My Childhood Dreams

I am currently reading Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. And the book in so many instances talks about achieving your childhood dreams. So it got me thinking and asking myself if I have actually achieved my childhood dreams.So here a took stock of my chilhood dreams...

1 - I wanted to learn ballet. I so remember when I was a child how I loved doing pirouettes (in a child's way), and swinging my arms around the air just like a ballerina. Back then, Lisa Macuja was an icon. In fact, when she did a show at the cultural center in my school, I was able to ask for her autograph. I and a couple of classmates sneaked at their rehearsal. I felt so much honored to have met her. Ironically, I haven't seen any of her shows.

2 - I wanted to study painting/drawing. Kids were usually enrolled in just about any kind of classes during summer. My parents had me took piano, keyboard and swimming lessons back then. But they were never able to enroll me in painting/drawing lessons. I recall that there was one time I asked my mom that I really wanted to learn painting/drawing. Not sure why it didn't happen. Maybe because it was a bit expensive or maybe because they saw I didn't need it much since I had an inherent talent. Well, I was really good in drawing then. I won a poster making contest, joined a painting contest (but lost), always asked by friends to draw their paper dolls, etc. I really wanted to develop this talent...But I guess it just never happened. I think I have lost my creativity and I swear I want to bring this back. I still am itching to study painting.

3 - I wanted to own a library. I wanted to own a gazillion of books. This has largely been influenced by my father and my aunt. My first storybooks were given to me by my aunt. These books were Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and The Ugly Duckling. I truly treasured these books. Sad to say I don't know where they are now. My aunt also introduced me to detective novels Nancy Drew, Bobsey Twins, and Hardy Boys. When I was 10, I started borrowing these books from the school library. And yes I was able to own a Nancy Drew book.
My father's influence came from the fact that he had quite a collection of books at home. These were mostly religous books. I never really read them (though I was able to use a few of them as references in school work). I just so loved flipping through their pages. And I was happy with the idea of being surrounded by his books. He also had a bunch of Reader's Digest which he used to subscribed when he was single. I read some of them and yeah I could say RD's articles and stories years ago were more interesting (and many). Over the years, and as I grew up, he continued to buy me books but stopped when I was able to afford them. My affection for books hasn't changed. I may now have my own "collection" of books. But still they aren't enough to call a "library".

And so they are just three. Just three childhood dreams. These are all I could remember and all these I have not achieved fully. Studying ballet will never ever be fulfilled. It's too impossible to learn this at my age. I'll get broken bones and frustration. In replacement, I can watch a Lisa Macuja performance. How about studying painting/drawing? This is never too late. I still can do this. I've seen a school not far from where I live. I can try to inquire. Surely, this will be a to-do thing for me next year. What about owning a library? Well, I am doing this now bit by bit, little by little. I have my books, and there are more to come. To where and how they should be arranged still remains a vision. But I know it is going on its way to that.

By writing these childhood dreams of mine, I feel excited and rejuvenated. It reminds me of my "happiness" as a child. It takes out stress and work burdens.

Since these dreams are still a work in progress, I have vowed that they shall be fulfilled no matter what. Tomorrow I'm going to call that art school. =)

TRY (OST - Fame, sung by Asher Book)

If i walk would you run
If i stop would you come
If i say you're the one would you believe me
If i ask you to stay would you show me the way
Tell me what to say so you don't leave me
The world is catching up to you
While your running away to chase your dream
It's time for us to make a move cause we are asking one another to change
And maybe i'm not ready

Chorus
But i'm trying for your love
I can hide up above
I will try for your love
We've been hiding enough

If i sing you a song would you sing along
Or wait till i'm gone, oh how we push and pull
If i give you my heart would you just play the part
Or tell me it's the start of something beautiful
Am i catching up to you
While your running away, to chase your dreams
It's time for us to face the truth cause we are coming to each other to change
And maybe i'm not ready

Chorus
But i'm trying for your love
I can hide up above
I will try for your love
We've been hiding enough

I will try for your love
I can hide up above

2x huh huhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh huh huhhh

If i walk would you run
If i stop would you come
If i say you're the one would you believe me

It's the Little Imperfections That Make One Perfect...

