Soon I'll Be 30 Years Old

    

It has already been over a week ago since my birthday and even up to this writing, I am still reeling from last week's birthday fun. 

I felt blessed that when I was younger, I grew up celebrating my special day with our close family, relatives and friends. My celebrations were not something grand. They were just simple and very intimate. My Mama made sure that every year, I could have the "best birthday ever" she could possibly give me despite our financial situation. Having spaghetti and cake on the table, okay na. As they say, "mairaos lang." For the rich kids, that may be small, but for us, that was already special. 

Perhaps it is the upbringing that made me feel excited each year to spending my birthday with the very people that make me feel special. 

P.S. The whole week, I was wearing the color that truly makes me happy. RED! 

First celebration was in our office, July 14, a day before my natal day. My HRDearies were so creative to surprise me. I went out of the room and when I got back, they all together greeted me with a cake and hand me their gifts.

In return, I ordered delivery food that we devoured for our afternoon snack. Thanks, HRDearies!

The following day, July 15, which is my real birthdate, I woke up to lots of birthday greetings and messages on SMS, Viber, Twitter, Facebook, Facetime, and the list goes on. I wish I could treat each of them but I can only thank the words they sent me! 

Since it was my special day, I planned to do the things I enjoy doing. Anything that would please no one but myself. I started with a quick workout and then I dressed up in red (again) for my birthday lunch at Vikings. 

The people who know me so well know how much I love eating. From cold cuts to desserts, Chinese to Japanese, Korean to Mediterranean, and all other cuisines, I like them all. Good thing, Vikings has them all in their buffet spread.

 

My brothers were in the office so we were the only ones who ate like Vikings. 

The simple joy of having a birthday cake. In my eyes, it's magical!  

I am a cake-lover but that little kiddo is truly an ice cream monster! Haha.

Then I had coffee and desserts. Lots of it, actually! 

Then we killed time malling/shopping. Too bad I forgot to ask them to take a photo of myself buying some stuff. 

By the time the sun has set in the skies, I headed to the church to thank God for the 29 wonderful years of existence. 

With both a wish and a prayer, I thanked Him for all that is here and now. I may not have everything that I want, yet I was granted with all the things, family/friends whom I need. That is more than enough. 

My day started good and I planned to end it better. My brother got back from work and so we decided to cap off the night in BF with his wife. First stop was at Central Bar & Grill. 

Food trip, music trip and bad trip. Haha. But because we felt like we are likely becoming "Tito's and Tita of Manila," we hopped to Bacaro, where we enjoyed good conversations, strawberry margarita, pizza and mozzarella sticks. 

Thanks to these two for making me a third wheel. LOL. Seriously, for keeping me company on my birthday.

The following day, Saturday, the Parrilla's gave me a cake, which made me feel so happy. Perfect for coffee & cake and quiet afternoons. 

Sunday, our family day -- all July celebrants sponsored our family lunch. Here's the flatlay of the food we wolfed down. 

Thanks for the gifts and for coming, guys. Your presence was my best present.

 

I have yet to meet some of my friends for my post-birthday celebration. To end this entry, I would share with you the wishes I made as I blow the candle of my birthday cake: 

"I wish that I may always have opportunities to do the very things that make me feel alive. And that I may continue to make and chase new dreams."

Soon I'll be 30 years old. But for now, I will enjoy my last year of being 20's. Thanks to everyone for making my 29th birthday not just special but FABULOUS! 

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Secret Santa

It’s that time of the year when it isn’t our birthday, yet, we receive surprise gifts and wonderful presents. Sure, it’s Christmastime!

In the spirit of gift-giving, my officemates and I organized our very first Kris Kringle. We did not plan to make it extravagant. Just simple enough to celebrate the season.

The categories per week were the following, with the gifts I received from my Secret Santa:

Week 1: something that describes your Santa Baby -- a dark chocolate bar (am i bittersweet?)
Week 2: something boxed-up -- a box of Nesvita
Week 3: something random & weird -- a concealer
Week 4: something annoying yet funny -- an eyeliner
Week 5: something Christmassy -- candy cane
Grand: something your Santa Baby likes -- to unwrap on Christmas Day + the gifts I got from
my workmates

Too bad my Secret Santa revealed that I was her Santa Baby the day before the first gift-giving. Supposedly, revelation is done at the end or during the last gift-giving day. I admit, it reduced the amount of excitement, but the enthusiasm never faded away. Each week, I was looking forward to the gifts my “Secret Santa” prepared and wrapped for me.

As a token of appreciation for all the gifts that Secret Santa gave, Santa Baby then returns the generosity of Secret Santa by giving a "thank you gift."

I know that this was our practice long before when we were still studying. But no matter how many times we do it, it is still fun and exciting -- from overthinking who's our Secret Santa, to what gift to buy, to how to wrap it. It's always fun! At the end of the whole gift-giving thingy, we learned that it feels good to give, whether it's small or big, expensive or cheap. It's the thought that matters! Now we know why Santa Claus loves giving presents!

Speaking of him, thanks to the real-life Santa Claus (officemates) for coming early to town! These gifts make me feel like a kiddo guessing what's inside!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

***

Birthday Blues

Last Sunday, July 15 to be exact, I turned 25. Please say I don't look my age! Lol. We started celebrating my birthday as early as Saturday. In our world, we call it "birthday salubong" which was always a drinking session with lots of barchows. The following day, my real birthday, mom prepared all the sinfully delicious dishes for our invited relatives. The theme was supposed to be "Dangerous at 25" but since we are 5 July-celebrants in the family, we decided to celebrate it at one time, making it "A Dangerous Party." There were isaw and chicharon bulaklak (pork intestines), chicken skins, morcon, sisig, and many more. The dessert was an ice cream and the rule: you have to eat it immediately after having lunch. That way, the cholesterol intake will get saturated inside the body. I wonder who among our family felt secretly dizzy. Thank God no one was rushed to the hospital! Lol. While waiting for merienda, we ate bags of chips with dips. It was just frustrating that others can't stay any longer as they have other commitments so they left early. But it can't ruin my day! We then craved for something sweet. CAKE! The celebration continued to a coffee-and-cake night. That was also fun! Two days after, I brought my favorite mom's version of palabok and sumpia in the office. It was a simple birthday treat yet I'm glad my workmates liked it.

I would like to thank all the people who made my special day "special." I appreciate all the gifts, greetings and wishes left and right -- from text messages to sending me tweets and the messages posted on my Facebook. My silver year became memorable because I was (and still am) remembered, loved, and appreciated. Sharing with you now the pact I made each year. I will be a better version of myself because:

I am already 25... and still looking FAB! Kidding aside, because I am a year older, definitely I will be wiser. 

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