Kwentong Sparks on the 25th

CELEBRATE.

Celebrate the years that have brought you to this day. Your family, friends and the people in which you have been a part of their life; the love, the laughter and the good times.

Celebrate the many years to come. The dreams you hold in your heart, the excitement of new adventures, and the time you will have to spend with the people you love and dearly cherish.

Celebrate yourself. The special person you have become, and how much you mean to those who care about you.

Happy Birthday, Jepay. We love you.

Bragging you an excerpt from a surprise note I received as I woke up this morning. Ha!  Walang duda. Bente y singko na nga ako. And I celebrated it with a different set of people again.  Since I got my first job I rarely spend my birthday at home (not to mention Christmas and New Year). May it be in a mine site, or overseas, I try to remember the people who celebrated it with me, as my second family. Over-emphasizing, perhaps. Although this is not the first time that I celebrate my birthday away from home, the memory of reunion-like birthday parties and walang-katapusang-ispageti-bidyoke-praydtsiken-handaan still lingers as we used to make every birthday as an excuse for scheduled get-together, catch up session with cousins, and of course, videoke.

Anyhoo, I don't want to ruin this post by being so sentimental. After all, the title of this blog doesn't sound like an emo post. Let loose.

It all started with a prayer of blessing and ended with a surprise from the same person (I really thank you Lord for this wonderful guy). Then the in betweens: I got the chance to meet for the last time my old friend Ate Michelle, who'll be leaving for good. The group experienced the UB traditional birthday ritual: therapeutic foot massage and dinner. Not only that, I also received a letter and gifts from my Ate's (old sisters), Maita, and a new-found friend, Sarena. Nice. Got totally spoiled by them on my day. 

When I thought that everything was over, I received a heart-stirring birthday note from Ry. To be honest, I am starting to hate the distance between us in the past week. Just to give you an idea: we are 1800 miles away from each other as he is currently working in HK, and I am presently living in UB. Plus that he's working on night shift so talk about time differences. Have to convince myself we're in a different time zone. You have to blame me  not if separation anxiety attacks, I am really trying my self to be placid. But though we are physically apart, he never fails to express his love every single day,  and now on my special day. What he did really made me qvuestufnsduer duvsfg yujfvidserj* all the more. Heya bespren, thank you for allowing me to post this. =)

 

Warning: This is one of those Kwentong Sparks** yet again.



Soo. He went down to places we've been during the first stages of our friendship and collected a series of pictures, plus a personal note of each captured scene. Sweet! It is my first time to receive a personalize gift like this. I am really surprise on his sweet side that people rarely see. I never thought he could be this mushy.

Happy Birthday sa aking mahal na Jepjep,

I had a stroll down the memory lane before I went to work. It is amazing to be a part of your life. And I thank God everyday for creating you for me, created in His image, beautifully and wonderfully made to show how much God loves me. I will always love you mahal ko kahit pumuti na ang buhok, kumulubot ang balat, malaglag na lahat ng ipin, I will still love every part of you for God created you as His Masterpeice.

I remember this escalator, looking at it anxiously, and staring at it every minute, until I saw you going down and I looked away pretended not to see you but can't control my smile and not long after that my nervousness disappeared.

Remember this place? Our regular meeting place 6:30, Pret-A-Manger. I anxiously waiting for you holding 2 cups of coffee.

 

Our first and last cinema experience as of today. I remember our conversation while waiting for the movie to start, had a brief chat about your lovelife. There it hit me, kuya talaga ang tingin mo sakin. :) But it was ok, it is nice to have a professional christian friend, so no hard feelings. Then we had a great time watching a 3D movie with you. I did not know you don't like 3D movies, as you had mentioned it causes you nausea. Good thing you are fine when we were watching it.

 

After the movie, we were both hungry because we haven't eaten dinner yet and all other restos are closed so we have no choice but to eat here. I remember your order is Fillet-O-Fish? I had a chicken wings meal. Then we exchanged our stories, work mostly.

 

After our dinner, I showed you where I have my usual date with our Lord, at Tamar Park overseeing the Victoria Bay. I was very happy to see your expression when you first see the big lighting greetings in front of the buildings, I was happy because I saw a very appreciative girl, very excited and very happy even in simple things, although there is no simple about that view, it still amazes me as I stroll today even without the light display greetings

Strolling at Tamar Park.. Viewing the amazing skyline of Hong Kong.

Still in Tamar Park viewing the tall IFC I Tower

 

Strolling the bay side.. Exchanging stories about work, family and other life experiences

Still in the bay side, heading to Central Ferry Pier

Shared with you the ferry ride for the firstime, sharing with you about my experiences about boats and ferries. Even how I love to swim.

Arriving at the other side of Hong Kong island along Tsim Sha Tsui, enjoying the beautiful view

 

I remember how we enjoyed that night and this view. Then we departed ways at Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, departed as friends as of that moment, having no idea we will end up as as this. Can't wait to spend more memories with you Mahal ko. Happy 25th birthday ulit! Keep loving God always.

*our own language of kilig

**story that will make your heart skip a beat