best gift

i closed book 33 at midnight last night and ushered in the beginning of book 34 amidst a flurry of early well-wishers. i am fortunate to know a whole bunch of people who, despite the longevity of our acquiantance or the infrequency of our get togethers, still remember special ocassions. i realized how short life can be when a good friend passed away very young and from then on, treated each birthday as a gift. While i still cringe at the mere mention of the number 34, i do feel lucky and humbled that God has given me a life, beset with victories and defeats, that hopefully matters to the people i know. so cheers to the past 33 years and here's looking forward (and upward) to 34.

gifts came unexpectedly from friends last night. i still can't believe i have found really GREAT friends in grad school because you know, normally those lifelong bonds are formed early on during high school or college. grad school (GS) friends, the gifts were touching because it tells me how much you have appreciated my friendship. please know that i treasure our friendship - in my heart! thanks for the springfield shirt & belt, been wanting a pink shirt forever and its like you read my mind. the banana rep scented candles were uber chic. i love 'em.

i'd have to say the best gift i received in the past 33 years would be the pink bear (photo), hands down. its the best because my four-year old nephew won it at timezone this afternoon and told my mom "this is my gift to uncle jay!" tell me, coming from a four year old, being able to decide to give his prize as a gift just melts your heart. times like these, as i hold him tight and revel at the sheer innocence and love in his little body makes all of the sacrifices worth it. and i don't even like pink teddies. this one is a keeper though.

the funny thing about today (and last night) was that when a friend asked about my plate number, i realized that this month is the deadline to have the car registration renewed. dammit, i wasn't prepared to shell out 5k pesos for it. that now screws up budget for this month. dammit. dammit.

lunch was awesome. very far but awesome. we ate lunch at "panciteria san jacinto" along e rodriguez jr and the food was really really good. i ate so much it would put everyone to shame. well its the last day to feast so much cause diet starts tomorrow. i really need to shape up --- as in! or i won't be able to wear 3 very very nice shirts. ugh.

it was nice to hear my celfone beeping and ringing continuously. people remembered. it meant i mattered. that is what makes life worth living. thank you to everyone who remembered. thank you for the years of friendship.

"you know you love me. xoxo."