What is A Valid Reason To Love?

What is a valid reason for someone to love someone else? This was a question Bella asked Jacob at one point in the book New Moon of the Twilight Saga. And it got me thinking too, is there really a reason for you to love someone? Is there such a thing as a love that is wrong? Is loving someone ever wrong? Someone asked me that some time ago. And I couldn't help but agree. But then again what if this someone you love is in some situation that makes it wrong? What if he is committed? What if he's married? But how can you stop the feelings at all? The more you hesitate, the more it grows stronger. For a while I thought about it real hard. I isolated myself at some time, reflected on the questions, seeking answers. And then I came to a realization - the feelings stay, the love stays, but you can make everything right by physically distancing yourself from the person. Physical distance means literally being away from him/her. Avoiding communication as much as possible. I think over time the "strong feelings" will go away. To forget the person may never happen but to forget the feelings will happen. This is when I can say that TIME is the solution. And when both of you know the gravity of the situation and when both of you acknowledge the complexity of it all, everything works out.

To my friend - I know I've hurt you in one way or another by words I said or the deeds I did. I was just confused, troubled and wanted everything to be right. I also want you to know how special you are to me. That probably won't change.
I know you know how I feel, what I think about the situation and everything else. And I ask just a little respect and understanding. I also assure you that I now understand your feelings and what it's like in your case. Know that I respect you too. And I have been praying constantly. God knows best.
My friend, we can make this right.

Life Management

I attended a two-day course entitled Time Management. You know I've read lots of time management techniques over the years. But I didn't expect this course was going to be any of them. Well yes there were perennial principles presented like prioritization - what's urgent and important. But then the speakers or trainors had something more. The real meat of the course was life management. The part that I really liked best was that when we were asked to map out our life. Our goals, dreams, all those things we want to happen in our life would be mapped out over our remaining years on earth (supposedly). So if I expected to live until 80, I have 52 more years. And over these 52 years, I would allocate years to each of the four seasons of life which are spring, summer, fall, and winter. In each of these seasons, I would have to put in what I want to happen on these 3 aspects - personal, relational and professional. It's amazing how my life map turned out. And it feels fulfilling to be writing them down despite not yet achieving any of them. I feel so empowered. And it makes me want to work at them right now. I've really been thinking hard how I can achieve them. If God wills them so, let them be. If not, then I know God knows what's best for me. The important thing is I know what I want. And my life has a purpose. That is what life management is about - knowing your purpose and living your life in its accordance.

char kaayo nga mga quotes and poems

Sonnet 17 of Pablo Neruda’s 100 Love Sonnets

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms,
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep

***********************

I don't regret the things I have done or the things I have chosen not to do because what ever I've done, I must have done something right because I ended up with you.

***********************
from Brida by Paulo Coelho

"People give flowers as presents because flowers contain the true meaning of Love. Anyone who tries to possess a flower will have to watch its beauty fading. But if you simply look at a flower in a field, you will keep it forever, because the flower is part of the evening and the sunset and the smell of damp earth and the clouds on the horizon."

"That is what the forest taught me. That you will never be mine, and that is why I will never lose you. You were my hope during my days of loneliness, my anxiety during moments of doubt, my certainty during moments of faith. Knowing my soulmate would come one day, I devoted myself to learning the Tradition of the Sun. Knowing that you existed was my one reason for continuing to live."

"I will always remember now that love is liberty."

**********************

E. B. WHITE: Charlotte, "Charlotte's Web"

You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that.

HaUzMaTeS

Housemates...

