A Surprise Party
I don’t think I’ve been this surprised, ever. Ever. Or felt so loved. God…I couldn’t cry then but I definitely am tearing up right now just thinking about all the work and planning my friends and family put into surprising me.
So I spent the day cleaning the house after getting back from my annual teeth cleaning (yay for dentists) — after which Stan and I went down to Sandy Hook and we biked along the beach. That in and of itself was amazing. Coming back, I was really happy, and my mother had told me that three of my friends were coming to have dinner with us. I told Stan that he should also have dinner with us, and we went in. That’s when things started getting strange: Esther told me to clean the back deck chairs. I was like okay something is up, she emphasized not going into the house basically. But there were no cars on the block, so I was like hrm guess the guests aren’t here yet.
Oh wow. I don’t know if my mouth was hanging open but I was just shocked. They invited everyone! Ben made it even though he was sick (thanks Ben), Ann made it despite ditching me and Stan from our bike ride, and Paula made it despite us seeing her at the beach when we were riding (where she claims she almost let the cat out of the bag). They gave me gifts and stuff that made me feel totally unworthy already, and then they gave me a scrapbook that is now my second most prized possession (after my bible), haha. And you know, I mean if there was one thing I could take out of my house in a fire, I’d take this scrapbook. I can get another bible, but this is irreplaceable and priceless.
And I have so much thanks to give, and all of it is inadequate but I’ll go for it anyway.
God, Danielle and Monica. First of all, before I say anything, I’d just like to say: my mother thinks Danielle is the sweetest girl she’s ever met. If my mother had her way, I’d probably have to ask Danielle to marry me. Just making it clear. I’d have to agree that she is one of the sweetest, most selfless, caring people in existence. The effort she put out, how undeserving she can make me feel from her beautiful heart and ability to just show care…oh man. Pardon me, I need a tissue. And Monica…I don’t know if I can live without hearing her bright voice anymore. Between your voice and gummy bears, I’d choose your voice. Between your voice and programming, I’d choose your voice. How else do I express how much just hearing you speak means to me? You’re like this wellspring of energy and life. You thought you cried when you heard I was leaving? I’m using those sniff tissues right now. I’m not sure they’ll be enough.
God…it’s funny how a graduation/going-away party can be so awesome and yet…make things sadder because you realize just how much more you’ll miss your friends. Guys, you’re the best. Not to mention, for planning the entire thing, I’ll never be able to repay in kind what you gave me. It was more than a time to be with friends and eat, you know! It was just being surrounded with so much love and care and knowing just a little bit of how much friends can mean to me. I definitely did not need a party to know to appreciate my friends, but this deed from you all, especially you two, was so moving. It’s inexplicable with words. Were I a painter, I’d paint this into something beautiful and give it to you two.
Jackie, you’re the best for just knowing me and listening to me and being a great friend. You have no idea what it means to me. I also know what you did to get to help make that scrapbook. I…don’t know what to say. Haha. Lost for words. I will never stop having convos with you late at night! 
Andrew, I will never be able to repay you…all you do as a friend is give. I imagine it was a feat all in itself that you kept the surprise from me, haha. You also made really good excuses that I fell for. Every single one. Damn and you’re just the best friend a guy can have. I don’t think I need to write anything for you to know that. If I keep you sane, you keep me alive. I’m pretty sure that tips the scale heavily against me. Haha, I owe you the world.
Ben, I can’t begin to express how happy I was to be able to see my childhood bud at a going-away party, and even though you were sick, you still made it. I will never forget you or lose contact with you. I’m the original member of your azn posse remember? 
I will be back to visit you and Ala and we need to have more fun and adventures. I’m going to school with that other dude in our trio of amazingness from 8th grade — Steve Guo! Remember our awesomeness? Yes. We were awesome. Oh by the way the dentist said my tooth is healthy and awesome.
Cathay and Lilia, you guys mean more to me than you know. Lilia for your great compassion as a friend. Cathay, for the joy and life and fun you bring in all my seriousness. You bring out the worst in me (which is the best). Don’t work too hard next year. Ask me for help if you need it with college essays.
Niyati Patel. I love you. I needs you. Needs. YOU NEEDS, NOT YOUR MOTHER. My god, if cathay brings life and fun into my life, you bring that, and everything else. You know what’s what. There’s never been a more chill person I’ve met. Don’t stop rockin’ — please call me and hey we can dance via webcam or something…or just wave our club rings at each other. Haha.
Greg Cheng – I will miss doing crazy stuff with you all the time. We need to do more crazy stuff before I go, but yeah if you sell your car, it’ll be to me. Haha. You’re a real character, and there are way too many crazy times for me to bother writing — you know them. You’re no pansy, you’re a snapdragon or morning glory or…goddammit I’m bad at figuring out manly flower names. Okay and all I will say is this: we’re going to get those cheesy fiesta potatoes. 
Paula! I admire you more than words can express. We also grew up knowing each other, and we probably became closer these past weeks than after all those years of familiarity. But you know what? I don’t know how much you noticed me, but everything you’ve ever said to me or done, I’ve remembered and respected really deeply. You’re the most honest, straightforward, and reliable person I know. You’re also one of the only people singularly capable of making me feel like you entirely understand me. You’ve got a real heart, you’re down to earth, and you can be sure I will forever be your friend…and advocate. (AHEM A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL OUT THERE: stop being stupid and make a move. God, Sam gets it more than you this time around.)
Julie Kim! You are the cutest and most peaceful person I know. Tux loves you almost as much as I do. You are pretty quiet sometimes, but you better not be quiet when I leave! I expect letters and emails and phonecalls and postcards and…wait, no texts, because my parents disabled it! Haha. Yeah story of my life. (I love my parents though, of course.)
Nisha! Among my friends, you are the one I can count on to make me turn up the sunshine. Some people call me a ray of sunshine — but you are the sun. You are always someone to turn to if I need a brighter day, and you are the most warm and caring person a guy could know. Thanks so much for everything.
Horace! You have no idea how much you mean to me. Remember tag long ago with Eric Lin, Andrew Apicello, Tim Kang, etc? Since then, I’ve always thought you were an amazing kid. You inspired me by example to be a ray of sunshine into other peoples’ lives. You’ve touched people by your character, that character that makes you such a lovable, gentle soul. You’re an amazing guy Horace. You *know* we can’t lose touch.
Lauren — thanks for walking with me last night. You’ve always been that person I could count on to understand feelings and to give me good advice. You’re that natural impulse, the one who dares me to take a chance. I owe you cupcakes, and everything else.
Bobby! You have been my friend since what, 7th grade? You’ve always been one of the most awesome friends throughout high school. We cannot lose touch! Don’t let your frisbee skills go rusty either — I expect we’ll be playing a lot when we get back
Lehsah! Even though you couldn’t make it and were sick, you still managed to make me tear up with your beautiful montage. It means more to me than you can know, as is with everything you say and do. You’re the best.
Ann, just you being there made my day.
Last note: I make friends intending that friendship lasts forever. Never stop calling me, IM’ing me, emailing me, or whatever it is you do. Just don’t text me, I don’t have texts haha. I have um, everything else. Skype Oovoo Gtalk YIM AIM Email a BLOG, okay so never make an excuse like you can’t find me.
I love you all, you’re the best group of friends in this world, period. There is nothing that could ever replace any one of you in my life. You’re all of utmost importance to me…and I am crying manly-ly right now…and so yes I will hit the “publish” button now so that I can go and weep myself to sleep with tears of happiness.