Turning 25:The big thing...or is it?

I heard a few people talk about how turning 25 is a big thing because...well... you're a quarter century old. Aabot ba tayo sa 100?!. A few months ago, I did feel that I needed to do something different with my life but not necessarily something major. I saw this website and started writing things down that I would eventually want to accomplish in life. Ika nga nila, a goal that is not written is only a wish. Not a career or school or anything along that line but just things that I don't have to do but I want to do. Few weeks before my birthday, I followed some tips from that blog and wrote activities that I want to do for this year. I'm keeping those things to myself for now but so far, I'm proud to say that I'm pretty much on top of it and it feels really good to be able to accomplish a lot. The question is, did I need to turn 25 before I reflect on what I wanted in life? Of course the answer is no, but I think that age creates a nice balance between childhood and adulthood; we aren't too young to play around or too old to take life too seriously.

There are just too many reasons to be grateful for aside from being alive 25 years on this earth. Come to think of it, my most treasured blessings are the ones that I didn't even plan!  In fact, the day before my birthday, a job offer that I genuinely wanted so bad was withdrawn. There's a first time for everything right? I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed and irritated at all but I guess I just know that things will be better. It really does help that I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life to know that there is more to everything than how it appears to us now. I may have plans for myself but His plan is always better. Now at 25, I certainly know that to be true. There are just too many events I've experienced to say otherwise. When I was in high school, I was so competitive academically and wanted to see myself as a career woman. We all know that did not happen (or it has not yet happened) but I am living in a city I love, married to an awesome Botchogers eternally and couldn't be much happier with the family I belong to. That is why I asked Emil from now on, I don't want any material things on my birthday (though he still got me Kara's cupcakes and I got myself a gold bracelet---cheater!). So to celebrate my birthday, Emil surprised me with a trip to Seattle for the weekend since we were both working on the 24th. I told him that I just want to travel to see how other people experience everyday life.




Upon waking up, family and friends greeted me with these awesome pictures that (some) I didn't even know existed but sure did made my day!

The two collages above was made by my fafa dear. 

me & Gill

from Gill

me & Kuya Osel
from Tita Nina

My birthday lunch at Fuzio (Asian-Italian fusion daw?)

We only had an hour lunch so we needed to go somewhere close, yet somewhere I like.

Good thing there were plenty of choices at the Financial District. 

Around dinner, I went to the Partible's (since Emil was working late) and joined their Family Home Evening for my ka-birthday Tita Fely who's like a second mom to Emil and I. It was a great lesson about the Restoration of the gospel by the Elders Cruz and Dotimas. Hearing the testimonies of the nanays and the lolas in attendance strengthened mine as well. Tita Fely also gave a heartfelt prayer so we left their house with full hearts.