Saturday December 9, 2006 - Los Angeles
It was my birthday on November 2 while I was still in Edmonton. My sister Caroline had the idea to have a party when I returned in December to celebrate my belated birthday, Halloween and Thanksgiving all rolled into one. I was expecting and prepared for this party, but I was not anticipating that my family had contacted all my friends and setup a trap for me! Honestly, it did cross my mind that they could have arranged a surprise on this occasion, but I didn't think they would have actually gone through the trouble.

Originally it was meant to be a traditional surprise, but everyone was stuck in traffic. Mom and Aunt Renee had the tricky task of delivering me to the party without spilling the beans, which was complicated by the need to delay my arrival. Maybe that's where the expression 'being taken for a ride' comes from. Perhaps I should have become suspicious when they were having a hushed conversation before we left... or when we went driving around randomly to look at mediocre Christmas decorations... or when we stopped at the store (in costume nonetheless) to procure the all important lettuce and tomatoes... or when Mom called Caroline to ask if she needed anything from the store after we already left it. But I wasn't paying attention and it all slipped by.

When we arrived to the party, it was only family (just as I expected) without any surprise. Fifteen minutes later I saw Sloan, Pat, Pamela and everyone else arrive and I really was taken off guard! Since they did not get to have their big jump-out-and-scare-the-bejesus-out-of-me surprise, I was tricked (who other than by Mom) to help get something out of the car, only to return and find all the lights off and the stage set for the grand entrance. I was really impressed that everyone went through so much trouble for me. This was the first real birthday party with cake and presents I have had since I was a kid!

What I learned from this experience is how easily I am fooled... and nobody can be trusted! ;-)