Happy Birthday to Me :) (A 4-day birthday celebration)

1st day, September 14, 2012: “Guys I have Krispy Kreme here, please get your share.”

Uncertain while on my way to work: Should I give them a dutch treat? (good thought) Yes! You got a high salary today so maybe it’s not bad to share. (evil thoughts) No! It will just ruin your saving plans. Just because it’s your upcoming birthday doesn’t mean that you have to give a treat besides who are they? Ahahaha when I saw the Krispy Kreme Store downstairs I made my decision so I asked my dude if he can come with me in buying 2 dozens of donuts. I bribed him with cookies and cream shake for doing me a big favor in carrying the boxes upstairs. I put the boxes on my desk and started to send messages to my FO family. “Guys I have Krispy Kreme here, please get your share.” With all those smiles and messages that I got from my FO family, the money I spent for the donuts was returned hundred times of its cost. Thank you my FO family :)

“Dahil birthday mo ngayon mag-AUX 3 ka muna” :D

2nd day, September 15, 2012: “Surprise Nathy”

Before I went off from work I discussed my surprise project with my accomplice, pareng Mark. Since we can’t find any flower shop near our meeting place I had to drop by at Farmer’s Market where I can buy fresh flowers. I can’t choose, there are a lot of ready-made bouquets around. But I saw one that caught my attention. I asked the merchant if I can take a look of the bouquet. When I held the bouquet parang kulang???

“Ate lahat po bang flowers na meron kau nandito na sa bouquet na to?”

“Ay, hindi lahat kase depende yun sa arrangement.”

“Ay ganun, pero pwede po ba padagdagan ng flowers tong bouquet na to?”

“Pwede naman kaso magdagdag ka ng bayad.”

“Ah sige, Okay lang po ate idagdag nyo po jan lahat ng flowers na meron kayo. Pasensya na po sa abala.”

They rearranged the flowers as I requested :) When they handed me the flowers I felt Uh-oh how will I carry this? Ang bigat pala nito, request request pa kase ako eh. Anyway, for Nathy’s sake Aja! I took another taxi on the way to our meeting place. I realized I was awake more than 24 hours a reason for me to fell asleep buti nalang mabait si Manong driver. I ate some of the donuts left from my treat and gave some to Manong. I insisted when he hesitated “Ay maraming salamat ah” “Sure po walang problema :).” I was the first to arrive at our meeting place and I really feel sleepy. We had to tell Nathy about our surprise because she couldn’t come. When she heard the reason why we asked her for a meet up, she rushed to our meeting place and found a way to pass through the flash flood. It was an exhausting rainy morning for us. Na-stress ako sa paghihintay, na-stress si pareng Mark kay Nathy, at na-stress si Nathy kung paano iiwasan ang baha even Jam who coincidentally met us was also stressed of no sleep. Lahat kame na-stress pero MASAYA sobra. I was supposed to attend a reunion but I was too exhausted so I decided to take a day off.

3rd day, September 16, 2012: Pre-birthday Celebration

I woke up past 2am out of exhaustion when I saw an SMS that really made me smile :) Yey! I think one of my birthday wishes was granted. Though I’m not sure if I’ll receive a response I sent a reply via email and I got a response *wink. Enough of these smiles Mary but I just can’t help it. Okay let me find something to get busy with until dawn. Tried searching for PDF file of the books I want to read until I gave up. Found this good movie from my downloads “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and watched it instead. I didn’t notice maliwanag na pala. My mother knocked at my door. “Yes?” “Ngayon daw tayo magcelebrate ng birthday mo. Itext mo na sila, sabihin mo dito na mananghalian. Cancelled daw ang pasok ng tatay mo?””Ah ok.”  Grin. I started cleaning my room while they are busy preparing the dishes for my birthday celebration. While busy cleaning my room, another knock disturbed me. I saw my father with grapes on his hands and gave it to me. “Oh regalo ko sayo. Happy Birthday.” “yiii salamat :)” When he was walking away I suddenly asked him “Tay, bakit grapes?” (my childish curiosity) “Eh para lumakas ang katawan mo”  Enough said. My brother prepared roasted chicken, grilled pork, inihaw na bangus, Sinigang na baboy, and Pancit (for long life) ahahaha. Ang sarap kumain lalo na pag kumpleto kame though jam-packed nanaman ang aming mumunting tahanan. My uncle also visited and we were laughing the whole time. After every celebration comes my dilemma; cleaning up the mess but this time with a smile. I ended up the day talking with someone I admit so special :) We talked until that day hops to a new date, my birthday.

