My birthday party actually happened.
Which came as a pleasant surprise.
I had no idea where it was gonna be. Even my little sister managed to keep all the details to herself.
Was out with mom the whole day yesterday getting things ready. Door gifts, flowers, errands, hair, etc. Came home, got dressed and I followed dad to the venue.
Turns out they had booked The Bistro at Impiana Hotel (formerly known as Casuarina).
I think the only two words I can use to describe the whole thing are; classy and exclusive.
Less than fifty guests. All of whom were very close family friends and extended family. Only three of my friends from uni came over.
Everything started off well.
Went table to table saying hello to everyone. They've all seen me grow up. All of them. From the time I was in diapers, to when I was in dresses as a little girl, to my whole baggy jeans and big T phase as a teenager, to skinny jeans a fitted tops as I went to college and uni and now as an adult in a gown.
It felt so surreal.
Daddy said a few words just before dinner. He also said it felt like he was driving the bride to her wedding when we were in the car lol.
A.w.k.w.a.r.d.
Dinner was lovely. The food was amazing. They had pasta and spaghetti, all kinds of salads, lamb, chicken, seafood, creamy potatoes, cakes and pastries and everything. It was very well done.
After dinner I cut my cake.
I think we're all familiar with that awkward feeling of having to stand there with the cake totally unsure of where to look or what to do as everyone looks at you and sings.
Dressing up was quite a challenge. I'd never worn a gown like that before. Let alone something off white and so clean. Within two minutes of applying my make up I'd managed to smear a little on the dress.
Lucky for me the venue wasn't all that brightly lit. Or else.
I need to take it in for dry-cleaning before mom sees. 
And then came the accessories. The dress in itself was pretty grand. I'd initially refused to wear anything but earrings. But again there's mom. And the ring and bracelet came in. That's the same bracelet I got for my sixteenth birthday.
I was asked to say a few words, myself. Nervously, I walked up the little stage, got hold of the mike with trembling hands and sweaty palms and said thank you to everyone who'd come, thank you to mom and dad and thank you to God for not letting me fall flat on my face with my heels on. Someone ratted me out and told the DJ/emcee/one-man band guy that I could sing so he made me sing.
Drat it all.
I hadn't prepared anything so I just whispered out a few lines of 'Smile' originally by Charlie Chaplin whose rendition I'd heard by Josh Groban.
That was the guy. DJ slash emcee slash everything else in between. Nice guy actually. Very sporting, very friendly. He kept the whole evening going.
I got quite a number of gifts. Can't remember the last time I'd gotten so many at one go like this. I think it was for my sixteenth and twelfth birthdays.
But the thing about a milestone like this is that most of the time your guests aren't quite sure what to get for you so they end up giving you cash to get something for yourself.
>:)
But not the point.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Also received some lovely cards.
I have this thing for cards. Even if there's no gift I really don't mind but I love cards.
Carefully chosen off the rack at a bookstore just for you. Neatly written in. They're like time capsules. You get them. You keep them. And years from now when you open them again all the memories just come flooding back.
Also got a pair of gold loop earrings. Didn't manage to get a snapshot of that, unfortunately.
It was a wonderful evening. Absolutely wonderful. Even though I missed the dessert section during dinner.
But still.
Am very grateful for the people God has put in my life. I know this sounds completely cheesy and totally corny but I mean it.
By far one of the best birthdays I've ever had.
Now everyone's looking forward to the eventual wedding.
*Buries head in sand*
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