nineteen

For some time now, my birthday was just another day to me. I'd tell people cheerfully, "hey, to me it's just the same set of numbers I always fill on forms." and they'd look me like, 'dude, what?!' short of saying, 'were you hugged as a child?' Haha, but hey, it's true, and I don't look at it like it's a depressing thing, but to me, it just ain't a big deal.

This year, though, something was different in the air. I was surprised, touched by people both close and far, dear and distant from me: a friend who I hadn't caught up with in a long time, an old friend from high school and people who went out of their way to make my day special, as if to say hey, it isn't just another day.

As if that wasn't enough, tonight my cell group completely threw me off, surprising me with a lit birthday cake right smack in the middle of a gathering.

As the birthday song filled the room, I looked around at everyone circling around me--some faces I knew, some I just got to know, and many I didn't know--I was again reminded of how awesome it is to be surrounded by good people. It wasn't the cake, or even the birthday part, but just being around such good people... felt amazing, undeserving and out of this world. And right in that moment, my heart was filled to the brim, overcome with love and gratitude. Right there and then, I realised, it shouldn't be called birthday, but gratitude day. Of course, that should be everyday. But today, I am especially grateful.

eighteen

You know that part of every romantic movie where the euphoric music kicks in, the girl gets back with the guy and for a split moment, and your heart wells up? Like 'yay! they're meant to be'. Okay, worst analogy ever... but you guys know what I mean. Well... this is kinda how these guys make me feel everyday. They make me feel sappy, grateful, happy that I have such an amazing group of people around me. Rewind to the second last photo up here, and yep, I've been friends with those shifty looking peeps since year seven.

Celebrated my beautiful friend Erin's 18th over the weekend, and it was just wonderful. Erin is honestly one of the most genuine, down-to-earth people I've ever met. She's creative, caring, never quick to judge and always happy to help you out. Simply said, the girl inspires me to be a better person everyday.

blow your candles out

Had the best time tonight celebrating this girl tonight. Meet Sonia! She's one of my favourite people in this world to just sit down and have a chat with, the best problem solver and listener. This girl has a big heart, always sees through things she wants to do and a true inspiration to all of us. Tonight, I was just so happy to be there to celebrate her, her eightenthness and the wonderful person she is. It was so good to see everyone catching up and laughing away at anything and everything.

We were given sight to see all kinds of things, and I believe seeing your friends happy and laughing away is one of the best things about being able to see.

making life feel lived

I met up with these lovely girls after work on one super cold rainy day for dinner. We had been wanting to try this new local restaurant (a famous Malaysian one!) for a long time and it honestly felt like an achievement when we all had a free night to spare. I might or might not have acted as though I knew every single meal on the menu, but to be honest, even though I did grow up in Malaysia, I never really ate out then and got to experience every single 'local' dish Malaysia had to offer. Why? Because eating out is pretty much a federal crime in my grandma's eyes "when you can eat at home". I'm sure many of you can relate! No complaints here though, she is the most amazing cook, ever.

Life for all of us has been moving so fast, and it doesn't look like it's about to slow down anytime soon. The days just pass so quickly, and before we know it, boom, we're nearly in April! Between school and working on the weekends, there really isn't much time for anything else. It was just so good to just sit down, relax and chat about anything and everything, from the everyday stuff to our most embarrassing childhood memories - something that shall neeeeeever leave that table, that I'm sure. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long long time.

I'm so glad to be going through Year 12 with these girls. They make life feel lived.

the paper kites

Went to see The Paper Kites, who played a free live show for us at Fedsquare! The weather was bordering 40°C, and it felt as though summer has been saving up heat the past couple of weeks for this one grand day of just hoooooot. To which I thank the nearby seven eleven for your cold glorious slushies, your goodness will not be forgotten. It was a great day out despite the heat, the Paper Kites played an amazing show, as well as the opening act, Vance Joy. And after all, nothing beats catching up with friends over a good laugh or two and winding down to some good, heartful music.

A Christmas Party

I had the loveliest time at our company annual dinner! As we all know, the work environment can be a really busy, hectic and at times, harsh place that can stress you to the bone. This is my second christmas party at work, and second time around, I loved it as much as the first. It's just wonderful to see people sharing a joke, laughing and smiles on faces - away from the stress of it all and just enjoying the moment.

Hip hip hooray

A couple of shots from a friend's birthday recently, who just happens to be the sweetest person I know. You know those people who just radiates happiness on a daily basis? Yeah, she's one of those people and I love her for it.

Lately things haven't been easy. At times I feel like I'm stepping between cracks, and suddenly the saying don't let it get to you just doesn't work, because life does affect us, in every possible way. What I've learned is that it is truly the difficult times that make us appreciate little moments of good in our lives - even if it doesn't seem that way yet. I'm always reminded of the wonderful people I'm surrounded by, who I genuinely believe have the most wicked humour and hearts filled with compassion and love. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

Unexpected happy

Celebrated a friend's birthday recently, and it was an afternoon filled with great laughs and what I call a good time. After enjoying our meals, a few of us went to the chess table for a little duel {I observed, let's just say chess is not my forte}. Not long after three kids came and joined us. At first I thought they were siblings of one of our friends, but as it turned out, they weren't. It amazed me that eventhough we were complete strangers, they had approached us, and we got along so darn well. They were just the loveliest children, and knew chess better than any of us. They were the kind of children I would have been lucky to have as friends when I was a child, and would want my {future} children to be friends with.

Safe to say, after more than an hour of hanging out together, we were practically inseparable.