280311: I'm finally Legal! 5.0

Its been three months, and now, with this post, I end my five-part birthday post. I really am thankful for all the people who have spent their time either in planning the best birthday party that I have ever had in the past 21 years, or simply just sincerely there to celebrate my existence in this world. I thank God every day for such great people in my life.

Sunday, 030411.

Just a few weeks before my actual birthday, two of my great friends, JoYi and Khairie, actually got together and started scheming for my 21st surprise birthday party. And with JoYi in the committee, its hard for me not to find out bits and parcels of information about the party. Yes, she can never keep a secret as much as she want to, but I still love her nonetheless. So yes, I've heard that it has been a hard ride for the both of them, trying to plan the perfect party for me without me digging anything out. And with that, I give the both of you, a standing ovation. Cause they did great a job in surprising me and I definitely was in the state where I was lost for words, in a good way.

Yes, the troops came and picked up me up and kidnapped me to Laila's Cafe in Kelana Jaya. A very cosy, home-y place suitable for friends and family to come together simply just to catch up or for small parties like mine. The lady owner was what I thought, one of the nicest lady I've ever met in my life. And to my surprise, the troops consisted of a few more souls that I have come to know and love. Meet the Troops:

Khairie, the mastermind behind all.

  JoYi, the Justin Blabermouth.

Ju-En, the super energetic photographer.

Sarah, the niggress that everyone can't help but to love.

Diana, the strong determined young lady.

And with that, I proceed. The food there was pretty alright, but the company was better. We got to talk and I found out that there is one more surprise for me when the lady boss invited Khairie and JoYi together with Sarah up on the stage. Yes, Khairie did his solo performance and then duet with Sarah(she's an incredible RnB, jazzy, soul singer.) while JoYi accompanied them with her piano. Ohhh-emm-geeeee kan? I was beyond words. Oh, and they also made me go up on the stage to sing. And if you don't know, this is somewhat a death sentence for me. I am a shy person, as much as you all don't believe that, but yes, I can never ever sing in front of a live crowd. I'll choke and choked I did.

And then came the home made cake by Sarah's aunt. If you love chocolate cakes, you'll love this. Its a 100% Cadbury chocolate cake. I loved the company that was there, simple and genuine, just the way I would love my birthday parties to be. I couldn't think of any other way to wrap my 21st birthday!

I am thankful to God for the two great friend that I have in my life, who I've met during the time I needed a true friend most. Khairie, thank you for the effort that you've given into making my 21st a special one. Thank you for being there as a friend who listens and guides. Thank you for showing me that determination is able to bring us to great lengths. Thank you for pushing me into doing what I love most. JoYi, thank you for being the very first friend who is different from the spoilt bunch that I have had my entire life. Thank you for being a pain in the ass that I cannot help but to grow closer to everyday. Thank you for being a sister that I have never had. Thank you Sarah, Ju-En and Diana, for being there to celebrate my birthday though we have never met before. Thank you for being so real and sincere, I'd rather be in your company than hundreds of other people out there. And thank you guys, for making my birthday, the perfect 21st birthday for me. 

280311: I'm finally Legal! 4.0

And so, finally its my big day!

Monday, 280311.

I did something really different this year seeing it to be my 21st birthday. I find this rather like what most people would call it, "the rite of passage". I've decided to spend my parents for the first time to a proper dinner. I have been wanting to bring them for dinner or whatever-nots for a long time now ever since I got my first pay check. Though I'm not making a fortune, I've always believed that money is not as important as family ties. Against all my wishes, my parents never allowed me to spend them. They say that I can always spend them once I'm out working for real. After days of pestering, they finally agreed to it. So yeah, I've decided to bring them to Alexis Bistro, Bangsar Telawi. My initial plan was to bring them to My Elephant, a really good Thai cuisine restaurant in Hartamas (will do a review on it later, I promise!) but unfortunately for me, My Elephant is closed on Mondays and yes, you've guessed it right, my birthday, the fateful day falls on a Monday. Anyways, here are some of the pictures taken that night:

We've decided to share a large pizza and spaghetti. Honestly, I can't really remember which one we ordered seeing this post is almost 3 months back dated now. But I can say, my parents and I, were pretty satisfied, though I know, My Elephant would still be a better choice, knowing that both of them don't really fancy western dishes. But nonetheless, Alexis Bistro & Bar, serves good food especially their desserts(well I might be bias cause I'm born with a sweet tooth, so sue me!) Scroll down to know why.

