The one with money

A friend from work told me thru text earlier that he can't spend his backpay for vacation for the simple reason that he needs to save it.

He's a breadwinner in the family and every cent counts so although my gut begs to disagree, I told him it's understandable but he is still entitled to have a vacation or else stress will kick in and he's in for more trouble.

Money is a topic I rarely want to discuss with anyone especially if it is bluntly asked or related to your job description. I agree that saving it would be a great way to plan the future that would include that "dream" vacation. However, I prefer to take advantage of every opportunity to spend it with family and friends to have fun because you'll never know when you can still spend it in your so-called "planned" future.

I mean, what if something happens to me? What if I can no longer enjoy that planned vacation because I don't have the money or the time anymore? It's scary when you start thinking about it.

As a Taurean, it is in my nature to have leisure and lifestyle as a priority although I am more inclined to stay at home and read a book most of the time. I believe everyone deserves to have the freedom to embrace anything and everything that money can buy. On the other hand, I understand that not everything can be bought. Money can be a tool to gain that "thing" you wanted most but sometimes, it defeats its main purpose too.

A great example of that would be my family. My Dad is always working abroad. He can probably buy anything that we wish for but it's still not enough. My only wish since I was a kid was to spend the rest of my life with him in the same country. I envied other kids who always have both their parents with them on Recognition Day or Parents' Appreciation Night or Family Day. I kept thinking that my aunt can't compete with having both parents around. My Mom's there but most of the time, my aunt is the one who goes with me because my Mom hates those mothers who can't be bothered with anything else except to gossip about other people.

If I can wish for anything on my birthday, it would be to have the time when my Dad is around again without thinking of having an expiration date for all those days that we spend together.

Time can suck sometimes. It can ruin every waking moment of your life and you'll only realize it when it can no longer be reversed or changed.

Going back to the main issue--money--it is important but all the wonderful and most valued possessions and persons in your life can never be replaced by millions of it; there's no price for happiness no matter how hard we try.

The one with my birthday

Okay, it's my birthday for the 26th time.

Happy Birthday to me! :)

My ex-colleagues and I went to a KTV last night after the blessing of the new shop of my sister's bf. We laughed like there's no tomorrow for hours...They sang almost all possible songs in each decade since the 1950's. My gay friend brought his new partner along and he's Josh Groban in shorts! With his great voice, I can't argue with his newfound love. They're a perfect match. My other friend brought her bf too so it's like I'm the 5th wheel! Anyway, it turned out great after a few minutes of awkwardness because everyone's in the mood to sing and drink and be merry. =)

I missed having them around to tease when I'm bored or simply because it became a habit like wearing earrings everyday. Life is just not that normal without them.

I'm so thankful that I reached this age. I'm not as optimistic when it comes to aging so technically, this is already huge blessing for me. Like all hopeful people, I wish for certain things on my so-called big day.

Wish List:

5. I had this dream since I attended community service to celebrate my birthday with little kids who grew up without their family or those kids from adoption centers. I hope I can do that before I reach my 30th birthday!

4. I'd love to spend my day with close friends and play poker..naah, the poker thing would be a bonus =p

3. It wouldn't be bad to receive a gift but I'd prefer something that was not bought from a store. What I treasure the most among all the gifts I'd gotten are those cards that my grade school friends gave me. It's probably the most thoughtful present ever- that until now I still kept it in a wooden box! The time can be seen from its yellowish color and believe it or not, it's fascinating to me as a new toy is for kids on Christmas ^_^

2. Peace of mind. Weird but I love having a ME-time to reminisce my previous year and all that. I mean, who wouldn't? It's fun...sort of recalling all the people you met, thinking about the others who never got in touch anymore and laughing about the good and worst times of your year rolled into one.

1. It's rare that I celebrate my birthday with the whole family. If I'm not mistaken, we've been complete twice since I got a mind of my own: one was when I was 5 and we went to the park after church and the second time was at 15 or 16 with my aunt and uncle in Singapore. Lately, being a grown up is such a pain in the @$$ especially with my parents around but I still enjoy being with all of them because that's the time I feel complete amidst all the chaos in this world.

Hopefully, nothing peculiar happens later...wish me luck!