Five Years 4

July 10, 2015, marked five years since my most beloved maternal grandmother moved up into heaven to live with God forever.

I’ll never forget that night. I was asleep, but the ringing phone did wake me. Still, either parent must’ve answered the phone quickly, because the ringing ceased and I was hugging my teddy, waiting to fall back asleep.

Instead, my room door suddenly opened, the light was flicked on and both my parents entered the room. Mother crawled into bed beside me, holding the phone out. “Em, grandma needs to go to heaven now. Say bye to her. She won’t be able to reply you, but she can hear you.”

My heart must’ve literally stopped. Mother had only just returned from Hong Kong! I knew we were flying back to Hong Kong very soon to bid my most beloved grandmother farewell, because the doctor had said she had only about two months left to live, but I hadn’t heard anything about us needing to rush back!

I took the phone. “Grandma?” I said in a quavery voice. “This is Xiao B (my nickname has always been ‘xiao B’, which means ‘little baby’ in Canto). It’s time for you to go to heaven now, so I want to tell you how I will always love you the most, forever, no matter what. I really wanted to come back to Hong Kong and say bye to you in person, but I guess God needs you right now more than we do. That’s alright; hopefully we can meet again in heaven one day, and I hope that God looks after you well up there. Remember, that I will always love you the most, forever, okay?” Mother takes the phone from me and goes outside to continue speaking with the nurse who’d rung us, leaving dad to stay with me for awhile.

Dad pats my back comfortingly while I just lie there, numb. Eventually, he decides I must have fallen asleep and slips silently outta the room. But of course, I’m not asleep yet. Once dad leaves, I let the tears flow unchecked down my face and eventually silently cry myself to sleep.

Amazingly, the next morning mother gets up and goes to work. I’m surprised at her strength; me, I’d already told her that I wasn’t up to having Vincent the physio come for a home visit (this was back in 2010, before he and Kat jie jie had adorable Kayla) and thankfully, mother tells dad to ring and cancel the appointment.

When Tess, my morning carer from Kyabra comes at 10am, I tell her what happened. Guess she’s a fairly emotional person herself, because she immediately tears up too, lol.

I don’t really remember how the rest of the day unfolds, but at night, Uncle Calvin/Colbert comes and drives us to the airport. Before he leaves us, though, he also presses an envelope into dad’s hand, saying some church brothers and sisters have collected a little money for our usage, should we need it.

I’ve forgotten what the flight was like, what I ate or even which (if any) movies I watched, but once morning arrives and we touch down in Hong Kong, mother and I head for aunty Lai’s place in Chai Wan. I’m pretty clueless about where’s where in Hong Kong, but I can say with certainty that we live at the end of the blue MTR line. XD

When we arrive there, mother consoles aunty Lai, who’s obviously distraught. I think she’s got mild cerebral palsy? Something to do with how she got a very high fever when she was younger. She’s got a terrible stutter, anyhow.

I’ve also forgotten how most of the three weeks went by. Mother had to go to the funeral house, of course, to sort out the details for grandma’s funeral. I think dad accompanied her mostly, while I just sat in aunty Nga’s or aunty Lai’s apartment. Obviously, I wasn’t in any mood to go shopping, which I think is the usual must-do while in Hong Kong.

At the funeral house, I follow some caretaker/undertaker (or whatever people who work in those places are called) further into the building. There, underneath a sheet covering her lies my most beloved grandma. I lift up her hand and press it to my lips, kissing her repeatedly. Actually, all I want to do is throw my body over hers and hold her tight to me one more time, but I realise I can’t o that, so instead focus on pouring all the love I have for her into the kisses.

Lol, afterwards, mother gets an anti-bacterial wipe and wipes down my hands; she even shoves that wipe into my mouth! XD

Mother asked me did I want to sing a hymn for my most beloved grandma at her funeral; of course I did, in her memory! I chose her favourite hymn, Amazing Grace. Once we returned to Brisbane, for a good while afterwards, whenever that hymn was sung during English service, I couldn’t sing it without my voice cracking. I recall copping a few strange looks from the people sitting beside me, but back to her funeral.

On the morning of her funeral, we got dressed and travelled to the funeral house. Somebody was there handing out red packets and lollies. I asked mother what on earth was that for, and learnt there was only one dollar (a very minimal amount, considering one Aussie dollar’s worth about six Hong Kong ones) and a lolly, to help sweeten up what would obviously be a very sad day.

The pastor leads the service, and somewhere during it, mother whispers, “It’s our turn,” and she walks behind me to the front of the room with dad. Facing the audience, I say, “Hello, I’m Tsz Yin (my Cantonese name). I’ve lived in Brisbane for almost twenty years now, so my Cantonese isn’t that flash. If you have zero idea what I’m saying, feel free to poke the person beside you and whisper, “She said what??” After the laughter died down, I continue. “One of my grandma’s favourite hymns was Amazing Grace, and I’d like to sing it for her today.”

I was just about to start counting my parents in when, amazingly, the pianist starts playing the introduction of ‘Amazing Grace for us! I’m super impressed: originally, I thought we’d haveta sing the song a capella! You know, if there’s one person I’d really like to personally thank for helping out during my most beloved maternal grandmother’s funeral service, it’s the pianist; however, I doubt there’s anyway I can contact him/her because I don’t even know who he/she is! XD

For the first verse, we all sing together, then, for the second verse, dad stops and lets mum and I sing by ourselves. Then, for the third verse, mother stops and lets me sing the third verse myself. As I sing this verse, it’s all I can do to keep my voice steady. During those four lines, in my heart, I’m silently telling my most beloved grandma that I will always love her the most, forever, and that I promised her I’d keep trying to improve my mobility once I returned to Brisbane. I hoped she’d be proud of me; maybe she could tell her friends in heaven, “You see that young woman struggling and trying so hard down there? That’s MY grand daughter, you know!” and as I sang the final line by myself, I told her I hoped God would let us meet again in heaven. Then both parents join me to sing the last verse.

My dearest dad gives the eulogy. He tells the audience how my most beloved grandma told him to call her ‘mum’, same as what my own mother did. He also shared a funny story: once, my most beloved grandma buys a whole live crab back from the seafood markets, gives it to my dad, and tells him to prepare the crab for dinner tonight. Only thing is, my dad’s never prepared a crab for dinner before: he’s got absolutely zero idea where to start with the crab, which’s still sluggishly scuttling around! XD However, my dad’s a hands-on kinda guy. His solution? Hike over to the seafood market, watch a worker prepare (gut? I dunno the correct verb, sorry! XD) one crab, then he returns home and does a very passable job himself! Isn’t my dad smart? ;)

The pastor also stands to give a few words, then that’s the end of the funeral service. Our next stop’s the crematorium, where grandma gets cremated. When we arrive there, someone hands each person a white rose, which we all place on grandma’s coffin. I kiss my rose repeatedly, hoping that grandma will understand that those kisses are for her. I’m careful to avoid all the thorns, though, of course! XD

There’s a television mounted on the wall, where we can see the progression of grandma’s coffin into the furnace. Once her coffin disappears, that’s the end of the funeral.

We then gather at a yum cha place for lunch. I don’t remember what we ate, but one amazing thing did occur: Mickey called me by name! See, when we’d returned back in the beginning 2010 and met him for the first time, he’d learnt to call my dad ‘jeung jeung’ (in English: uncle) and my mum ‘yee ma’ (in English: aunty). I’d said to him, “Look, you little tyke, my name’s Emily, but that’s probably too long for you to pronounce, so just call me Em, okay? Em Em Em Em  Em.” The little tyke looked at me, but the closest he’d got was, “Um?” “No, you brat!” I’d screeched at him. “My name’s Em, not Um!” So he’d tried again. “Um?” I’m considering strangling (just kidding, of course! XD) the little tyke, when Aunty Nga comes over to me, “Oh, I’m sure he’s trying his hardest to call you Em,” she soothed me, “but his vocal cords just haven’t developed enough yet.”

