24

In my favorite movie Reality Bites, Tyler (Ethan Hawke) told Leilana (Winona Ryder) that "at 23, you don't have to be anybody but yourself." I really felt good that someone actually used the age 23 to be quoted to one of the generation defining movies of all time. So I was actually happy to be 23, not until two weeks ago when I became 24. Somebody made me happy though by giving me one of the most unique greetings of all time, telling me a happy birthday and I'm a Jack Bauer. If you didn't get it, I'll just leave it as that. I'm trying to lessen my sarcastic and ironic mutterings as I grow older. Define Irony.

Surprisingly, I'm thinking that this is actually of the best birthdays I ever had, and to itemize and actually cover up the fact that I'm getting older, here's why:

• The Gifts - I got stuff that I wanted and never expected to get. I got my Starbucks bear, a new tumbler, messenger wraps for my camera, a Panda bag, a customized birthday card with a photoshopped naked body of a local matinee idol, a set underwear for specific days and occasions (Halloween included) and much more.
• The Cakes - Got two this year, and I think my family enjoys it more than I do but I still I love making wishes (I get to have two but I think I made the same wish for both cakes) and blowing the candles. As Sharon advised, I made sure that my wish would be a good one.
• The Greetings - Actually I like saying Thank You's to the greetings more. It becomes my avenue to say my hi's and hello's to people I haven't talked to for a long time.
• The Food - Birthdays are the perfect excuse to eat a lot. I had three "feeding programs"with friends and though I was the one who spent money on those events, I'm still happy to be with people I love to be with. The family and I had dinner too and I didn't count it on my "feeding program" list since dad paid for it. 
• The World Revolves Around Me For a Day... or Two - Need I say more?

My birthday had been two weeks ago yet when I went out with movie buddy Victor last Sunday after watching a movie, we went to have drinks on TGI Friday's and he bargained for another movie with Alex Pettyfer in it. He also told the manager that it's my birthday as I glared. The last thing I wanted was being sang to on a bar with one friend. So as we finished our drinks -  with my mojito and Vic's mock cocktail -  and picked up the tab, a waiter banged on bongos as I got irritated, I hate more noise in a noisy place. However, there they were, the Friday's crew singing happy birthday (I thought I would get out unscathed) but it wasn't bad, I actually smiled. I was happy. I wanted this last year from my best friends but didn't get it. After our last toast, I officially declared my 24th birthday celebration(s) over.