A 21st Birthday Story [Part 1]

unexpected early gift from bestie

Sze Chyi and I had a meet up that day when she introduced to me a few analog retro camera apps on Apps Store. I find one of the retro camera apps really amusing - it's like a real retro film where you have to shake your phone to make the photo reveal itself faster. I belief it's "KD Pro Disposable Camera" on Apps Store. 

When we were having lunch at Sushi King, QB, she just gave me a really nice paper bag with a gift box in it! When the lid was removed, a pair of Quay Australia revealed itself while I stared back at it in disbelief. If I were to get myself a pair of sunnies, it would either be: Rayban, Gentle Monster or Quay Australia and I couldn’t believe she got one for me despite her busy uni schedule! Love you. 

"old boy"

 new hairstyle, old me

I have always wanted a drastic change for my hairstyle once I turned 21, so what better time than during my birthday month where I had 20% discount hahaha I convinced myself that rewarding myself with a top notch haircut service for all the hard work I've done wouldn't hurt. Turns out when I see my bank account, it still hurts *ouch*

Anyway, my initial plan was to curl my hair ala Korean style. Unfortunately, my hair stylist Hero told me that it would damage my hair furthur as I have already straightened my hair once. So, I took his advice and decided to grow my natural hair in order to curl my hair in the future. I'm still not giving up on my initial plan despite the obstacles. 

STEP 1: I decided to cut, proper dye my hair and do treatment. I cut my hair up till shoulder length because I hate long hair. First, it's hard to manage; second, the rate of hairfall isn't helping at all. So, we chopped off quite some bits. 

STEP 2: As for the colour, he recommended me to dye a sort of green-greyish colour that is quite dark so that it wouldn't be too obvious. For some reason, the colour isn't showing as much as I would like it to. Plus, it looks rather reddish than greenish, but I'm okay cause I love a redhead anyway. 

STEP 3: After dying my hair, I did the "healer" treatment (喜乐), with all the machines and technology imported from Korea. It's a treatment to kill the bacteria on our scalp and lock in the moisture and colour in our hair. And it took only 10 minutes to complete the treatment. And there you have it - a brand new Jia Qi, which doesn't look too different that much tbh :(

healer treatment: mushroom / hot air balloon head

boss & colleague surprised me

As most of you might know by now, I work for Christinna Kuan AKA @mskuan, together with another colleague named Pebbi. Chris told me that we were going out on this particular day to celebrate some social media success. We went to @Neway, Gurney Plaza -> @belleandcream -> @重庆火锅
 

their signature boba cheesecake (RM22) unpopular opinion: it's decent, but not worth the price at all :((

When we were at @重庆火锅, Chris and Pebbi kept going out of the little room but I never suspected anything because I was so excited and confused at the same time from hanging out with Chris. They made some excuses to leave the room once again, only to come back with the most gorgeous cake I have ever seen in my life! The person who was trying to light the fancy candle was so scared of the fire that might blast from the candle that she made us laughed in guffaws. 

At last, we managed to light the candle and had a few photos together as a team. #teamChristinnaK She also handed me a Tory Burch makeup bag where she got for me from the States. My heart is literally screaming: best boss ever! 

blessed & thankful

spread happiness to Scorpio babes & close friends

When I got back to my hostel, I tried to call my dad to see if it was convenient for him to stop by and take the cake home. Unfortunately, he couldn’t. So, I thought what better way to end this magical day by sharing the happiness and joy with a few of my close friends. 

After I put the cake safely in the hostel and accompanied Yong Fong to get some stuff at Tesco, I planned a small get-together and invited my friends to my room for an impromptu party night. I bought a bottle of sparking juice and a packet of colourful balloons just to create the “party” atmosphere. Since I had not cut the cake, I asked my fellow Scorpio friends: Nadine and Zi Yen to cut the cake together with me! It was a very sparkling night indeed. 

