My 25th Mark on Earth

No one ever warned you about how tough it is to grow up. But that's because they can't, not that they don't want to. Growing up is an extremely personal process, and everyone does it their own way. Not even your clone who experienced the exact same events would turn out exactly like you. It's what you take in and what you filter out that slowly shapes the prism of your perspectives, which will eventually, over the years, cook up the recipe of who you are today.

On my 23rd year of being, I attempted to see the world through my mom's eyes, wondering what it was like to be married and pregnant with me at that age. Last year (I mean, 2008) I was just bored and depressed about not doing anything to celebrate the end of the second cycle of my chinese zodiac; and so I vowed to do something exciting the following year. Well, we all know that didn't happen. Yet this year I was quite at peace. Monthly cramps aside, it was a choice to just stay in, read a book and chill. That day when the clock struck twelve and I officially turned five-and-twenty, my d.o.b. ceased to be of more importance to me than any other day that I am alive -- because it is, in fact, just another day. In a sense, birthday hype is nothing more than an expression of borderline megalomania, and the sooner one gets over it, the better it is for that person. It took me roughly a quarter of a century to realize this, but this year (I mean-last year) it's as if I "saw the light". :D  ooooh I felt very zen-like. :))

I predict I would feel that way for the subsequent years to come - if i'm still alive - and I probably won't go out of my way trying to be all happening get drunk and/or jump down from a plane on that day. I mean, if I want to do anything of that sort, I could mighty well do it today (or on any other day)! Why wait? What if I die on the day before my birthday? Then I'd have wasted however long I've been waiting to do certain things only to have deceased before I could accomplish what I could've done long before. But having said all that, I still want my beloved friends to remember this very special day *ahem* =P  and keep the cutsie birthday cards coming!!! :)

And since I'm a collector - bags of emotions, pints of tears, vivid snapshots of specific events and guffaws of laughter are just among the many things I collect; cards, postcards and letters too - here are a couple of pics of what I received. I think I somewhat mentioned it last year, and so this year I've got 5 cards plus a set of postcards for my birthday this year from friends and my brothers. Hugs and kisses to them. :)))  They are a funny bunch I tell you. The cards they sent me! Check it out for yourself below.

Let's start with the top right shall we? On the card, "I was gonna have him sing you happy birthday...", and in the card it reads, "...but who cares if he's mute, right??!" HAHAHA good one! Then there's the top left! That's a huge package I got from my darling friend! There seemed to be a common thread of concern for my welfare this (well, last) year eh. :P Next card, also the first I've received - about 2 months before my birthday (for a second then I wondered if my friend forgot when my bday is) - is the one of a bear and cat hugging each other. so cute! but the message is funnier than it is cute. Totally made my day. :) The middle card is from one of my oldest friends, with a very heartfelt message in it, and last by not least a card from my brothers. And because each of them got to me at a different time, it's like reliving my birthday on 5 separate occasions. :)

This, is a set of postcards put together by my friend from Down Under, who took to heart what I said jokingly about wanting a story handwritten by her for my birthday. Awww.. :) Thank you all so very much, and special thanks to the guest star on postcard #9 (you know who you are :P)

Other cool stuff I got: from Chean, a pair of fit-flops! :)) It supposedly helps you burn more calories and shape up your thighs while you walk in it. I was so excited I took out the packaging and started wearing them, hence no pictures. Also got a clutch bag and a make-up set from my roommates, that's pretty cool too. A t-shirt from S, that says "I know what boys like". :D And as far as gastronomy goes, dear friend baked me a chocolate mousse cream cheese pie, mmmmm. Absolutely delectable! :)) many thanks to K-bear.

'Twas a peaceful one this year, but pleasant nonetheless. And though this is an overdue birthday post, I just wanna thank everyone who's touched my life, one way or another, even if it was only for a brief moment. So, thank you all. *little bow and a curtsy* :)