Quarter-life

For my 25th birthday, I had a very low-key celebration at home, with the most important person in NYC for me, my sister Celine. It was simple, very heartfelt, and I wouldn't have spent it any other way. I attended mass at noon to thank the Lord for another year (and for more blessings), went to school at 5:40 (and received my Finance midterm--got an A! Sweet!), went home at 8, then cooked pasta for me and my sister. Celine went home with a cake for me, and I was so happy with what she got me. We actually had two types of pasta for dinner: red and white sauces.

What I cooked: Linguine alla Vodka

Birthday cake from Chi

Celine's carbonara

Me and my birthday cake

She's gonna hate me for this, but what's a birthday without pictures, right?

I cannot believe I'm already 25. I'm torn if it means I'm that old or that young. I feel pressured to be a single lady still at 25. You see my mom got married when she was 24, my eldest sister got married when she was 23, and I am still single with no boyfriend at 25. The irony of things. And then I remembered this Filipino movie from 10 years ago starring Claudine Barretto and the late Rico Yan entitled "Got 2 Believe". I looked it up online and watched it. The lead character was basically pressured because she was 24 turning 25, and she believed that their family had a curse where if you get past the age of 25 as a single lady, you'll be an old maid forever. She wanted to meet the perfect man ASAP but ended up with the guy she least expected to fall in love with. It was funny, and it's still one of my favorite movies to date. Anyway, after I watched that, I kept laughing and told my sister I'm already at the finish line. And then I realized I shouldn't be pressured at all. I'm living in New York City, where 25 is still YOUNG. People my age are having the time of their lives, and I should be doing the same. So now, I'm happy and content to be who I am, and where I am today.

My birthday week wasn't exactly a good week for me, it was stressful, and very tough. Completely different from what I expected it to be. But the experiences I had in that week only made me stronger. And I have learned to accept things as they come, since everything happens for a reason. And I really should stop worrying about so many things and live for the moment. I have surrendered my life to the Lord and I am certain that He will provide only the best for me. I'm sure the road isn't going to be smooth, but it's gonna be an amazing journey. This is gonna be MY year. :)

xoxo