4th day, September 17, 2012: My day!

From 12am I started receiving messages from my FB wall :) Ayan na simula na ng paglike at pagrespond sa mga birthday greetings. Nakakapagod din pala sya pero isa to sa mga pagod na mapapaSMILE ka talaga. Since we already celebrated my birthday yesterday ngayon I maybe too busy browsing the net for something I would give myself. I’ve been thinking of what gift should I get from me. I actually want to buy a galaxy tablet preferably SAMSUNG Galaxy tab 8.9. This is what I have to do today, to buy a gift for my own. I went to the store with my mother and looked for the thingy but I just got disappointed wala silang ganung stock. Phase out?? I was having this cravings and I’m getting more frustrated if I can’t have it. Okay, relax Mer relax. I just decided to pre-order a wedding cake for my sister.  I found a stand of fish balls on the way. My cravings were lessen a bit. Okay! Kalimutan muna ang frustration and choose a cake. Busy mind really helps forgetting the frustration. I was able to think about of “a gift for my own” more considerately. I’m done picking the wedding cake which is not too expensive :D I can push through with my saving plans yey! :) And good news is that my on-line savings application for BPI was confirmed and the ATM kit is ready for pick-up. Another check mark on my TO-DO list.

My own day may have turned a bit frustrating but I was able to find ways in taking it easy. I played with my nephew so cute at madaldal na. I noticed that one of his canines is growing buti nalang hindi sya nilalagnat or nagtatae while it grows. I also watched another movie from my download lists folder “He Was Cool”. When I went downstairs I asked my brother what he is up to for dinner. He said “Handa mo, birthday mo ngayon di ba?” another smile painted on me thoughtful talaga ang kuya ko. He cooked a dish for me. Ang sarap nanamang kumain! I went back to my room to sleep my worry away. Woke up past my birthday and continue liking and responding the birthday greetings. And now I’m writing, a long story again; the story of my happiness, a bit of sadness, and my own way on how to celebrate every day that comes ahead.

Thank you Lord for everything; for the happiness, for every awful situation I was able to handle, and for all the people that makes my life filled with joy, laughter, sadness, satisfaction, and contentment. You blessed me not with everything I want but much more of what I need. Thank you for the last 25 years of experience and for another year you added I am too excited and looking forward of what may happen. Salamat po sa gift (the birthday wish you granted) at sa lahat ng wishes pa. Thank you sa lahat ng bumati sa akin through Wall post, blog post, text messages, PMs, voice calls, YM, at bumati ng personal. Sa mga hindi pa bumabati pwede pa kayung humabol :)

Random thoughts

This song pinches the heart of someone who listens to it. Fact, you can let someone stay in your heart but not in your life. You may never learn how to stop loving someone, you’ll just learn to live without them. Sad truth L

Victorio Gonzaga Avila, the best man in my life.

Victorio Gonzaga Avila, a loving husband, a father of five, and a daddy to his grandchildren. He is the best man in my life.

He is not a degree holder, didn’t even finished elementary due to indigence, but he was able to raise five kids with all his might provided food, shelter, clothing, education, and incomparable values.

He is sometimes too annoying when he acts like Mr. Fix-it, when he loudly turns on the radio volume in listening to his oldies music, when he asks a question more than twice, and when he cares too much.