 Alexis' famous Tiramisu cake. I'm pretty sure most of you have tried and have fallen in love with it already. I know I definitely did. I've tried quite a number of cakes by Alexis now and I dare say, most of them did not disappoint. My favorite however, will be the famous Pavlova. I don't have the picture in this post but believe me when I say that their Pavlova is a taste from Heaven. The sugary crispy crunchy shell with the soft and smooth marshmallow interior spells my name delicious all over it.

The handsome father.

 The chio Mother.

My gratitude and love for the both of you is beyond words, beyond material possessions, beyond comprehension. I am who I am today because you have first carried me in your arms, cleaned me long even before I know how to use the toilet, fed me even before my tummy complains of hunger, nurtured and guided me, providing the best that you both possibly can.  You both have grown so much older than I can ever remember, it aches me to see life problems are still bothering you when you both should be enjoying life. I am now able to love, only because you have first loved me. Do not ever for one second, hesitate and feel as though you have failed or have done anything wrong in raising me, there is no other way I wished to be raised by you. I thank you for the past 21 years, for being my parents, my role model, my strength, my family.

280311: I'm finally Legal! 3.0

And the chronicles of melaniehwa's big two-one continues. As I have said before, its a five-part blog post that I am gonna bore you with. So here's part three. I'm pretty sure you guys must be thinking, what else can this girl get for her birthday? She already had her long-wanted BBQ and a surprise party thrown for her. Well, those were all my friends. Today's post, is all about my family.

Saturday, 260311.

I was jokingly telling my mummy a few weeks back, about my coming birthday and to my surprise, she was really up for it. I was really happy about how supportive my parents and family are about it, though lately our family has been really tight financially. I swear I was the happiest girl, the moment my mother called me, asking me excitedly(like a little girl), which birthday cake would I like to have; she was over at Secret Recipe to get their brochure. My parents, together with my grandma were up early that day itself to prepare for everything. I felt so bad for waking up really late and doing nothing.

So we went over to my brother's place and to my joy, my niece was awake to play with me. Here's a picture of her. Please try not to gawk all over her excessive, tremendous, over flowing cute-ness kayys?

Meet Jacinda Hwa.

So yes, my family, both sides, were all there. Both my sides of my family have been very close ever since I could ever remember. My parents met each other since they were really young and both families were practically like one. We went over to the BBQ lot by the swimming pool and the ambience for the place when night came was perfect. Everyone was busy catching up, eating my mother's famous curry chicken, snapping lots and lots of stupid pictures with my cousins, oh, and they even made me give a speech! Don't ask me what the speech is about, cause, all I know was I was so embarrassed! Believe me, I'm not one who shy around when I'm asked to talk, but when its with my family, its different. Here's some pictures!

The Place.

The awesome food.

Crinkled-up sausages. =P

The perfect company.

Cousins, all grown up.

Being 21, I am still a kid inside. 

Me & my grandma's favourite cake. 

The Durian Cake. (Did I hear, yucksss? BOO you!)

Oh, and this is my audience. All standing up, ready for the speech I was telling you about.

I would like to extend my gratitude to every single one of my family members who were there, and also who weren't. I wouldn't be who I am today, without your love and guidance. I thank my grandma, my dad and my mum, for waking up so early, to prepare for the big day and I thank my brother and his wife, for the place. Thank you everyone for the gifts, the angpaus and the wishes. Special thanks to my dad and my mum, who've given me their best for the past 21 years.