18th Ain't About Parties

The day you officially graduate from your teenage days and turn into an adult is, well, kind of a normal experience. No big bangs or ta-tas, but just the normal any other celebration of any other year. Just the way I like it. 

Rather than spend much (say 50K +) for a one-night event, why not be practical and use the money wisely, hmm? Isn't that what adulthood is about? Or maybe for me, that is. Attending mass, having an outreach somewhere in Cebu, and lunching out with family, relatives, and close friends, my day being a day of giving, that's my ideal way of spending the 18th. 

And so I did.

Road trip going to Sitio Napo

 When I told my mother I wanted to have a community outreach on my birthday, I already had a community I wanted to go to in mind, the same community I had my CGSMS Project, but she suggested otherwise...and look where it took me.

Kids from Napo Elementary School

The trip to Sitio Napo wasn't quite that long, being about 10 minutes away from home, and when I did reach the venue, how surprised I was! I wasn't used to being sang a birthday song, so I kind of became a bit shy. Plus, they also prepared birthday cards.  "No card, no food." My mother even jokingly said. How sweet of the kids.

Simple gifts that mean so, so much

Their thank you's and big smiles were too heartwarming that I swear I could've flown if I had wings. I almost cried, not because of the presents, but because (to be honest), I know I made God proud of this good turn.

A lot of the kids out of a class of 37, haven't tried eating Jollibee, and being able to give them this simple joy is enough for me. It brings justice to the reality that people who have less appreciate more the little things given to them than the rich who are given more, yet appreciate less.

The trip to Napo Elementary School served as an inspiration to make every birthday of every year a day of giving.  

Photo courtesy from: http://jaredramos.files.wordpress.com

True to my list, the second one to cross off would be the lunch out in Patio Isabel.

R-L: Ate Mimi, Kuya Francis and Kuya Ton-ton

I truly appreciate the people with me celebrating one of life's events. Them lending me their time and effort (jima moment here, awee).

Feeling blessed and thankful

I want to thank everyone who've been with me for the past 18 years: my family who has always given me love and inspiration to do my best and make 'em proud, my relatives who have been great supporters full of love and care, and my precious friends who I wish would still be there for the rest of my lifetime.

Most of all, I'd like to thank God for the gift of life. For helping me make it through life's trials, and granting me success. I know life's going to get a lot tougher after this, but I believe anything's possible, and that any trouble brewed will all come to pass.

Post-celebration!

Your downtown lassie,