Turning Twenty Six

Adult speaks: sharing six pieces of life-learned lessons and a birthday diary with new traditions.

What I love about birthdays is when the realization of age hits you on the face and thoughts suddenly begin racing towards contemplation. Questions such as “how have I changed over the past year?”; “what have I accomplished at this age?"; and "where am I headed? what's next?" are just some of those that come into mind and are worth pondering on whenever I turn a year older. (I mean, birthdays are also new beginnings. Entering a new age & stage in life is change already happening and a way to cope and probably live it better is to equip oneself with ammo of lessons!)

That said, I’d like to share six life lessons I’ve learned through adulting which I think are timeless:

1. Patience is key and so is Diligence. I mean this in EVERYTHING. These are basic virtues that are easy to say yet difficult to consistently instill. Despite life’s challenges, we have to thrive in applying these simple virtues in everything we do.

2. Compromise is an asset. Let’s admit it, we can’t always get what we want or rather, we can’t always have it OUR way. Sometimes, we have to accept things as they are and work our way around the alternative, available resources. This doesn’t necessarily mean we have to give up on our dreams and set goals but somewhat, remember that there’s a right time for everything, and going through other means can still direct us to the same result.

3. Delayed gratification is good for you. Yeah, I oftentimes get that “I’ve-worked-my- ass- off-and-now- it’s time- to –reward- myself- because- I –deserve- it” or the “I’ve-worked-my- ass- off-and-now- its time- to- pursue-something-else- because- there’s-nothing- happening/ everything’s-the-same/is-monotonous / I-can-do –better-than-this/be- elsewhere” kind of feeling. But think about it: right opportunities, timing, and rewards usually come afterward (after all that hard work’s done) … we just have to wait; Hence, this leads us back to lesson #1 which is being patient and diligent because eventually, things will turn out well and all the wait’s going to pay off; is worth it.



4. Purpose is fuel. Remembering your purpose will allow you to stay grounded and directed towards the path you are headed and have envisioned for yourself. It’s important to set goals and construct an action plan on how to achieve these goals (both long term and short) so as to have a clearer and more defined purpose, an answer to your “why I do this everyday.” This is your motivation and inspiration to continue on thriving, wherever you are. Writing down these goals (or pinning them to a board or wall for visuals) will also serve as helpful reminders which you can revisit any time---especially when self-doubt (and other issues) arise.

5. Passions and projects will keep you inspired. Stay in touch with activities you love and actually enjoy doing. Don’t ever let go of these hobbies/passions/dreams which can also be a source of that big fat grin on your face and a happy fulfilled heart.

6. Family and (true) Friends will always have your back. No matter your pursuits, expect their love and support! (They know you best/better and will be sincere with you.)

10.17.18: Here's to 26!

After dinner, my family and I continued the birthday celebration at home, spontaneously making our own selection of cheese-fruit-and nut board paired with bottles of wine (one red and one white, your choice) and opting for an alternative sweet pastry, a birthday staple, other than cake.

Tip #1- How to make your own cheese-fruit-and-nut board

Cheeses: Gruyere, Cheddar, and Manchego || Special mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachio, cashew, and almonds) || Fruits: chocolate covered berries, pomelo, and grapes

Instead of going out for dessert, we brought wine night into our abode. Mom styled the assortment of cheeses, fruits, and nuts we've purchased from the supermarket and placed them atop a wooden board we had. We also prepared the wine glasses on a wooden coffee tray for a sophisticated presentation.

Why the cheeses? Because we prefer hard cheeses and those that are less creamy and milky, we chose Gruyere, Cheddar, and Manchego; Other cheeses which you can include in your board are Emmental, Edam, Gouda, Brie; (whatever kind you like, really). You can also mix this up with a variety of cured meat. (Note: boards with meat are called a Charcuterie because this means "cooked meats" (*gasps*))

Fruits: Mom experimented with the pomelo fruit to present something different on the board and it surprisingly worked well with wine! Aside from grapes, you can have strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and figs. You may also add crackers, vegetables (green olives, pickles, etc.) and dips.

Wine: Make sure to chill the wine first, it's best served cold.* For red wine, my parents chose a Merlot (sweeter, fruitier, smoother) but personally, I like a good Cabernet Sauvignon (black currant, longer finish). As for white wine, we got a Chardonnay (richer) but you can also try a Sauvignon Blanc (lighter) pairing.

There are a number of combinations and assortments which you can do with your board and wine pairing and that's what's so delightful about it! Flavors which you thought wouldn't go well together might actually surprise you once you try them altogether.

Tip #2: How to get creative with sweet pastry alternatives

Chocolate cupcakes, silver candles, and birthday confetti.

Cake? why not a CUPcake? (haha)

You can always pick your favorite pastry OR dessert to blow your candles with and sing "Happy Birthday". There are doughnuts, macaroons, ice cream, pudding, tart, you name it! If you have a plain pastry/dessert, you may decorate it with cutesy candles, food flaglets, glitter and confetti, etc. to add some fun and color. You can buy all these in a party supplies or baking supplies store.

Tip #3: How to recycle available birthday décor and create a new set up:

My mom has a whole storage box full of party décor (like that"Happy Birthday" signage was also recycled and previously used for two of my sisters' birthdays HA-HA) and it's a matter of styling and adding new elements (e.g. hanging pompom garlands, scattering various colored and shaped balloons on the floor, printing pictures, etc... ) that make it a new set up. You don't have to spend a lot for birthday décor. Be resourceful! *grins*