I just came home from gatecrashing a party for a queen. No. This is not some party of a socialite-wannabe or a gathering for a queen-for-a-day. It is indeed for the queen herself – Queen Elizabeth II – in celebration of her 82nd birthday.

My bff caught me online this morning. What started as a friendly “how are you” chat ended with an unexpected invitation to a party she was to attend this evening. You see, my best friend, the cause-oriented, diplomat-wannabe is currently involved in some organization. Now, don’t dare ask me further ‘coz all I know is that it involves: Foundation, Youth and the Prince of Wales (just connect the dots). She wanted me to gatecrash ‘coz she didn’t know anyone else in that party. Her boyfriend, who would also be gatecrashing the event, also prodded me to come with them. I planned to attend the jazz dance class this evening at 8 pm and I had to rewire my brain a little bit so that I wouldn’t feel guilty of having skipped dance again for tonight’s event. Clad in the best attire I could come up with at the last minute, off I went to the British ambassador’s home in Forbes Park, ready to be kicked out for not having been properly invited at all.

After spending almost three hours being a wallflower (hooray for me I wasn’t booted out of the party!), here are ten things that I came to realize: Read the rest of this entry »