When I decided to accept the offer for work in Manila, I knew that I wasn't going to be living on space of my own. I can't afford that, you know. I can't afford a 10k rented condo unit, or even a 6k rented space. Well, probably I could if I am not sending money back home. So I was prepared to live with other people. It should be a first in my life. This is the first time I have lived away from home.

In my one year stay here in Manila, I have moved twice, or I have lived in 3 different houses. First, I stayed on a condo on a share-a-condo set up. According to a friend, it means you're just a glorified bedspacer. I paid 2.7k for a bed space, in a 4 bedroom condo unit along Pasong Tamo. Yes, the place was good, conveniently situated - McDonald's, Chowking, KFC, and Shopwise were just a short walk away (you can go there in you PJs). What I find rather inconvenient was that in our room, there were five of us! And in that unit, there were 10 occupants sharing the kitchen, the dining-cum-reception, and laundry areas. So it was literally a "full house". Even in our room, we couldn't get all our clothes out of our luggages simply because there was no space. If all of us changed clothes together, we'd be bumping to each other. But of course, it wasn't at all that bad. It was fun, in a way. I had interesting roommates. We'd watch VCDs/DVDs on weekends, or chika to the max. Thus, it was a bit sad when I left after 3 months.

I moved to Taguig, where some of my Bisdak colleagues are staying. It was really okay. The place was well kept, quiet surroundings, good water supply. Although, our unit was a bit small but it was ok since there were only 4 of us. There were two rooms - a friend and her hubby occupied one. I and a new found friend occupied the other one. We loved it there at first. But later on, it didn't prove to be worthwhile at all. First, the owner was an AH. (Sorry for the word, but a lot of people would agree.) She was just too much strict. Too much "businessy". If it hadn't been for the one year contract we signed, we could have left that place after 3 months.

But what I really cherished on staying there was that I had friends. There were about 8 of us Bisdaks. And come Fridays and weekends, we'd gather for an all-nighter (or all morning?) of DVD, card games, mahjong, etc. It was fun and stress relieving.

When our Bisdak friends' contract expired, they had decided to move out. They couldn't take another year of dealing with the owner. Since my roomie went back to Cebu, I had decided to join them. They would become now my third set of housemates.

Now, I am staying in an apartment in Palanan, Makati with 4 friends - all Bisdak and working in the same company as me. There are 3 males and 2 females in this house. Allow me to introduce them. Let's start by age, the oldest first. His name is Roliver. He's 30 something. I don't know his age exactly. But I know he's "lapas na sa kalendaryo". He's married with 2 kids, and 1 on the way. He's more of like the father figure in the house being the oldest. But don't judge him as the most serious one. He's not. He jokes a lot, and is so game to watch one movie even on a weekday. Even if it lastas till 2am.

Next to Roliver in age is Ferdi or Ferdz. Well, he's the rather serious type. He's married too with a daughter or son? or just a daughter? I don't know really. I actually forgot. He wakes up the earliest. By 7am or 730am, he's out of the house. I don't know exactly what the reasons are although one is for the parking space. When it comes to watching movies, he's so attentive to what the characters say. You bet, he remembers their dialogues by heart.

Then there is Rossini. He's single and I don't know or care if his status is single. We're about the same age. He's a CPA as well. The Bisdak group pairs him off with Evir, a dear friend. Although we tease them, there hasn't been a confirmed relationship between them. We heard lately he's seeing someone else. But the more important thing is he's a great "asset" in the house. Because. He owns the "entertainment showcase" - a flat and wide screen TV with the superb sound system. How will our DVD marathons go without them??? Jecel and I pray hard he doesn't move out or get accepted in another job far from Makati. We'll lose the only other thing that keeps us sane on Friday nights and weekends. *wink*

The youngest in our "household" is Jecel. She's in her mid-twenties. Not only is she the youngest in age, she's also the "smallest" physically. But despite her petite figure, you can never underestimate her. She's a good cook (our certified cook in the house), a witty woman, and so fun to be with. She's my roomie. And I'm glad she's single too (and even unattached) and loves to travel and have fun and adventure. She's now my new partner in crime.

