However, when the cake arrived at the table for Katja’s going away party as a “congratulations” song played in the background, I was truly surprised to find my name on the cake with Katja’s. I wasn’t going anywhere. There was no reason for my study group, and friends from the creativity program, to get me a cake. But they did more than that…
When plans were made for everyone to get together after the end of exams to celebrate Katja and give her a nice send off, the group talked about a pub crawl. Knowing I wouldn’t show up for that, they decided to do cake and coffee before the pub crawl, so that I could join in. (And I was told that I would be there for the cake and coffee whether I wanted to or not. I complied.)
The evening started off typically enough. I arrived ridiculously early because that is what I generally do, unless the bus has some issues. Katja arrived early as well, but pretty soon, the whole group was together. We ordered food, signed some cards that said nice things about each other, and talked about various things like classes, what people get back from doing nice things for others and the Venus Project, which was misheard as something less appropriate for polite conversation.
Then the cake came out. (I am sure there will be photos somewhere on Facebook.) I was confused to say the least, but Maria explained that it was in thanks for everything that I had done for the group. The “congratulations” song was chosen because the only other choice available was a less appropriate “Happy Birthday.”
Katja and I cut the cake, and then the professionals whisked it away to make enough pieces for everyone. I was still signing cards that said nice things about everyone else when I was handed a card with a game – I had to guess which picture represented which person in the group, and after the matching game, I was given the envelope.
I opened it up to find a ticket to the upcoming Disney concert in Malta, which was great! I wanted to go but decided it was out of my price range. Now I could go! Then I revealed the second ticket – Now I gotta find someone to go with me. To top it all off, I also got a Kinder Surprise! (Video will be available soon.)
I wasn’t expecting any of this. While the gifts are nice, it is really what is behind the gifts that makes them special and they only confirm what I already knew – coming to Malta is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thank you friends in the Creativity and Innovation Master’s program, you truly do rock. I can’t wait for the concert.