If Today Is My Birthday (Part 1)

If today is my birthday, then I might have woken up early. I'll take my cold morning shower complete with all my daily rituals - from milk soap to strawberry yoghurt body scrub to anti-hair fall shampoo to gentle facial wash up to southern region wash. The works! And other vain rituals after that - all in the name of preserving and taking good care of my human body.

 Then I'd wear my favorite white shorts and orange polo shirt and some old multi-colored sandals. After successfully combing my hair and gasping at the several strands of hair falling on the floor (I've said this before - shampoo TVCs are all lies), I'd tell my husband to have a pancake breakfast. Oh, the husband's fully groomed and shower-fresh already! He loves cold morning showers and I love it too. So, erase that naughty smile! It's called marriage and water-saving tip combined.

I love to cook but I don't really love washing the dishes after the slicing and cooking. And it's my birthday anyway! I'm entitled to a free pass. So off we go to devour pancakes and bacon and sausages.

After the mighty lard consumption, I would feel guilty. Then I would start thinking organic greens and fresh air. And since it's my birthday, the husband has no right to complain. He would just meekly obey me.

We're going to Tagaytay again! While traversing the boring SLEX, the husband will start cracking corny tales. Me? I enjoy listening to Katy Perry and sing my heart out to '90s music. So that's exactly how I will behave en route to Tagaytay. I will not do any backseat driving because I fully entrust my fate on the road to my husband these days. And it's my birthday anyway! I will not stress myself over SLEX and its goddamn VAT.


..... to be continued.

Omigosh! I'm 30!

I am now officially 30!

I can't thank God enough for giving me another year to enjoy this maze-like adventure called life.

My gratitude overflows when I think of my parents. They did a good job in raising me. I practically owe them my life and I will forever sing praises of their unconditional love and sacrifces. When I started earning my keep, I appreciate them more than ever. I know it's not easy having five (5) children, feeding them with the most nutritious, if not delicious, meals, sending them to school and all. More so, on my part, they even spent additional bucks for me to finish law school. I can go on and on and on with incredible and amazing things that happened to my life because of my parents but this is supposed to be a short post. With their constant guidance and a little verbal spanking once in a while, I couldn't complain anymore. One of my birthday wishes is for my parents to have a long and healthy life. And the realization of a simple, modest house in their retirement piece of earth in Bohol. Fresh air, sea breeze, fresh seafoods, fruit-bearing trees, lots of pet cats in the backyard or perhaps one big dog, that senior citizen sort of happiness and fulfillment.

I'm now 30. That fact starts sinking in while I'm writing this and not thinking much. Just a short piece of appreciation and typing what comes to my mind... word after word, like a creative Tourette's.

So, here I am, waiting for the man (oh yes I've met him already and he's mine and mine alone) and spend my birthday with no definite plans. Hahaha! Last night, I thought of whipping up a good pasta but I suddenly remember that the man (who sometimes acts and feels like a first grader) is not a big fan of Italian fare. Okay. So allow me to thank him - the man - for making me happy since May 19, 2009 or two weeks prior to that date. Fast forward to June 24, 2009 when I truly made a vow to myself and the universe that this is it. The angels of love must have heard my constant wish ever since I became aware of romantic love. The angels gifted me with a wonderful man, someone who will be with me and hold my hands as I traverse the challenging trails of life and grow old with. Did I just say that?! Hahaha! From the deepest caverns of my heart, I thank you. I pray that we will always hold hands through thick and thin. Mushiness be damned. 

Of course, to the four people (make it five to include the nephew) whom I share my genes with (a.k.a. siblings), I wish you all the success. I'm the firstborn so I know by heart what their capabilities are and I can genuinely say they will make it. Nobody promised us that life is an easy breeze, so be strong. Be the own captains of your ships and souls and be the most dedicated Florence Nightingale(s) ever with, of course, prosperous lives! 

Thank you, Lord. I see no need to enumerate all my wishes since You know them already. They are mostly unselfish so I will not doubt anymore. I can make it.