The Day I Turned 25

I love celebrating my birthdays. I get to celebrate it more than 24 hours. With families 12-hour ahead in the Philippines and three-hours behind at west coast, you do the math.

My birthday actually started yesterday evening at Horacio's aunts's place. It wasn't really for my birthday, since we were off and I haven't seen them for the longest time, Horacio and I planned to visit them. Dinner there is always with great food, we had Ratatouille and Chicken Parmesan. Tia Florcy is such a great cook! On the plus side, we had some of her guacamole... she makes the best guacamole (it's where we got our version of guac!). I actually told Horacio not to mention to anyone about my birthday, but I was surprised when Tia Aury and Tia Florcy handed me a gift. It's this nice necklace with a heart inside a circle pendant. After a hearty meal, Horacio and I decided to head home, for we were ready to retire for the night (we had a long night the previous night and went all the way to the Bronx earlier that day to visit Gavin).

Upon reaching home, after doing some candy shopping at Hollywood Video, I got to my room to find me five balloons floating around with a gift card!! My brother thought I had work that day and wasn't really expecting me home early. It was from my brother, Marianne and Cary. I love balloons, and been asking for balloons for this coming Saturday, actually. (hehehe.. It's that 2-year old in me, I guess!). Horacio and I situated ourselves in front of the TV and watched "How I Met Your Mother" with the candies that we hoarded when my phone rang - it was my sister!! My first caller (Philippine time). After few minutes of conversation (since she was waiting for her doctor's appointment), we bid farewell and I continued on with the show.

11:58 pm came... my phone started to ring once more... Tito Vic!! He told me that he was actually trying to wait until the last minute (but you know what happens when you do that?!). Tito Vic never fails. He is always there and always calls you no matter what holiday or event it is. When we finished talking, Horacio started his countdown and serenaded me with a his rendition of Happy Birthday. No tears came out this time... :)

Then it was bedtime... as soon as I hit the bed, I fell asleep only to find myself waking up to the sound of my phone -- Marleni!! Now, I actually was disappointed at her, since she is known to wait exactly 12:01 and you'd hear her singing from the other end of the line. All is forgiven, since she explained that she was at work, and admission came around 12. After her warm wishes, back to sleep I did.

Around 7 in the morning, my brother opens my door and starts to sing(?) happy birthday... which I really appreciated but... I was so sleepy that time! Then 9:30 came only to be waken up by my phone... it was my dad. He actually complained why I was still sleeping and just waking up and that he had been calling me only to get a "recording". After much explanation, he place Jackie on the phone and Jackie in turn placed Auntie Fe on. Then my dad felt bad for me and let me go back to sleep. I tried to listen to my voice messages, retrieving two. One from a co-worker of mine, Ashma and her little girl and another one from my dad. As I went through the call history, it turned out my dad only called once!

I tried to go back to sleep but my phone started to ring once more... my sister. She called me and we did a three-way with mom (since she was also calling). We had our laughs (what do you expect... we had mom on the other line). After a good half an hour, we tried to conference in my brother. Twenty minutes later, we all hang-up. Horacio had me open his gifts for me... I was actually excited what he got for me... since I was really clueless as to what I want for my birthday. As I opened the gift (clue that was given to me: I am the only person who's about to have it.)... i found myself opening a gift to the latest of the iPod family -- iPod Touch!! I was so excited to finally see colors and pictures on my iPod!! Horacio told me that it was just about time to retire my iPod (I think I had the second generation iPod!). Then he insisted that I open his card... only find another gift --- tickets for Avenue Q!! After tinkering my new iPod, Horacio had to leave and I had to start getting ready. I had my nails done... and came back home to paly with my new iPod! After getting couple messages from friendster, facebook and my YM, I got a call from Tita Terry, Wilson and Shushana (they remembered!). Then I really started to get ready to get going.

Up until then, Horacio has not revealed where he was taking me for dinner. I chose not to know as well, since I wouldn't even know and would just kill the surprise. So, we hopped on the train, got off 28th Street, and Horacio led me in The Carlton (by Madison Avenue and 29th Street). Our reservation was not for until 5:30, so as we waited the person in-charge directed the sommelier to our direction and we found ourselves drinking some kind of fruity champagne (the sommelier was French and we had a hard time understanding most of the things he said!). Then the chef sent us these three most delicious hors doeuvers (spelling?). One of them was this tiny, little quail egg that seems like a devilled egg... as soon as it hit our mouth, it was just bursting of flavors!! Then there was this canape which was just equally sumptious and there's this cute little pumpkin pie with marshmallow on the top which was.... surperb!! (It was so good that until now, I am wishing for more!). Then we were led to our table. To sum up our dining experience... Country Restaurant at The Carlton is worth the experience. It was really great.. as I told Horacio, he is gonna have a hard time upping up for my next birthday! Chef Zakarian is really great!!! If only we had enough money.. I would love to have my wedding catered by him....

After a great four-course (with some change) meal, we headed out to west 45th Street to watch Avenue Q. Traffic got to us, and we had to run to the at least a block and a half to the theatre -- I was wearing at least three inches of heels!! It was all worth it though!! :) Avenue Q was so great and funny, although, a bit disturbing (muppets are for kids!!!). It was surely and enjoyable experience (It Sucks To Be ME!!). It's highly recommended that you watch it. You'd be laughing from the beginning until you leave the theatre!

People had been calling me the entire evening. Most of the time, I couldn't pick up th phone... and I apologize if I haven't called you back... I am so thankful for all those who remembered, for the warm wishes and prayers. I feel so blessed. I am just so happy (and tired) right now. This has been the greatest birthday so far!! I can't wait for the hat party this Saturday!! :) I love being 25!!

It's Official!!

I am now 25!!!

.. give me a couple days and i will tell you i am 26! :)

hmmm...

with four days to go... i have been feeling quite cranky. i don't know where it's stemming from.... hmm..

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anyways... four days to go!! i really, really can't wait to see what horacio has in store for me... he's been extra secret-y this time. not even a clue what he got me or where we going. i bet it's gonna be a memorable day (or night?).

also, six days from today is my hat party in celebration for my 25th. although i am not inviting the same whole crowd as i did for my birthday last year (since the place is a lot smaller now). i am hoping for a really good one. i am aiming for not too crazy yet crazy enough for it to be memorable. so, come and don't forget to wear your funkiest hat!

a dilemma...

what to do? have a party at home or just go to a bar with friends? hmmm...

13 days to go!!! can't wait!!! :) i don't know why i can't wait, but i am surely, uberly excited for THE day to come!!!

can i have a quarter life crisis? just so i could have one.. a reason to do something crazy. hehehe