How I Caught A Big Fish On 09/09/09
I love birthdays, specifically my own birthday, and every year, I would get really excited long before the actual day swings around. On 1st January, I would exclaim, “Pop the champagne! The birthday year has started! You’ll have to treat me like it’s my birthday until the birthday’s over!” And The Boyf would roll his eyes.
On 1st September, I would go, “Woohoo, would you just look at the calendar! The birthday month has arrived!!!” And The Boyf, he would check his fingernails for dirt.
But this year is the year that I turn the big 3-0 and needless to say, I was less enthusiastic than normal. I merely announced on Sunday, “Guess what honey, the Birthday Week is here!” And this time, The Boyf threw his head back and laughed.
That was how Birthday Week started. :)
First thing Monday morning, The Boyf, who is slightly taller than I, peered down my black mushroom of a head and said, “Look here, what have we got? A grey hair! And wait, it’s not just one strand, it’s a whole clump! Here, let me help you yank them out.”
So the morning was spent with The Boyf inspecting my head for grey hair. I joked, “Is this what growing old with you will be like?” And he smiled.
Tuesday evening, The Boyf suddenly said, “You know what? Let’s celebrate your birthday on Wednesday because I’ll be really busy the rest of the week!”
And I protested, “Huh? But… I don’t feel 30 yet!” Why would he want to hurry the day along? If I could push the big 3-0 by a whole 365 days, I would. Wouldn’t you?
He said, “I’ll book the restaurant,” and I felt slightly annoyed. He shrugged.
Wednesday afternoon, The Boyf came to pick me up. He said, “We’ll have to pop by the Skype office for a while c’os I left my documents there earlier.
At the front of the Skype office, I said, “Don’t you want me to wait in the car while you pick up your docs?”
He looked shocked. His plan is foiled! It took a while but he came back to his senses and said, “Nah, you should come with me and meet Dan. Besides, the office is formerly the home of Tiger Balm, you’ll love it.”
And when I saw the building, I did love it. I called out to The Boyf, “Hey, help me snap some photos in front of the building!” He looked so delighted at my joy, he probably winked at the sky with the thought, “The battle is half won.”
The building is lovely, isn’t it? It is one of those rare heritage buildings, built probably 150 years ago during the height of the ancient spice trade between Singapore, India, China and Europe. Tiger Balm is a remedy that every Singaporean and Malaysian knows to help sooth aches and pains. It isn’t made of real tiger, in case you’re wondering.
At the reception, we went crazy with posing for photographs with the Skype, Ebay and Paypal logos. Then, Dan the GM arrived and offered to take us on a tour. I was thrilled but thought, “We’d better not take up too much of his time, I’m sure the man has piles of work on his desk.”
Dan took us to the rooftop where their office parties are often held and told us there is a fridge in the gazebo with lots of ice-cold drinks. I loved the rooftop and the quaint gazebo so again, I unabashedly requested for photos sessions.
Dan led us into the gazebo, seated me on the bench while Nic went ahead to forage in their fridge.
The Boyf pulled out two bottles of cold water, gave them to me, then went back to the fridge to pull out a big bouquet. I was bewildered.
What was he doing with that? He’s ruining Skype’s flowers which I’m sure they’ll need for a corporate event. He ought to put them back!
But he cradled them in his arms like he really didn’t want to put them back. I had never seen him behave like that before, being completely inappropriate with someone else’s flowers.
Little did I know, he was very nervous. He suddenly shoved the flowers into my arms.
I said, “Harr?”
You mean these are for me?
Squeal!! The Geek had hidden flowers in the rooftop of Skype! How sweet! I didn’t even expect more, I was thrilled enough as it is. Dan was quick to snap photos to capture my surprise. Notice in the photo how The Boyf had pursed his lips, his usual look when he’s nervous and thinking hard.
He began a stammer about how I’ve been his best friend, ever patient, and that there’s no other person he would like to spend the rest of his life with… and I went into a daze. I didn’t hear the rest of it, I felt so light-headed and woozy. It was unreal.
