The Big... 22!

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up -- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

And so it has been 22 years... 22 wonderful years of my life. Not too short, certainly not long at all, but enough for many valuable lessons and experiences... I could never ask for anything better than what I have been given.

The B-day(s) Gang 

This birthday brings me a little mixed feelings. I used to get birthday cake and wishes right at midnight for the past two birthdays. This year, midnight was different, no cake, no surprise, no singing, no anything. Just a quiet evening with roommates watching movie and receiving wishes online and via phone. Simply because one certain person is not around anymore. Everything, instead, came along the day. Cake, cards, wishes, gifts, and ended with a fun night full of laughters.

Things are different now than it was a year ago... but I am doing ok, actually way way better than I thought I would when "you" first left. And I am happy, that's the most important thing. I'm glad we still find time to talk, and more than anything, I'm glad we are still friends! :)

I have reorganized my priorities, I am seeing the world from a different perspective, and starting appreciating everything that's right here with me. I'm not hoping too much out of any situation, but I also haven't lost hope. My heart is open and my soul is free. Free to go wherever it wants to. The world is too large for my limited knowledge, and what I have to do now is to learn more, about everything possible. Starting from enjoying myself - "eat, pray, love," that is. "The mind learns from taking and the heart learns from giving..." I truly understand that. I know that everything happens for a reason, and in the mean time, I am going to enjoy the ride to find out what those reasons are.

This past few months was heck of an emotional roller coaster, up, down, left, right... Sometimes I didn't even know where to turn or go to. Entering a new age, about to face many new challenges in a new year (literally since my birthday is so closed to the end of the year), I am ready to take on everything life "throws" at me.

I am going to save all the looking back to what had happened through out this whole year for my blog entry at the end of it. Now is time for by BIRTHDAY, spent with the most wonderful people anyone could ever know! Thank you all for making my day complete.

Here are some of the snapshots of the day, so that even though you all could not celebrate with me for any reason, you can still "spend" my birthday with me somehow :).

First Birthday Cake of the day, thanks to Trang Nguyen

Birthday Cake Number 2, thanks to Cuong and Nhu :)

Us again!

Let the FUN begin!

Birthday Love

Who's hungry??

Wonderful time at Dinner - Jazmo'z Bourbon Street Cafe

I have a knife in my hand, not good not good! ;)

Karaoke-ing our hearts out! <3

One of my biggest presents <3

"Let's run away and don't ever look back"

Can you count many teeth there are? :)

Happy Birthday to ME! :)

That pretty much sums up my wonderfully special day!

Hope you have had a good time. Thank you for celebrating it with me, either in person or through seeing the pictures and reading this entry!!!