Weeks before, I had filed my vacation leave for Nov. 18 and 19. 

 

This could be the best and happiest birthday I had ever been.

 

Nov. 18 (My Birthday)

 

 

I woke up at around 9am. Feeling refreshed and energized, I got out of my bed in a good mood.  I can say that the morning went as ordinary as usual.  I fixed my bed, changed my clothes, had breakfast by myself, ate a burger bun and drank some coffee to jump-start my day.

 

Then, I saw my Mom appeared on the door and said 'Happy Birthday'.  In our family, we do not usually greet birthdays directly.  We always say that you have gotten older or nothing has changed much after a year has passed.  It was our Mom who usually greets us. 

 

During lunch, my Mom talked me about the food that we will serve on dinner.  Knowing that it would suffice, we decided to have spaghetti, chicken and cake.

 

Because of the very short time we have, we hurried in cooking everything.  I was quite exhausted since I was the one who does the washing.  But it was all worth it.  My family, along with my relatives, feasted on the simple but satisfying spaghetti and chicken.  Of course, no one could resist the mousse cake I bought.

The night ended with washing and scrubbing of the tables to clean them once more.  I fingers turned to, as what Neri told us, prunes.  They were dry and rough. 

 

However, I went to bed with a smile.  I have never thought that my small birthday party would be as gratifying and grueling at the same time.

 

Nov. 19 (Harry Potter Day)

 

It was very weird.  I woke up past 8am.  Am I this excited or, again, just fully rested like the day before.  Anyway, I went ahead with my morning routine.  Then, friends began to send SMS messages and confirm the place where we will all meet.

 

When I was about to take a bath an hour later, Analyn texted me and asked if I was still at home.  Suspicious that she did not go to the office as she told me days ago, I answered back that I was indeed still at home.  After a few seconds, my aunt called me and said that Anai was on the phone.  We just talked for almost an hour about the latest HP movie, how cute Stan is and Robert (on the movie, not on photo shoots).  We finally decided to put the phone down so we can take a bath, get dresses and meet at 2pm in Glorietta.

When it was 1pm, I asked her if she was on her way.  To my surprise, she hasn't taken her bath yet.  A few minutes after, Abie texted me that she was in Glorietta already.  I kept asking Anai where she was until it was 2:30pm.  Knowing the Abie's already warming her butt off in Seattle's Best, I decided I should go without Anai.

 

It took me an hour just to get to Makati and a few walks to get to Seattle's Best in Greenbelt 3.  Later, I joined Abie and Tin, waiting for everybody.  Minutes later, my college friends, or whom I call 'Parokya ni Eva' collectively, arrived one by one.  I kept on texting and calling everyone.  I could not calm myself, not unless I see all of us complete and ready to go up the elevator to the movie house.  I want everyone to be comfortable on their seats once the movie has begun.

 

At 4:45pm, only 10 minutes before the movie, I saw Jen running from Starbuck's To Seattle's Best.  You just can't imagine the relief I felt when I saw her.  Then, we went up to the third level and entered the cinema.

The movie was a feast for the eyes.  The special effects were brilliant and superb.  Though the movie was quite effective in interlacing some of the happenings, the movie was away far-off from the original.  Some individuals and events were deleted.  This saddened me so. 

 

But as far as a effects on the movie, I give it 3 1/2 stars.

 

After the movie, we went to 'Heaven N Eggs' to have dinner.  To my surprise, the bag Anai was carrying was a gift, and it was wonderful one: a Monopoly Deluxe Edition.  I was so excited that my friends could not understand what I was saying.  I was speaking so fast and shrilling, I had to repeat what I have said almost four times for them to understand it.  I had a mushroom omelet.  It was yummy and I was really full.  Then, a long-lost friend, named Conrad, dropped by, from work.  The talking continued, updating one another on what was happening on our lives, until it was past 10pm. 

 

It was getting late.  Before we part, we decided that we will have a gift-giving.  Each took a small piece of paper from my cell phone's bag. 

 

I got a taxi, with Shyne, Uly and Jenny.  Since it was my idea of getting a taxi, I dropped them off to  one another's houses before the taxi headed for mine.

 

Once I got home, I immediately tore the Monopoly's gift wrapper and plastic.  I surveyed the new pegs, houses, hotels, paper money and the folded board.  I was really touched with the gift.  As Shyne said, I was always the pampered one, when it comes to gifts.  A smile creeped on my face.

 

I changed my clothes and went to bed.  I was still very excited that I could not get to sleep.  I just thanked God that He gave me friends and family, though they do not tell me, I know deep in my heart, through their actions, they care and love me.

 

I would never forget this birthday, my 24th birthday.