Planning for a birthday surprise is definitely more exciting than executing it, because execution is such a nerve-wrenching experience!

Planning.
Actually already had steamboat as birthday celebration. And as I promised a treat for me passing the exams (because I took up the bet that if I pass I will treat), Mr Birthday asked when the treat will realise. So on Monday I decided that I need Monday and Tuesday (which in the end I OT-ed) to rest and try to recover. So it was eventually decided on Wednesday, a day before the actual birthday. Which is good since its better to clear all the d-e-b-t-s before CNY. Scrambling for birthday cake on Monday. I dont want jus any off the shelve cake jus for the sake of a cake. I wanted a nice cake that Mr Birthday will enjoy. I think this is all the meaning of it. Not about how expensive the cake, but really that the one celebrating the birthday can feel the birthday joy. Surfing the websites of so many bakery near my office, went into so many shops to look at the type of cakes while on my way home. So many bakery needs 3 days in advance if I dont want a off the shelve cake. I didnt know that! I wanted to place an order for a blackberry cake from the bakery that did my one and twenty-first year old cake, but it was too late. I saw this Gold Bar Mango Pudding (supposedly due to CNY) from Crystal Jade Bread. Hesitated about whether to get it. Since I have some serious doubts of a nice mango pudding. In the end I went home on Monday still surfing around for a cake.

Tuesday saw me coming close to a Orange Chiffon cake. But was fed up that because it was CNY, they had to increase the price of the cake by almost 40%. I gave up on that cake. Then in the afternoon I decided the Gold bar is the closest to perfect since Mr Birthday would want to make more $$$ and loves mango too. Paid but asked to pick up the cake on Wednesday. Asked for 3 big candles that represent Big 30, even though it was 3 years short of that. Stupid me was so afraid that I will totally forget about the cake so I had to place a reminder in my phone that rings at Wednesday 6pm to ask me to pick up the Gold Bar. Haha.

Execution
Wednesday finally came. Tried to time the time Mr Birthday leaves the office and the time I need to get the cake and get there. I need to be slightly later. Gotten no call from Mr Birthday so after I picked up the cake, I asked for the whereabout. In Topshop shopping. Haha. Like that how, if Mr Birthday does not gets into the restuarant before I do, then there is the likelihood of bumping into each other as well as the cake. Then everything's gone.

At the road junction I told myself, calm down. If everything goes well, things will go well. Really like a few seconds later Mr Birthday called to ask where am I and that he was about to enter Sushi Tei. Great sign. Go in and sit, I am at the road, coming soon.

So excited and nervous that I went to the wrong side of Raffles City and realised how come Sushi Tei is gone. called to ask where is Sushi Tei! Bimbotic me.

Finally found. Went in and told the staff that I would like to place the cake there and I will come out the next moment to lit it and bring it in myself. Initial thought was to get them to bring it in but I think its more sincere I do it. And I never quite done such things before so I think its a nice try. The staff was patient but confused with what I want her to do with the cake. Explained then rushed in and put my stuff. Said that I need the toilet and excused myself before Mr Birthday can even say anything.

Got the pudding out from the box, hands were trembling while placing the candles. Excellent that the staff has this magical lighter because I have absolutely no idea how to get a normal lighter to work. The air conditioning is quite strong such that the flames threatened to die off. Jus have to try and balance myself on that slightly-high heels.

I think I was nervous but too cool. I placed the cake on the table with one candle already fused. One staff came over to lit it (thats nice of her). Mr Birthday said its unique, never see the cake before etc... Blew the candles, cut the cake, eat the cake.

Phew! I completed a birthday surprise.

In almost like some matching brotherly black (mine's grey) and white stripped top (mine's a dress).

Quite fun. Very nervous. Am too cool and expressionless.

Ended with me trying to swallow (read: drown) ALL the pills down the throat in some Coffee Club. I was told I need to get choke insurance.

The cake. The familliar taste in a bowl. The slightly unfamiliar noodles. The jokes. The gossips. The I-dont-know-where-I-am-bad-with-directions. The beautiful glass bridge in the night. The calm water. The Coffee Club. The green apple and mint soda. The Opera. All the secrets.

Happy Birthday.

Photos tomorrow. Sleep!

P/S: I cant live without my ipod.

PP/S: I am excited about going to US.

PPP/S: Next up, donuts!