Then there's me. I cook but not in the full essence of the word. So my contribution in the house is on dish washing, and cleaning. I don't mind cleaning the toilet.

We love the place despite the ocassional appearances of roaches and the inconsistent water flow. Why? We're a happy bunch. So far, in our almost 2 months stay, we have managed ourselves pretty well. And the best thing too is our landlady who is all good and all loving. She is the exact opposite of our former landlady. We love her. She's our dear lola in Manila.

I do hope that I'll stay in this place longer. And I will keep the same housemates. But then I don't hold their fate. One will decide to go back to Cebu or work abroad. Or maybe move to his/her own space. So I can only hope for the best for each one of us - as housemates or not.

maligayang bagong taon

Get One At - Friendster Comments

the one that got away…

I accidentally found this article from a friend's friend's friend's link in her friendster account. :) But I really like the article. It's something I can relate to, especially recently when I have been thinking about the one that got away... so here's the blog post (http://thedreamlife.blog.friendster.com/2008/11/the-one-that-got-away/):

i got this through email and i thought it was so true…read on….

In your life, you’ll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There’s the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you lost your virginity to, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you’re with …and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away?

I guess it’s that person with who everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn’t fall the right way, I suppose. I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a long time partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing.

It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance. How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you’re not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn’t matter who you’re with, it just doesn’t work. Small problems become big; inconsequential become deal breakers simply because you’re not ready and it shows. It’s not that you and the person you’re with are no good; it’s just that it’s not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

Then one day you’re ready. You really are. And when this happens you’ll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it’ll work because you’re ready. It’ll work because it’s the right time and you’ll make it work. And it’ll make sense, it really will. The day comes when you’re finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want and you’ve become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there’s no telling when this day will come.

Hopefully you’re single… but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn’t matter. All you know is that you’ve changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about. You’ll think about them because you’ll wonder, “What if they were here today?” You’ll wonder, “What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?”

That’s what the one that got away is. The biggest “What if?” you’ll have in your life.

If you’re married, you’ll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you’re mature enough to realize that if you’re already with the one you’re with, that this is just another test of your commitment, one which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you’ll think about him/her every so often, but it’s alright. It’s never nice to live with a “might have been,” but it happens.

Maybe the one that got away is the one who’s already married. In which case it’s the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you’re old and gray and reminiscing.

But if neither of that is the case, then it’s different. What do you do if it’s not yet too late? Simple… find him, find her. Because the very existence of a “one that got away” means that you’ll always wonder, what if you got that one? Ask him out to coffee; ask her out to a movie, it doesn’t matter if you’ve dropped in from out of nowhere. You’d be surprised, you just might be “the one that got away” as well for the person who is your “the one that got away.” You might drop in from out of nowhere and it won’t make a difference.

If the timing is finally right, it’ll all just fall into place somehow. And it would be a great feeling, if in the end, you’d be able to say to someone, “Hey you, you’re the one that almost got away.”

***My note: Unfortunately for me, the one that got away is getting married soon. It is sad that it's hard to find someone like him. But I'm happy now that he is happy. Memories of him (no matter how vague our situation then was) will certainly bring a little smile on my face. To him that got away, I wish you the best on this new endeavor. Married life is not at all smooth sailing. You know that. I know when you decide on something, marriage in this case, you'll stand up for it. You are a righteous man, responsible and God-fearing. You'll be a great father and husband. Believe in that coz I believe too.***

Velociraptor (with KJP's suggestion)

I could survive for 32 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds.net

One Year

I'd like reflect the one year I have been with my present job, a year away from my family, a year of living on my own, a year of living in a big city. I came to Manila a year ago, November 3, 2007 with excitement, anxiety and fully of energy - with a better paying job, independent living, big city life. Now I look back what the year has brought me, or what I have brought to the year as well. Indeed, the year was a good one. The company sent me to London for a five week training. What more can I ask for! All my life I had been praying to be able to see the other side of the world - the Western side. The 5 week stay in London enriched me. It opened my eyes to another culture. It made me appreciate their culture as well as it made me appreciate more my own culture, heritage, and of who I am and where I came from. It made me feel blessed and grateful for what I have - my family, my friends, my faith, my God.

