I have received a few reat birthday gifts. Flowers from Victoria and Sook Kuan, a homemade framed mirror picture frames from Ashley, but I think the one that meant the most was the cheapest, flowers and a massage from Jeremy, etc.

In March of 2003, I had my first birthday away at college. I was away from family, though in years recently they had treated me badly, but I was also away from close friends. I had only just met my new friends Joel, Victoria and Carlyn. Carlyn and Victoria actually ot busy with some exams and forgot my birthday (sorry Victoria!), and in addition to the some bad news that day, I was bummed and upset at the end of the day and I was very sad to be sitting in my pajamas alone at 8pm at night. Then there was a knock on my door and I opened it up and there stood Joel with a Coke and a Hostess chocolate cake (one of those Twinkie-like things that are single serving) with a lit candle in it. He sang "Happy Birthday" to me quite off-key but it was great! he came in and we watched TV and had some laughs over Coke and Hostess cake. he had gone upstairs to my bitchy upstairs neighbors and asked them to light the candle for him right before he knocked on the door, and it was just the thought that counted, ya know? I guess all of the things I have gotten made my day because there was thought there, but it stood out to me because when I received it, i was really feeling lonely and sad so it was huge. Those are my favorite times to give or get a gift, when the thought means so much.