Turning 36...

I can’t remember the last birthday that fell on a work/week day. For the past several years, I was not working as a full time employee. Based on previous experience, whenever my birthday fell on a work/weekday, it was always filled with too much work, stress and that “ME” time was impossible.

Last 2010, it fell on a Friday. I was overseas attending a convention that week but on the day itself, I was able to visit and relax at Hong Kong Disneyland. Last 2011, I spent most of day with my pillows while Mom prepared my fave dishes. I even had dinner with the family and was showered with lots of Hello Kitty presents. Not to mention, my birthday cake was divine.

This year, on my thirty-sixth birthday (I call it my 18^th!), I was supposed to be attending again a convention overseas but I opted not to join from the line-up. A week ahead before the 4^th, I already planned to have a catered lunch for my work colleagues, a visit at St. Andrew’s Church in the morning and possibly dinner with the family after work.

Whew! What a day to start! I was already up as early as 3am, waiting for all of my office-mates to arrive at NAIA T1, after a final SMS from my fellow Yehey Productions member that all of them are already present and waiting in line, I turned BBB into silent mode and slept for another hour before I prepare for the day. Lo and behold, as I unlocked BBB, 12 missed calls and 10 messages!

I was excited, hoping they were birthday greetings and callers as early as 530am. Hindi pala! So, my 18^th birthday started not so good. A case of “katangahan”, of course, not by me, led to the not so good mood of almost everyone at work. Whew!

Knowing that I will not dampen my day with bad vibes, go, go, go! Breakfast of champions with my Cheeblings and visited the nearest church that we pass before going to work. Paid my respects at St. Andrew’s Church and was happy for the blessings given and wished for more in the coming years.

At work after Church, it was a madhouse! I was surprised with the gifts, I got two at work. (Haven’t opened them yet!). I have a full load for the day since I was kept late still last Friday. Good thing; I know how to work fast, accurate yet fast. 

Before lunch break, Chloe arrived with Mom and Yaya Helen. I invited them to join the office lunch treat and took some good pictures. Since Yaya Helen was the one taking pictures, we completely forgot to take our picture.

Sir Bobby gave a wonderful prayer and wishes and blessed our food. Corrhin’s Catering never fails with their good food. Everyone was satisfied with the lunch buffet: Molo Soup, Japchae (Korean Pancit), Chicken Cordon Blue, Pork Pastel De Lengua, Fish Fillet and Black Gulaman with Lychee. Burp!

After lunch and clean up, it was back to work. Stressful work day for me, and yet I was still positive that I’ll be able to leave work at 5:01pm. My bad. It did not happen. I left the office at 7:10pm. Hungry and tired and wishing to just cuddle up with my pillows and sleep.

Then I remembered what Haydelin mentioned earlier during our Chikahan while working…

H: Ma’am, birthday na birthday mo, pinagtratrabaho kita.
R: Oo nga, 3am pa lang tapos bad news pa ang sumalubong sa umaga ko, tapos hindi man lang ako nabati ng HBD.
H: Pasencya na po, pero mabilis ka naman magtrabaho, matatapos mo din naman agad.
R: Okay lang. (Sabay biglang tumawa ng malakas na malakas parang Donya Buding).
H: Bakit po?
R: Naalala ko lang, weekday ang birthday ko at workday. Basta ang birthday ko, work/weekday, palaging loaded sa trabaho. Minsan, may party sa bahay, nanduon na lahat ng bisita, ako na lang ang wala.

I missed my birthday dinner. Even BFF Ruth was waiting for the venue. I asked for a rain check and we will have our usual birthday celebration on Friday. I have another birthday celebration on Wednesday dinner. I even have a movie date/lunch/dinner with the only Sistahud in Manila and hopefully a date with some of the beautiful and gal pals (Sem, Sheena, et.al.) before the end of the week.

Even though it was a very hectic day for me, I am still happy that a lot of friends remembered and greeted me by SMS, email and through FB. I even got a birthday card thru post. Thank you for the greetings and the gifts... receiving such made my stressful birthday/work day still a good one!