… uNdIsPuTeD

U – ndoubtedly factual, beyond any uncertainties, people around me found me to be something like this. They defined me as what they saw about me when we were together. Thanks for the great definitions.

N – evertheless, it’s all up to you to say something about me. What I would just enunciate is that, to emphatically know me better, join me ones, involve me twice, necessitate me thrice and that’s the perfect time to say something about me or any other people as a whole.

D – oes that mean something to you? Would it be applicable for you? Well, I would tell you, you can’t judge the book by its own cover. Define not the person by his appearance, you may eventually give a misleading information.

I – n such cases, be very careful about dealing with other people, they are as fragile as glasses. Too delicate to handle that you have to deal with extra care. They are also too precious to lose.

S – o, be gentle to those you meet everyday. Take them as special people in your life. They may in turn treat you the same way.

P – ut your shoes into their shoes, and you will feel what they are experiencing. In doing so, you won’t feel you are elevated and advanced than them. Be humble at all times.

U – nderstanding each other is one most important to happily deal with one another. So, I do try to do so. Take care of me, too. I’ll tell you who I really am and you would understand me more. Here we go. Fasten your seatbelt as we travel.

T – ax, the name I have been using since I was in high school. So many of my friends call me one. If you feel like you belong to them, find comfort to call me that. I would love to.

E – ustaquio III is my real first name. Kinda old one, yeah? Yet it’s so treasured by my family. It’s a name for three generations. Sound like Spanish as they say. Probably! Treat that with due respect.

D – amaolao is my surname. So please do esteem every person you meet daily. So do I. You can search my real name using Google, and you would know me more. Thanks people! Take care always.

…nO bLoWiNg Of CaNdLeS

As we filled the room with enjoyment and laughter, we felt tired and so hot, that we even called the assistant to turn on the air conditioner. We rested from dancing. This time, it’s the instant to light the candles and slice the cake they bought for me. A grateful heart is talking to you. Thanks a lot.

Such a good-looking cake they prepared. T’was a chocolate cake. Perfectly decorated. I do appreciate all of you, guys. They lit the candles for me. The big candle opened like petals of flowers, with candles on each, such a beautiful one.

We danced around the tables as we sung HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG. We were like primary students turning around. I missed those times, acting like a kid in front of my family. I wasn’t able to blow the candles, ‘coz they were already out when we stopped dancing. I seriously sliced the cake and served them one by one. We delighted eating the cake and they, too, enjoyed putting icing on my face. T’was really a wondrous moment, worthy to be remembered.

We started singing and dancing again few minutes later. Then, we parted ways a short while after. I, in truth, was truly happy in that moment. Thanks for that feeling. I thanked all of them as we went home. Guys, you are one of a kind. Thanks for the acceptance. I do value that. Take care always and see you soon.

…KTV – tHe rEtUrN

Right after we basked the savory food during our dinner, we proceeded immediately to the KTV right across the restaurant. So funny, we had to hide the cake and soft drink, ‘coz it’s not aloud to bring them inside. We covered them with jackets for it not to be so obvious. Sounds funny, right? Then, we continued our enjoyment there.

Everybody tried to pick their songs and showed their hidden talents. The room was indeed full of laughter as we were singing and dancing. I couldn’t imagine myself doing it. But it’s kinda fun. We all enjoyed that time. It’s a thing I pretty like with these people is that, they are easy going. They are very friendly.

We had our songs one after the other. I also had the chance of sharing my hidden talent to them. And we all laughed. I like that place for they have lots of English songs, than that of the other night. And indeed, they also tried to sing a lot of English songs. Such a joyous moment! We were like kids singing and dancing together.

Guys, thanks for that marvelous time. I did enjoy it. My 25th birthday really was one of the most memorable one. I had such a great moment though away from family. Kinda I haven’t felt it. Thank you all for being there for me. Have a good time everyone.

…bIrThDaY – tHe RePeAt

As I was making this one, I couldn’t help but laugh ‘coz it sounds like a concert, the repeat. Hahahaha! Yet, it is truly factual. I did have other celebration the night after my birthday. I did consider my friends here to be very important, too. But they are not somewhat related to the school, I mean the company. So I didn’t want them to be with the first celebration, with my colleagues and students.

I was kinda shy to these people for I was late in going to the restaurant. I did a special speech training for an hour for those who were not able to come the other week. I came there at 7:00pm, right after my class, but we agreed to meet at 6:00. I told them about it, though. But I still felt shy about it. I don’t want them to wait for me for that long. I got no choice, anyway.

