An Entrepreneur’s Journey

A birthday party that took me by surprise. Credit to the Singapore Crazy Gang (SCG). Thank you, Vasu, Andi, Yiming, Dennis, Andrew, Byron, Joseph, Jean, Sylvia, Sinyan, Lynn and Yvonne for taking the effort to prepare this surprise birthday party for me.

A great plot with great planning, the gang succeeded in keeping me in the dark till I reached home. While I just done with the training, preparing to have a relax evening with Jean, beer and chips, never did I expect I’m fallen into their loop hole-less plan.

Holy Cow #1: When I walked into my house at 8pm, my mum came out from the kitchen excitedly, “Happy New Year.” I laughed at her, “so fast Happy New Year.” Oops, she realized she said wrongly, “Happy Birthday.”

Wow, being her son for so many years, she had never said “Happy Birthday” so excitedly. And I did not suspect anything, thinking probably she was in a good mood.

Holy Cow #2: The moment I open the door of my room, I saw balloons hanging in the air, balloons on the floor, light sticks placed on the floor like the lights on the airport landing ground and a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE made with light sticks pasted on the wall.

I was surprised to see all this. I stand outside my room, and keep going, “wow, wow, wow, wow, wow” I don’t know how many times I said that. Jean and my mum join in the “wow” too.

I turned around to look for Yvonne (my sister), thinking that she’s the one who decorated my room, but I can’t find her.

After I have calm down from that surprise, I went into my room. First step, second step, third step…….

Holy Cow #3: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”. Balloons flying towards me, party poppers popping in the air! Oh my God, the whole gang was hiding behind my cupboard. If I ever delay going in, someone might have faint from the lack of oxygen. They closed the windows, off the fan, so that I won’t be suspicious. My goodness, with eleven of them hiding in my room, with windows closed, fan switched off, it’s a sauna in there.

I am soooooo shocked to find the gang in my room. I must admit I’m unable to react at that moment. I guess I stood there for a good 10 seconds, too shocked to do anything.

Until Joseph said, “So Joe, what do you feel like saying?” I couldn’t hold my tears back anymore. Dennis added it in, “Brother just let it go.” F*** Dennis, you love to see tears right?

Holy Cow #4: The gift they got for me was amazing. I would never expect to receive a bouquet of flowers in my life. Andi made one for me. Getting flowers was such an amazing feeling, no wonder all girls like to receive flowers. Thank you Andi.

Holy Cow #5: The rest of the gang got me another special gift. Sylvia and Sinyan actually printed out my articles in my website, Millionaire Idea, compiled them into a book. And the gang wrote a short testimonial on this book. They brought me to tears again, they succeeded once again. I am shocked to see Adelene’s name in there.

Holy Cow #6: Lilian called from Shanghai to send me her wishes. Though she couldn’t join us, she made the effort to call. I am at a lost.

After cutting of the cake, we moved out to the hall, to have some red wine, fruit juice with alcohol, chit chat. Finally the night had to end, the gang got to leave. We had our usual M&Y hugs, once again, I’m in tears.

Holy Cow #7: Sylvia and Sinyan actually got a second gift for me. They send me this photo when they reached home. They went to the bookshop and placed the book they printed on the display window. These girls are so creative.

The gang are pressing me to publish a book of my own. After a night like this, how can I turn them down. I will dedicate every book that I wrote to the gang. Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you everyone for making the night my best birthday ever. Thank you everyone for being in my life, being my friends. I can boldly say this now. I have a group of close friends who support me and always shower me with love. I’ll give my 100% commitment to this group.