“That’s okay, aunty Nga,” I sigh, “my dad can be ‘jeung jeung’, my mum can be ‘yee ma’ and I’ll just be ‘Um’.”

What I didn’t know, however, was that after the parents and I returned to Brisbane in February 2010, my aunty actually spent time teaching Mickey how to say my name! “Em,” she’d tell Mickey. “Your cousin’s name is Em. Not Um. Emily.”

So that afternoon, while we were sharing lunch together after my most beloved grandma’s funeral, Mickey and I both randomly look up, catching each other’s gaze. “You enjoying your food, brat?” I ask him. Mickey doesn’t answer for awhile. Then he opens his mouth and just says one word. “Emily.”

“OMG!!” I screech. “Mickey just called me!” So that’s the definite highlight of my trip back to Hong Kong that time: my little cousin said my name! Correctly, too! :D

One more thing took place before we returned to Brisbane: grandma had asked for her ashes to be taken back to Cheung Chau, the place where mother grew up, so that was our final trip before returning home. Mother had returned to the crematorium earlier to collect the urn containing my most beloved grandmother’s ashes, so that’s where we all went. Before we’d left for the crematorium, though, I’d crawled back into bed and asked mother please could I be allowed to spend just a little time with the urn containing my most beloved grandmother’s ashes. Thankfully, mother had said yes, and that morning, I’d curled myself around that heavy urn and whispered to my most beloved grandma again how much I loved her and that we were taking her to her final resting place in Cheung Chau soon. The pastor who’d led grandma’s funeral service and several others came also. We all watched as a … I have no idea what they’re called, sorry: the guy in charge of placing grandma’s jar containing her ashes up into its rightful place then sealing her shiny headstone up? We all watched him do that, and then made our final farewells. I really wanted to touch my grandma’s face just one more time before we left, but she was set up too high and I couldn’t reach! >< Luckily, my strong dad lifts me up there for just a second or two, so I can touch her face with my fingers, pass on the kisses that I’d given them, and say goodbye.

That signalled the end of our second trip back to Hong Kong that year. We returned to Brisbane soon after that.

It was hard to believe that my most beloved grandmother was gone for good. Never again would I hear her gentle voice; never again would I hold her tight to me. In a sense, I had only myself to blame for this: if we’d caught a plane straight back to Hong Kong the night after mother returned to Brisbane, would I have been in time to bid my most beloved grandma good bye, tell her I loved her the most, forever and to hold her tight to me one more time?? The reason we hadn’t, the only reason why we’d stayed several more days in Brisbane before returning only after it was too late, was because I’d been suffering from a slight flu, and mother wanted to wait until I was fully recovered before we went back there. So when I see her again myself (I don’t care if the cruel and unfaithful God decides to boot me to hell forever; I’m telling him he’s gotta lemme see my most beloved grandma once first, so I can check she’s doing okay up there and that God’s treating her well) I can only apologise profusely to her that I was so weak we had to delay our second return to Hong Kong. I hope she’ll forgive me.

For quite awhile afterwards, I couldn’t sing Amazing Grace during Sunday service without my voice cracking and me tearing up. Actually, for one year after my most beloved grandmother’s passing, I refused to sing during Sunday service at all. I mean, I was just so mad at the cruel and unfaithful God for taking away my grandma, I certainly wasn’t gonna sing any praise to him! See, she’d originally only presented and been admitted the hospital with pneumonia. You tell me, how the blazes did pneumonia suddenly become third stage lung cancer, unless the cruel and unfaithful God made it so?! ><

But I’m starting to get off topic here, so better draw this to a close. I’ve shed buckets of tears writing this post; I just can’t describe in words how much I miss my most beloved grandma everyday. God, you’d better be treating my grandma up in heaven like the QUEEN she surely deserves to be. I know that nobody’s perfect, but in my eyes, my most beloved grandmother certainly was.

Dearest grandma, I hope I’m doing you proud down here on earth. Hopefully you can see me and boast to all your friends, “You see that young lady struggling so hard down there? That’s MY grand daughter, you know!” Grandma, loving you the most forever and ever,

Cheers,

Em. ^^

P.S. Next post here maybe a movie review; several Sundays ago, Ray, Sisi and I all went to see the new James Bond movie, Spectre! Otherwise I’ll probably blog about how I spent my Christmas and Boxing Days~ Anyways, until then!

Xmas Greetings 2015

Greetings, everyone! Wow, just like that we’ve reached the end of 2015; half the decade has passed! Hope you and your family have enjoyed this year~

February the 3^rd tends to be a very sad day for me, simply because the cruel and unfaithful God so wantonly destroyed my life with the disabling brain tumour and subsequent stroke on that very same day, back in 2007. This year, on that day, I had an appointment to see my disability employment advisor. She was very perceptive, and after a few minutes in her presence, said. “You’re not your usual bright bubbly self. What’s wrong?” When I told her the real reason for me seeming down, her eyes widened in surprise. “Ooh, but today I’ve found you a job! Can you just put on a really good act and pretend nothing’s the matter?”

For a paid job, definitely! True, I became a telemarketer for only one month, and goodness knows everyone verbally abuses telemarketers like crazy, but it was a job I could complete sitting down and it got me a little pay (albeit a supported wage) so I was more than happy to be finally off the unemployment queue and rejoin in contributing to society! There were three especially memorable calls: the first one, the phone was picked up by a very little girl; I could tell by how high-pitched her squeaky little voice was, and adjusted my voice accordingly. “Hello, sweetie, is your mummy at home? May I please talk to her?” The little girl squeaked yes and called for her mummy; when her mother’s gruff, snappish “Yes?” came on over the phone, I launched into my pre-rehearsed speech, and just like that, she hung up on me! Lol, shutdown! XD

The second memorable call I got was to this old lady. Once I’d delivered my opening two lines, she screeched at me, “Slow down! I can’t hear what you’re saying!”

Well, fair enough. I’m aware that I talk quite rapidly, and over the phone to some stranger I was probably rather nervous and quite possibly going faster than a mile a minute, so I consciously slowed down my pace and continued. Two more lines later, she screeched at me again, “Hello! I still can’t hear you! Slow down!”

Was this lady perhaps hard of hearing? I’d already slowed down once to her! But hey, perhaps she really was old and slightly deaf, so again I talked even slower, continuing on with my speech. But that was to no avail, because for a third time, this cranky lady screeched at me, “Whatever are you saying?? I can’t hear you at all; slow down!”

