The Last Supper

Last Friday, Jacqui organized a farewell dinner for me and Faye, as both of us were leaving for Canada in a week’s time (of course as I am writing this post a week late, I will be flying off in two days time). We agreed to have it in Chilis Mid Valley, but Jacqui asked me for a replacement location just in case the place was full. As usual I resorted to my tried and tested method for making decisions- flipping a coin. As I had no coins available at that time, I rolled a die instead. Piccolo Mondo was eventually ‘chosen’ as the backup plan. On the day of the dinner I arrived early so I was just in time to receive Jacqui’s message that the venue has been changed to Piccolo Mondo. The place was decked out with Italian decorations apart from a giant Jalur Gemilang in a corner and a huge stuffed mouse covering what I believe is a fan. The first two guests, Jacqui and Christine Haw Soon were already there. We shared a few laughs, made a few comments about the place like how unobservant the waiters were because they didn’t offer to fill my glass with water (I later found out that they charged patrons for the water). Even though I was the guest of honour, I refused to sit at the head of the table because I felt that I could not chat effectively with everyone in that position. I chose to sit in the middle, or as Peter puts it, ‘among the working class’.

Soon (and for some, not so soon) the other guests arrived. Soo Tian took the spot opposite me and we soon started chatting happily as we have not seen each other for a while. He even gave me a parting gift, a book on Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911, knowing that I enjoyed that film. Jacqui prepared 2 cards, one for me and the other for Faye. I was asked to sign Faye’s card but was denied the chance to look at mine as it was meant to be a surprise. Since Jacqui absent mindedly left my card on the table, I couldn’t resist looking at it. It was quite nice and cartoony, just the way I liked things (although I was disappointed that it didn’t have any teddy bears on it). Peter came with his girlfriend (first time I’m meeting her) and Faye came with her boyfriend (also first time I’m meeting him). Christine from my Literature class was also present, Shenji made a dramatic entrance as usual (complete with a dramatic excuse as to why he was late), and the last to arrive was Jojo from my World Issues class.

The food was not too bad. Everyone decided to share dishes with their neighbours and so Soo Tian and I ordered a Roast Chicken and a multi- flavoured pizza to share. During the meal, the talk drifted to teachers from College, and as I was explaining the behavior of my least favourite teacher, the villainous Vivien, I accidently knocked over my glass of Chocolate Shake…it was an embarrassing moment because not only did the gasps from our table attract the attention of the entire restaurant, I accidently spilled some Chocolate Shake on Christine’s food and to make matters worse, the waiter offered (loudly) to clean up the table, which drew even more stares from the other patrons. And of course, I lost my Chocolate Shake.

When the meal was over, it was time for photographs. I did not have a camera, although almost everyone else did. I was forced to steal these pictures from Shenji’s blog. Hope you don’t mind! We snapped a few photos before taking a group one with me and Faye in the middle. Then it was time for our final goodbyes and thank yous. Later Peter and his girlfriend, Soo Tian, Christine, Shenji and I decided to have some dessert, actually McDonalds Ice-Cream. I treated them to the ice-cream as I was grateful for them treating me for dinner. I offered to send Soo Tian and Christine home afterward, so as to get some more time to talk with them. I really enjoyed this last supper and indeed I feel sad that I’m leaving such good company.