28 on the 30th
I wanted to write a philosophical entry on turning a year older. I wanted to reflect on the emotional changes that happened during my 27th year. I wanted to reflect on how I’ve matured now that I’m going to be right smack in the middle of my late 20s. But you know what? Naaaah. I don’t want any drama. I’ve had a pretty amazing 27th year and I’m just really thankful it was great.
Highlights of my 27th year:
- Fell in love with cooking. I’ve cooked more meals in my 27th year than all the meals combined in the first twenty six years of my life!
- Young Tigers conference in Malaysia. Met many new friends from around Asia. Realized it is possible to have strong connections with people despite race and distance. Learned that laughter is universal even if language barriers exist.
- Relived the magic of Christmas cards. Helped spread the old charm of snail mail with old friends and new ones. Used glitter and drew on the envelopes. Labor of love!
- Bonded with my friends from work. It’s hard to develop friendships in the workplace, but when you do, it makes even the heaviest load so much lighter. *Hugs to my Department-mates*
- Saw the shores of Boracay. And I will return.
- Made good friends online. I’m still mining the blogging world and I’m so happy to have met geniunely sincere bloggers in person.
- Developed deeper friendships. I am at a loss for words to describe this. I choke up even while typing. I’m so thankful I’ve found a solid group of the dearest friends.
- Realized money isn’t everything. Because of certain decisions I’ve made last year, I have developed a stronger sense of self and a stronger affinity with my work.
- Prayed some more. But I feel I still don’t pray enough.
- Migrated to WordPress. I was wondering when I’d “upgrade” from Blogspot. It happened this year, yey!
- Became more conscious of my health. I got terribly sick in April so I’ve become more aware of my relationship with my body. Now I’m trying to eat right and be more faithful to the gym. (Just please get those oatmeal cookies away from me).
- Got my first pets. I really think my fishies are good feng shui for our home and our marriage. I’ve also become much more patient and more relaxed.
- Got featured in Blog-o-rama.Hopefully I get to help more people through my own little life experiences.
- Celebrated my 2nd year of marriage. H & I still make each other laugh, we still hold hands, we still are as sweet as before… we’re truly blessed.
I have a lot more to be thankful for this year. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord. Thank you for this new year, too.
What’s my birthday wish? Hmmm. I don’t know. I’m REALLY happy. More happiness, I guess? I suppose. More reasons to smile and laugh would be great.
My 27th year was amazing and you know what? I look forward to my 28th year. I have a very good feeling about it. 
July 28th, 2005 at 8:43 pm
hi there. bloghopped from girlie. im newly married and i see that i can relate a lot to your posts. i’ll surely be passing by again.
July 28th, 2005 at 9:04 pm
happy birthday toni!
may you be blessed with more joy, peace and happiness in life!
July 28th, 2005 at 9:11 pm
Many happy years ahead!
Tanti auguri, Toni! (di ba you want to learn Italian?)
July 28th, 2005 at 9:19 pm
Wow, what an accomplishment. Congratulation girl.
I wont greet you muna, he he he. So exact birthday mo na lang.
July 28th, 2005 at 10:49 pm
Advanced Happy B-day. I’ll be flying on the day of your birthday! Thanks so so much for everything. I truly enjoyed meeting with you.
July 28th, 2005 at 11:27 pm
hi toni, advance happy birthday!
July 28th, 2005 at 11:49 pm
Advance happy birthday Toni! God Bless! It was really great to meet you.
July 28th, 2005 at 11:53 pm
happy birthday
July 29th, 2005 at 12:30 am
hmm, i wish i was the first one to post a greeting here..
but a birthday greeting is always special whether it’s advanced or belated. so here’s mine, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONI! may He shower you with your heart’s desires.
keep this blog rockin’! hugs..
July 29th, 2005 at 6:57 am
Happy Birthday Toni! I am happy you have enjoyed, accomplished and lessons were learned the past year… Hey, you forgot to mention the aquarium!!! BTW, my maid and I cleaned our aquarium for the 1st time. I usually hire professionals for the task, and saved P800 for labor! Though it took us double the time compared to the prof cleaners, boy, are we proud of our own work! I have yet to go to Cartimar… I will when I find time during the week days.
July 29th, 2005 at 7:43 am
You more than merit and deserve all those blessings the past year, Toni! Truly, God is good all the time!
I like your declaration that you and your hub still hold hands together even after two years of marriage. But Mamarazzi and I feel more blessed because we still do even after 40 years…that’s the only way we can support each other from falling due to gout or arthritic pains.
:) 
Happy birthday, Toni. Wishing you nothing but the BEST!
