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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 :)

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Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 9, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    Hmmmm. I'm not sure what I would want. I think a large house where all of my family could be together. Like a beach or mountain retreat -or shack. And we would gather there every spring & summer & every holiday & spend as much time together as we can.

    ReplyDelete
  2. chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.comJuly 9, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    I got a lot from your post. My birthday is the 24th so it really caused me to think what it is that I really want if I could have anything. I'll be 46 so I'd love the chance to travel and see the world without the worries of money. I'd also like to see my children's book published.

    I'm content with the small things as well so a Snickers bar with almonds would be more than enough.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RCUBEsJuly 9, 2009 at 3:57 PM

    Happy Birthday to you Jenjen. I'm with you on being contented having the family members around. But having our families many oceans away makes it so difficult.
    That waterfall looked great and especially right now with this hot temp, I can just stay there forever!
    May God grant your heart's desires. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mommy24csJuly 9, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    My birthday was 7/1 and Chandler's is today 7/9. I should have known you would be a Cancer too since you are so artistic and creative :o)

    I can't say what I wished for for my birthday, I'm superstitious lol but for a future birthday I would love to travel overseas to the UK. I am so fascinated with the British way of life for some odd reason haha.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BrnEyedGalJuly 9, 2009 at 5:44 PM

    What a beautiful post....Yes, family is on my most important list as well!
    Hope your day is extra special, enjoy yourself and who knows...maybe next bday your you'll get that wish and your family will be here!!! :)

    Happy Birthday...

    ReplyDelete
  6. PamJuly 9, 2009 at 6:04 PM

    Happy early birthday to you! Hope it is wonderful.
    If I could have anything I want it would be to take a trip to Europe. Since that's not happening, I'll take a trip to Olive Garden. : )

    ReplyDelete
  7. Christy {SparklesandSpinach}July 9, 2009 at 8:33 PM

    Happy Early Birthday!!! I hope you have a great one ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. BuckeroomamaJuly 9, 2009 at 10:05 PM

    Early birthday greetings to you! {Hugs, big ones!}

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cinder Rail'leeJuly 9, 2009 at 10:56 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN JEN!

    Hope all is going well, remember things could be worse, and it always works out for the better.

    Hold onto that!

    Glad you had a wonderful spa and relaxation under those falls. HEH HEH. I;d be diggin that too.

    HuGZ

    ReplyDelete
  10. GottaLoveMomJuly 10, 2009 at 2:11 AM

    Thank you 

    @Becca – a large house that can accommodate everyone sounds a dream come true, too!

    @Chocolate Covered Daydreams – yummy Sneakers bar ( a true choco-lover!)…travel and publishing a book are awesome! Go for it!

    @RCUBEs – The waterfall was an awesome treat. I could have stayed there longer, too, especially because the water’s warm. It would have been grand to be able to teleport, huh?

    @MOMMY24cs – Hurray! The “crabs” are totally sensitive and creative. Belated Birthday wishes to you and Chandler. Would love to see UK with the kids, too…get some real English tea 

    @BRNEYEDGAL – There’s no place like being with family! Thank you…

    @Pam – European tour, that’s cool! My daughter loved her first visit to Italy a few years back. I would love to visit, too, after I explore the US ( I hope)

    @Christyrenee – thanks for the well wishes and the visit..Hope to see you again !

    @Buckeroomama – Big hugs back to you…

    @Tami – Holding on…You’ll have fun at those falls just make sure to hold on tight – it’s pretty strong!

    ReplyDelete
  11. More Than WordsJuly 10, 2009 at 6:00 AM

    Jenn..you share the same birthday as my eldest son!! He'll be 13!!!

    And I have to say that you look awesome for 45!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Felicia KramerJuly 10, 2009 at 9:42 AM

    ((((((Big hugs to you, Jen))))
    My wish? It would be a tossup - a huge lottery win so I could make life easier for my huge extended family and support two special charities in honor of my mom and dad. If not that, just give me a good straight spine and back with no strain and pain!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nicole @ Chic and Cheap NurseryJuly 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    Thanks for following my blog. and Happy Birthday to you!

    For my birthday I want new laptop, the lottery, and continued health for my family and I.

    My birthday is nex month...8/11

    ReplyDelete
  14. Annette PiperJuly 17, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    Many happy returns, belated though they are! Time marches on, eh!?

    ReplyDelete

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