Birthday Bliss

21 March 07
It’s been days since my birthday and I haven’t updated my blog on what happened on that day. A lot of friends have been asking for an update (side comment: I wonder why nobody’s commenting here if they are reading my blog… hmmm…). I’ve been quite lazy to update this lately since I’m not sure if somebody’s really reading it, then I get messages like, “how come you haven’t written about your birthday yet?” Ok, so here goes…

Well, I’m two years off the thirty mark so when you reach this age, birthday celebrations take a different meaning. It was a sunny Sunday here when I turned 28 (that was March 18) and the day before that, Ronnel and I already had dinner in a Mongolian Bbq restaurant that we haven’t tried yet. It turned out to be good but we liked the Filipino version better. The main difference probably was the sauce, the Filipino version was much sweeter but not as rich as the Kiwi one. The day before my birthday was “my day”. Ronnel and I agreed that I’d like to spend a day just by myself so I did just that. I had a haircut in one of the salons here and as expected, I had to stop myself from cringing when I looked at the price. You see, in the Philippines, hair cuts from top salons like David’s or Piandre cost about $30 NZ (P500++ or RM60) and that’s already a high end cut. If you go to the small salons, you’d get a haircut for as low as $10, and it’s a decent one too. So you’d understand my (especially Ronnel’s) dismay when I had to dish out $65 NZ (P2000 or RM130) for just a haircut. I was lucky I was assigned to a junior stylist, if it were a pro, I would have had to pay $85 which will make Ronnel cry. (Remember, I cut/shave his hair so he doesn’t spend a dollar on haircuts here.) But then again, I think it was worth it, coz I stepped out of the salon feeling really pretty – “feeling” being the operative word there. I had my hair cut really short, above the shoulders (as you see in the pictures) and I had two reasons for doing that – (1) I hate how the wind just blows my hair to my face, causing lipstick to stick to my hair and transfer to my face and (2) this way, I can have my next hair cut months from now. So there I was, walking on the streets of Wellington, with my new hip hair cut, enjoying the cold breeze while browsing through the shops. The department store was on sale so I bought some pans for cooking and baking. It was on my way home that I realised how simple my birthday celebration this year was. And I didn’t mean that in a bad way. For many years now, I’m used to having friends and family around and I miss that. Last year, my friends in Malaysia prepared a small surprise feast for my birthday and I was touched with the efforts they made to make it a great surprise celebration. In the Philippines, I usually cooked for friends and families on the day itself. I miss those days in a way but for some reason, I’m happy that this year, I’m not doing that. This year, it’s just me, myself and I – oh and Ronnel in the background! Kidding! Of course Ronnel plays a big role in my special day – he promised for just on this special day, he won’t be asking how much I spent. This is a feat for him coz he always, always asks this question. Every single time. So on my birthday weekend, he kept it to himself. But oddly enough, I didn’t spend much. Really. Aside from the usual grocery stuff and those cooking stuff, I didn’t buy anything special. We watched a movie when I got back from spending time with myself and had dinner. On Sunday, we went to church and that’s it. I also had calls from the people I love most – papa, ma, len, jan, auntie and lola who are miles away from me. On our way home, Ronnel greeted me happy birthday and asked if I was happy. I said yes and kissed him on the cheek. That’s what really matters, isn’t it? I am happy. So yeah, this is my simplest birthday celebration ever but it was also the most meaningful one.

Another nice surprise I got for my birthday—although it was a week too late—was this bulletin post from my best friend Marj. I’m posting it here to share it with you all. Marj is my long time best friend since grade school. We’ve been through a lot and we’ve lost touch for several years, only to find each other’s arms, giggling like how we used to back in 5th grade. I was really touched when she wrote this (actually, it was Ronnel who saw this first) and I couldn’t find the words to thank her. By posting it in my blog, I hope she knows how much I appreciate her friendship – how much I miss her and how much happy I am that we have remained the best of friends for the past 18 years. Looking forward to several decades of friendship!

-------- From Marj-----
I enjoyed this really fantastic book on food and raved on and on about it to anyone who would listen. Right away, I came up with a list of who must read it and one of them is my bespren Einge.

She's now based in NZ so I bought a copy for her. Alas, I discovered that DHL and Fedex don't come cheap so I put off the courier and emailed her to just let me know when someone's visiting them so I can send the book over.

Day before my birthday, my husband tells me that I have mail from Einge - it's the cutest birthday card ever! But wait, how cheap and thoughtless does that make me? I’m not so bad
really; it's just people like Einge that make me pale in comparison.

We were FAT friends in grade school. When my mom first saw her she was infatuated with Einge's lively eyes, glowing skin and sharp wit - I could not have been more annoyed but that
was because mama didn't know that Einge was the one who introduced me to the "dirty parts" of the Harlequin and Silhouette romance novels, and that she made me read Abante in 5th grade. My selective learning skills picked those up right away but not when she tried teaching me the Morse code or how to play the piano.

We read almost all books and made the library our playground. We also came up with our very own Vogue-like magazine complete with ads, articles and surveys.

We parted in High school then found each other again in college. school, boys, work... Einge and I were in and out of each other's lives, but no matter the distance between space and time, we always manage to pick up where we left off. We have a level of understanding and comfort as if we are never apart.

Einge and I are so alike yet so different. If we were coffee, I'd be instant - quick and simple, and she'd be espresso - double dose packed with a punch. A stranger doesn't need to
know her to deduce what a character she is.

Once, she saw a painting of a "laughing Christ" and she got all guilty wondering if God is happy with the kind of person she is. She's a chronic shopper whose venue ranges from Nine West to ukay-ukay. A fashionista who'd lift a 5-gallon water bottle just to show that she can - now how schizophrenic is that!

I was bridesmaid at her wedding and she was luckily in the country for mine. On instances of marital conflict, I'd flag SOS emails to her promptly answered by her wisdom from
being married two years ahead.

There are times when I wish she isn't so far away. But she's living her life, as am I. We catch up through our write ups knowing that when we post our blogs, we are assured of at least one reader in each other.

I miss you bespren - happy birthday!


29 March 07
Lucky Me!
I think I’ve inherited a lot more than my dad’s good nature as I won yet another prize! My dad is very lucky in raffle draws and I remember we have two of each appliance at home because he won stuff from either his golf tournament or some other raffle he joined. I’ve had my share of luck as I won an oven toaster here and there, an umbrella and some minor goodies. But I was still surprised and happy to hear that I won a backpack full of goodies from Griffin’s (a cookie company here in NZ). Ronnel and I often buy Griffin’s mallows from the Warehouse and at that time, they had a raffle draw where you just write your name and number and you’ll get a chance to win a prize. I was happy when I got a message from Griffin’s saying I won something. I had the parcel delivered at work and my officemates were teasing me that since I haven’t been in the country for a year yet, I am not entitled to win such prizes. Haha! Dave even told me it was unfair that I’ve only been in NZ for five months and I won something while he has been here all his life and he never won anything. I told him he probably has to join these raffles first if he wanted to win. It’s just a small gift but still, it feels great to win something. I just hope next time I win that Volvo or BMW draw.

Something To Look Forward To…
I will be attending a course up in Auckland on Monday and since it’s my first time there, I want to take the time to explore and visit new places. I’ll be extending my stay and Ronnel will be joining me there so that we can spend Holy Week there. We intend to visit the churches there and see some shopping malls (I’m having a shopaholic attack again!).