I just celebrated my birthday and here I am now trying to take stock of how one year has grown since.
There was a time, a long time really, when I had the zip and the zest to blog incessantly. It was a novel way for me to get acquainted with many Bloggers who now have become regular pals with me over the time.
Since my Birthday last year, the culmination of preparatory work for the May 10, 2010 Automated Elections in the Philippines took its toll on my health. Dreadfully long hours at work prevented me from being fully engaged at all my Blogs.
Even with every effort that I made for a come-back, I felt that the sparkle was dimmed because as the saying goes, 
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak“.
I have had memorable Birthday celebrations in my yesteryears. The fondest would be the one that was grandly celebrated last year. Last year’s birthday was the first time that I ever had a birthday cake. It wasn’t just an ordinary cake, to say the least. It was also the time when I declared to be 25 forever until I invoke my right to change my mind, haha!
My recent birthday celebration is the twilight of my birthday life in the Philippines as it is expected that if all goes accordingly to our (my fiance and I) plans, and of course in God’s own time and with His grace and Divine Providence, my next Birthday celebration will be in Sydney, Australia. Yes, and it has such a sobering effect on my personal life, that I shall no longer be celebrating the occasion with Mama Dearest and my beloved siblings at Home Sweet Home.
So sober that I was expecting it to be a spartan Birthday, without the simple yet fun and joy that I have been so accustomed to in all the years gone by. However, the Boss who blogs from Bottom Lines scheduled an out-of-town Team Building Activity for all Personnel at work on the very day of my birth. He was actually unaware that it was my birthday. I was like huh?!
What haunted me prior to my birthday was my family who’s not used to celebrating the occasion without the celebrant, LOL! I had no time to even prepare for a small celebration because of the toxic schedule at work. I only planned of dining out with them. It got me to thinking hard when I learned that my two brothers were booked for an out-of-town show with Kuerdas. Although my mother and I were both uncomfortable with the set-up because we weren’t used to gatecrashing, I deemed it best to ask the Boss to allow my mother to come along with me since she will be in her lonesome at home. The Boss gladly said “OK.” 
I had really no choice but to ask his permission because I don’t want my Pretty Mama sitting in the corner of the house worrying about her children.
We traveled more than an hour from Gensan before we reached the fine, white sand beach of Gumasa. It was my first time to set foot in that breathtaking place. I used to hear great things about Gumasa in the past especially from my brothers who were often invited to perform in Glan’s Lubi-Lubi Festival. The place is obviously untouched and certainly a pride of all Sarangans.
Though everyone felt totally exhausted from the previous days’ 24-hour bout at work during the October 25, 2010 Synchronized Barangay and SK Elections in the country, my birthday turned-out to be filled with singing, eating, lots of fun and oh yeah! Photoshoot 
General Santos Time
happy birthday again, Sis! you are are already blessed and yet, i’ll never cease to keep on wishing for more blessings in your life, esp. all those things that your heart so desire. i enjoyed all the pics. nice nga break sa akong studying.
Recel´s last [type] ..Hgh and Egg rolls
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 1st, 2010 at 10:59 am
@Recel,
Thank you as always, Sis for ceasing not in wishing me the best. I am glad you had such a breather in viewing the pics, LOL!
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Happy birthday, Lainy dear! I wish you all the best in life. You are such a wonderful person. Pretty and sexy… Enjoy your 25th birthday!
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 1st, 2010 at 11:01 am
@Hazelicious,
Thanks, Sexy Hazie! You’re always making my heart melt. Thanks for the beautiful adjectives. I had fun on my 25th birthday, hehe!
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Hi Lainy
I hope you had a brilliant birthday and that you was spoilt rotton hahaha!
You don’t look a day over 21 (winks over a hundred times)
Best Birthday Wishes
Steve
stevebethere from bethere2day´s last [type] ..Halloween Surprise
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:50 am
@stevebethere from bethere2day,
Thanks so much, Steve. It has been awhile. That was such a very nice compliment. See you around!
