June 8, 1985. As of today, I am now officially a woman. Lol. Okay I was when I first had my ... period. Rofl. Okay enough enough. I wanted to write when I was at the peak of my emotions. The day has only started to begin, and yet there are events that transpired that I want to write about simply because they make me happy. (Not all blog entries are pessimistic, you know.)

I didn't know that it is when you are caught by surprise that you feel extra special somehow. I am thankful for my friends who have remembered my birthday today. My friends from the choir surprised me and gave me 18 cupcakes, all cheese-flavored, take note, and the center cupcake, chocolate-flavored. (Yey!) They were holding candles for me, pretended there was a black-out, and sang for me when I stepped into the room. All I could do was smile. :) It's nice being remembered. I will not forget that. I have to say it because I will never forget it. Kuya Cook (my dearest pinsan), Roi (my dearest gayuma tutor), Jonar (my schoolmate), Alex (our super tambling president), Bam, Kuya Bong, Kuya Rommel, Kuya VG (thanks for the dance number!), Kuya Albert, Cheme, Kuya Vic, Ate Ging, Ruby, Anna (my number 3!), Ate Malou, Carla, and Sheila, thanks for being there. Your presence was enough to make me smile. I will never ever forget that. Thank you also JP, for greeting me through text. I really wish you were there. Rico, Me-ann, the two other people I wish were there. Man, it would've made my day having you guys there.

I'm just happy right now. Haha, I can't even believe I'm saying that over and over. I'm thankful for having true friends. Kath, Clo, thanks so much for the messages. I'll never have friendships like these when I get to the States. I guess I just want everybody to know that I value all these friendships made stronger by time, made real by effort, made true by life. I guess I'm trying to find reasons to make my stay here worthwhile -- and I have found some of them, at the most unexpected time. Thank you.

It's weird because I can express more when I'm lonely. I'm at a grasp for words right now, because I'm overly joyed. Hahaha. Guys, thank you so much for everything. Yeah yeah, overused, I know, but thanks. It makes me feel warm, having people care for me, and know that these people (who know me more than myself, as Rico said), will always be there for me. It's nice being missed. It's nice receiving hugs from everyone. It's nice having someone pat you on your shoulder and greet you a happy birthday. It's just nice. I could live having those memories in my heart. (Kung nakokornihan ka na eh umalis ka na. Nyahaha!) I don't know, I guess after today, all I can say is that I am blessed. Very well blessed, and I couldn't thank God more. (Yey two of my friends from second year called me up to greet! Yey!)

Dear God, thank you for giving me wonderful people. I cannot express how grateful I am, just having these people surround me. They help me take on the days to come, and help me learn from the days passed. These people have made me feel the love any person could want and with that, I am very much thankful. I am not a sucker for prayers and masses, but today I am getting down on my knees. I have tried to be closer to you. And if it is true that each person who has touched my heart is a temple in which You are present, then I would say that I have accomplished just that, and that being close to You has never been so beautiful. I have doubted so many things in my life, regretted so many decisions, looked back sourly on many events, grimaced (hehe Roi) on many ugly moments. I have extenuated my belief in so many things, and I up to date, cannot believe I was capable of all that in a span of 17 years. I guess it just takes a day, when you turn 18, when you realize the other side of things. (Okay maybe not literally when you're 18, but hey! I'm writing the blog! Nyaha!) I'm just thankful, God, that You made me see and understand with a little more faith, that there is a whole new nicer side to everything. I am glad to have realized that today. Now, Lord, I can't help smiling. I am musing at the thought that You have blessed me with so many things, and so many people that I would need a million fingers for me to count them all. These friends -- are true friends. They are my life. They are in my hearts and in my thoughts more than they think they are. I pray that you keep my memory young and fresh for as long as I live, Lord, because without it, without them, I am not me, and I will not be complete.