wow! i officially turned 28 yesterday. curiously, i haven’t given this birthday much thought. it’s not because i’m broke on this day, because I’m usually am every year. compared to last year’s excitement of turning 27, i didn’t feel any iota of excitement for this day. i wouldn’t say that it’s because i’m getting older by the year. this reason wouldn’t slide with me as i’ve learned from an officemate-slash-rockstar that people’s age gets stuck at 24 and i kinda feel that i’m stuck at 24 myself, hehehe… add to that, my mother often tells us that only carabaos grow old, not people.
anyway, as i’ve done in the previous years - i make it appoint to thank one person each year during my birthday. it’s actually a new tradition, so haven’t thanked many people yet. this year i couldn’t pick one single person to focus my gratitude on. thus, i’ve decided to list the 28 people that first comes to my mind and holler a one-liner gratitude. not that these people only deserve a liner. god knows how much these people mean and matter to me. some i don’t actually get to hangout on a daily basis, but i’m forever grateful for the things i’ve seen in them which in effect help me become the crazy person that i am now…i limit the people included in my list to those i’ve known by virtue of the school ID and the company ID. the names on the list are not arranged according to their importance to me. hehehe, going the safest route: arranged alphabetically.
i’m very, very, very grateful to — for teaching me:
cel – that one doesn’t have to be vocal about things to stick to your principles and to fight when necessary
chin – that life’s full of bullshit, yet despite that you should make an effort to rise above one’s circumstance
claire – that one should think long term and make the best of all the blessings thrown my way.
debi — that the strength of a woman’s character is incomparable and though married life has its downside, it still is a beautiful thing
dennis – that one shouldn’t rush, take a pause, and study your problems carefully before you plunge into the abyss
dobe – that there’s nothing that will be accomplished if one keeps complaining without moving one’s butt to get the changes sought
don – that there are men who can be faithful and dedication to work has its rewards
edwin – that responsibility is a BIG thing and one shouldn’t leave the discussion table without coming up with a solid and sound resolution
florence – that guts is important when you want to achieve or get more experience out of life
godfrey – that gentleness has a place in this earth and being focused with life and having drive are truly important
ivy – that there’s nothing wrong with being practical, and that one must tread on the path of life without fear
jen – that it’s very important to keep sane friends by your side and to let them go when they are ready to fly on their own
joan – that there’s nothing wrong with showing passion and loving a hundred percent
john — that dreams are achievable if you put your faith on yourself, you work hard, and believe in the dude above
jonathan – that life isn’t boring, that much like music it has different tunes and you learn to adapt with the tune
juliet — that problems cease to become problems if you put laughter and perspective
kram – that there comes a point in your life where you want to be grounded and you have to work at it hard
ley – that sometimes silliness is as important as breathing itself
line – that leading a single life isn’t an anomaly and that on your own life could still be wonderful
marini – that the greatest mistake a person can do is to compare your life with that of another’s as being a mere observer is never enough to know each individual’s triumphs and troubles
michelle – that traveling is an experience to be savored and must be done often
muriel – that keeping in touch with friends and remembering them is such a pleasure and a great affirmation of your worth
mylah – that there’s value in sharing your talent and part of your life to people
peachi – that a person has a choice to go the destructive way or choose to live and be happy amidst pain
toto – that work ethic is not an obsolete idea, it lives on and nothing’s odd with you if decide to uphold it
wena – that being a bitch can be useful so long as you don’t step on helpless mortals and if they didn’t ask for it
yam – that love for books is IN, and that keeping to yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t care about the people around you
yogi– that there’s no reason a person cannot travel to foreign lands as going there only takes a simple decision: buy the ticket
pahabol: thanks to cel, chin, dennis, don, edwin, juliet, kram, ley, line, toto, and yam… the people who made a tingbitay birthday fun: here they are partying inside a cramped office…
