Happy birthday to my diamond of a sister :)

Having been away from home for over 3 months now, I've been pondering a lot about friendship and what a wonderful thing it is. And then I came to think about my 4 siblings and how blessed I am to be sharing unique bonds with each one. Most of the time too, I would think of my youngest sister Golda, and what a great friend she is. 

Looking very pretty. =D

It was not always fairytales and butterflies with her, mind you. Growing up, we've had our squabbles (lots of them), called each other nasty names and didn't talk to each other for days on end. But we got past all those (as I'm sure we'll get past all the fights we'll have in the future) and it's all because of the deep affection that we have developed for each other ever since we were kids. We shared a room as little girls and I remember having spent countless nights just laying in bed and laughing so hard at funny stories - tears rolling down our cheeks and tummies aching. This we still do to this day, and it is still as fun.  On rainy afternoons, we wrote songs (remember Graduation?) and in our make-believe world, we were supermodels or professional doctors, lawyers, teachers or even priests. 

Inspired during that time when the both of us were having dark eyebag problems. :)

As grown ups, we've developed different tastes on some things but it doesn't matter. She's one of my deepest friends (or maybe even the best) - been there for me through thick and thin, during my highs and lows. She's probably the one person who knows my deepest, darkest secrets. She's very smart, eloquent and a really deep thinker. She is not afraid to speak her mind and she challenges my beliefs and opinions. But she's not only book smart. She's funny and quirky and can make anyone laugh (most especially our father) with her most random remarks. She's a real sweetheart too - watches movies with me even if she has to see it twice, accompanies me when I have no one, and just plain listens when I need ears. The thing is, we could spend moments in total silence and still be totally comfortable. She is also very real and brutally honest - tells me when I look pretty, when I look like crap, when it's time to lose weight, or when I am being overtly stupid. 

2010 New Year's eve in Vigan :)

It is true that there is no greater gift in the world than that of a sister. The greatest, if you get along well with each other. I am blessed to have 3 in my life, whom I love ever so dearly. I share a unique relationship with each one but it is with our youngest that I've always had that LOVE-HATE relationship that even I could never ever fathom. 

In just a few hours, my sister will be celebrating her 24th birthday - so Happy, happy birthday Golda!!! I cannot thank the Lord enough for giving me a great sister like you. I love you so much and you know very well that I wish all the best for you!

If it's true what they say that diamonds are forever and that diamonds are a girl's best friend, then I am really lucky to have been given one. Looking forward to more of our love-hate-love moments! :)

My twenty-something birthday of sorts

Next to Christmas, my birthday is my favorite time of the year. I do not remember ever a single time in my life that I did not become excited to celebrate a birthday. As always, I feel giddy when July comes. More so on the eve of my birthday! Close friends and family know for sure that July is extra special for me because it is also the birth month of my father, who I've been celebrating with ever since I could remember. Aside from my dad, it is also the birth month of Emir, one of my closest friends in the solar system! Emir and I have very fond memories of birthdays celebrated together with our select childhood friends.

This year I turned 25. As many would know, this is not the typical celebratory stage just like when a girl becomes a teenager at 13, reaches sweet 16 or comes out to the world at 18. This is more of the "what-do-i-do-with-my-life-now or what-happened-to-me phase of many young adults of my generation. The infamous quarterlife phase! At this time last year, I was going through what I callled a pre-quarter life crisis which was my initial entry on this blog (click on the link: http://twentyfourcandles.blogspot.com/2011/08/pre-quarter-life-crisis.html). I looked back at what I have written and realized that indeed, a year later, I have undergone change and embraced it whole heartedly. First, I gave my blog a new look. This I did with the help of Golda, my tech-savvy sister (at least for me coz I don't know a thing about technology). Now my page looks more chic and sassy! Second, I resigned from the job which I considered a comfort zone for so long and fulfilled my life-long dream of becoming a bum for a good two months. Third and most importantly, I took a HUGE dose of crazy and brave to finally move out of the Philippines and live permanently in a different continent! While this may seem very exciting, it has not been an easy decision to make. I do not know for certain what lies ahead nor what fate has in store for me and this SCARES me to death! I quote my close friend Emir in his birthday letter for me:

"Nobody has yet been given the gift of foresight. All we can do as mere mortals is to hope."

 Alas, I hope and pray that things will turn out well. If not as planned, then according to the will of my Creator.

Much is going on in my life right now. So while 25 is not the typical celebratory age, I declare it to be so. My father and I chose to celebrate again together, inviting our closest family and friends - the persons who we really and truly want to spend this occasion with. The weather was very unpleasant on my birthday that I thought we'd have to cancel the party (No thanks to TD Ferdie). When the rains got calmer around 3 in the afternoon, that's when we decided to push through. From the bottom of  my heart, I thank every single family member and friend who came to the party to celebrate with me (Eya and Macy, don't worry, I understand!). Each of you made me and my family feel special and truly loved!

Do enjoy the photos:

Happy birthday to the both of us!

I personally chose matte gold to be the motif so it would be age-appropriate for both me and my father.

At this point, Papa says grace then his usual welcome speech and introduction of the family.

Then comes the traditional blowing of birthday candles. My Manang Czarina bought us our pretty cakes!

Photos of friends and family. I do hope everyone had a grand time!

My friends from early adolescence to corporate:

Cheers everyone! Special thanks to the official photographers - My brothers Minggoy and Jun! :)

Let me end this post with this beautiful quote on change:

"Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change." - Jim Rohn