Catherine’s Birthday (Vincent’s Version)

Catherine’s birthday falls on a Sunday this year (see The day I arrived on Mother Earth…). Unlike the previous years, I didn’t really come up with a celebration plan beforehand, partially because we need to take Darius into consideration and it’s hard to factor in the unpredictability.

So, the preliminary plan was to bring Catherine to town on Saturday (initially planned to go Funan but somehow we landed up in Plaza Singapura and Vivo City) to get something for her. She had mentioned wanting an Asus EeePC (mini laptop) so I thought of getting that for her. However, we later felt that we would rather get a full-fledged laptop instead of a mini laptop since it’s more practical for us. Furthermore, their price difference isn’t that big.

We then went into a shop selling Apple’s iMac and MacBook, which Catherine was very interested in. We were really tempted to get one but seeing that they had exceeded our budgets and we weren’t really needing them at this moment, we decided to hold back our purchases, especially during these bad times.

So in the end, the only thing we really ‘bought’ was the dinner at Shin Kushiya (see Trip to Plaza Singapura and Vivo City).

On Sunday, I was to go down Ang Mo Kio alone to pick up the Lychee-Martini flavoured birthday cake I previously booked from Pine Garden. I was surprised that they accepted a telephone booking, even though I had not booked any cake from them before and no deposit was required. It was good service from them to offer such convenient booking system.

Departing home just after noon, I headed for Bishan’s Junction 8 instead, as I had decided to give Catherine a surprise birthday gift — a Precious Moments figurine, as she had been mentioning that she wanted one even before Darius was born. That time we had thought of getting a baby boy figurine but forgotten about it after that.

This time round, I had wanted to look for a Mother & Son figurine, which would be a good representation of Catherine’s love for Darius. I was fortunate to find the only and last piece in the shop, and though the price tag did take me by surprise, I still believe this was the best gift for her.

While the salesgirl was gift wrapping the figurine, she informed me that I could choose a free gift (for purchases above a certain amount) between a Precious Moments handwash set and a passport holder (just a normal looking one). Not requiring much hestitation, I chose the former one.

Nice packaging but can't bear to open up and use them...

The salesgirl then asked me if I needed to gift wrap the handwash set too, but I dismissed it since it would be weird to wrap up a ‘free gift’ and present it as a birthday present. However, a cheeky thought came into my mind and I quickly picked up a Precious Moments gift wrapper to ask the salesgirl to wrap this handwash set up.

My plan was to present the wrapped handwash set to Catherine first. With the Precious Moments wrapper over it, she would assume that I was giving her a Precious Moment figurine, only to realise that it was a handwash set. I couldn’t help but smirk to think what her disappointed expression would be. Only after that will I present the real gift to her to surprise her. :p

The 'fake' gift is on the left ^^|

While planning that out, I also had to packet lunch back for ourselves. I came across this japanese stall in Junction 8’s foodcourt selling omelette rice. Though the price was on the higher side, I thought it would make a more unique meal and ordered two packets, which I later packed them within layers of plastic bags to preserve its temperature and moisture.

Taking the MRT to Ang Mo Kio, I took a 15-minute walk before reaching Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, where Pine Garden was situated. From the outside, it sure looked like any other ordinary neighbourhood confectionary.

Ordinary-looking shop but with treasures within

Walking inside, some magazine covers and articles were pasted on the wall, featuring the cakes that they had made for their customers and articles on their shop. Manning the cashier was a middle-aged lady who wasn’t exactly friendly. Fortunately, another lady by the name Annie came by later, who was a lot more friendly and provided good service.

Recognition from magazines

Before I flagged for a cab to head home with the cake, I bought a birthday card at the shop next door, after deciding to write a ‘last minute’ card for her. I struggled to write my greetings in chinese as steadily as possible while the cab zoomed towards home.

Reaching home, I hid the bag containing the card and gifts and surprised her a little with the not-so-ordinary packet lunch, featuring her favourite Unagi with the omelette rice coated in japanese curry. The food sure was yummy and valued for money.

Yummy foodcourt delicacies!

After the lunch, while Darius was resting on the matress on the floor looking at us, I gave the birthday card to Catherine. She has always enjoyed receiving cards from me and reading the words I wrote on the cards never failed to bring smiles to her face.

Having read the card, I passsed the handwash gift to her, waiting to see her reaction upon opening the gift and realising what it was. In the end, she was more of a confused expression than a disappointed one, as she was wondering why I would spend money on not-so-useful things such as a Precious Moments brand handwash.

Before she could recover from her confusion state, I quickly brought out the ‘real’ gift. She was surprised with the unexpected ’second gift’ and was delighted when the gift turned out to be her long-awaited Precious Moments figurine featuring a good representation of her and Darius.

Nice representation of a mother's love for her son

In the evening, we went over to Catherine’s parents’ house for dinner. Coincidently, her nephew was there too and it had been quite a long time since we last met him. We then set up the cake after dinner and started singing the birthday song to her while taking some photos.

In the thick of celebration, I had forgotten to take a photo of her with her family, and also forgot to ask to have a photo of our family of three taken. Nevertheless, the occassion was still heartwarming with the simple celebration going smoothly.

By Catherine’s next birthday, Darius would have grown big enough to be able to enjoy his mother’s birthday, which should make the whole celebration an even joyous one.