I know it's been almost 3 months since my birthday in July but finally, here I am jotting these details down before the year ends because these are the memories that I want to remember for the rest of my life.
To some, birthdays are just another day.
But to me, I appreciate birthdays because it gives us a chance to reflect and to be grateful for another year of life.
Another year of life means another year of progress.
I know this space isn't updated as often anymore but I do make an effort to document my progress every year to make sure birthdays are not just another celebrations externally but it should be a celebrations internally spiritually as well.
24th birthday post here
23rd birthday post here
22nd birthday post here
This year, 2016 July, marks my 25th celebration of life and if there's ONE word I can use to describe my feelings, it would be none other than GRATEFUL.
At this point of my life, I couldn't be more grateful for every areas, people and scenarios that God has arranged and put in my life.
25th, is a year that I have started pursuing my call and dream according to what He has called me to and the journey has nothing short of amazing. Amazing not because things are perfect but because every step of the way, I know I am so loved by my Father above and there's nothing that I couldn't do as long as it is called by Him.
25th, is a year that I have grown and experience the depth and meaning of life so much more than never before. Of course, I still have plenty to learn and explore as this is a lifelong journey but I have never been clearer with the road ahead of me, right at this moment.
25th, is a year that I have encounter so many divine relationship that makes this journey of life so exciting! Knowing that there ARE actually a lot more people out there with good intentions, good heart and good vibes!
25th, is a year that I celebrated my birthday without the love of my life, my popo.
25th, is a year of my turning point.
25th, I am beyond grateful despite of whatever that's happening around me in me within me knowing that I am loved, by many, by Him.
25th, is actually a year that I realized I really don't need big celebrations or fancy parties anymore because I appreciate intimate session so much more. (But of course if you followed me on social media you would know how BIG of a celebration my lovelies has thrown me and I'll leave that to the next post because THAT deserves a post on its own T_T)
I remember mentioning it to my #annoyingbff, tziaaa more than a million times so she booked me on the 14th, for a girly dinner date.
She picked me from home, handed me a bouquet of my favorite roses.
Not knowing where she was bringing me, the suspense was quite fun!
Until Rachel ter-said the location that we were heading too :P
My #annoyingbff, and sister Rachel brought me to such ATAS place - Nobu KL for my birthday dinner!
Thank YOU annoying one, for celebrating so many years of life with me and never failed to put a smile on my face.
Thank you sis, for your never changing spirit of love towards me.
It was a quiet and romantic night, just the 3 of us, overlooking the city skyline of Malaysia, celebrating life.
.. and this is exactly how I love it to be.
Thank you both for giving me such a great birthday dinner experience, I can't help but to think of how far we have grown. From celebrating in clubs till cafes and now places like this which I don't normally go but now we earned our own living, and we do it for people we love.
Love you!
July 10th, was actually my first birthday celebration along with Tzia since her birthday is on the 4th while mine is on the 15th.
So who brought us out?
No prizes for those who guessed it right. Lol.
I've only known this two brothers, Kar Wai and Kar Heng early of this year (Jan 2016 to be exact) and I don't even know how we just clicked instantly as though we are family.
This two has definitely been the biggest sweetheart because they planned a whole day of birthday celebrations consisting of surprises after surprises! T_T
I am going to document the details down because 10 years later I am gonna look at this blogpost and smile because genuine friendship like this is what I wanna keep for the rest of my life.
All they said was "Lock your July 10th down, pick you after church around 230PM".
"Okay boss. Noted"
"No sport shoe or sports attire ah" - this Kar Heng even mentioned this lololol.
They picked us up and there were 2 bouquet of roses prepared for us.
Roses with black wrappings for me, Hydrangea for Tzia. Exactly what we both love!
We never even told them before but this KH's attention to details (and stalking skills) is another level I wanna CRAI.
Of course, the first stop was the latest High-Tea that everyone was raving about that time, St Regis Hotel.
We spent 3 hours there just taking pictures, chilling and enjoying each other's companion before we move on to the next stop...
We had coffee break at Merchant's Lane because KW said we are still early for dinner.
4 Black Coffee for 4 of us that purposely wore 4 matching blacks.
3rd Stop - BLVD Restaurant!
Me and Tzia was just talking about this place because we wanted to try it out and here we are, surprised by these two! Are we too flow or what? T__T
The food was great, but the companion was better :)
As though we were not surprised enough...
Suddenly two birthday cakes appeared!
We were together since noon remember? How and where did they managed to arrange two cakes at BLVD? Apparently they had to make so many arrangements to make sure someone sends the cakes here while we were still at Merchant's Lane...
Y U BOTH SO SWEET
T_T
As though it wasn't sweet or overwhelmed enough, they actually prepared THIS.
YES, fireworks-candle because they know me and Tzia loves taking pictures!
BLVD building didn't allow us to lit these candles so we moved on to the next, 4th and last stop, BARLAI, just to lit the candles and of course, take pictures T_T
Thank you, BOTH of you Choong Brothers for entering my life, and you guys surely outdid yourself with all the arrangements you did for us.
Sure, we loved the flowers, the hightea, the coffee, the dinner, the cakes but most importantly, we love your heart and the effort and thoughts behind these, to bring us out and to put a smile on our faces.
P/s: You both set the bar so high.. next year your turns we stress! :P
Last but not least, 15th July 2016, Friday.
On my actual birthday, I really wanted to do something else instead of just gathering friends for a round of fancy celebrations.
Like I said earlier, this year, 2016 to be precise have been a journey that was filled with excitement and plenty of joy and as I realigned my focus in life, I knew that giving was more fulfilling that receiving and I wanted to do just the little that I can for anyone around me.
Find a need and meet it, Find a hurt and heal it.
And there's nothing better that doing this with this bunch of dearest people that means the world to me.
I gathered Tzia, Alicia & Joseph, Jiashin, Shermaine, Karen & Wyman, just a small group of us and I am really thankful for Kelvin and Lex who actually joined us and lead us through the whole experience.
Thank you Lex for prepping the 50 packs of Nasi Bungkus with the mineral water too.
The picture above was taken after we debriefed and Lex brought out a cake out of no where -__-
Hahaha thank you so much all for going the extra mile just to celebrate life with me on this day.
We live in cities often being drown with work, errands and our own stuff.
So often we take things for granted and complicate our lives with petty issues.
I am glad that we did this together and on my birthday, this serves as a reminder to me, to never take life for granted.
We are already doing so well compared to many of them that lives on the street.
Some have no family, some has but they are rejected by them because of mistakes they did in the past.
Sometimes, all we need is that little bit grace and reminder to ourselves, be grateful.
For today is ours, tomorrow belongs to God.
25th, I am Grateful.
xx
Part 2 will be about my huge surprise party!