Fine, enough was enough. I deliberately spoke every single word exceedingly slowly, leaving a long pause in between each word. “Ma’am … what … we … are …. offering … you … is …” *duut duut duut* Ok, so fair enough, this time I probably deserved to be hung up on, but in my defence, she was a bitch first! XD

My last memorable call was to this man of Indian descent. You know how when telemarketers ring you, they’re often Indian and you have no idea what they’re uttering to you? Well, this time, I think this Indian man was telling me about his solar hot water system, only I couldn’t make hide nor hair of what he was saying! I was thinking, dude, I’m the telemarketer here; you should be having trouble understanding me, but why can’t I understand you?? XD

In times past, my dearest dad has taken mother, our relatives/friends who are visiting from Hong Kong and I down to Byron Bay, where we all walk down the cliffs to the most easterly point in Australia. Obviously, what with the cruel and unfaithful God so wantonly destroying my life back in 2007, I haven’t been in any physical condition to make that trek down to the lighthouse. However, that Easter long weekend, when we arrive there, I see that a protective barrier has been built all the way around it, and decide that I’m gonna make it all the way down myself! Mother’s very sceptical. “Are you sure, Em?” she asks me. “Because even if you make it all the way down there, remember you’ve gotta climb all the way back up, too! I’d hate for you to collapse before you reached the top, because then your father and I would haveta call for the air rescue flight helicopter to come and save you, and then we’d feature for sure on all those television shows as the ‘stupid Asians’ that always get targeted!”

I laugh, assure mother that I will definitely be alright, and really do make it down all the way to the most easterly point in Australia! However, there’s the long haul back up that must be conquered next.

Nowadays, I must wear a boot over my left calf and ankle if I am to walk at all, because my demented left foot inverts (twists out) with every step I take. True, even when wearing the boot, my foot still inverts, but before it can go all the way it crashes against the side of the boot, which stops it from rolling all the way out. However, if I walk longer or further than usual, with my foot twisting out and crashing against the boot with every step, my ankle will start to hurt quite badly after awhile.

So here I am, hauling myself up step after each wide step (you can’t just ascend one step then another; you’ve gotta get over one and walk a few more steps forward before reaching the next one), my idiot ankle’s wailing with pain, when suddenly a man, a SHIRTLESS man, appears to us! “Would you like me to carry your daughter back up to the top of the mountain for you?” he asks mother. My saviour! I’m about to throw myself at this shirtless man and scream, “YES!” when my awful mother just snaps at him, “No. She’s training.”

“Are you sure?” the man double checks. This time it’s my dad who responds firmly, “Yes.”

So the man bids us all a happy Easter and goes on his way. Me, I’m stunned. I haul myself back up to our car and collapse into the seat before I finally regather my voice. “You just RUINED my Easter!” I screeched at mother. “Never again will I have a man – a SHIRTLESS man – offer to carry me up a MOUNTAIN! It’s all YOUR FAULT!”

Nowadays, every Saturday morning, when mother has gone to work, I have a carer come at 10am to help me out of bed. I tell my carer this tale when she comes the Saturday after Easter, and the following Saturday, when she comes back, she tells me she dreamt about my shirtless man at my front door!

“Ooh, tell me about him!” I ask her. “Mother says he looked really old and frail, so that’s why she wouldn’t let him carry me up the mountain.” (Mother’s an RN; she could’ve treated the man if he’d collapsed after carrying me up the mountain, but he’d have carried me up first, got it?? XD)

“Oh, no, he was really tall, dark and handsome!” my carer replies.

“Why was he here?” I asked her.

“He was looking for you.”

“Please tell me you let him in!”

My carer laughs. “What was the point of that, Emily? You’re not on a mountain anymore, so I just told him no, he didn’t have an appointment and closed the door on him.”

I screech at my carer, “What?? He could’ve at least carried me up the stairs! Sure, we’re not on a mountain anymore, but he could’ve just carried me up something! Oh gosh, Besta, you’re just like my mother: you ruined my Easter, and I’ll never forgive you!!” XD

Oh, one more quick story for 2015: I saw the Minions movie in GOLD CLASS! Recliner armchairs, baby! My only regret was that cartoons are only like ninety minutes long: one day, I’m gonna find a movie the Lord of the Rings length and see that in gold class! Now, wouldn’t that be luxury!!

Anyways, wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2016~ All the best for whatever plans and adventures you have planned, and hopefully we can stay in touch next year; thank goodness for Facebook, eh? ;)

Cheers,

Em. ^^

Xmas Wishlist 2015

Greetings, Santa! You haven’t heard from me for nearly one whole year; how’s 2015 been for you? I’ve always wondered … how do you spend your whole year, after you’ve done your epic present delivery route? Anyways, I’ve come up with a nice long list of things I’m hoping you’ll bring me for Christmas this year! Honestly, I’ve tried my hardest to be well-behaved … XD

(1)            BOOKS! Yes, this was the first item on my Xmas wishlist for last year; it’s probably the first item on all my birthday and Xmas wishlists every year! I subscribe to several e-newsletters from bookstores, and every time I receive a new edition, my wishlist grows by several items! My favourite genres are fantasy, science fiction and historical fiction, but I’m willing to give anything a try other than Mills and Boon. XD If you’re considering getting me a fantasy book for Christmas, may I suggest Clariel by Garth Nix? I read his Sabriel and Lirael novels when I was younger, and really loved them! Actually, I also really enjoy memoirs and autobiographies; if anyone’s considering getting me one of those books for Christmas, how about getting me the memoir of Luke Batty’s mother?? You know, the mother of that poor boy who got murdered by his father during after-school sports practice …

(2)            DVD – I’d like the season one DVD set of Chicago Fire, please! America’s already watching season three/four, but Brisbane only started season two in September! After stupid network Ten took House, M.D. off without airing all the episodes, I had nothing to watch for awhile, until I came across Chicago Fire! Oh, and if you’re doing your Christmas shopping at Big W, please head over to the entertainment section and buy me the Minion Madness DVD! Apparently, everyone who knows me also knows of my complete obsession with those awesome creatures~

(3)            Movies: For book club last year, we did Divergent, a fantasy novel that I really liked! An awesome book club lady gifted me the whole trilogy for Christmas last year, and I was really happy to find out that the second book, Insurgent, had become a movie; it was just unfortunate, though, that I couldn’t find anyone to watch it with me! >< I’m presuming the first book must’ve also been made into a movie, so someone please get me that too, okay? Another movie I’m interested about is ‘The Fault In Our Stars’; I vaguely recall reading this book sometime during book club this year, and would like to watch this movie also!

(4)            Pet – Luke Maccourt, you already ruined my Christmas last year by not giving me the minion-themed pet rock you promised to bring me! In your defence, your dad has said that you have at least painted a rock yellow, so may I hope that I will finally receive my pet rock this Christmas?? I do worry, though, because not only do you live very far away (I’m Southside; aren’t you somewhere in the north??), but your parents have gone to China and I may not receive my promised pet rock until they return on furlough, when, like, 2018??? XD Otherwise, may I please ask for two more pet goldfish? But I also need a heater with the fish tank so that my silly fish don’t perish from the cold, like poor Silver and Bronze did back in 2008! Yes, I am unfortunately guilty of involuntary manslaughter; I simply didn’t realise they were that fragile. ><

(5)             Teddy bear – Yes, you will also always get this item on my wishlists. All my teddies have names and yes, all are loved. <3 You can never have too many!

