TO SEVEN

My birthday is no secret, I love celebrating it! May sound narcissistic but 12 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised with a gift of life, on my day of celebrating life. Get it? No? Okay. The story was my mother was set to give birth on the 18th of August 2005, with what they've always referred as the unexpected addition, however, this little rascal was just ready to come out 8 days early! So he must've known I was also born 5 days earlier than expected. We LOVE surprising people it seems! 

So Happiest Bornday Zikry! Glad I'm still around to see you grow, you have no idea what that actually means to me. 

Here's to turning 27. Closer to 30's and far from having a perfect life yet, but that's OK. It's LIFE! It's supposed to be crooked and beautifully design with cracked walls. 

I am overwhelmingly happy with everyone's sweetness and thoughtfulness on my special day. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You guys are truly the wonderful people in my life right now! 

As always, here are the TWENTY-SIX things I learned before turning 27:

1. "If you saw the size of the blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting"

2. Track your expenses even though your income is pretty much fixed.

3. If you find yourself in an emotionally or verbally abusive relationship or friendship, muster up the courage to leave. Protect yourself. 

4. "Setting your own boundary to protect your emotion is so important" when dealing with a depressed person, that may affect your own mental state.

5. Social Detoxing can be good. You should give it a go. 

6. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU IF YOU ARE STILL SINGLE. 

7. Never Ever Apply for a Credit Card (unless necessary but NO)

8. There will always be people who are going to look down on you, well, ignorance is bliss. 

9. Depression sucks, but it is possible to feel better. It is possible to not be stuck. Doesn't mean you're cured though. Just there are still so many good days ahead of us. 

10. I am not sorry for the relationships that didn't work 

11. Japan is a must-go-to. I didn't think I'd ever make it there, I didn't even write it on my bucket list knowing how expensive it would be, but I am so glad I made it. I am even gladder that I went with someone who was able to tolerate me throughout the trip. For being my GPS as well because my coordination sucks!

12. You need to experience it to understand it better. Our perspectives just seem to alter when we do, and you somehow have a different opinion about it in general.

13. I don't entirely know what I really want in this life

14. I went through a whole cycle of having a broken heart to being healed but doesn't mean I can simply go out and date. My past relationships have taught me better. 

15. My favorite hobbies are napping, watching movies, reading, and daydreaming 

16. I daydream about you. 

17. As you grow older, it's no surprise that your circle of friends may grow smaller. Quality over quantity guys! 

18. Everyone gets a bad day once in a while, don't be selfish. 

19. "The ability to realize our potential depends partly on where our motivation comes from. Is it intrinsic or extrinsic? Intrinsic motivation occurs when we're driven to do something because we want to learn, grow, or because the activity is just plain interesting. Extrinsic motivation occurs when we're driven to do something in order to gain a reward or escape a punishment."

20. You cannot be healed overnight. Take your time. Go easy on yourself. 

21. You will constantly lose and find yourself. Writing your story, and rewriting them. Funnily, everything has already been written for you anyway. 

22. When you meet someone and it feels like you've known each other for so long, chance is, your souls must've met in Heaven (Lau Ho Mahfuz).

23. Discovering Kdramas is one way to keep you inside the house for days. 

24. "If you care about something enough, it's going to make you cry. But you have to use it. Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fears. Get mad."

25. Document the little things that make you smile. 

26. 

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Cheers to another 365 years of growing, adapting, falling and learning. 2017, you are so mysteriously unexpected! Keep it coming!