I had one of the best birthdays today. I had 2 surprise parties, and only in one of them did I have some inclination of what it could be. I was so stressed out today at work that I didn’t have time to take lunch, let alone think about my birthday. So, when Vanessa came by at around 3:00pm today and asked if she could talk to me, I thought nothing of it. At that time, I was heading over to the nurse’s office, and my mind was set on the pain on my lower back. I was following her to the conference room and as I was heading in, I saw Chris and Glenn, and then just a blur of faces.

I was so embarrassed, I did a really quick pivot to the other direction and was about to bolt. I got as far as taking one step until Vanessa grabbed me from behind and carried me into the conference room. I gave a pitiful fight, until I realized there was cake. There were about 15+ guys crammed into that horribly tiny meeting room and there was this really lovely fudge cake with chocolate butter frosting, lovely white trim, and delicate purple flowers. The cake was made by Vanessa (from scratch! *gasp*), with help from Andy. The boys sang a very, very subdued happy birthday song. I don’t know who made them behave so well, but it was pretty amazing. Now, unlike at Argosy, when we got cake every month, here, people only get cake for work anniversaries and big birthdays. I only got this surprise because of Andy and Vanessa. Thank you to you both. It’s just too bad I had been so drained by that time (4 hours sleep for 3 days running, working straight since 7am, no lunch, frisbee, and dealing with a certain commie*), that I wasn’t my otherwise witty self. I was also way too embarrassed and wanted to disappear into the wall. Okay, fine, geez, I know I’m not really all that witty. Anyway, there should be some pretty good pictures out of it. I’ll find out tomorrow.

Then, I finally get home after 9.25 hours at work, looking forward to an early bike ride with Andy, since we left work at around the same time. But after getting home and changing into bike clothes, he calls and says he was going to be 25 minutes late. Aww. It was getting dark so I wasn’t sure if we could still go. But my mom kept reassuring me that we don’t have to eat early, and that Andy and I could take our time biking. I was thinking that my mom must be feeling really bad for me since it’ll soon be too cold for me to go biking that she really wants me to get out tonight. Makes sense.

Andy gets in around 6:10, and my mom almost shoved us out. Since it was getting dark already, we decide to do the easy Ashuelot park trail. When we got to the end of it, instead of heading back, he asks if we should take the other, wilder trail. I said sure. We went about as far as we went the first time we took that trail, and headed back. It had gotten really dark and I was worried, the whole time back, that it was late and that my mom would be waiting for us to eat and would be worrying about how dark it had gotten.

So, when we got back to my apartment, I was still thinking, hurry, my mom’s waiting. Then I realized that I didn’t know what we were having for dinner on my birthday. My mom usually has things on the counter waiting to be cooked, but she didn’t have any when I got home. Huh, I thought, still clueless. And then, when we reach my door, I had so many rocks and sand in my shoes that I decided to take them off in the hallway. I was bending down to pick my shoes up when I started hearing voices. Hmmm. I figured it was from the younger neighbors, until I realized it was coming from inside my apartment. I looked at Andy all puzzled and though, ooh, maybe Kim (whose voice I recognized) and a few others stopped by to wish me a happy birthday! I took a peek in the door and saw Lori, and Glenn, and balloons, and the food on the table, and it finally hit me - a surprise party for me! Woohoo!!! With some of my best friends here in Keene! Woo! I think this might’ve been my first surprise birthday party! Neat-o! There was Lisa, Dan, Kim, Andy, Vanessa, Glenn and Lori, and me and my mom. Sweet! Good food (thanks, Ma), good friends, good times.

Presents? Unfortunately, yes. Presents are never required, but thoroughly appreciated. I’d much rather get cards and letters than presents, but I actually got cards with the presents, so it worked out. I got the following:
a self-knitted hat from Vanessa
lady bug slippers, a magnet and magnetic notepad from Kim
hand-made earrings from Lisa
jewelry from my mom
drinks, flowers, and cake from Glenn and Lori
balloons from Dan
1000 piece lego box, a purple camelbak, and flowers from Andy

Added to everything, I got calls from TB, Daisy, Tin, Wows, Ariane (long distance from the Philippines!), and emails and texts from my Barkadoodles, Lyds, and Ems, and advanced blog greetings from KF, and Lyds. It was a pretty amazing birthday all in all, despite the horrible day at work. I’m surprised I even remember that. Like I said, it was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had. Certainly, it was more than I could’ve asked for.

