This picture could have been instrumental in Timmy's birthday, if not for a struck of fate. It was supposed to serve as a tarpaulin banner for the surprise party I have long-been planning. In my vision, it would be in a private apartelle that I already have had reserved. All her closest friends would be there including her family and long lost friends. I know it would also be extra special because the food will be cooked by no less than her own mother. The children could also go swimming in the apartelle's swimming pool as they all wait for me and the birthday girl to arrive. All of these were already running through my mind that I could already see her walking over rose petals as she enter the room and she would see this banner, beautifully placed in the living room wall. I bet she would be truly surprised. My vision was magnificent and in my mind then, everything were already set except for one thing - the money I needed to do all that.

The party was scheduled 2 days after her actual birthday which was the 23rd of August. I thought the 25th being the Saturday would be a convenient time for me and my accomplices to give us ample time to prepare. Unfortunately, in the morning of her birthday, the money, which was already 5-days overdue during that time still hasn't arrived. Something happened in the bank regarding my name and the recipient's which caused its delay. Finally, that very evening, I have completely lost all hope as her mother, clueless to my own plans, prepared a simple celebration over their place and as if that wasn't enough, almost all the people I was planning to invite in the party that I was cooking up went there. I find it pointless to celebrate the same occasion twice with only two days interval. Making use of what was available, I bought Timmy some flowers, for the very first time, and later on she looked so happy as I gave them to her. It made me feel good and bad at the same time. Good, because she never really asked me for anything material anywhere in our relationship, making me feel really appreciated for every little thing that I can offer. And I think I am truly grateful to have a girlfriend like her, which on the other hand also makes me feel bad because I know she deserves so much more.

At last, on the very next day after her birthday, the money has arrived. It made me feel like having the thing you needed just right after the time you needed it most. It felt like the heavens were taunting me and I really wanted to feel bad about it, but then again I thought to myself why should I feel that way if all I really wanted was to make my girlfriend happy? It would be funny that the very thing I needed to make her birthday special in the first place could make me feel terrible. So on the very next day, the 25th of August, as a promise to Timmy and as a promise to myself, we have made the whole time we have spent together as special as it can be. Now, I can say that that day we were together was one of the most truly exceptional days in my life.

Thinking about it now, though I failed to have my grandiose vision for Timmy's birthday materialized, the things that happened had me realized that showing someone your love and devotion does not really need to be expensive, it just needs to come from where it should be. I always say that there are things in life that we wanted badly that we don't get on the times we wished to have gotten it, but if your intentions about it were that special, it's going to be worth the wait.



PS: To the angels that have made things possible for me, thank you very much. You guys have made my day and I'd like you to know that despite the delay and all the preparation problems that came with it, it was all worth it and I'd like to do it all over again. =)

The PGH Centennial Photograph

The Ward 4 - Surgery Ward Head Nurse in the crowd

16th of July was my birthday and this year it would be 07/07/07 in numbers. If the Chinese would be believed, triple seven is a lucky number combination and I guess this time, they were right.

I had literally no plans about celebrating my own birthday. For one, I think it would be waste of money, another thing, I didn't think it was really that important to be fussed about and lastly, I would have wanted my next birthday celebration to be celebrated either before or after I got from work and not after I got from school (nor combination, again of both). It just feels annoying to be celebrating your 24th birthday and be still in school.

Now back to the lucky thing, I think I somehow forgot about Timmy's personality. She's the one who loves surprises and though I knew she was cooking up something for me, what happened was something I never really expected.

With the help of my cousin, Joy and surprisingly my own mother, Timmy organized a surprise party for me with a helping hand from my friends from school, my friends from the office and my closest friends.

It was something I only see in movies and TV commercials, and now that I have actually experienced it, I now understand that surprise parties don't only give surprises. It is an overwhelmingly humbling experience that I would surely keep until the last of my days. Thanks to my baby.

On second thought though, I still feel annoyed that I'm still in school.

Birthday boy with: (L-R, Top to Bottom) Timmy, Donna, Julius, Santy, Ian, Beshe, Muriel & Joy