The Gifts of '07

I guess I'm a couple of weeks late in writing this blog but then again i haven't found the time until now.

Last night, a tragedy happened. Lyndon left his brand new cellphone in the taxi. He called me up just before he stepped out of the cab so we knew exactly where he left it. It was barely 4 days old and friends who saw it said it was a good buy... well, now its a good bye (pun intended hahaha)! He was feeling so down that i had to tell him to just pray for the guy who got it, and hope that he be blessed by having it. I couldn't believe i told him that, PRAY i mean...but one of the greatest gifts '07 brought was the gift of prayer. I re-discovered prayer when we started attending The Feast in March'07 and since then, i started appreciating again the powers of faith and humility.

Aside from the above (and to further veer away from the sad story of the lost cellphone), let me make a list of the gifts (or blessing) i received in the past year. In no particular order, here it goes...

1. A new apartment that's big enough, nice enough and near enough (to my office and my sister's house).
2. A promotion that rewarded my hard work and added a few more cash to my pocket
3. A church service to attend that reinforces my faith and allows me to appreciate God's presence in my life (add to that, a roster of great preachers)
4. A stable job for Lyndon that improved our finances and boosted his self confidence.
5. A week-long vacation in Cebu with my mom that allowed us to rediscover each other and improved our relationship
6. A great boss (also a great friend and confidante), who allows me to soar as high as she believes I can
7. Great friends who despite my shortcomings are ready to forgive and (hopefully) forget
8. A best friend who has memorized and adapted to my quirks and remained to be one of my biggest fans.
9. My dad who roots for me in every endeavor I take and loves me beyond measure and understanding
10. My family who's always fun and funky, and all the good that comes with it.
11. Kira Isobel who at less than 2 months old is gearing up to be the next darling of the family
12. Wifi connection that allows me to hook up (through YM) with old friends who have been out of touch for years
13. The opportunity to stay in my job amidst the horrors of restructuring
14. TV fare that allows me relax on weekends or after a day's hard work
15. Jef and his squeals of delight when he sees me, and his great big hug to boot
16. "Tulisans" who remained to be good friends outside the walls of HOC

There's got to be more than what I listed here, because '07 was one good year for me...but the challenge has always been seeing that one moment, one person or thing as a true blessing.

Maybe I'll challenge myself this year, at the end of each day, I will write down one blessing that came my way. And by then end of '08, I would have a longer list.

I can't wait!

Quintupled!

Turned 34 last week, and thus far this is the most number of times that I threw a party. Well, not really a party, just simple get togethers with friends and/or family to remind me that i'm well into mid 3o's. Jeez!

On my birthday, i took a vacation leave from work so i can spend the whole day tinkering with my new laptop and finding my way again through the world wide web. Got myself a broadband connection and hooked up with old friends through YM. I also cooked a simple dinner with Lyndon and Jen, and gave away spaghetti to the neighbors.

Went back to work the following day, feeling lightheaded because I was on line until 2am. Kisses and hugs from everyone who greeted me and had a fun lunch with Annie, Ayen, Mike and my boss. Odd group, but it turned out well. That afternoon, I ordered pizza and pasta for my officemates, my way of "giving back," having feasted on other people's birthday treat for the past 12 months.

Celebration #4 was with my mom and the whole family. We had dinner at Dencio's in Banawe and feasted on everything that would cause elevated cholesterol count. There was a live band, much to my mom's dismay: "too noisy, i can't hear myself think!" ...mom's thoughts probably. When the rest of the family left, Lyndon, Jen, Fel and I stayed a while for the music and a couple of beers then we headed home. I wanted to get a caffeine fix at starbucks but Lyndon insisted we head on home because he needed to commune with the toilet. Shucks!

Finally on the 13th, cooked dinner for my friends who came over and saw our apartment for the first time. We chose Sunday because it was also Annie's birthday the day before so we had to allow her to celebrate with her family.

5 celebrations for my 34th...how i come i don't feel celebrated? :D

Happy Birthday to me!

Got myself wifi connected today. Maybe I will have more chances to blog now; been absent for quit a while.

Got myself a new laptop as well, as a long overdue gift to myself.