*Note: I wasn’t really dealing with a commie. I just think it’s funny.

I had a really bad day today. I was so angry I actually threw something into my trash can so hard it it made some sort of a bang. I really worry about my mental stability. I’m finding out more and more about my boundaries especially when it comes to anger. First it was saying a bad word I’ve never said before (in the privacy of the ladies restroom, of course), and now banging something into the trash can. I wonder what’s next.

It was just like this last week too, but in a lesser degree. Added to that, I’ve been getting way emotional about things too. I would’ve attributed it to pms, but it’s been going on for a while, so I don’t think it’s that. Oh, who knows.

Anyway, on a lighter note, I went for a bike ride today to get rid of some of the anger I had welled up in my chest. Oh, am I glad for this perfect day - weatherwise, that is. I did the usual challege of going up the hill, which I’ve only done 3x now without stopping. And then at the top, I took a right turn instead of a left and kept going and going and going. It was a pretty trail, wide, tree-lined, and secluded. Somewhere a ways down, there was a patch of light, and I realized it was a break in the trail, and you get to cross over a little bridge. So, I go over the bridge, and just after you cross it, you see this gorgeous little hill dotted with grazing sheep! And the way the trail leads you through the side of the hill, you see this whole panorama of the hill with the sun going behind the hill. Oh, it was gorgeous. And being the basketcase that I was today, I started sobbing. And then laughing. Seriously, I’m mental.

I remember the books I used to read back when I was younger, the characters always used to have their favorite secluded spots to go to. I used to pretend I had one too. For a time I’d make myself go out on our terrace and stay for a few minutes on my own. Of course, that was only until I realized our neighbors could see me up there, and I didn’t want to be seeing everything happening on the street level anyway. So, needless to say, that got scrapped shortly after.

But today, I think I’ve found my spot - at least for today. Today it was just what I needed. I can’t wait to go back on another perfect day. It won’t be too soon. I need to get feeling back in my legs first.

We saw Cecil Licad during a concert at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum today. She was absolutely breath taking. I almost cried during parts of two of the Mendelssohn pieces (from Songs without Words, Book IV). She just touched me. At the end of the concert, my mom’s friend, Tita Boot, said, “She just added a chapter in my life”.

She was so cute too (her picture doesn’t do her justice). She was so shy and demure, and very lady-like. Well, except when she’s playing. That’s when she gets into her own world, where all that exists is the music in her head which she can so beautifully and so perfectly express. I feel so blessed to have gotten a glimpse of how she feels about the music. If I almost cried to the music, I can only just imagine what she must’ve been feeling. And knowing exactly how someone else feels does not happen often.

Anyway, her Rachmaninoff was out of this world. I can’t imagine how such a small woman with only 10 fingers can pound the piano so well. It was amazing. 2 encore pieces too, because she didn’t know how to say thank you enough to the audience that gave her 3 standing ovations.

So anyway, the concert was followed by a football game with Kimberley (and later, Andy). I knew nothing about the game, so she gave me the summary. Now I know a little bit about it. But it must’ve been overwhelming to me because here’s what happened while she was telling me the rules and the objectives and other junk:

Me: So which quarter are we in right now?
Kim: They’re on the second right now.
Me: So, how many quarters are there?
Kim: Four
Me and Kim: Waaaaittt………..

Yeah, that’s right. I’m an idiot. Shut up.

It was a fun game, even though our team bombed. Too bad. We had our eyes on #59, who might be on a future date with Kim. The best part? I won a major prize tonight! I got 3 tickets to the Patriots and NY Jets game! Woo! Me, the girl who knows nothing about football. Yeah, that’s right, people. I’m lucky! It’s on the 4th of December, so I have some time to get all hyped up with the Patriots. I’m going to have to get one of the magazines with Tom Brady on the cover. He’s hot, especially after he hosted SNL. Anyway, I’m turning American. Next on the list? Country music.