(6)            E-reader! I know people that enjoy reading from them, but I’ve never used one before. They sound interesting, though, and I’d like one for Christmas, please! I’ve zero idea how expensive they are, but I’m guessing they don’t come cheap? Actually, how much does a book cost when you buy a digital version of it to read, I wonder? Well, if they’re expensive, maybe several people could chip in together to buy me one? This can be the expensive present I’m asking you for, Santa; I usually add something high-priced onto my Christmas wishlist just for you. XD See, while the cruel and unfaithful God has left my poor left hand basically useless after He so wantonly destroyed my life with the disabling brain tumour and subsequent stroke, my right hand has lost a fair amount of dexterity, and often when I flip book pages I often turn two or more! I’m hoping using an e-reader will solve that problem~

(7)            Phone sticker: Will somebody returning to Hong Kong over the holidays get me this, please? See, I had an awesome blue cover over my phone, to which Joey had brought me back an Amish minion named Tim sticker from overseas for; unfortunately the cover broke and mother dumped it, sticker and all! My poor phone now is not only lacking a cover, but he has no name! >< XD

(8)            Cereal: you know, having Weetbix nearly every morning during Spring and Summer can get quite boring! Could someone please either get me a pack of fun cereal (it’s like eight little single serves of different – mostly unhealthy XD - cereal), or a box of that Milo Duo cereal? Actually, didn’t Nesquik put out a box of cereal too? I’d like to try that, please! (Just thought I’d better add in one unhealthy food item for you, Santa. XD)

(9)            Minion apparel – apparently, the ENTIRE church community of BCAC knows of my complete obsession with the adorable little yellow minions of Despicable Me; I’d love ANYTHING related to them, please! ^^

Well, that’s only nine items I’m asking you for Christmas this year, Santa! It’s already an improvement from last year; I only asked you for six things for 2014! Who knows, maybe next year for Christmas I’ll finally reach double digits; ten presents I’m hoping you’ll get for me! XD But you can worry about that next December; for now, your job is to send all your Christmas elves (i.e. all my Facebook friends XD) to venture forth and buy me Christmas presents!

Next post here … well, if I’m organised I’d like to get my 4^th ‘five years’ post out; yes, July the 10^th this year marked five years since my most beloved maternal grandma moved up to heaven to live with God forever. However, if I’m not organised, you’ll not hear from me until the 11^th, when I write my annual Christmas greetings to everyone! Anyways, until then~

Cheers,

Em. ^^

Halloween

Growing up in a Christian family, I’ve never celebrated Halloween before. Actually, I don’t even like eating pumpkins! XD

This story, however, takes place well before the cruel and unfaithful God so wantonly destroyed my life with the disabling brain tumour; in fact, we are still Bogans living in Logan! XD

It’s Halloween night, and the doorbell rings. I’m the one to answer it. Opening the door, I’m greeted by a small group of costumed-up kids. “Trick or treat!” they cry enthusiastically in unison, obviously expecting to be rewarded for their effort.

But uh oh, we’re out of lollies in the kitchen pantry. I hang awkwardly on the front door. “Uh, sorry kids, I guess I’ll have to take the trick; I don’t have any lollies at home right now.” I apologise to the youngsters.

Instead of replying, they look wordlessly at one another, then without saying another word, all turn in unison and flee.

“Wait!” I cry to no avail. “I’m sorry!” but they’re gone.

I close our front door and find mother, telling her what just occurred. Then I add, “For next year, please mother, can you stock up on some sweets? Just in case they come back, you know.”

However, somehow, we must have been blacklisted. NEVER AGAIN has ANYONE come trick or treating to our front door! Even when we evolved from being Bogans and moved out to Brisbane, no little kid has ever come knocking on our door come Halloween night asking for treats! Somehow, those poor kids that I unwittingly frightened away must have accessed some national database that notifies kids where not to go trick or treating and thus my house has been banned forever … yup, tonight’s Halloween but sure enough, nobody has come … XD

Next post here … maybe after book club? That happens on the second Thursday of every month and at the end of book club next month, we’re all going someplace for dinner to celebrate Christmas! So, until then~

Cheers,

Em. ^^

Big Hero 6

Last month, Pole invites me over to her place to watch a movie with her!

She wants to watch Big Hero 6. I’ve never heard of Big Heroes one to five before but figure if it can last till the sixth movie, it’s gotta be pretty awesome. Although I do wonder why I’ve never heard of any of the previous ones before, but fair enough, I tend to be pretty clueless about almost everything, so hey. XD

So Pole picks me up one Thursday arvo and tootles me over to her place. At first, I am slightly nervous that we will need to descend the stairs (the hand rail’s on the left, meaning I’m not totally confident that I can descend without tripping and falling forwards flat on my face XD) but upon entering see a comfy-looking couch facing a television and realise I’ve got nothing to fear.

I grab the seat to the most left (I’m sure I’ve explained before that among countless and almost numerous things, the cruel and unfaithful God has also taken away my left side vision, meaning if I’m seated not to the most left and someone sits further left than I am, I won’t be able to see said person unless I turn my face and look at them directly. Although I know I’m safe with Pole; it’s not like she’s suddenly gonna jump at me from the left and rip my head off. XD) and Pole pushes up the lever to make the foot rest rise; cool, I hadn’t noticed I’d sat on the recliner part of the sofa!

I jokingly apologise that I’d forgotten to bring along any popcorn that we could share and munch while watching the movie, but Pole says, “no probs, I’ve got some wong wong. Would you like a packet?” I’m unsure what ‘wong wong’ are, until she brings it over: what she calls wong wong are in fact those twin mini packets of MSG coated roundish crackers! I recall them from my high school days; mother used to buy them for my lunch; they were very popular for trading! From memory, I scored lotsa awesome and yummy (and probably all unhealthy XD) snacks from trading those things during school lunch breaks!

Anyways, here are all my favourite trivia, bloopers and quotes from Big Hero 6 courtesy of imdb:

Bloopers first:

-      The logo for "Project Sparrow" is quite clearly a member of the Apodidae family, probably a swift or swallow. (A/N: I’ll confess that unobservant me didn’t notice that at all! XD)

-      When Bay-max and Hiro are at the police office, you can see bay-max butting three pieces of tape on on each arm and you only see him take 6 pieces of tape. Yet, when switches frames he has a lot more pieces of tape on his hands, arms, and belly.  (A/N: I saw the trailer preview for this movie; this was one of the scenes shown! I think it’s one of my favourite scenes in this movie, but I’m just curious: how come baymax was so calmly and slowly patching himself up? I mean, if he didn’t cover his tears up with the sticky tape quicker; he’d die! XD)

-      When Baymax scans Hiro the second time, he states that he has no injuries and that the only diagnosis was "puberty". However, if you look at the blood pressure, it is 113/90 which is considered hypertension (high diastolic blood pressure). Anyone with health care knowledge would recognize as a problem. (A/N: Since when was puberty an illness? I can’t be that bad, I mean, I survived! XD)

Trivia next!

-According to Scott Watanabe, the movie is set in an alternate future where after the 1906 earthquake, San Francisco was rebuilt by Japanese immigrants using techniques that allow movement and flexibility in a seismic event. After the city was finished being rebuilt, it was renamed San Fransokyo due to it being a city with Japanese and American architecture combined.

-Baymax's movement and posing was modeled after studying the movement of baby with a full diaper. (A/N: Aww, how adorable. XD)

- The villain's name, Yokai, means "spirit" or "phantom" in Japanese.

- Originally there were going to be more villains in the movie besides Yokai. One was a group called the Fujitas. According to the Big Hero 6 art book, they were going to be a trio of deadly Geisha women each possessing a different weapon with movements inspired by the movements of snakes or koi fish. The second villain was going to be a Japanese TV Talk Show Host named Mr. Sparkles who was a child-like man devoted to world conquest. The last was a group of jet pack flying pilots called the Banzai Bombers.

- In Fred's library/museum, one of the small statuettes in the background book case is Elastigirl from The Incredibles (2004).

- In Fred's room, a Stitch-themed pillow can be seen on his bed.

- During the second meeting with Baymax, in Hiro's room, Hiro falls beside his bed, and items on his shelves begin falling on him. On the second shelf, there is a figurine of a Dalek from the Doctor Whoniverse.

- The Portal testing lab was meant to be located deep in the catacombs of Alcatraz, but was changed to an alternate version of Angel Island called Akuma Island. Akuma means "demon" or "devil" in Japanese.

