A letter to sister about a surprise birthday party
Dear Shelley,
How are you? I miss you so much! You should be very busy with your graduation exam now. Just do your best and never give up! I support you always!
By the way, mum received your birthday present and she was really delighted. Guess what I had prepared for her on her birthday? I bet you can’t guess it. I arranged a special birthday event, which was filmed as part of a very popular TV show, for her! Have you heard of Surprise of Your Life? Exactly, it’s that TV show!
Before giving you the details of the fascinating birthday event, let me ask you one question – can you remember what I promised to mum when I was five? You shouldn’t forget it as you’d laughed at me about it for so long. You know, our family was quite poor when we were children. We could only have a small piece of cake for celebrating our birthdays as usual. When I was five, I promised mum I’ll take her to the Peninsula Hotel to have a dinner.
Now, you should be guessing I brought mum there on her birthday. Yet, you’re wrong! It’s too ordinary. I did something even more stunning! Well, I elaborately prepared it for nearly two months! Arranged by the show, I learnt cooking in the Peninsula Hotel every day. I was taught by four globally renowned chefs. OK. I admit that I was really nervous during the lessons, but they were all very nice. Besides, I kept planning the birthday programme with the show’s director. In fact, rather than the planning or cooking lessons, I found keeping it secret from mum was actually the most difficult part. Thanks to all the organizers of the show, they were really professional and helped me to arrange all the work sensibly. Although there were a few times that mum nearly pierced it, we covered it up tactfully. You’ll know about it on the show. Really exciting.
Finally the day came. I acted like I forgot mum’s birthday. After she went to work, I rushed to prepare for the secret birthday party. When she returned from work and opened the door, she found our home in complete darkness. At the moment she switched on the light, she found herself in the Peninsula Hotel! Yes, our home was decorated as high-class and gorgeous as the restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel. There were a hundred of roses arranged in words of ‘Mum, happy birthday!’. On the table, there were lots of delicious food, including a big chocolate cake, beef tenderloin with goose liver, baked lobster with cheese and butter, poached chicken breast with ratatouille etc. All of them were cooked by ME! It’s cool, right? Mum was stunned! At that moment, I hugged mum and told her “I love you and thank you very much, mum”. It was so touching that both of us cried. Mum went into raptures and kept saying “Thank you”. When she realized that it was being shown on TV, she felt even happier. You know, being on TV show is her dream. That day’ll surely be our most unforgettable experience in our lives.
Actually, I feel sorry that you could not share the joy with us. I thought you would return to Hong Kong, but regrettably, you couldn’t get away from your homework. Never mind. Let me prepare a delectable dinner for you when you return home next time. Well, I’ve got to go now. Remember to watch the show next Tuesday through the internet. Bye for now!
Best wishes,
Nicky