blastful day!

Some people were asking me how did I spent my birthday here in Dubai.  Well, let me define it in one word.  "Blastful!"

I don’t normally come to work during my birthday!  But this time, I have to because of some important meetings that I need to attend to in the office.  And knowing that nobody in the office knows my birthday, I thought that it will be a safe day for me.  Safe day from surprises or "embarassment" of being the center of attention.  I really hate that feeling.  Haha!  Unfortunately, one of my female colleague remembered my birthday because during one of our discussions some months back, she had asked me for my birthday.  And coincidentally, she remembered the date because her son’s birthday happens to fall on the day before my birthday.  To cut the story short, I was not able to escape the ordeal.  Hahaha!

At around 11am, my team and some colleagues from other department were waiting for me to comeback to my desk.  I was supposed to be on a meeting from 10am to 11am only but the meeting ended around 1pm so they had no choice but to postpone their modus operandi.  So, at around 3pm they started gathering in my place and brought a chocolate flavored birthday cake with my name written on it.  Aside from the cake, they brought some Indian pastries.

No other choice but to go with the flow!  I appreaciated and felt the sincerity of their action.  It was like having a new family around.  After singing the birthday song (addressing me as "my dear Jonathan"), the rule is that I have to cut the cake and distribute the slices to everyone.  Unlike in PH where the celebrant keeps the cake and take it home.  Hehehe! 

The experience is good!  Thanks to my AAB family!

In my flat, there was no big surprise.  I am the one who gave my flatmates a surprise!  I ordered pancit and fried chicken from Chowking.  And lots of pizza from Papa John.  Two of my flatmates (Marie and Belen) gave me a gift.  A hooded CoolCat sweat shirt.  

Though I am still longing to spend my next birthday in PH next year, today’s experience is something to be grateful for.  After all, the most important thing is that God is still giving me the chance to serve my purpose on earth according to His devine plan.  That is more than enough to ask for.

Happy Birthday to me!