Skip to main content

If you can have anything in the world, what do you want for your birthday?

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of “you” to the world”...

I’m a Seven-Eleven baby! Makes it easy to remember so my families have no excuse not to remember my birthday. (smile)

I was born in the Philippines 45 years ago. There's a 12 hour time difference, so I should be singing Happy Birthday to me around noon tomorrow.

I’m not sure if it’s a Filipino tradition BUT I don’t remember having boxes of presents for my birthday (maybe I’m just getting senile, lol!) but one thing is for sure, there’s always pansit (noodles) to celebrate long life. My mom always makes pansit every birthday celebration, my Dad comes up with the amazing BBQ sauce for the beef-k-bab and every family member makes sure to be around for my birthday! Birthdays used to be a huge gathering of families...

Having a Filipino mom and a Jewish mom(in-law) makes me doubly blessed! I get both traditions when celebrating birthdays! How lucky is that?

So when mom (in-law) asked me a couple of weeks ago, if you can have anything in the world, what do you want for your birthday?

I smiled and said – To be with my family. I wish those who are in the Philippines are here with us…but that birthday wish may not come true – not for a long time…

Just being with the family is what I ask for. Having a fun and peaceful time with the family is what I long for!
(Although winning the lottery would be awesome because I can get my parents and brothers in the Philippines a better place and traveling back and forth won’t be hassle!)



Last year, a week before my birthday, we were in Smuggler's Notch, VT. The day we left for VT, we received a devastating news - my youngest brother in the Philippines was diagnosed with dengue fever. Dengue fever had already taken the life of my 15 year old niece the year before, so you can imagine the agony that that news had created. But Thank God, on the eve of my birthday, after nights of back and forth overseas call, we finally got the news that my brother was out of critical condition! (I sure hope Novartis gets to complete their research on coming up with a cure !)

So it was a super treat when my mom (in-law) gave me a day of relaxation at Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa in Vermont. It was a superbly relaxing day! The massage was stess-reliever and that waterfall was truly refreshing! As I was in the spa resort, I asked myself "Why do I deserve such luxury?" I am truly blessed!

BUT it seems like my life is not complete without tragedy. It's like a depressing soap opera, better yet, it's more of a telenovela! That night, another bad thing happened that my 18yo and I will always remember! I sometimes wonder, how much more tragedy can one family handle?

My every optimist husband always says, "It could be worse...it could be worse..."

A few months ago, I didn't know what "wtf" means, (DH then informed what it stands for). At times, I feel like saying "wtf"!
I can't curse or utter the whole meaning of "wtf", but it would probably make me feel better if I can just yell it out on top of a mountain or something!

But honey is right, it could be worse...I'm still blessed that I have a loving family!
Life really does not really suck that much! Just a few detours here and there...

So...

Try not to take little things for granted.
There's always something good and fun, you just have to move towards that direction
and let the bad thing runs it course.
Hug your little crumbcatchers, grab that phone and say hello to someone and just see that life can be beautiful!


So what about you, if you can have anything in the world, what do you want for your birthday?









Do you want to explore?





Do you want to hike the mountains and discover the beauty of nature?




Or do you want to stay home and just chill ?

-------

A quick shout-out to a few bloggers who have given me the Humane Award.
If you have any teenagers, do visit her blog! She says as she sees it!
You'll definitely learn a lot from her posts.
She has some amazing shots and her two little crumbcatchers are just so adorable!


"The Humane Award honors certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary blog.Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world.Link back to the person who gifted you with the award and share the love with other bloggers.”
I share this award to all of you of course! (so do grab the award, ok?) Without you, my blog (my day!) won't be the same!
Have a great one...and until next time!
Hugs and kisses :)

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant ...
Read more

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You ma...
Read more

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.
Read more

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...
Read more

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo...
Read more