparkler candles, the sort I once offhandedly commented to the Ninja Rabbit that I thought were super pretty. That boy remembers everything ♥

There was more to the cake than just pretty surface looks. It was pretty on the inside too!

They remembered that I love rainbow cakes T_T Emmy’s cake is officially the prettiest cake I’ve ever gotten for my birthday.

I can’t even imagine how tedious it must have been to layer the different colours one on top of the other like that. I will forever love you, Emmy!

With a big sprawling pool right in front of us the whole night, it wasn’t long before it claimed a few helpless souls, hahaha.

Some didn’t have a choice.

Others were more willing.

I chose to go in with pride and dignity.

Least this way, I get to keep my hair dry hehehe!

People continue to surprise me everywhere I go.

My stint in KL had been a short one — I’ve been here only 5 years — it makes my heart soar to know that I’ve had the chance to meet all these people.

I remember most vividly my first two years here. I was constantly homesick, and was always packing up to board the first bus home first chance I get.

I’ve not realised it, but I’ve not felt that way in quite a while.

With the right people, anywhere can be home.

I’m glad that for this chapter of my life, I found it with these guys.

It may have taken a while, but I’m finally here. I finally belong.

I can’t ask for a better birthday than this.

Happy 22nd to me =)