35 is old?

I am going to be in my mid-30s in a few hours. 

35 years old. 

That's a totally different group age. Mid-30s. 

That sounds so old. Adults and kids around me would think that I know a lot and that I am absolutely sure what I'm doing with my life. Ha, they would be so wrong! I became the master of winging it! 

35 years old. 

That age has been on my mind for the past year that I think I overindulge myself and lived as if this is my last year on earth.

I got a very good office with a dedicated parking space. 

I went “To The Top”, the tallest building in the world. I did enjoy the high speed elevator going all the way up to 124th floor. Woman on top – literally.

I went to Ski Dubai. Snow world in the middle of the desert. What man can do given the resources amazes me.

I have visited a very good friend in a foreign country and talked for hours.

First time, I rode an elephant for almost thirty minutes going from land to swamp.

I have stayed with my mother for six beautiful months in one house and didn't experience any drama. Drama between two of us, at least.

I have witnessed the biggest bonfire in Doha for a Christmas event in sand dunes. It was a really magical moment – Aladdin style but Christmassy.

I have toured Europe with my family (three kids! Three kids! Three kids! ) explored France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. That’s eight countries in less than two months with family. Supreme bliss.

We have set a travel goal for the family. 100 countries to explore before our eldest turn 18.

I have traveled to my dream cities - Paris and Venice after years of imagination and lack of planning. I liked the engineering aspect of Eiffel Tower, yes it is amazing but the city, for me, is below my expectations. I found Venice romantic and unique but any body of water does not make me as happy as when I see mountain views, tall buildings or fancy hotels. Sometimes, we have to achieve our dreams to realize that our dreams are not what we were really looking for.

I experienced Disneyland. Enjoyed it, hated it, got tired of it and enjoyed it! Comes the realization that there are other places in the world way less commercialized than Disneyland. And way better for kids! 

I stayed in a five star cave hotel and explored Cappadocia with family. Majestic views of naughty rocks – nature and its kinky works!

I rode the hot air balloon for the first time.

I rode the hot air ballon for the first time with family!

I became a mom of seven-year old girl. That's something! I survived the first seven years of being a mom - YAY for me! 

My seven-year old girl and I went to a trip in Belgium together and enjoyed every minute of it - full of adventure and zero of drama!

I have started homeschooling my three adorable kids. No more overpriced tuition, no more school run, no more complaining to teachers about bullies. We could focus now on nurturing my kids’ gift in our own unique way.

With my husband’s commitment and dedication, we have started launching our family business. It is going to be lots of hard work – but a single step is the start of a journey.

I have experienced death in the family. It still hurts a lot – but I have come to terms of accepting that our life here on earth is way too short to indulge the feelings of pain and loss. Life is too short. I have learned all over that time with family members is way more important than petty quarrels.

I am proud of my beliefs without caring what society thinks. I have high opinion of religion, education and discrimination. It feels good to think for myself and not be “molded.”

I have loved to become a mother, poo and all. But I have also loved the fact that I’m done being hypocritical about it. Being a parent is not all good – there are times that I want to strap my kids to the wall and dose them with cough syrup or sleeping pills so I could rest. (So far, I haven’t done that!)

I enjoy being a witness of seeing my brothers and sisters grow up and contribute to society. My little sister got herself a new car, my little brother travelled to Southeast Asian countries and my littlest sister paid for a hotel buffet for all of us. I am a very proud big sister.

I am well respected in my field at work. I have received the biggest salary increase in my career life.. so far.

I am comfortable with my body. I have accepted that my breasts are not as firma s they used to be and that my bottom is not one of my strong asset.

My house is always messy. I do not need to pretend to my husband. If he can’t find a pair of socks, he looks for it (hell no, not me!) and if he can’t find it, he’s okay with wearing mismatched socks or torn shorts or un-ironed shirt.

And I am very glad that my mother-in-law can’t read this.

I have started not shouting anyone for whatever reasons. I have no grudge nor hang ups. I made peace with all the people around me. Well, except a number of ex-boyfriends who still can’t add me as their Facebook friends. (Can't blame them!)

I get on average 30-50 “Likes” to my Facebook posts because I always publish something positive. No drama. But most of the time, my cute kids photos and milestones – it’s an addiction. Who will not like that?

