thirty six

sometimes i still can't believe i've been on this planet for more than thirty years, thirty six today.  its been one wild ride so far - rough and smooth roads filled with ups and downs.  in hindsight, those are the things that made life richer, more exciting and other times sweeter.  despite the passing of the years, i am quite thankful to be alive.

life is good.  i have been blessed beyond belief that saying thank you everyday seems never enough.  i have people i can call "friends" who i love dearly like family and who i know i can call on anytime and who will tell me straight up the things i wouldn't want to hear.  real friends are hard to come by but i surprisingly have plenty.

i have a career.  with people who are a joy to work with.  a job that pays the bills.  a job that affords me a comfortable life.  God has been gracious.

i have a family, though far from perfect, i can call my own.  i have a nephew, who greeted me "happy father's day", who showers me with kisses and hugs for no reason at all.  who answers "that you love me" whenever i ask him "i'm going to tell you something.  do you know what it is?"  priceless moments that make all the hard work meaningful.

thirty six years.  that's enough reason to celebrate.

toasting it

i can't believe in a few more minutes and i will be 33. its not so hard saying it, admitting it is a completely different story. it probably will be past midnight when this gets posted but right now, i am contemplating what to write. i should actually be getting some shut-eye right now having to wake up for a 4am meeting but the sandman eludes me still. its probably because i still feel full having had a sandwich for a late, late dinner an hour ago. blame it on strama.

right now, i'm thankful that i'm 33 - not because of the age thing (and being oldie but not looking like one) but because in a way, i have more years in life than others. when abet passed away a few years back, he left us (his friends) all a very valuable message about life - that it was a gift that we should treasure, enjoy and be thankful for every minute because it is also short and uncertain. i'm just happy waking up mornings and knowing that God has given me another day in this world. i guess with growing up comes the need to face the reality that we are here on a temporary arrangement. on a lighter note, it feels great to be alive! but frac, i'm thirty-three. hahaha whatever!

i don't like birthdays. i don't like people showering me with attention (ows?) because i'm not good with compliments. but since i'm on leave tomorrow, i get a reprieve having to say "thank you" with a sheepish smile. the sad thing though is that with mom taking care of my sister at the hospital, i only have my 3yo nephew to celebrate my birthday with (less the dad & the black sheep brother). wow, its like two years in a row i'm going to celebrate without "family." last year, i celebrated it with a few friends (some acquiantances) since i was in arizona that time. times like this, it'd be nice to have someone to celebrate your special day with. but hey, i have my nephew, he's more than reason enough to celebrate.

1 san mig light + 2 margaritas + 2 glasses of cabernet = tipsy! i like.