One picked me up at school for I don’t know how to get there. thanks Jim for that. When we came in, they were of course, there waiting for us. I did ask for an apology. Sorry for that guys. But they did understand the situation. I just told them to order ahead of time, so that when we would come, we would start eating right away. Yes, they did. They are all smart and professional. That’s one thing I like with this group. Thanks for joining me in my time of happiness. Greatly appreciated.

We did have a nice chat as we enjoyed the food. Some cracked jokes while we were eating and we all laughed. We truly had a great time together. We shared our experiences and so on.

I just wanna express my warmest and heartfelt gratitude to all of these people; Stephen (a Canadian guy, foreign teacher in the teacher’s college here), thank you for spending your precious moment with me. I know you are pretty busy, too. But you did come. Thanks a lot. To Jim, for picking me up and for arranging for the event, my contact person. Thanks a lot for the sensitivity. To Linda, my great adviser, thanks for the wonderful thoughts you’ve shared to me. To Wendy, thanks for being such a nice friend, just think positive as we always say it. Last but not the least, to Sarah, thanks for being there and for always being there. I highly valued your presence last night. Thank you so much guys.

"Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another." --Eustace Budgell

…oNe Of A kInD

My friends handed me a special, very exceptional birthday card with their signatures on it. It is bought from the US. Wendy had a business trip there and in Canada for several times before. So they gave me one.

It's my first time to receive a birthday card from other countries. Christmas cards I did. But birthday card, that was the first. It’s one of a kind experience. It’s really beautiful. It talks about friendship. This is what it says, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Special people are like flowers in the garden of life.” That’s in the front page. What it says inside is, “You always seem to go out of your own way to make other people feel special. That’s one of the things I like best in you.”

I was touched as I read it. Thank you so much everyone. It made my day so special, as well as my feelings. In addition to that, I was indeed very happy. Words may not be enough to express it. Thanks a million times.

…bLoW tHe CaNdLeS

As we savored the luscious food, some also enjoyed singing at the same time. I felt like I was at home, doing the same thing the moment we have a celebration like this. Homesickness was gone. It was diverted into happiness. Thanks for that feeling.

In the middle of the celebration, they let me sing two songs. They all clapped their hands. You know, only few English songs here. Then, we continued eating. Laughters surround the place all through out the entire event. I can see every one was also happy.

“Blow the candles, time to blow them now,” that’s what I heard from them. Yet, one Chinese teacher programmed the sound system before blowing them. So I still have to sing again, 25 minutes by MLTR ‘coz they said I am already 25. Well, I got no choice. Everyone stood up as I sing the song and clapped their hands altogether. I was really touched. Then, happy birthday song followed.

Darkness covered the room that time as I lit the candles while everyone was singing. I blew the candles of the two cakes after I made a wish. Then, they clapped their hands the more, even louder. Slicing of cakes succeeded afterwards. I handed each one a slice of cake. I indeed had a fun time. I was genuinely happy, too like everyone else. Then, eating, laughters, singing and talks continued. We all had a fantastic time. Around an hour later, we parted ways. Thanks for the time guys. I somehow forgot home. Thanks a lot everyone!.

…gIfTs I rEcEiVeD

I couldn’t imagine why they were able to have a such wondrous presents for me. They have no time. I made it a point not to tell them in advance so that they won’t bother to buy some. But I was amazed. They made it in just less than an hour. My boss phoned them an hour before dinner and told them the restaurant. Yes, they came with their respective presents. They entered the room and greeted me HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and wished me the best in life and here in China as they handed their gifts. I was filled with gratefulness and thanked them one by one.

Amazing gifts amused my eyes and diverted my feelings, for I was a little sad reminiscing those times I had with my family during this time. I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness of these people around me here. With my students, too, they are indeed worth calling, true and real friends. Thanks for the friendship you are offering.
I was filled with laughter as I opened each
of their presents. They, too enjoyed watching me opening them and capturing pictures at the same time. They also explained why they planned to buy them as I tore the wrappers. I couldn’t put in words what I felt that time. Indescribable! Well, thanks to all of you. I am in truth happy for your gifts. I just don’t know how to give back the kindness you showed me. I just wish you the best in your state of life, too. May all your labors be fruitful and successful. Thanks a lot.