I am actively in contact with my real friends. I can count them in my ten fingers, but who needs loads of friends when I have the real ones?

I laughed out loud a lot until I pee it’s embarrassing.

I am 35 years old. I feel old, yes but simply because I  feel that I have a lot of wisdom to share. Not everything, but something. 

Happy birthday to me! and hoops, to my husband who's turning 37 and to my little sister who is turning 21 - legal age! 

Gotta love 23rd of August! A very special day indeed. 

Happy happy life! Thanks be to God!
 

Dreams Do Come True... Keep on Dreaming!

So I am 34. My last year before I turn mid-30s (cringes!) Life has been unbelievably good the past years and I am almost on my plateau. I sincerely hope not.

I have reached my vision. You know that scene when you realize that there is nothing better you could imagine. I totally felt that the past few days.

I have imagined this for years. Somewhere between university days and my first years working here in the desert.

My final destination for every day journey... a dedicated parking space for me! And yes, I have a parking space for both office and home now. Goodbye to going to work way too early just to be sure to get the closest parking spot. Goodbye to going around and around the building looking for parking spot for the night as I head home.

I have done it. I have realized my vision. And what do we do when we reach our destination? We plan for a new one, preferably to a vision we never experienced before.

Having parking spaces only for me is like seeing the lanterns for Rapunzel. That feeling is beyond words.

Intro the song... I See The Light...




I See The Light lyrics

All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
(Chorus)
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

Eugene(Flynn):
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight 
Now she's here, suddenly I know

If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Eugene (Flynn):
And it's like the fog is lifted

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Rapunzel:
And it's like the sky is new

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you,
Now that I see you!


I am where I'm meant to be... And we are just starting our journey!

Keep on dreaming!
 

28-33

Life is worth the gamble! 

28-33! Those were my numbers in Jueteng! A popular gambling game in the Philippines, specifically, from the town where I grew up. Well, I am a remote town-girl! I came from Indang, Cavite - a very far off town of Cavite, almost 2-3 hours from Metro Manila depending on the traffic.

Anyhow, back to Jueteng and my subconscious.  28-33. I got these numbers subconsciously. I woke up one morning with this number combination in mind and decided to "gamble" on this, PhP5 twice everyday, morning and afternoon. EVERYDAY. Until the Jueteng was banned permanently (was it ever? - at least, that I know of.) Until I left Indang and headed to University,

PhP5 is a big bet then. If I had won, I would have won Php1000 for every 25cents. So for PhP5, I could have won PhP20,000! That amount for me then was incomprehensible! Way tooooo much! But, of course, I didn't win. I lost a lot of money. My subconscious was wrong. For Jueteng at least.

Looking back now, these numbers corresponds to something more meaningful in my life. My most important milestones in my life happened during the age of 28 and 33! My age when my daughters were born and more! And these were both unplanned.

When I was 28, I was living the peak of my life! Fun night outs, great friends, great circle. And then I got pregnant, gave birth to the most adorable baby girl I have ever seen, got a great job outside the country and met the most wonderful man in my life! I had different plans but my life turned out to be much better.

Now, that I am 33 (for the last hours!), again, I had different plans, but then another baby girl came into our lives and our plans had to wait. Instead, we made drastic changes in our way of living and fingers crossed, we are hoping for the best. And I am 100% sure that it would end up way better than I had planned. My subconscious said so.

I suppose what I am trying to convince myself when I have figured out these numbers is that there are magical connections in the universe and we are here to fulfill our destiny while we live life to the fullest. In the end, what will matter most is how much we have enjoyed life, not how much we possessions or experience we have gained.

I have enjoyed life. I have enjoyed living. I have enjoyed living with what God gave me. I have enjoyed living with the great blessings I have showered with. And I intend to do just like that until my numbers ran out. "Lucky", maybe. I see this as "mean to be."

I'll be turning 34 in the next couple of hours and now waiting for my subconscious again to tell my next lucky numbers. I'll be listening and since Jueteng is only until 37, rest assured that you will be seeing me playing Bingo in the near future. Who knows what information I could uncover.

Happy birthday to me, to my husband and to my little sister who are celebrating the same birthday! Let the weeklong celebration begin!


Keep exploring!