My family - The sad side, Mama's feet got worse. She could no longer stand up and walk very well. It had something to do with the nerves. Arthritis, she said. I know that depressed her in ways. I continue to pray that she can walk well again. I still hold that dream that one day I can bring her and my father to travels abroad. Apart from that, little quarrels and fits of anger flared up in the family on certain times. But they all got resolved. And that's part of the happy side. Add to that, Mama and Papa had the chance to visit me in Manila when I got back from London. They took time to see relatives and got to taste a bit of the busy and chaotic Manila life. My sisters too were able to visit me. I took them to Enchanted Kingdom. It was a short 3-day visit but a worthy one.

Friends - Indeed,I have made good friends, and even best friends, the kind that'll stick with you no matter what, and support your decisions. They make you laugh and make you cry, and most importantly teach you lessons you can never learn on your own. One of the very special friends I have was my roomie. We had lots of little fights yet we always made up. She made me realized a lot of things. And though we're no longer roomies now, it was having her as a roomie and a friend that I consider one of the best things that happened this year.

My God, my faith - I am sorry to say that my relationship with the Lord waned a bit this year. I missed Sunday masses. I spent little time with Him. I know it was all my fault (who else is to blame). But the good thing is, I never gave up on Him and He never gave up on me. With all the temptations around me, He just wouldn't let me get near them. I am thankful. I am blessed.

The past year was full of colors. It wasn't all bad. It wasn't all good. It had balance. But all in all, it was a precious year, one that shall make a mark in my life story. So many bunch of lessons learned, so many relationships enriched. I can end this year with a smile. And look forward to next year with much hope, anticipation and faith.

The Call by Regina Spektor (to the cancer kid-patients at Phil Children's Hospital)

You are all brave. :)

See you soon, Friend (yayi's message to Bisdaks)

GOD’S PERFECT TIME

“There is an appointed time for everything.”– Ecclesiastes 3:1

He wanted to buy a car. But he could only afford a second-hand. On his first attempt to search for a used vehicle, he received news from a friend. “Have you heard that the car of one of the residents living a few blocks from your home was stolen?”
“Is the Lord telling me something?” he wondered. So he postponed his search. After sometime, he looked again for a car. Just then, he heard that another vehicle was stolen near his area.
After a few months, he resumed his search. And for the third time, another vehicle was stolen … and it was his neighbor’s.
He gave up the idea of buying a car. Instead, he decided to wait for the Lord’s signal.
One day, he dropped by the office of a colleague. He was handed an envelope. It was his Christmas and birthday gift rolled into one. When he opened it, it was a check, the amount of which is good enough for a down payment for a brand new car.
It pays well to wait on the Lord. God’s timing is always perfect. We just need to be patient and trust His heart. byJudith Concepcion
from Didache 9/26/08

REFLECTION:
God is neither too late nor too early. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

I choose to wait on You Lord no matter how long it takes for I know You have prepared only the best for me.

*****
These are the words I exactly need these days. It's amusing that for this week, I chance upon this on my yahoomail twice. Seems like the Lord is telling me over and over again to wait for the perfect time. I've been praying for a lot of things to happen in my life. And the Lord's answer is - Wait, my precious child. In my time, everything shall be done.
*****

I'm not that girl

A fave song...
From the musical WICKED...
Watched the play in London at the Apollo Victoria Theater...
I am in love with this musical...
I really am!...






Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I'm not that girl.

