My 2008 birthday cake, black and white forest
It’s normal when I get birthday greetings as early as 1st of July. Advance and belated greetings traditionally become alike, since some are saying ‘belated’ when it’s actually still a week before the exact date. I don’t mind the gap though as long as it’s within the timeline. 
And I shall not be surprised as I get greetings on the 17th of August, that’s exactly a month after the correct date. On the other hand, I have friends who don’t observe birthdays due to religious reasons But mind you, they have their means of remembering it.
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So I had my first birthday celebration away from the Philippines. Away from so many people and stuff that I am used to. Incidentally, I had crazy muscle pains. What a timing. Maybe the improper sitting /posture and other unhealthy habits accumulated and wanted to scream, err, greet me. Salonpas patches eased it for a while.
I invited at least 15 people – from the office and old and new friends off-work to celebrate with me over lunch at home. It was a simple yet fun-filled as we feasted on Filipino food: pansit sotanghon (for long life!), kare-kare, tokwa’t baboy in tausi, lumpiang sariwa, lemon-marinated fried chicken, grilled pork barbecue, fruit salad and cake for dessert. I had the black and white forest cake from Mr. Baker (the best cakehouse around but I miss Red Ribbon and Goldilocks!) instead of the intended ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. I didn’t know it’s generally closed during Fridays, which is prayer day in the Gulf (opens at 2pm which is way late for my celebration). Incidentally, a couple of guests brought three flavors of London Dairy.
In between the chit chats were funny antics as we watched telenovela (not on purpose, but was airing then) and TV Patrol via TFC. It felt real good to being gathered with Filipinos especially when we were real time watching the news back home: politics, showbiz, etc.
Many thanks for the greetings back home and elsewhere. It’s heartwarming to be remembered especially that I’m away, nostalgic, ey? To those who celebrated with me, many thanks. And of course, thank you for the presents. Lovely flowers (love the colors), sweets (yay), a mind-boggling book (I’m excited to read, I’m reminded of my book queue), and perfumes (I’m thinking that they thought I fancy perfumes, I got three. Interesting scents!). But more than these, I thank you all for the gift of time.
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wow… i should have been invited. lol.
^_^
ReDs last blog post..Penang Hill
I’ll definitely invite you if you happened to be here. I also invited former officemates who are based in Dubai.
oh my goodness, everything looks delicious. if i was there, i would have gone back for seconds…even thirds. did you cook all these? my, you must be a good cook. it’s good to celebrate with friends =). i’m glad you had a wonderful party.
kaynis last blog post..Path Chosen
hehehe… thanks ms jo. ^_^
ReDs last blog post..Penang Hill
Hi Kayni, how I wish I cooked all of these.
But I ‘outsourced’ someone to prepare the barbecue and lumpiang sariwa. The rest are prepared/cooked in the house by our cook. It’s real fun when conversations with friends are shared over good food. 
sarap sarap.sana anjan ako nun.
Kasama ka na kaya sa birthday celebration next year or elsewhere ka?
Oh wow! Ginutom ako ah!
It doesn’t matter where you are when you celebrate your birthday, what’s important is you share it with people you like and love.
Happy Birthday!
That’s true. Happiness is being happy wherever you are. Thanks for the greetings!