I didn’t mention that I received a book from my friends for my birthday, did I?
Anyway, a couple of them passed the hat around and bought me “Life and Death in Shanghai” by Nien Cheng. In fact, it was one of the books that I never failed to lift whenever I went to Pustaka Seri Intan, say, about once every other week. The book was not exactly expensive, it was about 40 bucks but being the kiamsiap person that I am, I rarely spend that amount of money on a book that I know I will only read once. I always say a little prayer and hoped that the price of the book would drop a little so that I would buy it. And, by the way, Pustaka Seri Intan is the only notable book store in KT, which pales in comparison with MPH or Times or even Popular.
So since I am still at it, maybe I should also mention about the weird “birthday celebration” that I had this year.
I sent J to the jetty to Redang on the day before my birthday - he carries out his samplings in the island. He usually goes in for a few days so I did not bother to ask whether he was coming out the next day to celebrate my birthday. I didn’t want to give him the impression that I demanded his presence on my birthday though I secretly hoped that he would come out the next day.
But he didn’t. He came out on the same day, after his routine samplings. Without informing me. So at the stroke of midnight, he called me but since the phone reception was bad in my room, he asked me to go stand at the gate for better service. So I did la. When I pulled open the curtain, he was standing right in front of me with a chocolate cake and a bouquet of roses! Boy, was I surprised..
On another note, my postgraduate friends also bought me a cake and waited for me to appear at the post-graduate room which also serves as our usual meeting point. I did not know they were waiting for me so I did not turn up la.
So the cake that they bought me sat in somebody’s fridge until the next working day. So my birthday cake became my belated birthday cake. I was so shy for causing all the unnecessary trouble that I just quickly made a wish and cut the cake.
But that was not all. For reasons that I have yet to ascertain, they did not give me the book present on that day. It was about one or two days later that I saw it sitting on my desk, nicely wrapped.
Anyway, to cut a long story short (I know it’s been too long), I celebrated my birthday over a span of 4 days. Jealous or not?! *winks*
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Happy Birthday!!
Hehhe.
pelf: Hhhee, thanks :))
I love love LOVE reading semi-fiction chinese historical autobiographies.
I have tried to read that book several times but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten past the first chapter. Now I’m working on Wild Swans by Jung Chang.
pelf: Jung Chang is also another writer I like :)) Amy Tan also :))
Nope, not jealous.
pelf: Muahahahah
Happy belated birthday!!!
pelf: Thanks you
So sweet of you 
wa! didn’t know that yesterday was your birthday. happy belated birthday!
pelf: Aww.. My birthda was more than 2 weeks ago, but thanks
sh*t. Did I miss something here while I was gone? When was your bday? Erm… Happy Belated birthday! Haha
Btw, awww… That was so sweet of J! I want a
mangirl to surprise me that way too! Hahapelf: It was on June 1st.. I hope I can remember to surprise you next year :))
Happy Belated Birthday!
I’m hoping to read Amy Tan’s “Saving Fish From Drowning” soon.
pelf: Hhahah, I thought you wanted to get me THAT book *winks* Anyway, I have quite a number of books queuing up to be read, but I just don’t have that time now..
Many happy returns! I read this book yonks ago, probably when you were still in diapers ;-) get the kleenex out!
pelf: I reckon you I am about your age la! Anyway, I read the synopsis at the back of the book and asked my friends why did they get me a such a sad book.. Kkeke..
oh right! I remember someone telling me his/her bday is on the 1st but I couldn’t find it anywhere in my email. Must’ve been you. Anyway, you already surprised me on mine haha =)
pelf: Yea, I remember you asked, but not sure why you asked again.. Wei, you’ve got short-term-memory-loss ar?!
Happy birthday Pelf!!!! So sweet la, is J your boyfriend?
pelf: Thank you Yvonne.. Yes, J is my boyfriend