I did see how he looked at Dan helplessly, and Dan kindly nodded, so he went down on one knee while I gaped.
For long seconds.
Until, he squealed in this tiny voice, ”Aren’t you going to say YES?”
And I went, that’s right, THAT’S THE WORD to say at such times; and strangely, besides the joy, I felt the solemnness and gravity of the moment, the Let-Your-Yes-Be-A-Yes-And-No-Be-No seriousness; and I said, YES! OF COURSE YES!”
YES!
Dan popped a bottle of champagne and the rest of the Skype team wandered onto the rooftop to toast us before The Boyf whisked me off to Halia, a lovely restaurant at the Singapore Botanical Gardens.
When we started long-distance dating 5 years ago, we frequently conversed on MSN Messenger but gradually, we had moved on to using Skype as we scarcely found time for both of us to be logged into MSN Messenger at the same time. Through Skype, we can make unlimited calls to landlines and mobile lines in Singapore for just €4.54 a month (including VAT), or unlimited calls to landlines and some mobile lines of over 40 countries including Malaysia for €10.29 a month.
Getting engaged on the rooftop of Skype is a brilliant idea!
Much thanks to Dan and the Skype team for enabling this experience, and much much more thanks to God for supplying everything + love. :)
Footnote: A lot of people commented that the photos look photoshopped. The only edits I did were crop and sharpen. Perhaps I’ve sharpened too much?
Related posts:
- The Boyf is 31. That night, Mom treated the Boyf to a meal...
- The Boyf’s 31st birthday celebration Yesterday the 7th June 2009 was the boyf’s 31st...
Nervous? Where? I purse my lips I thought I looked better that way :D
And you mean you didn't hear the part about buying me new shiny bling bling gadgets every year and you said yes??
I still don't hear anything… what bling bling gadgets? No idea what you're talking about, dear.
Such a lovely proposal for the even more lovely couple.
I am almost squealing in delight which says a lot!
*cough* *cough*
Congratulations to the both of you guys! *hugs*
That's really a sweet proposal!
*huggs* glad to share the moment with you, even if it's via blogging.
That's a pretty slic move Nic. Congrats to you both. Good photo story of the event.
Did you teach Nic some slick moves when I wasn't around? :) Thank you for congratulating us.
Congrats to both of you =D
Thank you, Lester. I'm overjoyed! :D
Congratulations to both of you :)
so sweet~
Thank you for congratulating us, Micol. I haven't seen you for a long time…
awwww. this was so sweet! congratulations!
Thank you for congratulating us, yin. It means a lot to have so much encouragement from so many friends.
This is really really sweet. :-) Congratulations to the lovely couple.
Thanks Anubha, it is quite a touching story, isn't it?
Congratulations to you and Nic!
Thank you, Ivy!
Aww, I love proposals! Both you and Nic look lovely together!
Thanks Audrey. Do u mean he looks like me or I look like him? :)
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!! Love the pictures
Thanks Mary, I'm so glad to share this story with you! I was so touched when I read about your daughter's engagement last year.
congratulations :)
Thank you :)
Good job by Skype GM to quickly take photos :D Congratulations to you both!
Hehe yah, he is one very smart and alert guy. So glad to have his help. Thanks for stopping by and congratulating us.
congrats to you and nic! really sweet proposal!
Thanks Cheryl, thank God for twitter and facebook huh. It's so fast and convenient for spreading major news stories. :)
Can't have happened to a more deserving and lovely couple whom I have the blessing to know. Congrats, Nic and Hillary!
Thanks Derrick, we're very blessed, we acknowledge that.
OMG SO SWEET LAH! I LOVES YOU BOTH! Woo hoo! Happy for you! <3
Thanks Daph :) Glad to hang out with you today.