- During one screen of the closing credits, a billboard can be seen in the upper left corner which features an purple octopus wielding a knife - an appropriate callout to Harryhausen's, the sushi restaurant in Monsters, Inc. (2001).

- The inflatable, vinyl, truly huggable design of Baymax is inspired by 'soft robotics' research at Carnegie Mellon University.  (A/N: Yes, Baymax looked totally huggable! I kept telling Pole throughout the movie that I wanted one of my own; she just laughed and replied, “I told you about it. Get someone else to buy you one.” XD But seriously, I would LOVE a giant inflatable friend like that!XD)

- Before deciding that Baymax was going to have an expression-less face, he was originally to going to have a face that only does five different expressions.

- Due to her accent, Honey Lemon is the only character actually pronouncing the Japanese name "Hiro" correctly. (A/N: Agreed! Before I checked out this movie online, I honestly thought the main character’s name was Hero! XD)

-The model of the design of Baymax's eyes is a Japanese traditional bell which is called Suzu. Don Hall, the director says that he got an inspiration when he visited a temple in Japan.

- Don Hall chose San Francisco as the choice of city to be blended with Tokyo's culture, because Los Angeles isn't a massive city, and New York is too common of an epicenter for the Marvel comic world. San Francisco also has many distinctive features that aren't offered in Los Angeles or New York.

-Fred mentions that he likes to make movies about himself in a rubber suit stomping on boxes. This is a reference to his original power: the ability to transform into a giant monster that can stomp down houses.

- The character known as Wasabi No-Ginger had his last name officially dropped from the film, and is known simply as Wasabi.

- This is the first Disney film to only show the title of the movie at the end and not the beginning.

- One of the few Disney Films that is partially owned by both Pixar and Marvel.

- Hans (Frozen (2013)) and Flynn (Tangled (2010)) are on the police station bulletin as wanted men.

- James Cromwell plays Dr. Robert Callaghan in Big Hero 6 and Dr. Alfred Lanning in I, Robot (2004), both characters are creators of the laws of robotics.

- Sang-Jin Kim, the first Korean to become the top animator at Walt Disney Studios and character design supervisor for Big Hero 6, revealed that the lead characters, although they were later given Japanese names, were originally envisioned as Koreans.

- In the opening bot battle, Hiro goes up against Yama, a very large man controlling a battle-bot; when Yama turns and shows his back, the Japanese character for "mountain" ("yama") is embroidered on his jacket, as a joke to his large, 'mountain-like' size.

- When Hiro is trying to get Baymax upstairs to charge him, when he comes back downstairs to talk to Aunt Cass a picture of Mochi the cat dressed as Stitch from Lilo & Stitch (2002) can be seen behind Hiro hanging on the wall.

- The clock in Hiro's room is at the time 2:15 the entire movie

-When Hiro first meets everyone at the college, Honey says her ball of carbide weighs 400 pounds. In reality, a ball of carbide measuring 36" in diameter (judging size from the film) would weigh over 14,000 pounds.

- In the back of Fred's room is a display case with two mannequins wearing the costumes of two lesser Marvel comics super villains. The blue mannequin on the left is of the Sub-Mariner villain "Orka", and the chicken themed one on the right is that of the voodoo priest villain known as "Black Talon."

- The words "Big Hero 6" are never spoken in the film

- HIDDEN MICKEY: The emblem of the make of the car driven by the heroes in the car chase midway through the movie is a stylized Mickey, consisting of 3 overlapping circles. (at round 47 mins)

- The portals strongly resemble those from Stargate. The military figure in charge of the project also resembles Stargate SG-1 (1997)'s General Hammond.

- According to Sang-Jin Kim, Baymax has a balloon-like face with eyes connected by a thin line that evokes the image of a 'moktak,' a wooden percussion instrument often used by Buddhist monks.

- Hiro's superhero suit is modeled after Priss from the "Bubblegum Crisis" anime franchise.

- The most challenging part of designing Baymax's super-suit was the wings.

- Is the first Disney film to be based on a manga series.

- The shirt Hiro is wearing is Baymax in his red battlesuit.

- The bot battle in the alley is a reference to the fact that San Francisco was the first city to hold robot combat competitions.

- While grabbing Hiro's collar preventing him from falling off the dock, Baymax states a common myth that you should "always wait one hour after eating before swimming". (A/N: Does that mean it’s okay to swim right after you eat?)

- The green color scheme for Baymax's prototype suit is a reference to his comic book counterpart.

-Early on in the film, when Hiro is struggling for ideas for the showcase, Tadashi tells him to "look for a new angle." During the film's climax, when it appears that the gang is about to be defeated by the Microbots, Hiro tells them to "look for a new angle."

- When Baymax first tests out his new rocket fist in Fred's mansion, the statue that it destroys is a statue of Hans from Frozen (2013).  (A/N: I’ve never seen Frozen before! Someone please teach me: is that movie worth watching?)

- In the science expo scene when the group takes a photo, each character is wearing something foreshadowing the future. Hiro, Gogo, Honey, and Wasabi are wearing the colors of their future costumes when superheros, Fred has a shirt with a image of his soon to be hero costume, and Tadashi is the only one who's wearing a black shirt foreshadowing his death.

-In Fred's mansion, a portrait of Stan Lee, Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics, can be seen as Fred's dad (and in a post-credits scene). As in all Marvel-related movies, part of the contract was to feature him in some way.

-Big Hero 6 contains a large number of hidden "Easter eggs" from other Disney animated features: Hiro's cat, Mochi, is wearing a Stitch costume from Lilo & Stitch (2002) in the picture hanging in the stairway of his house. Hiro has a figure of Wreck-It Ralph (2012) on his computer monitor. The arcade game Sugar Rush is seen in a arcade. At the police station, there is a wanted poster over the shoulder of the police officer that not only has Hans from Frozen (2013), but also one of the misdrawn pictures of Flynn Ryder from Tangled (2010). Stan Lee also make his obligatory Marvel cameo, not only in the family portrait, but also in the after-credits scene. Bolt (2008) can be seen in a picture (as noted above). Also the statue destroyed by Baymax's rocket fist is a statue of Prince Hans from Frozen.

- This is Alan Tudyk's third Disney movie in a row (Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Frozen (2013)). In all three films, he plays a bad guy. 

- In Hiro's bot fight against Yama, Megabot (Hiro's robot) is seen removing the arm of Yama's robot, using it to cause Yama's bot to attack itself. Then Megabot is seen punching Yama's bot rapidly in the head. This resembles the scenes in The Incredibles (2004), in which Syndrome's robot is destroyed by its own arm, and the scene where Dash punches a villain in the face rapidly. (A/N: The Incredibles was a good movie! ^^)

- This is the third consecutive Disney Animation Studios film to feature a plot twist in which an apparent good guy is actually the villain. The previous two were Frozen (2013) and Wreck-It Ralph (2012).

- Throughout the end credits, news articles show the future of Hiro and the rest of the team.

- In the first scene in the college lab, each one of the main characters are working on something that helps them in the battles in this movie. Gogo is making a speedy bike which later is added to her suit to make her faster, Wasabi is working on lasers which get turned into his arm blades, Honey is working on chemical orbs which later become her main weapon, and Fred shows his sign spinning which aides him in the final battle.

And finally, quotes!

-      Baymax: [upon fist-bumping] : Balalalala

-      Go Go: There are no red lights during car chases!

