Written by applepeddler

I turned 26 last Thursday.

Originally I planned on going somewhere nice – like Tagaytay. Two things stopped me though: (1) my budget, and (2) the fact that the car is holed up in a repair shop somewhere in Makati. So Joe, Ysa and I went to Megamall instead. I had not thought about where to have lunch, so for a while we wandered around the Atrium, looking at the menus of each resto, occasionally listening to piano renditions of 80s love songs and – gasp! – Careless Whisper.  Then I remembered how people raved about Chef’s Quarter, so despite limited resources we had our lunch there.

I don’t know if it’s because it’s my birthday or the fact that I’m easy to please – give me meat, pour a generous amount of sauce on it and I’m ok – but the whole experience there made my day.  So much so, that after “depositing” Ysa in a playhouse located at the basement, my coffee plans were scrapped. These were replaced by a trip to the toy store and Powerbooks, where Joe bought me the 3 books in the Eragon series.

We were home by seven in the evening, which is so unlike me because I’m like a kid in a candy shop when I go out of the house – I’ve got to try everything. But I was happy – happier than I was in birthdays past. This change made me ponder on things; and I realized, for the first time, that I am not that young anymore.

I turned 26 last Thursday.

A friend told me weeks back that once you reach this age, you should – if you still haven’t – set aside that angst that comes with being a young adult, because you’re going to face “real world” problems now. At first I didn’t think that piece of advice applied to me. I mean, I married early and had a kid at 21 – surely there are “real world” problems to be had given my situation. But looking back, I don’t think I was that mature in handling the issues that came my way. I always succumbed to feelings of envy and self-pity, and from time to time I went too far with my “what ifs” and “what could have beens”. Perhaps a little bit of angst was warranted at that time, but now? No more.

I have wasted enough time hatching plans and destroying dreams in one breath. At 26, it is time to hit the ground running because really, this is it.

*****

Now I know this is going to sound like an Oscar winner speech, so I am asking for your indulgence. Part of the happiness I felt last Thursday is due to everyone here at EPh, so I would like to thank you all: to my bosses – for the opportunity to become one of the editors here; to my co-editors – for the understanding and acceptance you have shown me despite my numerous shortcomings; and to the writers, especially those I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with (via PM, YM, threads) – for the laughs, your patience and understanding when I don’t respond ASAP to your messages, and well, for the love.

Looking forward to more birthdays with you guys!

*huuuugs!*