my3lilprinces: @ 37

Was it been that long? 37 long or short years of my life. This is not like a twilight year for me, but am now in a stage or age when I scale back on my life, where moments and life are abound me more than the material stuffs. I don't usually celebrate bigtime during my birthday. Very seldom in fact that I went through the fuss of the birthday preparation. Probably that's why I can remember a few that seems different or something "happening" on the standards of my birthday celebrations.

On my 13th birthday, my Auntie Luz who also is my ninang treated me to a James Bond movie in the famous and posh QUAD theatre in Makati. The movie - A View to A Kill. It's a turning point for me, I met the sultry Kim Basinger and the very exotic and interesting character Grace Jones. I don't know what happened but after that I became more interested in watching foreign movies than locals and I love Hollywood stargazing-in mags. My mother is amazed on how I knew a lot of foreign artists. Going back to my 13th b-day, after the movie my Aunt took me to National Bookstore which is just beside the theater and asked me to get what I want. Of all the pretty and cute things I saw around me - note, going to NB and Makati was a new thing for me- I chose a pocketbook on sale - if I remember it right - it costs Php11 back in 1985. I could have chosen the pretty musical box or the lovely stationeries or a Hello Kitty wallet, but I went to the pile of bargain books in the middle of the store and chose a book about a twin sisters where one is disable and pretty while the other is plain and responsible. And that was another transition for me. That summer I spent more time reading pocketbooks and whenever I look back and tried to remember why I do love to read - that moment when I chose an old and cheap pocketbook for my 13th b-day is always the very first memory that would come to mind.

My 18th b-day. My sister gave a surprise debut party for me. Very very plain and trying hard party compare to the debuts of the richies but you know what, I appreciate my sister Nene for coming out with a treat like that. She dressed me up with her brown slacks and while 3/4 sleeves with turtleneck blouse. I was really very uncomfortable then dancing with all the guys in the party, supposed to be my 18 dance but I don't remember anymore if there it really came to that number. Most of my visitors were actually friends of my sister, because it was a surprise so I was not able to invite my friends. Anyway, that was my 18th b-day.

My 25th b-day. The first time I would celebrate my birthday that I have a boyfriend. But the twist of fate, we quarreled 2 weeks before that and have never talked to each other. Then at 12 midnight of my b-day, he called me on the phone to greet. It was supposed to be a move from him to mend things but I was still angry then. Then, that morning in the office I saw him and another girl officemate, a close friend of us, eating breakfast together. He fethced the girl on the way to the office. No, it was not meant to hurt me. The girl asked him if she can have a ride para mauwi sa kanila the company products I think that she bought in the company sale. He called me that night for a raincheck before saying yes to the girl. Anyway, what it was for me, I felt for the first time that I was jealous. I treated my officemates to an ice cream but he jsut ignored it. That day I also talked to him and opened up everything while crying until my eyes puffed. What was supposed to be an eventful day was really eventful in not so good way.

My 26th b-day. My friends hand I have an overnight swimming party in an exclusive resort in Calamba. I brought the food and my friends shared on the venue rental. That night I got drunked to jelly. I vomited while taking a shower and I can't control what I am saying. My friends have all sort of accounts of what I said that night and I just have to laugh. The morning after was the biggest headache I can remember I experienced. The takeaway - I never tried to get drunk ever again. I drink sip now and then but never all the way.

My 28th b-day. I was pregnant with Jerome and was in a jolly heavenly stage of honeymoon.

My 29th b-day, I have a baby.

I really don't remember anything distinct from then upto now...

My 37th b-day. In the middle of the chaos of my work, I dare took a break. My family went to SM Las Pinas initially to use the ice skating coupons I have. We ate at Sbarro, Jerome and Jason had a good time at the skates, I bought laser printer for my home office, Justin had a great time at the inflatable play pen,we looked around for a mattress then the kids and I hang out at video games while Nestor did the grocery.