Wetting my feet.

Thought I Couldn't Want You, More Than I Did Before.
But Everyday I Love You A Little Bit More.

- JLS's "Love You More" -

It's that time of the year again. Where I turn a year older.

This year, I told my sister that I didn't want to have any celebrations, surprise or otherwise. Why? Because I feel guilty that I can't do the same for all of my friends. Hence, i ended up taking the family out to dinner. Which was fine, because I have been intending to take them out for sushi, come next paycheck. Or so, I have been chanting for the past 6 months. So I thought, since I'm now a member of Sakae Sushi, and I have a birthday offer to take up, why not eh?

So, that out of the way, I took leave on my birthday (who wants to be working on their birthday?!). Only to accompany my mom on her shopping trip. An expensive moisturizer, drugstore lipstick, red high-heeled sandals (all hers, and who's birthday was it again?) and a decadent banana leaf lunch with mango lassi later, we headed home, and I took a nice, relaxing birthday afternoon nap. What was not so nice was, we found out later my mom's aunt had passed away that afternoon, and off we went to visit the family later that night.

Then, the celebrations kicked in. The colleagues in the office took me out to lunch where we shared 2 chocolate lava cakes for dessert. First time ever I paid for my birthday lunch and theirs, but that was only because they were too hungry to withdraw money from the ATM before lunch.

Then my buddy Fiza took me out for a shoulder and foot massage. Which was really nice, since I was complaining about my stiff shoulders earlier on. Fiza, last month, for her birthday, she received a "Bring A Friend" voucher, and who did she drag along? ME! So, who had a pampering session on her birthday? ME!

Then, there was that Italiannies surprise on Friday night, which was super nice! You see, Lish had earlier asked me out to dinner with Cammy, For the past 2 years, my birthday celebrations with them had revolved around music. In 2009, we were in ALexis for a show with Shahrizan (where he pulled me up on stage to sing to me and another girl celebrating her birthday). Last year, we were in Borneo Baruk Club, where the resident band sang to me. This year, Reza Salleh was performing at Italiannies, so since I already liked his songs, i thought, cool! why not?

Turned out, a whole bunch of my other girlfriends were there at Italiannies as well! Do u know how you feel when you think/ know you don't deserve the luck you're getting? I was feeling that way the whole night, while we chatted and laughed over plates and plates of delicious food. And Lish, with her persuasive nature, had somehow managed to be in touch with Reza Salleh earlier and told him about this surprise, so yes, he sang me a birthday song. :)

I'm truly, truly blessed to have such friends. People who made their way to come, tinggal anak, tinggal laki, dressed up, to be with me that night. I can't thank you guys enough! (eh but i tak kisah ok if your spouses and kids were there too = default statement :p)

This morning, Amy arranged a birthday brunch for me along with a few girls from school. I was super late as I had eldest daughter duties to tend to at home, but managed to spend about an hour with them. Again, I can't thank them enough for hanging out with me, paying for my food (!) and those uber yummy cupcakes.

I'm so spoiled la...I wonder if i deserve all this. All i know is, I'm truly blessed and I pray that I'll be constantly surrounded by this group of people who I have come to know as among my closest friends, and I hope that they know that I'm truly thankful to have them in my life.

Here we go, come with me
There's a world out there that we should see
Take my hand, close your eyes
With you right here, I'm a rocketeer

- Far East Movement's "Rocketeer" -

I find that I hunch a lot in the office.

Yesterday, on my way back home from the office, while stuck in the traffic jam, i started to rub my shoulders.

That felt soooo good! I wish I could just take off for a shoulder massage or have someone rub my shoulders for me on a daily basis, teehee.

My almost-daily yoga class is helping me release some tension on my back. But I still haven't gone often enough due to these ad-hoc early morning tasks in the office. Tsk.

But, ooh, so semangat. The other day, I actually did sun salutations on my own, in my room, right before my morning shower.

Righty-ho, now to keep a straighter back at the office.