Baymax: [to Hiro, who's stuck and buried under a pile of action figures] On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?
Hiro: [irritated] Zero.
Baymax: It is alright to cry.
Hiro: No! No, no, no, no, no!
Baymax: [picks up Hiro and holds him like a baby] Crying is a natural response to pain.
Hiro: [jumps out of Baymax's arms] I'm not crying.
Baymax: I will scan you for injuries.
Hiro: [firmly] DON'T scan me.
Baymax: Scan complete.
Hiro: Unbelievable.
Baymax: You have sustained no injuries. However, your hormone and neurotransmitter levels indicate that you are experiencing mood swings, common in adolescence. Diagnosis: puberty.
Hiro: [surprised] Whoa, what?
[last lines]
Hiro: [narrating] We didn't set out to be superheroes. But sometimes life doesn't go the way you planned. The good thing is, my brother wanted to help a lot of people and that's what we're gonna do. Who are we?
[title card appears]

-      Baymax: [Hiro is trying to get him to run] I am not fast.  (A/N: If Baymax tried rolling, he probably would be! XD)

Baymax: [approaches Hiro after activating in his bedroom] Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion.
Hiro: [surprised] Uh, hey... Bay-Baymax, I didn't know you were still... active.
Baymax: I heard a sound of distress. What seems to be the trouble?
Hiro: Oh, I just stubbed my toe a little. I'm fine.
Baymax: On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?
Hiro: A zero? I'm-I'm okay, really. Thanks. You can shrink now.
Baymax: Does it hurt when I touch it?
[He reaches down to touch Hiro's foot]
Hiro: No, no, no, that's okay. No touching. I'm fine...
[Hiro trips over a toolbox and falls backwards into the space between his bed and his desk. He tries to squeeze out but realizes he's stuck]
Baymax: You have fallen.
Hiro: [annoyed] Ya think?

-      Baymax: [upon looking at how his new armor fits over his rather round belly] I have some concerns.

-      Wasabi: My brain hates my eyes for seeing this.

-      Hiro: [after flying on Baymax] I am never taking the bus again.

[repeated line]
Baymax: Oh, no.
Hiro: Okay. If my aunt asks, we were at school all day. Got it?
Baymax: [loudly] We jumped out a window!
Hiro: No! Quiet! Shhh!
Baymax: [whispering] Shhh! We jumped out a window!
Hiro: You can't say things like that around Aunt Cass. Shhh!
Baymax: Shhh!
[Hiro walks up the stairs. Baymax tries to follow and faceplants on the first step, then pops back up]
Baymax: Shhh!
Cass: Hiro? You home, sweetie?
Hiro: Uh, that's right.
Cass: I thought I heard you. Hi.
Hiro: [casually] H-Hey, Aunt Cass.
Cass: Oh, look at my little college man. Oh, I can't wait to hear all about it! Oh, and wings are almost ready.
Baymax: Weeee!
Hiro: [whispers] Will you be quiet!
Cass: Yeah, weeee! Weeooh!
[as Hiro desperately tries to push Baymax upstairs, unseen]
Cass: All right, get ready to have your face melted! You are gonna feel these things tomorrow, you know what I'm saying? Okay, sit down, tell me everything.
[She turns around and Hiro's not there]
Hiro: [hurrying back down the stairs] Um, the thing is, since I registered so late, I've got a lot of school stuff to catch up on.
[Loud thud]
Cass: What was that?
Hiro: Mochi. Ooh, that darn cat!
[notices Mochi rubbing up against his legs]
Cass: Well, at least take a plate for the road, okay?
[Hiro quickly tosses Mochi into his room]
Cass: Don't work too hard.
Hiro: Thanks for understanding.
Baymax: [petting Mochi] Hairy baby! Hairy baaaby!
Hiro: All right, come on.
Baymax: Health care, your pers... personal Baymax companion.
Hiro: One foot in front of the other.
[Baymax tries to step into his charger, and keeps missing the step]
Fred: Ah, welcome to mi casa! It's French for 'front door'.
Honey Lemon: It's really... not. (A/N: So what’s ‘mi casa’ really French for?)
- Hiro: I don't know... We don't know anything about him.
Baymax: His blood type is AB negative, Cholesterol levels are...
Hiro: Baymax, you scanned him?
Baymax: I am programmed to assess everyone's health care needs.
Hiro: YES, I can use the data from your scan to find him! (A/N: Are scans really enough to determine someone’s blood type? Don’t you need a sample? Think mother and I are A+, BTW. Dad’s AB.)
-Hiro: Actually, if we're going to catch this guy, I need to upgrade all of you.
Wasabi: Upgrade who now?
Baymax: Those that suffer a loss require support from friends and loved ones.
Fred: [laughs excitedly] Oh-ho yeah, I like where this is heading...
Wasabi: We can't go up against that guy! We're nerds!
Honey Lemon: Hiro, we want to help, but we're just... us.
Hiro: No. You can be WAY more!
- Tadashi: Wow, a lot of sweet tech here today. How are you feeling?
Hiro: You're talking to an ex-bot fighter. Takes a lot more than this to rattle me.
Go Go: Yep, he's nervous.
Fred: Oh, you have nothing to fear, little fella.
Honey Lemon: He's so tense.
Hiro: No, I'm not!
Honey Lemon: Relax, Hiro. Your tech is amazing. Tell him, Go Go.
Go Go: Stop whining. Woman up.
Hiro: I'm fine!
Wasabi: What do you need, little man? Deodorant, breath mint, fresh pair of underpants?
Go Go: Underpants? You need serious help.
Wasabi: Hey, I come prepared.
Fred: I haven't done laundry in six months. One pair lasts me four days. I go front, I go back, I go inside out, then I go front and back.
[Wasabi dry-heaves]
Tadashi: Wow, that is both disgusting and awesome.
Go Go: Don't encourage him.
Fred: It's called recycling.
-Hiro: People keep saying he's not really gone, as long as we remember him. But it still hurts.
-  Hiro: Professor Callaghan, let him go! Is this what Abigail would have wanted?
Robert Callaghan: [grieved and angry] Abigail is GONE!
Hiro: This won't change anything. Trust me. I know.
[Callaghan's expression softens into a look of regret]
Alistair Krei: [scared] Listen to the kid, Callaghan. Please, l-let me go. I'll give you anything you want!
Robert Callaghan: [enraged] I want my daughter back!
- Go Go: [riding on Baymax with the rest of the team] Killer view!
Wasabi: Yeah, if I wasn't terrified of heights, I'd probably love this. But I'm terrified of heights, so I don't love it! (A/N: I can sympathesise; me terrified of heights too. XD)

-      Honey Lemon: No, don't push us away, Hiro. We're here for you. (A/N: Now suddenly I’m craving some honey lemon water … nice name. XD)