Don't dream too far
Don't lose sight of who you are
Don't remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I'm not that girl

Ev'ry so often we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn't soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who's winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with gentle curl
That's the girl he chose
And heaven knows
I'm not that girl...

Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn't born for the rose and pearl
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl...

movie marathon

I'm back in Cebu for a one week vacation.:) I'm happy to be with my family again, making chikas and seeing them everyday. I miss them so much! :)
While here though, I plan to watch lots of movies. Luckily, my brother has a lot of downloaded movies on his PC! And I don't think I could ever finish all of them!
So far, I've watched two - Atonement and Vantage Point. Though with Atonement, I wasn't able to concentrate very well and I kept forwarding it. The audio was bad.:( Anyway, I plan to read the book. I think the drama will be much more stronger in the novel than in the movie. Vantage Point has so much adrenaline rush in it. I like the way it was done. Now I know why the title is Vantage Point. :) Movies on my list:
1- Music and Lyrics
2- Love in the Time of Cholera
3- Sex in the City
4- Indefinitely Maybe
5- No Country for Old Men
6- There Will Be Blood
7- Harry Potter (all series)

Good luck to me! Wish I can watch them all and more!

Happy vacation to me!

May 10-June 14 2008

These are the inclusive dates of the London trip. I spent some 5 weeks there. And I tototally enjoyed it. And I wanna go back. Because there were just so many things to see and so much to do but so little time. If given the chance to back to UK, I'll do the following things:
1 - go to Scotland and visit my friend Eva and her family
2 - visit my cousin's family in Sheffield
3 - go to Oxford
4 - take a pic at the 9 3/4 platform
5 - get inside the Tower of London and see the crown jewels
6 - shopping in Ashford
7 - watch Les Miserables and other plays/shows in West End

While I was there in London, these were the only tourist places I've been to or activities I did:

1 - Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, St.James' Park
2 - River Thames cruise
3 - London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge
4 - Madamme Tussauds
5 - Portobello
6 - shopping and window shopping in Oxford street, Kensington High Street
7 - Kensington Palace and Gardens, Harrods for Princess Di's monument
8 - Greenwhich
9 - Hampton Court Palace (my favorite!!!!)
10 - Sheffield
11 - Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, City of Bath
12 - drinking beer (w/o ice)
13 - wearing no jacket at 14 degrees Celsius (it was sooo cold)
14 - watched Wicked (I so love this musical!!!)

I think I've mentioned them mostly... I think I haven't missed the important ones and my favorites...

London Here I Come

I'm writing this blog entry at the Dubai International Airport awaiting for our connecting flight to London. :) I'm happy for 3 reasons. One - there's wireless internet connection and I can log in to the restricted sites in the office i.e. yahoomail, blogger, gmail. Thus I can write about this UK trip. Two - it's my first trip outside of Southeast Asia, my first trip to UK, my first trip to Europe. And I am not paying for the airfare and accomodation! This is because I'm on a business trip. I'm with two other officemates. We'll be in London for a series of trainings and meetings. (And on the side, sightseeing and shopping). Three - the flight was easy, not much pain on the ears, good food, nice attendants, watched Juno and for some reason I forgot the other movie. (We're on business class!) In less than an hour, we'll be flying to London. Here I come. ;)

24/27

Today is March 24, 2008. It's my birthday!!!! And I'm now 27 y.o. I can't believe it I'm nearing 30. wahahaha... It's kinda weird to say that I'm 27. I feel old. It also feels odd especially when I'm still single, unattached and my friends and contemporaries are already starting their own families, getting married, having kids. Well anyway that's life and that's just how it is.

Today my little sisters (actually not little anymore) surprised me at around 3am when I was so sound asleep, they sang 'happy birthday' carrying a little doughnut with a candle. How sweet. I'm touched. I love surprises. :)

I got a few text messages today from friends and officemates. I don't know yet what else is coming. :) But usually they are just text messages and email greetings.

Happy birthday to me!