The best birthday

The news is out that I'll be leaving for Taiwan next month, the rumours are circulating that my birthday which is Jan 19 falls on the 3nd day of my Taiwan trip, such that I will not be able to celebrate that magical 21st birthday in the country closest to my heart. And where my closest companions are scattered all over it.

I will like to hereby, confirm that, all these rumours are in fact, true. The only errors are that the trip is not 100% confirmed and the birthday actually falls on the 2nd day, and not the 3rd day of the trip, unneccessary-but-just-for your information.

If you're sending birthday cards, cuddly SMSes, presents, e-mail greetings, gifts, planning to give birthday treats, well you have to do it before the 19th. The preferable date will be 16th Jan. Be proud of yourself and send me your warmest wishes on the 16th Jan. Love all of you.

I'm thinking of birthday celebration after birthday celebration with all my different groups of friends days prior to my departure. Celebration of life and humanity. Of relationships and how people feel connected to one another. It will be lovely with food and drinks. Small talk. Jokes. A little phototaking. Perfect.


Browsing through the pre-historic photo albums of my mother and before, her 21st birthday was a much more happening event. It was planned by her doting father whom I never got to see. Photos of fat uncles who use to be handsome and thin with retro hairstyles and weird jeans. Images of happy faces, ah-bengs and ah-lians of the 70s, fashion monguls. She was the favourite child among the 5 children my grandfather had. Only her 21st birthday was so carefully planned and tailored to my her desires. It was the best birthday because of a loving father who spends time and effort planning a special occasion for his baby girl, making her a true princess on her night.

On 19 Jan 2005, my mother will be lying down in bed, deep in prayer and alone. Thinking about me and perhaps the day she turned 21. The day she sees me in her. The day her father threw her the party of her life. Tears will well up her eyes. She will remember the joys of youth and the greatest love from her father. She will probably be thinking why her son did not have his party of his life. She will probably hate herself that she could not give me what her father gave to her. She probably sees her father in me. The unwritten tales of love. Reflections. Memories.

So on 19 Jan 2005, dun send me your heartfelt wishes. Cos that's the date for time, space, dreams and memories to collide in the web of love between three generations.