Hiro: It's over, Krei.
[Without his mask, Yokai stands up and turns around to Hiro, revealing he is Callaghan]
Hiro: [shocked] P-Professor Callaghan? The explosion... you died.
Robert Callaghan: No. I had your microbots.
[a flashback shows Callaghan using Hiro's microbots to protect himself from the fire earlier in the film]
Hiro: But... Tadashi... You just let him die...
Robert Callaghan: Give me the mask, Hiro.
Hiro: He went in there to SAVE you!
Robert Callaghan: That was HIS mistake!
[Baymax comes over to Hiro, who is feeling betrayed and angry]
Hiro: [indicating Callaghan, darkly] Baymax... destroy!
[Callaghan looks at Baymax and Hiro, horrified]
Baymax: My programming prevents me from injuring a human being.
Hiro: Not anymore.
[Hiro opens Baymax's access port, removing Tadashi's health care disc and leaving only the fighting disc]
Baymax: Hiro, this is not what...
[Hiro slams the access port closed, Baymax's eyes turn red]
Hiro: Do it, Baymax! Destroy him! (A/N: Would this be around the climax of the movie?)
So yeah, guess I’m just a big kid at heart, because I really enjoyed this movie! Like I told Pole numerous times throughout the movie, I want a Baymax for Christmas! I mean, who wouldn’t want a giant inflatable huggable can-do-like-everything friend?? Alas, Pole was unhelpful: she said since she introduced me to him, ‘twas up to somebody else to get me one for Christmas. So whoever’s reading this post right now, the onus is on you to get me one for Christmas! XD Oh,  I may have mentioned this before, so apologies if I have, but how come I kept hearing Baymax being called B-max? I don’t think I’m deaf …?
Next post here … think I’d better write my ‘five years’ post for the next five years; yes, july this year marked five years since my most beloved grandma moved up into heaven to live with god forever. Anyways, until then~
Cheers,
Em. ^^

Birthday Celebrations 2015

Well, that’s another birthday over and done with and now I can say I’m officially in my late twenties. Being twenty-seven last year, I could get away with saying I was in my mid-late twenties, but once you reach twenty-eight, you’re definitely in your late twenties.  Cripes, I’m feeling ancient! XD

Mother had gone back to Hong Kong by herself for two weeks to spend time with her side of the family at the beginning of March, and initially I’d been fretting, saying, “But mother, it’s my BIRTHDAY on the twentieth!” Mother had only calmly replied, “I’m aware of that. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in time for your birthday.” I’d just grouched, “I bet you won’t. Some ‘emergency’ will arise, and you’ll ring back to say, “Oh, sorry, I can’t come back to Brisbane after all. You spend your birthday by yourself.” XD

As usual, I’d tried contacting several school friends to see if they were free to celebrate. With one primary school friend, Cass, we enjoyed lunch together at the Underwood Coffee club, and I FINALLY enjoyed one whole plate of yummy eggs benedict to myself without having to halve with mother!! :D Lol, my previous food goal was to get to eat one whole plate of food from Sunnybank Oriental/Dong Fong without having to doggy bag away half for afternoon tea; that goal was met when I went with Merry and Jason for lunch there one Sunday afternoon!

Usually, the parents and I take a short holiday somewhere around the end of January, when dad’s work is at its quietest. However, we didn’t go anywhere this year, because mother had planned to return to Hong Kong. Instead, she offered to take me on a short trip somewhere for my birthday!

Mother planned to go to Coolum. See, I’d been there back in 2004 back for my year twelve school camp, and I’d come back telling mother that the beaches were beautiful and that if I ever had the chance, I’d take her there one day. Obviously, what with the cruel and unfaithful God so wantonly destroying my life with the disabling brain tumour back in 2007, I of course wasn’t in any physical condition to take anyone anywhere, but I accepted her offer, because mother would be able to take a stroll at the beach herself and see how pretty Coolum really was.

Mother had originally planned a two/three night stay, but I talked her out of it because (1) I wanted to enjoy my fortnightly Garbo shopping trip with my carer/life coach/support worker/whatever they’re called now :P before going there and (2) the first FX for 2015 was on the Friday night (my actual birthday) and I really didn’t wanna miss that!

But first, she had her trip back to Hong Kong first. On the night that dad and I were to pick her up, I spent like 1.5 hours watching You Tube clips on the television, because dad had booted me offline earlier, saying he didn’t want me staring at close-up things for so long.

When we finally got to the airport, dad pulled up at the pick-up zone then got out, instructing me to wait while he brought mother back. When I saw mother coming towards the car, I immediately got out and gave her a huge hug! Then I held her at arm’s length, and said, “Wait, are you all still here? Lemme check: a head full of hair, four eyes, one nose, one mouth, open your mouth so I can see you’ve still got teeth; now, gimme your hands … have you still got ten fingers? Alright, I’ll count your toes tonight when we get back home and make sure you’re all still here.” XD

Soon, it was the Thursday to set out on my birthday trip to Coolum! We left in the arvo, after I’d enjoyed my fortnightly Garbo shopping trip with Roxana. Traffic was smooth and we made good time to the holiday place. Once at the resort, the parents hopped out to check in, while I stayed in the car.

When mother comes back, she reports that we’ve been given a free upgrade! See, we’d originally booked a single room and just noted the place we’d have to drag in an extra bed to accommodate the three of us, but we’d been given a free upgrade to a bigger room that had two beds! I went, “Cool, mum, did you tell the manager it’s my birthday tomorrow and so he gave us a free upgrade?” Mean mother sneered back, “Of course not; you’re not that special. We only got a free upgrade because they’ve got vacancies right now and they can’t be bothered moving a trundle bed into a smaller room for us.” Lol, like I cared; a free upgrade was a free upgrade!

We hiked upstairs and checked the place out; it was very nice! I was most impressed with the little jet spa bath located in the bathroom; I was definitely using that, since we didn’t haveta pay the water bill! Mother was very sceptical at first. “I dunno, it looks too high for you to get in…” but I reassured her that I’d manage just fine, if dad stayed behind me.

After checking out the place, mother went to explore the beautiful beaches I’d told her about, while I watched television. I was very impressed: our hotel came with Foxtel! I spent the afternoon watching some rugby league commentary show.

Come dinner time, dad drove us to this main street that’s supposedly internationally famous for its night markets. “Yeah, it’s so famous I’ve never heard of it before!” I scoffed. XD

But first, there was dinner to be had. We passed by several random takeaway stores, but in the end, decided on Pizza Capers! Yummo~

After that, we wandered the night markets. I saw some ornamental wooden name plaque that I really liked and pointed it out to dad, who suggested, “Try asking the seller for a discount.”

So once I had the fella’s attention, I told him, “My name’s Emily, and I really like that plaque there. Can I have a discount, please?” The guy laughed, saying, “Well, I can’t give you a discount on the plaque itself, but you see this pretty strap? You can use it to hang the plaque up on your door. Normally it’s three dollars, but I’ll give it to you for free if you buy the plaque.” Done deal! Afterwards, carrying my wares back to the car, mother again sneered at me, “The guy probably offers that to everyone just to get them to buy the plaque.” Again, I didn’t care in the slightest; I thought the plaque was really cool!

So, home (well, hotel), bathroom, bed. Goodnite and zzz.

I awoke the next morning around 7:30am. Heading towards the loo, I’m intercepted by dad, who holds a chocolate cake under my nose. “I found it!” he crows, obviously very proud of himself. See, I have physio at UQ every Wednesday. After my hour of therapy ends, I bump into a bunch of old ladies arriving to take a balance class. Mother has asked them to encourage me in my physio, so often when I leave they’re like, “Oh, you’re doing so well” and “Keep up the good work!” When I told one of these ladies (I think her name’s Jill) that it was my birthday on Friday, she squealed excitedly, “Ooh, are you going to have cake?” and when I answered her, “I sure hope so!” she told me, “Then you MUST get a choc orange cake. They are simply the BEST.”

Anyways, my dearest dad being an early riser, he’d wandered to some local bakery somewhere and really found me this cute little choc orange cake!

I honestly can’t remember how we spent the rest of the day, but by the arvo dad had tootled us safely back home, I’d taken a shower and tootled online. Mother had hit the sack upstairs and dad was upstairs also, although I’m unsure what he was doing up there.

I was born at 6:22pm, and come 6pm, when neither parent had ventured downstairs, yelled upstairs, “Hey, if you’re not coming downstairs to celebrate my birthday with me, I’m coming upstairs to find you at 6:20pm in time for my 6:22pm birthday!”