Oh my gosh, that is so sweet! Congratulations again to you and Geekonomics :-)
Thanks Rinaz, it was a huge surprise to me! Wish you're in Singapore, then I can get excited with you in person!
So the secret for a happy ending is getting a Skype account?!?!? :-O
Congratulations by the way :)
No, the secret to getting a girl to say yes is a diamond. Why do you ask? :)
lovely….wat a fun loving couple…congrats to both of u :D
& great support from Skype boss
Yeah, that was unexpected. Dan Neary of Skype is very kind.
congratulations Hillary and Nic :D
You guys are perfect for each other. So sweet :D
Thanks Sylv, you're still so lovely and young. *sigh*
awwww but you're still so pretty and looks youthful. after all it's the inside that matters ;)
What can I say……..I've been waiting for this moment until "neck-long-long". When I get to know the good news about you getting married, I feel like screaming….SHOUT of JOY! I am so glad that both of you decided to take the next step-marriage.
I pray and ask God to bless your marriage and let it be a testimony to everyone in your life. God is good and love both of you very much. Let HIS will be done!
Congrats! Love you both and can't wait for that BIG DAY!!!
Hahaha, so glad to have you walking alongside us, all these years. *hugg*
Oh ya, the diamond ring is exquisite!
Very pretty…bro nic, must ask u teach my hubby how to choose one for me :P
Got blue diamond ar?
I will get Nic to conduct a diamond buying 101 course for $100 registration fee, $20 admin fee, $50 non-refundable deposit.
Thanks everyone! Krisandro squealing in delight!!?
LOL the diamond's not blue lah.. it was the computer light that reflected it. U can see it on my twitpic here http://mypict.me/show.php?id=A1aT
I love to witness every wedding moment with the couple. As I read the post, it touches my little heart! Congrats to both of u once again! Nic, you must take good care of our sister ya. :)
:) I'm glad to be able to share the story with you even though you are so far away. Now we're all looking forward to meeting baby Ethan for the first time!
WHAT ELSE I CAN SAY TO EXPRESS THE JOY!!! CONGRAT MY SISTER!!!!
Thank you Choo, Nic and I both hope you will never move to Hong Kong but we know that you have your own destiny to fulfill. May God bless you with abundant love.
Congrats Cheng Leng!
Thank you Geeta, so sorry to have missed your wedding.
That was incredibly sweet, and you look so cute together! Congrats!
Thank you, it feels like we’re made for each other :)
Congrats!
Hey thanks Uncle Sha, didn't expect to see you here. :D
WOOOT!~
CONGRATULATIONS! ITS A CELEBRATION FOR THE FAMILIES! :D :DDDD
heheheee love you ahleng cheche :)
love hugs and kisses.
Love you too, lots and lots. And some day… I hope to witness your special engagement, wedding, et cetera. May we grow old together. *hug*
So exciting to hear about this good news. Cheng Leng, I can almost imagine your squeal of excitement. And tears of joy! You couldn't hold back on my engagement, this must be waaaay more emotional! So happy for the both of you. Lots of great years ahead.
Strangely, although I was completely taken aback and very joyous, I didn't get teary-eyed. The memories of your engagement so long ago is still something you hold dear isn't it? It's a big big moment.
Congratz Babe! you guys looks so sweet as a couple! THere gonna be a sweet journey for both of u coming up! Once again, congratz! =) Your face is shinning with love btw! =)
Thanks Elaine. And thank you for the comment about the shining face, heheh. God is good. So glad to be able to share this with you.
a BIG congrats to you!!!! we are all very happy for Nic and yourself. 2pd looked mighty pleased ;D
Bee Leng just told me about how 2PD showed all of you this blog post. Thank you for sharing in the joy. You have no idea how much it means to me to be able to communicate with you regularly. Really thankful for blogs.
congrats to you!
Thanks :)
Ah romantic, you look so happy:)
Thank you Vera, it's nice to see you here. :)
congratulations Hillary , SUN YONG
LOVE this story! :)