24

When I was still studying, mixed emotions ako kapag dumarating ang month ng June. Right after June, July na ang sunod. July is my month. July 08 kasi ang birth date ko eh. July 8, 1986 to be exact.

Today is my special day. I turned 24 today. And because I turned a year older today, let’s make a little assessment. Paano ko ba ma-aasess ang sarili ko from the past 24 years of my life?

Umpisahan natin on the physical side. I gained a lot of weight. Lalo na nowadays that I am working na. Nakahiligan ko kasing kumain everytime I am stressed sa trabaho. Before kasi when I was on my third year in high school, I lose a lot of weight because of the CAT training. But now, I really gained a lot, as in a lot. Imagine, hindi ko na kailangang partneran ng belt ang mga pants which I don’t usually do. I need to lose weight. Plano ko na dati yun. Lagi yang una sa aking list of New Year’s Resolution. I tried to lose weight na din kaso lagi akong talo sa tandem nina “diet” and “discipline”.

I became mature when it comes to social interaction. Madali kong nakakasundo ang mga tao sa paligid ko, sa workplace man or sa ordinary place. Ginagamitan ko lang ng proper timing at charm. Kapag hindi ka kasi natututong makibagay sa iba’t ibang tao, ikaw lang din ang mahihirapan. Pinag-aralan ko yun and tingin ko, successful naman ako. With the use of different social networking sites, nagkaroon ako ng easy access sa mga long time friends ko. Surprisingly, just this year, I attended our Elementary, High School and College reunions. Kulang na lang, pati preschool friends ko eh hagilapin ko for us to catch things up.

Emotionally speaking, mas naging broad-minded ako. I don’t entertain emotions or feelings na alam kong hindi naman kailangan. As of the moment, wala pa rin akong girlfriend. May pinormahan ako pero nasa healing stage pa sya at mukhang hindi pa ready tumanggap ng suitors. So we ended up constantly texting each other na lang. I also let go my feelings to my beloved Physiological Psychology professor. Ako naman ang nahihirapan eh, hindi sya. Now, may nirereto sa akin yung isa kong colleague. Sana maging kami.

Honestly speaking, mas napadalas ang pagpunta ko sa church lalo na last year because of my eldest sister. She keeps on nagging me to go to church. To say thank you to Him. Pero, honestly speaking ulit, nakakalimutan ko pa ding magdasal every night bago matulog. Inaamin ko yan. And I’m sure, lahat naman tayo ay may ganyang kasalanan sa Kanya.

Masaya ang buhay. Masaya ang first 24 years of my life.

Salamat sa lahat ng naging part ng 24 years ko.

Salamat sa Kanya.

Salamat sa family and relatives ko.

Salamat sa mga kaibigan ko.

Salamat sa lahat ng nakapaligid sa akin, nakikita ko man or hindi.

Salamat kay Nanay for preparing the menudo that I brought today to the office for my colleagues.

Salamat kay Ella. Sya kasi ang earliest greeter. She’s greeted me last July 1, a day before the birthday of her habibi.

Salamat sa lahat ng naka-alala at hindi naka-alala.

Salamat sa lahat ng nangungulit ng blow-out.

Salamat sa’yo kasi I expected na you will greet me.

Salamat sa buhay.

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