Woah, with less than one month left until I turn 33.5, I’d better hurry up and pen (well, type XD) this post about how I spent my birthday this year!
So, thirty-three. When I was eleven, I was still only doing
primary school (grade six – yes, I’m old enough that high school didn’t start
until grade eight XD); when I turned twenty-two, I was less than one year out
from being released from the insane asylum (more commonly known to everyone
else as the Brain Injuries Rehab Unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital XD)
after the cruel and unfaithful God totally destroyed my life with the disabling
brain injury the year before and look, suddenly I’ve already reached the ripe
old age of thirty-three! Wonder what I’ll be like when I’m forty-four,
fifty-five and sixty-six? XD Actually, I’ve known good people who’ve passed
away before reaching sixty-six … sobering thought.
But I digress! Here’s how I celebrated my birthday this
year:
Firstly, I love how last year my friend told me that you
were allowed to celebrate your birthday for the entire MONTH and not just the
day itself! That’s March all sorted, then. XD
As with previous years, my first birthday celebration starts
on the second Thursday of the month, when I attend the 3rd edition
book club at the Logan North library. On arrival, I’m immediately presented
with a present from one lady and two cards (one homemade) and feel very loved~
Happiness was beginning the day with an awesome sleep,
meaning nature didn’t call until the noisy garbage truck THUNDERED down our
road to start tipping bins @
Since my birthday fell on a Wednesday last year, this year I’d
presumed it’ll fall on a Thursday but whoops I forgot: since it’s a leap year
my birthday skipped a day and it’s actually happening on the Friday, not the
Thursday! Sweet, I didn’t have physio on my birthday this year. XD
Instead, mother took me to
Cake chosen, our next stop is outside to Mosburger, where I
got my free birthday burger for lunch! Our final stop at
Next, mother tootled me off to see Aunty Ann for my weekly
massage. This practice originated years ago, when one night a carer/life coach/support
worker/whatever they’re called now XD had taken me out to Garbo for the late
night shopping. I’d had zero idea what to buy for mother, but my carer suggests
why not buy her a voucher for a massage? Turns out mother enjoyed her massage
so much; she started taking me for one too! Originally I went to where I’d
bought her the voucher, Chi Link at Garbo, but after she found out about Aunty
Ann we went to her place instead because we all speak Cantonese and could
understand each other! I particularly enjoy Aunty Ann’s firm ministrations;
mother particularly enjoys yapping her head off to Aunty Ann. Seriously, for
someone who constantly ‘claims’ that she’s a ‘quiet’ person, I’ve never seen
anyone enjoy yapping as much as my mother! XD
After seeing Aunty Ann for a comfy massage, I always visit
the bathroom once and then sit down at their table to drink almost one cup of
water. Today, after doing that I feel particularly loved, because Aunty Ann
also passes me an envelope; inside are a birthday card personally signed by
both her and Uncle Tai and a voucher for the Coffee Club for ten bucks!
That afternoon, Kim’s the carer/life coach/support worker/whatever
they’re called now XD who helps me out a bit with personal care. After I
shower, she tootles me down to the Warrigal Square Hakataya and I get my free
bowl of birthday noodles with one extra serving of ramen! Kim orders herself a
bowl too; we wile away the time just chatting~
By the time she gets me back home, it’s time to sign her off
and say my thanks and byes.
Earlier that morning, when dearest dad had come to kiss me
bye before leaving for his hard day’s work, I’d reminded him that I was born @
6:22pm so any chance he’d make it home in time to celebrate that special time
with me? Dad promises he’d try his hardest to be back home but no guarantees!
Come
Fast forward seven minutes, and I’m officially born! Raising
both arms (unsure why mother simply refuses to understand how much effort it
takes me to do this just because for her it’s like second nature) lest mother
bite my head off for only raising the right, I cheer, “Woo hoo! I’m officially
thirty-three!” Mother commands, “Get up! I want to give you a hug.” Oh sheesh,
woman, can’t I just hug you sitting down? But she’s super-demanding and so I
reluctantly stand up quickly, giver her a brief hug and sit back down again.
“STAND BACK UP!” Mother thunders. “I haven’t finished
hugging you yet!”
What the heck?! I already hugged you standing up; what do
you want this time? However, fearing that she will spoil my birthday, I
reluctantly stand up again; this time, mother catches me in a death grip around
the neck.
After about ten seconds, I grouse, “If you don’t lemme sit
back down and my birthday has passed by the time my butt’s back on the seat,
I’m gonna tell everyone that you spoiled my birthday for me.” Post disabling
brain injury, I do most things seated (i.e. I even shower seated in a shower
chair) and when necessary I can walk short distances but the hardest thing for
me’s just standing.
Mother spitefully hangs onto me for at least another ten
seconds before finally releasing me. I immediately plonk my behind back into
the chair and then quickly glance at the clock. Phew, still
Next I reach behind me to the computer chair, where my
biggest teddy (Giant’s 90cm tall!) was seated with his beaming face. Picking
him up, I give him a huge hug, cheering again, “I’m officially thirty-three,
yay!”
Awhile later, dearest dad returns home from walk. When he
greets me, I ask him how come he didn’t make it home in time for my birthday?
Dad just shrugs, explaining that he was busy, but he’s home now and will take
me out for dinner to celebrate my birthday, alright? Yay for that; I think it’s
the first time I’ve been lucky enough to have both lunch and dinner out in one
day!
Any chance I’d get to choose choice of dinner place? It IS
my birthday, after all …
Lol, nope. Dad tootles us off to the Sunnybank Hills Sports and
Community Club for dinner. We started going there around last year … I made
friends with the security dude who drives a gulf buggy around the area and
carts tipsy passengers back to their cars! Once when I was making my
disable-gaited way back to the car park, I saw him sitting inside his buggy
with his portable radio on, waiting for the next patron that needed ferrying
back to their car and jokingly asked him, “Hey sir, any chance you can gimme a
ride back to our car? I’ll even pretend I’m tipsy if you want!” Then I give a
sudden lurch sideways, pretending I’m really drunk. XD The old guy gives a bark
of laughter and promises, “Next time!”
Sure enough, the next time the parents and I are leaving
after enjoying dinner at the Sunnybank Sports And Community Club, he meets me
at the entrance! “You want a ride, didn’t you?” He says gruffly. “Hop in; I’ll
drive you back to where your dad’s parked.” I clumsily but eagerly clamber
aboard, and he pulls out onto the road. “We’re just here, sir,” I say, pointing
to our car. “Dad got the disabled parking tonight.” He responds affably, “Nah,
I’ll give you a spin around the car park first.”
During my personal tour, I learn that his name’s Michael and
he’s actually retiring at the end of the year! Hence why I didn’t see him when
the parents and I share my birthday dinner that Friday night at the Sunnybank
Sports And Community Club.
Anyhow, back home, it’s cake time! Dearest dad lights the
candles, the parents sing me the Happy Birthday song, photos are taken and then
I cut the cake! I deliberately touch the bottom of the cake with that initial
slice, meaning I get to give dad a kiss.
Small slices are served; because I’m the birthday girl, I
even get a small second slice! Then mother packs away the cake, informing me
dad will take the rest to work toms. Me: aww, dad, please will you leave me one
slice for afternoon tea tomorrow? It IS my birthday cake, after all! Dad says
he will, sweet~
In previous years, my birthday celebrations have always
ended with dinner and dessert out at the
Next post here … prolly a post detailing the life of our red
Camry, who we’ve had since 2005 and sadly passed away around three months ago.
Until then~
Cheers,
Em. ^^
