Attending a Birthday Dinner of a Long Lost Friend

It's Monica's Birthday on 1st of September, her parents decided to throw her a birthday dinner in Country Club, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. She had invited me through Facebook event. I wasn't really that close with her. We went to the same school in primary and secondary. Great school. She was one of the famous Three Musketeers in the first class. A real smart girl and a bookworm too. But last night, it was a night to remember.

It was 6.52 when I departed from my house. I knew that I was going to be late, despite the fact that the event stated 7.00 pm. I was determined that Monica would have reached by then. Finally, I arrived at the destination. Spotted her father. I think he is. No doubt. Luckily, she wasn't there yet. Phewww.. She got lost on the way there. Her brother teased her by saying "she had been "American-ised" after staying in Seattle, United States for more than a year. I couldn't stop laughing. She literally took the wrong route all the way to the badminton court near Chow Chuen- The New Dim Sum Restaurant. XD

Jorene was the next to arrived. A sense of relieved washed over me. Someone I knew was finally here. WeeEE.. :D You can only imagine how grateful I was. Jorene is currently studying abroad too. Both Monica and Jorene were and still  very smart students. Chin Chon(CC) arrived. Apparently he's from Jit Sin. They were all from the same college previously.

Monica's mum invited us to enter the dining area. I was quite desperate to get in because I was drenched in sweat. Earlier I rejected her father's offer because I didn't know where to sit. You know, awkward moment do arise. TEE HEE

We had a bit of the chat and the electricity decided to trip right before Monica's entrance. How grand I thought. A well-planned surprise? Nahhh. Just a coincidence.

Once she entered, (*the room was still in dark condition*), I handed her her birthday present. I really hope she will like it. A purse with a cute Bling Bling ribbon. I went to Sunway Carnival Mall to get it. Whoops.. If she see's this, she'll go hunting for it. Wouldn't she? :D

Each and every one of their family members was really awesome. Sarcasm does not only come from adults but her younger brother at the age of  11. A really talented boy I must say. *Salute him*. There were 3 sweet young girls whom one of it was Monica's younger sister and the other two was her cousins if I'm not mistaken. Monica's family was really welcoming despite being different in race. Nope, not a problem at all. Noted: I love non-racist people.

The first dish was finally served and Mr. Ashwini asked if we could say grace. My first encounter having dinner with a Christian family for as long as I can remember. It was cool. We're cool. I'm cool as I was from a Buddhist family. I respect all religions prayers. I tilted my head down contemplating on whether I should close my eyes as well. Still contemplating, the prayer came to an end. Whoops.

Mr. Ashwini insisted that we, the guests started eating first. He said, "It is our culture to let the guest savour the food before we do". I was thinking of having elderly person starts first. Oh well, "makan sajalah" said Jorene. The first dish was "Wu Fook Ling Men" (five types of different dishes in a plate). Great scallops with celery, Fried eggs with Shark Fins, Dumpling, Kerabu (Mango) and one more which I cannot remember what was it. Sighhh.. I'm old. Second dish was "Kung Po Deer Meat" (fried deer meat in dried chillies). I thought it was chicken. Silly me. XD

The third dish was Fried Tofu in Spicy Curry Sauce. It was really good. Next, it was the Herbal Chicken wrapped in aluminium foil. Someone from the family teased CC in asking, "you should teach us the proper way to eat this". HAHAHA. Epic much as three of us do not know what is the proper way of eating Herbal Chicken. Do you? :P For me, as long as it ends in the tummy, I have no problem with how to eat them.

The fifth dish was "Fatt Thiu Cheong". A bowl made of fried yam with the filling of fried vegetables and fish balls.  Om Nom Nom~

The sixth dish was the Steamed Fish in Red Blended Chilli Sauce. Slight hint of lemon in the Chilli Sauce makes it really appetizing. I decided to scoop the best part of the fish, known to me which is the tummy of the fish to the grandmother. Wrong move I think when Mr Ashwini said, "She's the head of the family, thus she'll take the fish head". "Alamak!", was all I could think about. Monica's uncle said, "Nevermind, nevermind, you can scoop the fish from her plate and put it in yours". I commented and started laughing. Unsure of the reason but it was just too funny. ><

Along the dinner session, I came to know some of the experiences of studying in America. There are 51 states in United States. Monica said, "you can take a lifetime to tour around and cannot even finish touring". I was like Wow!. So much of being "bagai katak di bawah tempurung". And, most Americans are racists. Furthermore, be sure that your name does not have Muhammad in it.

According to Jorene, Seattle is a really cold place. Two years back, the snow was 6 feet tall. Can you imagine the height of the snow is deeper than the depth of a normal swimming pool. Luckily it did not occurred again while she's there. Whereas for Monica and CC, they are studying in Seattle, it wasn't so cold as compared to Chicago. Both the girls invited me to go America as they can provide me with the accommodations. I was nodding, unsure what reply I could give. *Money~ The exchange rate will be around RM3.80 I think.*

The seventh dish was the "Shang Min", fried noodles in starchy egg sauce with prawns and green vegetables. I was really bloated, as I took a lot of rounds of the noodles. It was yummy. A joke by the father. "Dig deeper" to scoop them. LOL.

Oh before I forgot, I asked Jorene.
Me:  "Do you wanna hear a two short joke and a one long joke?". *From Niga Higa*
Jorene: Sure.
Me: Joke, Joke, JOOOOOKKKKKEEEE. *accompanied with an annoying facial expression*
Jorene: *She gave me the Lame sign.*
Me: HAHAHAHHAHA!                                         *I think I got a Lame Award for it too. :O*

Jorene's turn.

Jorene: If this is one tree, *with her holding out one of her finger* what tree is this? *her holding out five fingers.
Me: Five trees.
Jorene: Nope. It's a "Palm tree".
BUAHAHHAHAHA. Sorry. I can't help it. If you had seen her expression. Priceless. :D

Finally, it was the dessert session. Sago in Honey Dew soup with Vanilla Ice-cream toppings. YUMMYY~
Monica's birthday cake was specially made to contain less sugar and no cream. I can't remember what is it. All I know was that it's a real pretty cake. Lots of miniature like panda, lion, ladybugs and marshmallows were on the cake. Not to forget lots of hearts too. Love is in the air!

A birthday song was sang. It was such a warm get-together. Monica made a wish and blew the lights of the candles off. Welcome to the club! Finally 20.  :D TEE HEE. We ate two slices of the cake each. Really bloated.

A picture was taken as a form of memory? P.s. I look fat in it. Ngek.

From left: Jorene, Monica, Me and Chin Chon
Below: 1Q84, Purse with Ribbon and a Bouquet of Flowers
This picture was stolen from Monica's facebook. :D

 A departing session with hugs and handshakes end the dinner. Monica's never ending smile is so cheer-y. There was never ending family love flowing throughout the whole dinner.  The grandma gave me a cheek-to-cheek farewell. AWWWW... sho sho sweet~ Jorene gave me a hug. Caught me off guard.  A warm hug and I liked it. :D It was great meeting everyone last night.

It was indeed a night to remember. Warm and fuzzy with me ended up returning home still feeling warm and fuzzy. Whoops.


Signing off with love from Purple Dino, Mwah Mwah :D