Every year during my birthday, I try to do something different or something I haven’t done before. It’s the only day of the year that I can make totally about me with no one hating me for it. Haha! This year, it fell on a Friday so I filed for a leave in order to make it a long weekend celebration.
And here’s what transpired...
 |
| Unintentionally turned out to be a CBTL Birthday! Sorry Starbucks! Haha! |
The day before my birthday was quite a hectic day at work. I was working on a project task with a deadline that was so tight that I almost cancelled my birthday leave. Fortunately, the deadline was extended just a little bit enough that my manager still let me have my birthday leave. But the stress from the task was enough to sort of foil my birthday mood that normally would’ve kicked in by then.
I wasn’t feeling the excitement until I got thoughtful surprises from a couple of officemates. Erin got me a Vanilla Ceylon Tea for breakfast and Kookie gave me a White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie for a quick afternoon snack – both from the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I’m a sucker for surprises so their gestures really helped perk up my mood into a festive one.
Retro Christmas
Our company’s Christmas Party was held later that night and it officially kicked off my weekend-long celebration. It was a retro party and so the house music featured great songs from the past four decades. I didn’t party in the actual dance floor (I’m KJ that way, haha), but I sure enjoyed bobbing my head and swinging my hands in the air to the music that reminded me of my youth (Yeah, I am THAT old).
After the party, some of my office batch mates and I didn’t go home just yet and had coffee at a nearby Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf branch. We stayed until half past 12 midnight, so I officially welcomed my 28th birthday with them.
 |
| Met the Kikays for my birthday! #Starstruck |
The Birthday Morning Rush
I’ve been a silent Rusher for probably 11 years now and so for my birthday, I went to visit the Monster Radio RX booth in order to meet the Kikay Barkada – Chico, Delamar and Gino! I made a batch of Caramel Oreo Cheesecakes and gave them 1 canister each. My roommate Mike was there to accompany me since his office building was nearby and he’s been in the booth before. He was also the camera man of my pictures with my radio idols.
I was only supposed to see the Kikay Barkada, but it turns out that KC Concepcion was a guest in the booth that day so it was a bonus celebrity sighting. I know I’ve posted a number of not-so-flattering (but in my defense, they were objective, haha) tweets about her during her hosting stint in The X-Factor Philippines, but that didn’t stop me from being in awe. She was actually far more beautiful in person compared to her posh Palmolive shampoo commercials. She also seemed very nice and accommodating because she gladly had pictures taken with fans during the breaks.
I was actually a little disappointed that there was a celebrity guest that day because that would translate to a crowded booth. And a crowded booth meant fewer chances for personal interaction with the Kikay Barkada because their attention would have to be adequately divided to those present. I was also nervous on my way there because I kept thinking on what I will say to them because I knew that I will be star struck. Alas, there were indeed many people in the booth not only for KC Concepcion’s guest stint, but also to have their Book 2’s signed. I didn’t even have my own copy back then because I was so busy at work that week that I didn’t have time to get a copy. But at least I had my pictures with them and I vowed to return soon in order to have my TMR books finally signed.
After my visit to the RX booth, I had brunch with Mike at Figaro and then headed to the gym in order to have a quick work out before I went home to Pampanga.
Birthday Parteeh
It’s the first time since 2008 that I am home for my birthday. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, it fell on a weekday so I was either at school or at work. I went grocery shopping with Mama in the evening in preparation for the simple bash I was going to have the next day. It would mark the first time that I would actually spend my own money for my birthday celebration, haha! In all previous years, the budget always came as a gift from my parents. I was already working last year, but I had already allotted my 13th month pay for other holiday stuff so I didn’t really have a major birthday shebang. And yeah, the day after my birthday is also the birthday of my sister, Ate Joi. I’ve always enjoyed our back-to-back celebrations.
I invited a few very close friends for the party, but unfortunately, things came up and many of them had to cancel on coming. It was really disappointing because I really prepared for the party (and Mama, too!) because I considered this the opportunity to be able to cook for the close friends that I seldom see. I mean, before they only get to “like” my cooking-related pictures or posts on Facebook or Twitter. I thought it was about time that they actually partake on what I make. Besides, having catered or delivered food for your party is too mainstream, haha!
But anyway, it was what it was and I couldn’t do anything about it. I just enjoyed my time with those who actually came. Besides, I later realized that I shouldn’t be any less thankful just because of the absentee guests.
**************
I guess what I should be writing next is some profound reflection on turning 28 and growing old in general. But really, I feel like I’ve already said the same things over and over in past birthday posts. My past experiences, both the good and the bad, are part of who I am and they will help me face the next phase of my life and all that mushy jazz bla bla bla. Haha!
But if there’s one different realization this year, it would be that at 28, man, I am really getting old! I’m numerically in my late 20s! Haha! I don’t normally wince on incrementing my age on my birthdays because I’ve always believed that getting older is not really something to be ashamed of. With age comes wisdom, after all. But geesh, for the first time, I felt a little sting when I first told myself, “I am now 28 years old! Happy Birthday to me!”
I think it’s because I’ve done a lot of really grown-up stuff the past year and so more than ever, I do feel like a grown-up. And I’m not referring to “emotional maturity” kind of grown-up stuff for it was more of the “preparing for a stable future and making wise life choices” kind, haha! I actually feel like a laggard about it, considering what my contemporaries have already achieved at the same age but I guess this is still part of the consequences of overstaying in college. But it is something that I should just accept because that’s just the way it is. I have to be headstrong and set my eye on the prize for I can still catch up so to speak. I just have to make sure that from here on out, I will not waste time towards reaching for my life goals and dreams. I take great solace in the fact that my Papa actually graduated in college at age 29 and still eventually became a formidable family man by sheer hard work and firm principles.
If my old man was able to do it, I sure as hell have the chops to do so as well. Dizon yata ‘to.
No comments:
Post a Comment