Birthday Round-up

Everyday I never forget that I'm blessed. Of course, I do have problems and my life isn't perfect but that is reality, that is life per se. But time and time again, I'm reminded that I may not have everything I want in life, but the one up there surely gives me what is enough to make me feel loved and blessed. And he has reminded me this lots of time during the course of my birthday celebrations.

Imagine having a weeklong birthday celebration? Imagine having so many people greet me via phone, email, SMS, Friendster, Blogspot, Multiply? Imagine receiving gifts from the husband, parents, relatives and friends?

My birthday may have been incomplete, but someone up there is always making sure that I have a lot to thank for in my here and now.

With my birthday week over, I just had one final gift to myself---and that is a day-off .

So last Saturday, I went off to the mall and had some Me time. I kinda missed myself you know? hehehehe. I haven't been having day-offs lately coz I'm saving them up for later travel.

And so I went and did a couple of errands, went around looking at stuff. As a birthday gift to myself, I got me a DVD of The Lake House and The Notebook. I only wanted The Lake House actually but it was part of the 2 DVD collection thingy and it was on sale, so why not?

Then, I celebrated my last birthday hurrah at Starbucks with a cup of my favorite Americano...

and by watching a movie!

My day was perfect!!!! The movie was very funny and romantic and not so cheesy...it was the perfect anniversary movie (even if husband is away) as it made me remember my own wedding day. If you haven't seen this film, I suggest you watch it.

Here's a little tip for you: Never ever forget to give a gift for yourself on your birthday--it could be anything cheap or extravagant, it could be some time alone, it could be something you've been wanting to do, it could be something you haven't done before--it doesn't matter what. What's important is that you are able to make yourself feel that you are loved by you and that you are blessed. Love yourself...you deserve it!

My Wedding Anniversary Story

I woke up on that Sunday morning with tears. I wasn't really feeling dramatic or emotional (goodness, I was literally still in bed and it was only 8am) but I had tears falling from my eyes. It was one of those moments when you know the heart and mind agree at one point. It was a very raw emotion...and I knew that even if my heart was not aching that much, the mind knows that that day was supposed to be spent with my beloved.

My immediate thoughts was to stay in bed, wallow, mope and never to come out of bed the whole day. But I prayed for strength---strength that will carry me thru the day and thru the whole of my birthday week. In a few minutes, I felt a little courage surge thru my veins. "Kaya ko 'to", I heard myself say. I decided to face my day and week head on. I'm not a desperate wife after all. So even if the husband is not here, I had to celebrate. Not only for the sake of Us, but mostly for the sake of Me.

What I did that day was simple. I cooked spaghetti for the family I'm living with and went to church in the afternoon. I cooked because celebrations are meant to be shared and knowing that I offered my humble spaghetti to my beloved (in celebration of our anniversary) gave me simple comfort and joy. At least, whatever pain I felt that morning I was able to channel it to something positive [and delicious :) ].

That night, we just talked over the phone and exchanged anniversary greetings. It wasn't the most romantic conversation in the whole world as we had to discuss a very important issue concerning his coming here. Nevertheless, being there for each other was good enough. We are still very grateful for the past year even if we weren't together the whole time.

And then I ended my day with prayer once again, with higher hopes that our greatest wish would finally come true on our 2nd year together.

Friday's Feast #20

My Post-Birthday Feast at the I CHI BAN - (Teppan-yaki Style) - 25 Jan 2008

Appetizer
How many times per day do you usually laugh?

I dunno. But I do laugh a Lot.

Soup
What do your sunglasses look like?

Like this...

Salad
You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?
Queensland to see Gold Coast beaches and their theme parks!

Main Course
Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.

Transportation system is something I really really like about this country. The trains and buses have timetables and almost always they are on time. They're very reliable. You can easily plan your travel and appointments because everything has a schedule, just click on their websites and you'd know what time the train or bus will leave the nearest station to your residence.

Dessert
If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?

Fenk hehehe. (Pink!)

A Real Cake From The Husband

Surprise! Surprise! I got a delivery today at the office...

I was totally wondering, "Who would send me a package????" And when I opened the card, it was the most surprising thing...

and when I opened the box....

WOW!!!!! A real cake from the Husband!!! =) =) =)

On my way home, I called Hubby to say thanks and asked him why he had to send a cake to me a day after my birthday...and he answered "Kasi wala ka palang cake kahapon eh, kawawa ka naman" (Because you didn't have a cake yesterday).

Here's a little story about me (para may backgrounder lang kayo), I'm a CAKE person. When I was a kid, whenever my parents asked me what I want as pasalubong, you would never hear me say "chocolate", "toy" or "junk foods". Iba ang trip ko. I would always say "I want cake mommy". Que horror na bata! Magastos! hehehe. But since I'm the only apple of my parent's eyes, they would bring home a cake and that will be my meryenda at home. And during my birthdays, my parents made sure that I have a cake...I even have a collection of photos of me blowing the candles on my birthday cake, kinumpleto yan ng nanay ko.

One time, on my 28th year, I had a small intimate birthday party at Dencio's Megamall and my parents forgot to buy a cake. The following week, I told my EWBC Officemates that I was kinda sad because my parents forgot to buy me a cake, so what they did was surprised me with a big chocolate cake when I treated them to lunch. The celebration was taped on video and when my mom watched it, one of my friends mentioned "ayan we bought you a cake because your parents forgot". My mom was soooo sorry after that and vowed never to forget to buy me a cake especially on my birthday.

But since my parents are not here with me, I kept quiet about my desire to have a birthday cake, I can't impose it on my relatives to buy me one. But I told Chris last night that I didn't blow any candles and I wasn't able to "officially" make a wish because no one gave me a cake yesterday. So ayan, pinadalhan ako ng asawa ko ng cake.

Thank you very much Chris!!!! Look at everyone in the photo, we were all enjoying the cake you sent me. =)

Now if I were to give you a tip on how you will know if you've found the one, this is one thing I will tell you: If that someone loves and cares for you like your parents, if that one person thinks of your welfare the way your parents think and want only the best for you---then he's the one! Now I know why my parents love Chris and would happily give me away to him when he asked for my hand, it's because they know that however they took care of me, that's how Chris will also take care of me. They know that Chris will love me the way they do, even in the smallest detail of getting me a cake for my birthday. Amazing no? Parents really know best.