A Surprise Birthday Party for Gina

I looked at myself in the mirror wearing a low-cut one-piece silk dress I bought on the Fifth Avenue in New York 25 years ago. It was the first time I wore it in public. Does aging make me more daring? Or it is because women are more dauntless universally regardless of the age and nationality. No matter what the reason might be, I intent to flaunt what I had at the surprise birthday party for Gina this evening.

Kate began planning the surprise party for Gina two months ago. She brought three groups of people together to this special occasion, golden ladies, toastmasters, and Peking Opera instructors and lovers. As an early bird at the party, I got the chance to mingle with young Peking Opera instructors. It's nice to pick up Peking Opera I used to learn diligently two decades ago. Time flies for me, from a care-free lass to a fashionable golden lady, only in a blink of an eye.

Linda wowed everybody when she walked into the restaurant in a baby doll top and a pair of black satin leggings. From the size of Oprah Winfrey to that of Sarah Jessica Parker, Linda lost TWENTY-FIVE pounds in the last few moths. Linda gained the immediate attention from the floor, nobody was interested any more in peeking in my low-cut dress.

At six o'clock sharp, Kate gave us the instructions what to do before Gina's arrival. When Irene, the elder daughter, called Gina at home and asked her out, we were thrilled in the exciting conspiracy. Upon Kate's request, we acted as if we were obsessing with the delicious spaghetti at a cozy Italian restaurant when Gina arrived.

I won't forget Gina's facial expressions when we roared out Surprise! Happy Birthday, Gina! in unison. The unexpected tears in her eyes sparkled and she was speechless. Looking at her family and friends in fancy dresses, Gina asked if she could go home to change. Yi-hsin offered her helping hands in time to remodel Gina on the spot. Gina changed to a different person instantly to everybody's surprise.

In the middle of the birthday party, the lights were off all of a sudden. A big birthday cake decorated with 16 candles was brought in front of Gina to her surprise. It was the climax for Gina to celebrate her 16th birthday surrounded by two of her sweet daughters and many close friends. Gina made three wishes upon request, but she didn't disclose any of them.

Who doesn't like surprise parties, both the giver and the receiver? It is fun to play jokes on someone out of the goodwill to make him or her stunned out of balance and words. It is fun to be played jokes upon to add thrills in life. Who knows, maybe somebody would throw a surprise birthday on me someday. Oh, yes, I'm ready, please!