All of 39 Years YOUNG and Reflecting... ...

Yes, age is no secret, today I celebrate my 39th birthday, the last of my thirties and the big four looms. Yet, I have never felt "younger", blessed and determined.

The celebration started last Sunday with my in-laws over at my place eating steamboat and kids blowing my birthday cake on behalf. Though I didn't get to blow the candles but I did make my wish and felt blessed that there was not one but 5 of them to assist with the blowing. Life should be as such, sharing the most important moments, be they happy or sad, with my loved ones. Thanks mum, dad and Ben for the gifts and the kiddos too for "insisting" that all 12 candles must be squeezed onto the small cake :)

THE day began with my mum and 2 girls waking up much earlier than I did, at 530 am to be exact to prepare my favourite red eggs, Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Ice Coffee as my breakfast to be consumed in office. I was touched to tears as my girls have adopted my love language, to prepare food with love for the ones we love. 

My ONE took leave to have lunch and shop with me but not before he surprised me with this big bouquet of roses in office, much to the delight of many who asked who was the "hunk". "Of course my hubby lah", was my reply. Though lunch was simple and shopping minimal with not much damage done to his pocket, but the fact that after being together for 20 years, he still does this for me every year (when duty doesn't call) speaks volume of his love. To go through the weight yo-yo 5 times and give birth to 5 beautiful children for a witty and charming man who loves me more than he loves himself, life can't be any more blissful, can it? Of course he didn't forget my favourite durians for dinner :)

Dinner was served at home by mum, simple yet heart warming fare of home cooked food. The kids presented yet another labour of love, my birthday cheese cake, lovely isn't it? Chloe wrote this card that really tugged, to thank me for my "mumness", is there ever such a noun? Regardless, she took so much pains to build that picture frame for me and photo-shoped my picture in so that I can place it in my office and be reminded of my family and God's love whenever the going gets tough. Best yet was Nigel, the scrooge amongst all of them, that he actually used his pocket money to buy me my favourite goodies is really quite an achievement :)

Not forgetting the day was filled with well wishes from friends, students and bosses from all over, even a classmate whom I have lost touch with since Cornell days. An ABC who bothered to send me a birthday wish via email really warmed my heart, even happier to learn that this Valentino has settled down (finally). And then, there was this one that made me tear... ...and to a certain extent kicked myself in the butt for making a recent job switch:

Reminded me of a conversation this morning with my ex-bosses, they knew that I miss my "playground" but what is it exactly that I miss? It is the engagement, both at the cognitive and emotional levels, which when executed successfully changes lives. I'm sure if you have managed to read through my blabberings till here, you are beginning to reflect on those who had done or are doing so to you.

I certainly hope to return to my "playground" soonest and continue with my unfinished "work"... ...