Hubby got there before we did.  He was wondering why the kids & Papi were putting up the Happy Birthday banner and blowing up balloons.  He was asking why there was palabok & cake when the salo salo is tomorrow pa.

We were the last to get there bringing with us the much craved for by hubby - crispy pata.  Sarap ng kain!  Nag-videoke pa sila while I sneaked out to lie down already was I was drowsy from exhaustion.  Haayyy… the stress of planning plus a full 11 hours at the office… I was dead to the world by 10:30pm. hahaha.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU to the following:

Papi: for being the designated driver of the day…picking up the food, dropping off the kids, etc.

Karen: for ordering the cake & crispy pata and for comforting me when things were all going wrong.  For keeping me company.

Don: for picking us up from work and passing by the collect the yummy crispy pata.

Lulu: for her kwentos while we were on the way home.  It sure got my mind off the surplise that went wrong. :)… and for her baby names suggestions… katuwang chikahan sa car.  Kakamiss ka Tita Ru!

Today, I planned to give hubby a surprise mini- birthday celebration on the exact day of his birthday.  I had the family as accomplices.  Things were going great until 5:30 pm when hubby called in regarding an urgent need for him to go to travel agency to sort a prob with his bro’s visa.  Karen & I needed to make a quick stop to pick up 1 food item we ordered on the way home.  I decided to send hubby to Deira immediately so that he doesn’t miss the 8pm deadline.  Karen & I now have the prob of going home & picking up the food on the way.  It seems we will be stuck here for a while.  L  To think I’ve been wanting to go home early as it is the weekend.  L

I think I just want to cry now.

If you are Pinoy, you will know the term “malapit nang mawala sa kalendaryo” (“close to being out of the calendar”). This is somewhat a joke that we say when we are asked our age.

Last 22nd of January (from 19th till the following weekend actually <grin>), I celebrated my 31st year in this world. When I was younger, I thought 30 was old. I guess when you earn more years in life, you simply see the world differently.

So the question is, How does it feel like to be 31?

Without giving it a thought, I would say I don’t feel older than when I was 25. hehehe

But, when I do stop and give it more thought… I am happy to say that I feel more content, more certain of what I need and want, furthermore, I would like to believe more mature than I was in my 20s. I wouldn’t say that I would like to slow down just because I feel content but actually, I feel more driven to accomplish things that I only dreamed of before. Not the basic material things, I am looking further down the future. I considerably developed a great interest in savings, investments and thinking with extra income in mind. I guess now is the time to really think about this since our next steps will be to support our own family and maintain the lifestyle we have learned to love.

It is only today that I had a realization that made me “nod” to myself in agreement that so far Life has been good All in All. I have so much to be thankful for and so much lessons that I have learned from (and still learning from.) I have so much I aim to achieve this year alone. Some ambitious. Some simple. All worthwhile.

I am pleased to look back and say, I am contented to be where I am. I am exactly where I should be.

I would not trade anything to be changed for they have made me who I am now. I may not be perfect but I know I am God’s masterpiece in progress.

I am blessed with such beautiful beings to surround me. Those who have been filtered and remained true throughout it all. Quality than quantity. I admit I do not need nor can tolerate too many :p.

31 is just a number. To me, 31 years is a wealth of memories and blessings.