Itβs odd how every year seems to go faster as you get older. Here I am, almost a year later feeling blind-sighted by the entire 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8765 hours, 525,600 minutes and 31,556 seconds that made up this year. Amazing how a day becomes only a blip in our lives!
So I just turned 24. I can’t believe it. When I was in my early teenage years, I thought 24 were far too old to be having fun in life. But now I feel like itβs just the beginning of my enjoyment. I get to travel, pig out and experience the world β without worrying about school assignments and deadlines left behind.
More Blessings, More Joy
I remember last year when I defined βgreetings by colleaguesβ a bonus. It was my eighth day at my new workplace, and I had lunch alone on my birthday. Oh, scratch that. The truth is, I shared a table with people I donβt know and pretended I was with them so I wonβt feel much alone, in our wide-spaced office cafeteria. I quickly finished my food, held hands and prayed. I knew that moment that loneliness would not creep in any longer because in any moment I try to escape sadness, I sing praise songs in my head β and I see Jesus. π₯
Lunch arrangement was the same this year; I was alone at my table. However this time just got better. My teammates surprised me with a birthday cake and a gift after high noon.

I realized more blessings come my way as I begin to open up to more circles and let other know what I can offer. I have the people whom I share laughter with and receive hugs and kisses for all nourishment. I have great jobs that pay the bills and get special invites to events while enjoying the perks of being a blogger. So despite that there are occasions where road blocks fall on the map of my dreams, Iβm still pretty well-off with joy in my heart. π
Where I Celebrated My 24th Birthday
One of our favorite buffet restaurants in SM Mall of Asia is Buffet 101, and Mom thought itβs the best place to celebrate the occasion. This was my third time to eat here so Iβm already quite familiar on how to go about eating almost everything I want without feeling too heavy and full easily.

My sister and I usually scout the buffet together and get food by section while considering healthy choices that wonβt put guilt right on our chests. On a clean canvas of plate, what we get all the time are mini-tasting proportions of the expensive stuff. We donβt take even a small portion of rice, bread, pasta or potatoes and drink lots of liquids because these are guaranteed to take up valuable real estate in our stomach. We went home feeling so full. Obviously, we had a blast.
Moment for Gratitude
To everyone who’s been a part of my twenty four wonderful years, I cannot be thankful enough.
ε€θ¬ζ. ιεΈΈζθ°’. Thank you so much. Maraming salamat! π
I look forward to making more memories, deeper friendships and meaningful existences with you.
And yes, it has been a very happy birthday today. π
Also, since it’s the half of the year, I’m done with warm-ups! I’m more prepared to dig my claws into treats and adventures worth blogging for, especially now that I’m driving. Only one question: Which restaurant or travel destination would be in line for my next review and which reader is next to get inspired?
The dice in the board rolls.
The Dice in the Board’s Birthday Giveaway
To give away a token of appreciation, I’m glad to announce my first-ever giveaway here. π Prize is a PHp 3000-worth of gift certificate that’s good for four (4) people, for a lunch or dinner treat at Hacienda Isabella.
How to Join
1. Be a fan of iHeartSpills on Facebook
2. Follow me on Twitter: @rochkirstin
3. Tweet this giveaway by using the plug-in at the bottom of this post.
4. Add me to your circle on Google Plus
5. Comment below your name, email address, Twitter handle, link of your tweet and reason why you want to win (can be a simple short sentence).
Notes
1. This is open for Philippine residents only.
2. The giveaway raffle will run from today until July 4, 2013, 11:59PM so this gives you three weeks to stand a chance and win! π The winner will be chosen via Random Picker and will be contacted via email on July 5, 2013 (the following day).
3. Failure to do any of the above requirements will be subjected to disqualification.
4. Failure to reply/acknowledge the notification email sent to the winner within 48 hours upon receipt of notice means forfeiture of the prize and Random Picker would be ran again.
Good luck to all! π
***
Updated July 5, 2013: Winner is Nicole de Dios! Congratulations to you! Hey Girl, I sent you an email. π Please respond immediately!

Leave a Reply to sef tiburcio Cancel reply