My Birthday Bash

First of all, let me thank all those who greeted me on my special day…

• friends I have known for quite a long time who has been with me through thick and thin.
• former colleagues and friends I haven’t seen for quite a while but has been in constant communication.
• acquaintances and people I stumbled upon at some point or another.
• and most especially, my new found friends in the online world, blogosphere and YM alike, whom I haven’t met personally but have shared some sort of special bond and connection. I hope one day, I can meet each one of you and share some laughs over coffee.

The SMS, phone calls, YM messages, emails and blog comments you all sent me really made my day extra special. And so, from the bottom of my heart… THANK YOU, MY DEAR DARLING FRIENDS!!!

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As I said in one of my most recent posts, I’m really not expecting to have a grand celebration for my birthday this year. Since I have an upcoming beach vacay, I no longer planned any out-of-town trip. Besides I was way too busy at work so I really guessed that I would spend my day working. But I was wrong. I was dead wrong. Snippets of good things came pouring my way.

I have really given up hopes on filing for a birthday leave (yep, we have that kind of thing at work) so I was trying to finish a report last Thursday (April 23). Until, one of the department heads approached me and said, “Hey Winkie, I heard it’s your birthday tomorrow. Will you be on leave?” And so, I replied, “I don’t think I’m allowed to as I have to finish this before Monday. So I’d be here tomorrow working on this report.” She grabbed her cellphone and clicked her keypad. After a few minutes, she received a text message. And so she told me, “I just asked our boss to defer the report for next Monday so you could take the day off tomorrow. And he said, it’s ok to defer. So, you just enjoy your day tomorrow, ok?!” I was EXTREMELY pleased. I was like jumping up and down when I heard her say that. And I even blurted out, “I sooo love you, Ma’am!” *sipsip mode na yun*

 On my special day (April 24), I woke up a bit earlier than usual. I knew I’m off for a very long day.

 

Afternoon Stroll & Snacks at Friday’s with Mommy, April & Potchie

I was thinking of spending the day with Mommy at the mall. But since Mommy and I miss my niece a lot, I decided to give my cousin a call and asked him if his youngest daughter (Potchie) could spend the day with me. As always, he instantly agreed and even asked his elder daughter slash my inaanak (April) to accompany the younger one to our house.

Since we ate some bland spaghetti (courtesy of my Mom) at home, we thought of watching a movie in Robinson’s Manila before we go for snacks. I wanted to watch 17 Again (pa-teenager mode) but Potchie wanted to watch T2, that local horror flick starred by Maricel Soriano. Since I’m not a horror film fan, I decided that we no longer watch movies and just have a short stroll instead. For starters, I treated them for some ice cream at Dairy Queen. Say nyo, pati Dairy Queen eh di pinatawad sa pikchuran!

Ice cream moments with Pothcie and April

Mag-tiyahing adik sa picture!

with Mommy naman (si Potchie, gusto laging kasama sa pic!)

We strolled a  bit more and when we got hungry, I decided that we take some snacks at Friday’s. Potchie is really dying to eat at Friday’s.

At Fridays... pangarap kasing kumain ni Chuchai dyan!

Ang mga nagpalibre! Hehehe!

Group pic... at last! LOLz

Some years ago, I had Mommy celebrate her birthday at this very same resto. She was a bit too surprised to hear the crew sang Happy Birthday to the tune of “Don’t Cha”. Yep, very hip talaga si Mudra at Pussy Cat Dolls ang kanta for her. Hahaha! So, when we were there last Friday, she was thinking of a way of how to get the crew sing Happy Birthday for me. Alangan namang ako magsabi??? It would be a bit too awkward if I will do that myself, so we had it planned. I sneaked for a short toilet break while Potchie and April requested the crew to sing for me. So much for a surprise birthday song, eh?! LOL.

With the Friday's crew

Happy birthday, Winkie!!!

 So, what was my wish? Hmmm… I would rather keep it to myself for now. LOLz

 

Dinner at Dad’s with Jing and Beth

In our 18 years of friendship, it was my first time to celebrate my birthday with two of my best female buds. Our first-ever dine-out-Winkie’s-birthday bash was celebrated at Dad’s in Glorietta, Makati. Since Beth (far right in picture) wasn’t able to treat us out for her birthday last January (ang layo ng month di ba naman?), we just had a sort-of joint birthday celebration. LOLz

With best fem buds, Jing and Beth

We just spent roughly 3 hours for dinner, catching up chika, a little bit of tsismis and the usual things that we talk about.  Although, it was a very short dinner, I really had a nice time with them… as I always do.

 

Drinks at Gilligan’s with colleagues

Right after my Dad’s gig, I had to run and meet my colleagues who were simultaneously having a Friday night’s out at Gilligan’s, also in Makati, Glorietta 5 that is. Apparently, it was Eric’s (guy in glasses and black shirt) promotion treat for us. So, this isn’t my party at all. I was just invited. LOL.

With my colleagues and co-RCLs

With Eric, the master trader

With Joy, Dette, Linda, Jason and Eric

With the RCL boys: Henry, Jason, Eric and Allan

My co-RCLS

It was really my first time to go out drinking with these guys (although I did not drink as I wasn’t still feeling too well). It was fun being with them eventhough they talked most about NBA play-offs. I was like going “Duh, what the heck are you talking about???” But spending time with them was refreshing and it was a nice way to end my special day.

Such a fun day for me. And if you’d ask me what was the best gift I received for my birthday… it was this one:

I soooo love this bag!!!

It was from a very generous girl named Winkie!!! LOLz

 

 

 BTW, did you notice my new hair cut??? LOL