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happy birthday, great to be here in your blog =) love your cake and the place you visited =)
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 am
@mona,
Hi Mona. Thanks for swinging by and for the greetings. Hope to see more of you soon.
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Hi Lainy! Happy Belated Birthday! Lovely cake! You seemed to enjoy your self.
I just want to let you know that you are one of my top Entrecard droppers for October! Thank you! It is very much appreciated!!
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
@Rickety Ride,
Thanks so much! Yes, I had fun on my birthday
Oh! I didn’t know I’ve dropped as much EC’s these days. hehe. Nevertheless, thanks for the recognition. More drops coming your way soon!
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Belated happy bday te!
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:14 am
@ally,
Thank you, cousin Dearie! Mwah!
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Just dropping by to say happy birthday! I love the picture with your mom. Makes me remember my own with a smile. We can no longer have our pictures taken though because she’s already UP there.
A Walk Through Life´s last [type] ..woman talk- my big lesson on comfort
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 3rd, 2010 at 9:16 am
@A Walk Through Life,
Thanks for the belated birthday greetings. Thanks as well for liking the photo with my mother. I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I am sure you have some beautiful memories to reminisce when she was still with you. Will go visit your blog when I come back from work tonight.
See yah!
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Belated Happy Birthday Lainy dear! I know you had a wonderful birthday again with your Mom! Talagang inseparable kayo, sweet! Wish you the best and I know until now you’re very happy meeting your prince in person. God Bless and always take care! so you’re 25 forever? +1
Race´s last [type] ..October 2010 Droppers
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 4th, 2010 at 12:07 am
@Race,
Hola Race! Thanks for the post-birthday greetings and wishes. I had a grand birthday celebration, simply because wala akong gastos pero may pagkain, haha!
Oh yeah! Been very happy to have spent some time with my Prince. It was the most awaited
Yes I am officially 25 forever, minus the +1. LOL!
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was nice of your boss to let your mama join you. saka at least you never had to worry about inviting guests, kasi nanjan ang coworkers mo to celebrate it with you ^^
palapit na ng palapit ang 25th birthday mo ulit, laine
is this year’s celebration going to be similar to this? beach theme ulit? enjoy Pinas as much as you can because you never know, one day you’ll just wake up celebrating another 25th birthday in Sydney, Aussie 
hugs!
PS: thanks for dropping by my blog kahit super busy ka a la superwoman juggling the world in your hands
naka-abang lang din ako palagi waiting for updates sa blogs mo and habang naghihintay, nag-e-enjoy din magbasa ng mga previous posts mo. really nice getting to know you, lainy dear 
KM´s last [type] ..BASKETS OF GOODIES AND OTHER TREATS PART 3
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Lainybelle Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@KM,
Hi KM. Thanks for the time spent reading out my older posts. Parang ako din, hahaha! I’d prefer to dig the archive coz it’s there where you will know the person more- up close and personal. No holds barred
This time, walang beach themed party. Buti naman, haha! Nakakapagod kasi. Gusto ko yong simple lang. The birthday before last year, I had to transport all the food at the workplace kasi sobrang busy sa registration. I might just do that again, hahaha!
No worries about that, KM. It’s been a pleasure swinging by your blog. Nageenjoy ako. Lalo na pa that you write very well. At least for now, manageable pa kahit na pabalik-balik ako sa blog mo kasi nag-iisa palang yan
Salamat sa walang sawang pag-aabang ng mga posts ko. Pagod na pagod ako of late kasi I decided to go to the gym instead of playing badminton, hehe. Nanibago ata
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tuloy mo lang yang gym mo, laine
hinay hinay lang at first para di masyado ma-drain. once ma pick-up mo na yung rhythm, okei ka na nyan ^^ cheers to weight loss! 
KM´s last [type] ..BASKETS OF GOODIES AND OTHER TREATS PART 3
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Lainybelle Reply:
November 1st, 2011 at 10:21 am
@KM,
Hay naku! Di ako regular na nakapag-gym last week. Hopefully this week, makabawi.
I hope the effort will bear fruit soon.
CHEERS!
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