so tired cause i've been out for the whole day; happy to see that my pack is happy

nail painting & pressie in the morning

Early in the morning while I was still in a deep slumber, too lazy to care about the time, someone sneaked into my room. She started to paint my nails and the nail polish left my nails feeling so cool that I thought some water leaked. I was shocked when I opened my eyes - Jia Xin painting my finger nails with the biggest grin on her face. Gotcha! It was a transparent coat with glitters and I absolutely love! She also left me a present before I snuggled my way into the blankie and continued my beauty sleep.

intimate birthday luncheon with family

Rumours have it that I have decided to throw myself a birthday luncheon at @Suffolk House. Yes, indeed *yay* Suffolk House has always been my dream place me since I’m very much a British and heritage person internally. There’s just something very beautiful and atas about Suffolk House that never fails to fascinate me. I just really wanted to cross it off my bucket list, hence I opted for this restaurant. Plus, they had a lunch menu promotion that time hahaha so definitely worth it #cheapskate

Every year during my birthday, we would all get together and eat, but I have decided that this year, I wanted to treat my family members as a token of appreciation for their love and guidance for 21 freaking years! I wanted it to be an intimate luncheon where we could bond and talk with each other. Usually, I go for more economical venues but since this year is a treat for my family members, I figured I would just go full force. 

I have started doing a few part time jobs from the beginning of the year since I have been scheming for my 21st birthday for quite some time, so I knew that I needed that money. Though it can be tiring at times, the labour made me feel contented as I am able to be finacially independent and give back to the family that has nurtured me into the person who I am today. With a little bit of luck, I'm happy and humbled that I'm able to pay for my daily expenses and for all plans I have for my 21st birthday, including the luncheon. I'm still working on it and I certainly hope to provide more quality lifestyle to my family and more comfort as well in time to come. Let's work hard together for our future guys!

*Ahem* Anyway, after the very inspirational episode, here are the dishes and side dishes to satisfy all gourmet's tastebuds. I'm not sure where the photos of the main courses are, should I be able to find them in the future I will update in this post to document it. Enjoy.

Haircut & Colour : Hair Story International  

Makeup: Myself hahaha 

Earrings: Taobao 

Necklace: Memory Jewellery (won from Goody25 giveaway)

 Dress: Bardot, Zalora

Watch: Baby G

Handbag: Coach  

Heels: Charles & Keith (stole from mum)

I bought a @bardot dress that was cute and on-sale and a mauve dress for my mum as well to match. Unfortunately, she couldn’t wear it because the sleeves were too big! Bummer... It was also my first time wearing a stick-on bra (damn expensive!) and I’m glad that it didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Love the mauvy, dusty rosy, rose goldy colour scheme going on with the assemble of my #OOTD. It just gives a very soft and dreamy vibe.

Mum got me a cake from @brixandbaume in Lychee flavor on the way to the restaurant. It was not only aesthetically pleasing and inexpensive, but it was really delicious, almost melts into your mouth the moment you try to savour it. Dad was the photographer of the day and I have to give him a pat on the shoulder because he did a great job! Love the quality time spent together with mah family that day.

it's mah birthday!

Work. Work. Work. A life of an undergraduate who is in need of money (typical millennial). Chris surprised again @The Hive after the photoshoot was completed; 

When I was back in the hostel, Yong Fong surprised me with three gifts! One of the gifts was handpicked by her brother whom I have never met together with herself hahaha Love all of them as I was really shocked she prepared not only one but three gifts! Lovee you girl, thank you so much; 

Heartfelt thanks to those who wished me “happy birthday” on the social medias as well. One of the most special one was definitely from my alien who screenshotted 11:11 on my phone and left me a length birthday message! At the end of the day, I received a birthday video from Sze Chyi that included a few of my cliques in it: An Qi (the most sia sui), Kah Kei (the most brief), Yee Hang (the most bitchface), Kar Yi (the one who made me cry on my 21st birthday, im an emotional wreck) and Sze Chyi herself! Since I was already told by Yee Hang beforehand, I wasn’t surprised at all, but I thought it was a really well-thought and lovely gift in digital form. Words mean so much to me! Thank youuuu guys. I could safely say that I had one of the best birthdays ever!

PS/ Stay tuned for [Part 2] I'll be posting this week. Hope y'all are having an amazing hols & those who are having finals, all the best!

Love, J.