He is my father, a father who is very considerate, stoic, and forgiving. He is someone who can sacrifice his wants to help others and to give his family enough luxury. I remembered the time when I was in my worst condition because of life’s effing misery without even considering how much it would hurt him he listened. To my surprise he didn’t even take offense towards the situation and he gave me his tightest hug and encouraging words to make me feel better. In that moment, I realized that at this age I am still a cry baby in the arms of my father. That instance made me more optimistic, considerate, and hopeful.

I asked him “Tay, pasaway ba ako?” He answered “Hmmm, alam ko namang mabait ka eh.” Ahahaha though he did not answer my question straight I know I am pasaway.

Tay, I know I’ve been so inconsiderate of how you may feel about my hurting but that instance made me stronger because of your everlasting love and understanding. That instance will actually help me if you reached your retirement and settle in the province with nanay. I will always remember the things that you keep on reminding me. I may not always show you how much I love you but since today marks the date you existed on earth 57 years ago let me tell everyone how proud I am to be one of your kids. Happy Birthday Tatay! 

Bawal magmukmok! SMILE :)

Because I don’t want to waste my week off and I started my day with much happiness. I listed my TO DO’s to manage my time well.

Clean my room – done!
Ayusin si CPU - finally I made my desktop work (syempre nag-ala technician nanaman ako).
Write the gospels for the week – wrote some
Bathe Yumi – bukas na lang
Visit my sister – I still have another day.
Sketch – my hands are not in the mood :P
Update my journal – have to rest muna.
Read book – pag di ako makatulog siguro hahaha
Magsulat muli – eto na!
Magthank you ng madameng madameng beses ka Lord :) – buong araw kong ginawa to

Sa isang buong araw marami kang magagawa. Kaya lahat ng posible gawin mo. Minsan nga kahit imposible magagawa mo din. Just like my experience this morning. Dahil sobrang bad mood ako when I misplaced my SIM somewhere, I went back to the place (Hanston Square building) where I dropped it maybe :)) First, I went to the smoking area. Urgh, Fail! Wala, at the back of my head maybe the street sweepers already swept it. Okay! But let me try another place, went up to 8^th floor and scanned the lobby area. Another failure! Last chance sa pantry... I pretended like I was trying to rest for awhile while scanning the floor around the sofa where I sat that Friday morning. Sigh. Wala din :( I leaned for a moment then tried my last hope. Kapa kapa sa corner ng sofa then whola! Yey there it is :) Buti na lang nagsumiksik ang SIM ko sa gilid ng sofa sobrang happy. My bad mood suddenly changed to an absolute happiness. Even DM Cris noticed it by saying “MJ, you looked so happy today” when I saw him at the lobby. Since I found what I’m looking for I rushed to get home. Hindi maalis ang ngiti ko habang naglalakad papuntang terminal ng bus when I bumped with an old man asking for penny, pamasahe daw. I initially passed him by pero teka I paused for awhile turned back and looked for Manong. Ambilis naman nya nawala. Lingon, lingon. Ayun! Nang malapitan ko si Manong I asked him “Manong! Saan ka ba umuuwi?” sabi nya sa Guadalupe. Earlier I heard he asked for 2 bucks, I gave him 20 instead I grabbed the cookies inside my bag and gave it to him. “Oh Manong have some pang-almusal :) I walked away with a hope na sana makauwi ka na Manong.

When I was sharing my rants about my frustration in getting back my SIM I feel so lucky to hear some encouraging words from my friends. “You misplaced it for a reason” “Yaan mo na yung mga messages for keeps mo na nandun malay mo mangyari na in reality hahaha” 

But this emoticon from Salubong gave me the brightest smile. With a side note “oh ayan para di ka na mainis” ahahaha natawa talaga ako. Salamat Salubong.

I still have a lot of “WANTS” in my day. Well, probably that's part of the human nature. But I should say that I’m getting what I NEED from the simple things which give me a reason to smile :) I guess I will get back to writing :? Happy Birthday Mama Mary