My dad comes downstairs and says, “Mum’s still upstairs talking to the solar hot water guy. I think she’ll come down soon.”

But she doesn’t! At 6:20pm, I shove back my chair, determining I’m gonna hike upstairs and find mother so I can pass my birthday with her, but dad says not to. “Don’t worry, he reassures me, he’ll wait for it with me. See, isn’t my dad the sweetest? <3 (yes, I’m a bona fide daddy’s girl ^^)

And the clock suddenly ticks over to 6:22pm! “Dad, I’m born!” I yelp, and for the sake of it, emit several baby cries. XD Dad laughs, walks over to the computer where I’m seated and gives me a gigantic hug and kiss. “Happy birthday,” he whispers into my ear.

Later, when mother comes downstairs, having finally gotten off the phone, I snipe grumpily at her, “What, you really couldn’t have gotten off the phone for just twenty seconds to pass my birthday with me??” she just snipes back, “I was trying to fix our hot water system, or are you wanting to take cold showers for awhile now?” Haha, I wouldn’t: I’d have a bucket shower instead! You know, boil kettle of water, mix with cold water (you test the temperature on your elbow, of all places, to make sure the water’s not too hot; I never knew that!) then tip over person. XD

Anyways, that night was our monthly FX!

 After dinner, I get tootled to church. Sitting down on one of the most left-hand side seats (the cruel and unfaithful God also took away my left side side vision, amongst many other things, and I feel slightly nervous whenever I sit and there are people more to the left than me, because it means I can’t see them), several people wander over and wish me happy birthday.

I will sheepishly confess that, because I’m writing this almost six months after my birthday, I’ve forgotten what the topic was, but I’m sure I learnt lots!

Even better, afterwards Tim and I got a birthday cupcake each! I can’t remember did I ask were people gonna sing ‘happy birthday dear Emily and Tim’ or ‘happy birthday dear Tim and Emily’, but we sang the latter.

Only did you know, that wasn’t the end of birthday celebrations for me!

I believe everyone who knows me also knows of my absolute obsession with the Despicable Me minions; last year, when the Minion movie trailer was first released, I had three different Facebook friends all post the link onto my Facebook wall; to all three, I screeched excitedly in reply, “Yes!! MUST watch!!” Even better, a friend, Donna Baker (well, she’s actually mother’s friend; they met when studying childcare together and mother already had her nursing degree; later, Donna gets a nursing degree also!) offers, “How about I take you to see that in gold class?

I’ve never seen a movie in gold class before; isn’t that when you get to sit in really comfy seats and can order food? When Donna replies yes, I almost implode with excitement, say yes, please take me and isn’t it June 2015 like tomorrow?? Donna laughs and says it’s only like July 2014 and that I’ve got about one year to wait. Still, three months after my birthday this year, Donna contacts me over Facebook and shares two photos with me: one is a photo of our GOLD CLASS tickets, and the other seems to be some kinda outfit. I ask her what the clothes are for, and she replies that she was bought me a costume to wear to the movie; how exciting! I only have one question: Um, why did you buy me a Spongebob Squarepants jumper? Donna: Oops, I just saw it was yellow and thought it was a minion! XD Not to worry, problem easily fixed and jumper switched for a minion one. XD

We watch the movie at the Garden City cinemas; before that, I only knew you could watch gold class at Carindale!

Donna was awesome: apart from buying me a costume to wear to the movie, she also bought me a fireman minion! He’s got three sirens attached to him; when pressed, he’ll go, “beedoo beedoo beedoo!” and the sirens will light up!

So after a loo trip to get changed, Donna tootles us off to the Garden City cinemas! Turns out the gold class section is to the left of all the other theatres; when we arrive there, Donna uses her mobile to take a selfie for us under the gold class sign, just to prove that we were actually there. XD

And I’m super-impressed: you sit in RECLINER ARMCHAIRS; talk about luxury! After I find the lever to prop the footrest up, Donna takes a photo for me and I immediately Whatsapp it to mother, saying, check this out! Even better, for that particular session, we have the ENTIRE CINEMA to ourselves!!

The movie itself was awesome; I mean, what’s there not to love about the minions?? I’m not really sure how much Donna watched, though; the few times I glanced over at her, she was busy typing away at her smart phone! XD

For that occasion, Donna had ordered us both an ice cream sundae; when we’d arrived, I’d first checked with the movie attendant that there weren’t any nuts included in that sundae. Nope, all safe. We’d asked for them to be brought to us at the beginning of the movie, and when they arrived, we’d both taken photos of then tucked in lest they start melting. I’d giggled to Donna, “I sent the photo of the comfy armchair I’m sitting in to mother, but I’m not gonna send her this photo; if she sees it, she’ll never lemme eat ice cream again!” XD Later, though, I did Whatsapp it to Aunty Deana, along with the caption, “If you show my mother this, my life is forfeit.” XD

After the movie, Donna gave me a hand to the loo, where I managed just fine by myself. Then it was lunchtime! I’d heard Warrigal Square had recently opened a new HK-style café just opposite Woollies, and asked Donna how about lunch thee? She agreed, but only after arriving did I learn she’s actually allergic to MSG!” Oh, you should’ve told me earlier,” I groused at her, “we could’ve gone somewhere we could both eat!” I also check with her that, if she accidentally consumes some MSG, she won’t suddenly explode/combust/anything drastic like that, because like I warned her, if she suddenly has some kinda reaction, I have absolutely zero medical knowledge at all; all I’d be able to do would be to ring triple zero and scream for help. XD

I ask the waitress showing us to our table what the set meal is for today. “Chicken fried udon,” she begins, and I’m thinking, “Score!” but then she finishes, “in XO sauce.” Dulp, I can’t eat spicy food. Instead, I trawl through the menu and choose a roast pork baked rice with a cold milk tea. It’s beyond delicious and even better, Donna lets me eat the whole thing in one go and doesn’t demand I doggy bag half home for afternoon tea! :D For herself, Donna orders a plate of spring rolls. I watch her carefully over lunch, and phew, she shows no sign of exploding/imploding/anything dramatic like that. XD

Only by the time she drops me off home, she’s in a rush to get to work! A quick hug goodbye, a huge thanks, and I’m left to make my tentative way back to the computer, which thankfully I make safely without having to land flat on my butt.

And thus ended my birthday celebrations for another year! I really don’t understand Jehovah’s Witness people, who don’t celebrate birthdays: what’s not to celebrate about the special day when you first popped out into this world?

I will confess to feeling slightly nostalgic, though. With Despicable Me coming out in 2010, Despicable Me 2 coming out in 2013 and the Minions movie coming out this year, that’s presumably the end of the franchise, and I will haveta find something new to obsess over. Well, all good things must come to an end…

But wait, there’s more! I just opened the Internet Movie Database website to check out the release dates of Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, and apparently there’s gonna be a Despicable me3 in 2017!! *explodes with excitement* my obsession with the minions may be able to continue!! XD

Well, my only gripe about watching this Minions movie in gold class was that it was just too short! Ninety minutes relaxing in pure luxury surely can’t compare with finding something Lord of The Rings length and watching that in gold class!

Well, I’d better draw this post off to a close; I’m starting to waffle on about everything else here but my birthday. XD Let me just say that I had an awesome time celebrating my birthday, and I will try to accept being someone in my late twenties gracefully!

Next post here … well, our church camp happens very soon; maybe I’ll pen something about that afterwards? Anyways, until then~

Cheers,

Em. ^^