the birthday post: late edition.

This is really, as in really, really late. But still, I’d like to thank everybody who remembered – from my high school friends, to some of my orgmates in Debsoc, to Epistaxis, to my college friends, down to my friends who just happened to be my friends. Your greetings were the only things that made my birthday feel like a birthday. And for that, thank you, thank you very much.

I’d also like to say sorry if I thanked you hours after, and even days after you greeted me, especially to those who greeted me online. That was because I wasn’t able to check your messages for the past few days. My sister and my mom celebrate their birthday days before and after mine, so I wasn’t able to find time. Plus, all of the academic stuff that I had to fulfill in between.

I’d also like to say sorry to those who were supposed to party in my house. I had to fulfill other responsibilities. And inasmuch as I wanted to get wasted, I can’t. I already explained why, and even if you still barrage me with all of the bad things y’all say to make me feel guilty, I know you love me enough to understand. Right? I don’t know how to make it up to you guys except for receiving my prayers that you will all be well and blessed forever and ever.

Again to all, thank you very much and sorry. You are all loved!

***

February 19: This was a hectic day. I was sleepless because we had to cram a report on the Language of Advertising at Joy’s place. Then, I had a workshop for my Nonfiction class, which by the way, most of the comments confused me. Then, there was the interclass Sociology debate that I voluntarily adjudicated with some Debsoc members (one of the few things that made me feel good that day, don’t know why). Then, there was the class where I had to be alert and well read because the professor has the habit of surprising students with questions and quizzes. And there was the class where I had to be alert because the professor doesn’t know anything but to say and ask, “You, Mr. Siapno. What can you say about [insert topic]?”

All of these, happened from the night before (which is not even February 19) to 4 pm straight, hardcore, nonstop. So I had people saying, “Happy Birthday, Marc! Ba’t ang haggard mo?” And people texting me their greetings, who I felt, felt ignored in a way. Again, sorry.

After class, I went out with some friends. Two of them went shopping for scrapbook materials – Ara and Annel. And I was with Ronn who had some pictures printed. I didn’t treat any of them. I just went out for the sake of going out. God knows how sleepy I was the whole time. I even had my huge, heavy bag with me, plus the books for the report all the time, until I realized that I can leave everything at the baggage counter. I didn’t do anything else but to be with them and at times, window shop. So good thing I had people greeting me the whole day because that constantly reminded me that it was my birthday, and I had to appear happy for the people around.

Of course, some just deserves a paragraph to be thanked for their effort that day. For remembering like nobody, for being unexpected, for making me realize that even at the littlest fraction, you still care, for that simple gesture that was extraordinary even how ordinary it appears, thank you very much. I really appreciated it.

***

It’ll be school for me again tomorrow. Hope the week ahead will be fine. Much love everyone!