July 29th, 2005 at 8:13 am
happy birthday, toni!
you surely are blessed wtih so much and i’m turning 28 in a 8 days too and life has never been more colorful and beautiful, right?
happy birthday and God bless!
July 29th, 2005 at 8:23 am
happy happy birthday sis! that was really a very well lived 27th year! stay happy, and cook some more and write some more (sali ka sa cooking contest ng ABS-CBN!)
July 29th, 2005 at 9:02 am
Hi Toni!
Baka on your 28th year may little one na. Hihihi. God bless you!
Happy birthday sis (in advance)!
July 29th, 2005 at 10:17 am
happy birthday, toni! may all your wishes come true
July 29th, 2005 at 10:49 am
Happy birthday! I always dreaded turning older; I had the feeling that I was dying after I celebrated my 20th birthday, but you make it sound like so much fun!
Wish you the best!
July 29th, 2005 at 11:08 am
Count your mornings by sunrise, not sunset. Count your life with smiles not with tears and when life reaches its autumn. Count your age by friends not by years!
Loads of happiness and more blessings to come for you Toni Believe me it only gets better as you grow wiser
Advance birthday greetings! Enjoy your special day! 
July 29th, 2005 at 2:36 pm
hi toni! happy happy birthday and happy anniversary too! all the best for you and hubby… and many more dishes and recipes for you to discover!
July 29th, 2005 at 2:53 pm
Early birthday greetings, wishing you much joy and happiness ahead!
July 29th, 2005 at 8:08 pm
happy birthday, toni!
whew, buti na lang hindi ako late! god bless you and h!
July 30th, 2005 at 4:09 am
hey toni!
belated happy birthday! this is a great entry, reflecting on that one year of your life.
anyway, this is in relation to your comment in my blog about chick lits. Anything written by Jane Green is great. She has yet to let me down. :p Speaking of books, Powerbooks has a sale on July 30 and 31! Don’t miss it!
July 30th, 2005 at 7:14 am
happy boitday toni dear! may all your wishes come true…
July 30th, 2005 at 10:56 am
HAPPY BDAY! kainggit naman u met up na with tin hekmi…enjoy ur special day dear
July 31st, 2005 at 12:35 am
i’m sure you will have an equally, if not more wonderful 28th year. aside from more happiness, i also wish you PEACE (in the truest sense).:)
happy birthday ulit, sis!:)
July 31st, 2005 at 3:13 am
Happy birthday!!!
!
So young and already so wise ! Some people need a lifetime to discover happiness (if they ever do).
What will you say when you turn 100
July 31st, 2005 at 4:51 am
Happy Birthday, Toni Grrrl. I am glad I was able to follow the milestones in your life through reading your blog (teka, bat di kasali ang feature sa MB?haha) Thanks for the Christmas card and till the Blogkadas meet again. G’day!
July 31st, 2005 at 9:46 am
happy birthday toni., i couldve greeted you live in person. pero baka hindi na maging happy…hehehehe.
July 31st, 2005 at 5:39 pm
happy belated birthday dear toni!!! hope you had a wonderful time. *mwaah*
July 31st, 2005 at 8:02 pm
happy birthday, toni! may this year be filled with blessings and adventure for you and your hubby!
August 1st, 2005 at 10:38 am
Aw, this is really nice.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Toni! I hope we get to hang out again soon.
God Bless you and H always
August 1st, 2005 at 1:28 pm
Happy birthday toni! Of course I’m late as always, in my defense I did greet u in advance when we saw each other last Thurs. Haha, defensive!
You’re so young yet you’ve accomplished so much. And come so far from when we were in college! I can say those were the good old days but I think the best days are yet to come.
August 1st, 2005 at 6:23 pm
Happy birthday girl!
Hey, while I was reading Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, I couldn’t help thinking of you… not that you are undomesticated (while maintaining a career at that). Have you read the book? You might just like it
August 2nd, 2005 at 7:15 am
hi Toni — you are indeed blessed and I count you as one a friend in the blogosphere! Keep on blogging, cooking and smiling! See you in Sept/Oct!
mwah!
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:09 am
Toni,
The best thing that can ever happen in your lifetime. Never snub your nose at what you deem as beneath you, instead be grateful for that they are there to begin with.
Sorry, crossed eyed right now. Can’t think straight. Hell, clicking the “Submit Comment” button anyway.
August 3rd, 2005 at 4:10 am
BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONI! you truly are wise beyond your years! here’s to another great year ahead!
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:44 pm
happy birthday! hope u had a blast! Indeed you have to achieved so much and have a lot be thankful for.