I’ve been mulling the Quarter-life crisis manifesto over and over in my head, thinking of an explanation how I even managed to surpass this turbulent phase. I’ve been hit by the quarter-life crisis and at the time, it felt like an all-too familiar carpet was jerked underneath my feet to reveal a gaping abyss underneath me. I fell intothe unfathomable depths of depression but somehow through the help of my family and friends, I felt better about myself.

Right now, I can’t complain much about my career — it has its ups and downs — and that pretty much describes my personal life as well. Through it all, I have come to realize that I have reached a level of self-awareness that does not spring from my job title or even my relationship with other people.

What I do for a living does not define my life.

I might spend most of my waking time doing my job but that is just one facet of this unique life that I, alone, lead.

I’m a self-confessed gimikera, a certified Cosmo girl and at times, branded as a bitch — and darn proud of it!

In a few years’ time, I’ll be crossing yet another milestone in my life — midlife crisis. But for now, I just want to savor this a-ha! moment and thank God for such moments of clarity.

Mood: Extremely thankful for the many blessings these past 25 years of my life.

Like my previous birthday celebration, I opted to have my dinner party at a newly-opened mall — the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. I selected Gerry’s Grill since it had a very ideal place right in front of a viewing deck where we could have lots of photo oppportunites such as this one:

Looking back on the first 25 years of my life

My mother who taught me to aim for the sky

Posing in front of the SM Mall of Asia facade

Posing in front of the Olympic-size skating rink of SM Mall of Asia

Group pic at Gerry’s Grill. We dined on pinaputok na pla-pla, sisig, chopsuey, and pinakbet.

Joseph arrived at SM Mall of Asia but was unable to join us for dinner.

Thanks for celebrating the first quarter of my life!