Big Three - 0

Big Three 0. That's what they call when people turn 30. I turned 30 last Sunday and unlike all my other birthdays in the past, when intimate dinners or lunch for a few friends were already perfect celebrations for me, my husband prepared a party for me. It was him who wanted that and he for the first time in our lives, he was the one who organized it (not to mention financed it!). My only task was to invite all the people I wanted to see on my special day. We had the party on the eve of my actual birthday - the 26th.

Since I only started inviting friends in the evening of the 25th, a lot of them had prior commitments for the weekend already. Some turned my invites down. But most of them (and I love them all the more!) showed up. I was expecting, apart from my family, just a handful of guests (10 to 15 perhaps) but almost 40 people came! It was indeed a blast.

It was a blessing in disguise to have my only brother in town during my (or should I say our?) birthday weekend. You see, he just happens to be a really good cook. Muy excellente that everyone who tries any of dishes are always left in awe. This is a very special talent he got from our mother who was running a catering business before she migrated to the US. He whipped up his signature barbecued spareribs, beef and mushrooms, tanigue steak, fried chicken extraordinaire and buttered vegetables. My mom, because she can't live without cooking, wowed us with her trademark palabok and 'to die for' leche flan (Kat - the secret here is to separate the whites from the yolk). Dad, because he loves me so much resurrected his talent in making the best fried rice in town, complete with chinese sausage, ground pork, green peas, onion leaves and oyster sauce.

There were a lot of laughter and good conversation. Beer was overflowing. It was a night of fun.

My girlfriends whom I am more comfortable calling my forever friends left at half past 11, my TNY (taktakan ng yaman lol!) friends followed shortly, around 12mn. All the others stayed til 3am and you are right, I was already half asleep and I left the hosting job to my hubby.

For someone who never really enjoyed parties, this was one for the books. It was unimaginably great to have most of your friends and family gather in one place to wish you a good life ahead.

* * *

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have come and gone and left some footprints.. people who have touched my life in more ways than one.

My husband Arthuz, who has always been my constant source of strength. When things go wrong and I lose focus, I just turn to him and somehow, I am revitalized. He brings me back to life. I have a job and my job obviously pay well, but most of the time, he shoulders everything just so I could enjoy the fruits of my labor. He always tells me that I work not for the money but for my own personal fulfillment. He makes life really easy for me. With him, everything is within reach. He is indeed, my Dante. My reason for being.
My daughter Lizzie, for being a source of inspiration. Her giggles perks me up in the morning and her sweet voice lulls me to sleep at night. No day can be tiresome and wary with her on the door on welcome you home.
My family -- 2 dads, 2 moms, 2 sisters in law, 2 brothers in law... I know that come hell or high waters, you will always be there. Wherever I may go -- in Cali, in Marikina, in Antipolo or in Naga -- I know that we can always come home to you.
My very big collage of friendships. My Amber friends whom I fondly call my forever friends (Mareng Chovange, Elai, Kristel, Ging, Sally, Tessa, Lizette, Marie, Jayme, Mickey, Xtine and all the other rest I fail to mention for now). My Sitel friends (Kayfer, Janice, Coox, Dee, Den, Jordan, Inkee, Vee, Noreen, Roanne, Mafe, Ktine, XM friends, my team -- past and present). My high school friends (Stelz who is now based in Singapore, Tokne who has recently migrated to Virginia, Jet, Glends who just got married, Dang who just gave birth, Leah who is also based in Singapore, Rachel, Jenny, Tetet who is now in Canada, etc). My PB friends (Kumareng Lai, PDR, Jenny, Jowette, Daisy). My UP friends and my dear bestfriend, Janet. You guys rock!
My mentors, teachers, critics - all those who help build my strong character.
And to PHN, for making sure that all my prayers are answered, not when I want them, but when them supposed to be answered. Never in my time. But in His.
I have always been a very grateful person and opportunities like these don't escape me. It has been a grand, exciting 30 years of my life. Such a roller coaster ride. But it was all worth it. With the friends I have met and the wisdom they shared, I know that the next 30 years will be even grander =)