…a brief glance…

…Another year older! Oh my word! Though it has to be said, it doesn’t feel any different. It’s after midnight and technically my birthday has finished, but the festivities shall continue over the course of the weekend. Spoiled? Just a touch!

My day began extremely early…well especially if you count the phone calls and text messages at midnight. But my morning officially began with Ashe’s wake up call at 7 in the morning. But I was pre-warned, so it wasn’t like it was a rude awakening or anything. Ashe and I had our good chat…the typical hour long type! Catching up is always great. Her phone call was soon followed by everyone else. From my cousins, aunt, to Ghie, Grace & Mei, to my old friends, high school friends and even ex workmates. It was well cool. So to all those who remembered, thanks so much, you so totally brightened my day!

I spent the morning running errands with my Mom, driving her around and what not. We had to get last minute stuff for the pancit (noodles) which is tradition to always have when there’s a birthday for LONG LIFE. Picked up the Spring Rolls that my Mom’s friend had made for me. Bummed around at home before having to get ready for the family dinner at Bongiorno’s Italian Restaurant, a place which we frequented back in my day!

So funny, all the cousins (kids) were in one long table and the adults (parents) were in another. How things never change regardless of how old you get. It was nice to have quality time with my siblings and cousins. There’s bound to be a few laughs when you get all of us in one room. Usually at each other’s expense!

Tomorrow I have dinner with my friends, which I am looking forward to. I have been getting back into the whole picture slowly yet surely. How some things never change, in some ways it’s comforting.

Saturday night is reserved for my sister, my girl cousins and my somewhat adopted older sister. Girl’s Night In. Which shall be well fun!

It’s bizarre, because the more time that passes, the more it feels like I never left, but in saying that, I feel the distinct difference in me. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who sees it, and if I am, it’s scary to think it can just slip away. In two years I have learned to stand on my own, and though I make compromises in order to avoid ruffling of feathers I am aftrraid that if I keep doing that I end up in the same place I started. Where do you draw the fine line? How do you draw it?

Today was a good day. I’m grateful for it. I’m thankful that I am settling down, little by little. I am learning to close the door to a season that has ended, and all that goes with it. I held on so tightly because it felt like if I held on, then I hold on to what I have learned, what I have grown into, but I am slowly learning that I have to hold on to the lessons and not the season. If that at all makes sense. I can’t hold on to my independence, by holding on to the place where I learned them from. I can only retain them by retaining the lessons I learned. It’s a choice. Soooo, I am making that choice.

Anyways, it’s almost one and tomorrow’s going to be a big day too. Hope y’all have a great weekend ahead.