Okay maybe not.

I played that Travis B-side (title of post = title of song) for what must’ve been about 5 times just this afternoon. *humming* “…hopelessly lonely yet not alone…”. *sigh* Such a perfect song. It’s not one of my favorites, but it struck a chord with me today. I think I’ve worn out the happiness high for this month. Last week was a bit too good. Or maybe it’s only because I haven’t been sleeping well at all, and I haven’t been on my bike in almost a week now. Oh, who knows. This’ll pass.

I am officially popular. So far, my mom’s met:

1. Lydia and Daisy - thanks to their surprise visit one Sunday, because it was “on the way” from Vermont to MA. My mom said we all looked like sisters. Daisy and Lyds said I was the deprived one. I wish I had recorded Daisy doing a re-enactment of our childhood:

Daisy: Look, Myra, nice shoes!
(While I supposedly look away)
Daisy: *making stuffing food in mouth noises* Arf-hrmp-brmp-arf-hrmp-brmp-arf-hrmp-brmp
Myra: hahaha
Daisy (going right into another example without stopping for breath): Look, Myra, a nice car!
Daisy: *making stuffing food in mouth noises* Arf-hrmp-brmp-arf-hrmp-brmp-arf-hrmp-brmp
Myra: hahaha
Daisy (going even faster this time): Look, Myra, a nice wheel barrow!
Daisy: *making stuffing food in mouth noises* Arf-hrmp-brmp-arf-hrmp-brmp-arf-hrmp-brmp

Yeah, Daisy’s crazy. Lydia wasn’t in her best moods, but totally understandable - with the stress of moving, and her having a horrible day that day (except for the seeing me part, which was the highlight of the day, right Lyds?). Anyway, her trip to TX will more than make up for it. Let’s see, The Killers, Keane, Bloc Party, Spoon, … Oh, I’m so jealous.

2. Andy - or Bryan, or ‘The Boyscout’, whichever one suits my mom’s mood. He’s not complaining. She’s been forced to adopt him for the time being.

3. Manny - the representative of the filipino community here at the company, all 4 of us

4. My lovely girlfriends - Kim, Katie, Lisa, who hosted a dinner for my mom. So sweet.

5. Dan - My mom thinks he’s cute.

6. Vanessa - who was over for dinner last Monday night while her husband’s away. Tonight she’s having us for dinner, with the actual big boss of engineering. Yikes. But it’ll be interesting. She tells great stories.

7. Mike and Sarah, with their 2 lovely girls, Ella and Sophie when we came over to borrow (and later return) Sarah’s bike for my sister to use.

Tomorrow night, in addition to the people on the list, she’ll be meeting Glenn and Lori, and Larry and Gisela. Next week she’ll meet Darrell and Benny (who make up the rest of the Filipino community).

Sweet. My mom thinks I’m popular. I guess I’ve never had so many good friends all concentrated in one place. I love Keene.

Of course, she’s asking about my old friends that she’s known before, mainly - Tashfeen, Casey, and Ritu. To you three, my mom says hi. I think she was hoping you could come up to visit while she was here, Casey, but even if you wanted to, we couldn’t have hosted you. We’re in Boston every weekend until the last weekend of September.

Annette, Kim, and I went out to Annabelle’s (amazing soups) for lunch one day last week. There were these two old ladies standing at the counter, right in front of the soup display. We stood in line behind the two ladies and here is the rest of what transpired:

Annette, Kim, Myra: (talk about yummy stuff we can get for lunch)
Myra: (move behind the two ladies to see what they had for soups that day)
Annette: I only have $7 in my wallet.
Kim: Don’t worry about it, I can take care of you today.
Me: (realizing I might not have any cash as well, loudly exclaim…) OH CRAP!
Old lady: (turns around) Oh, I’m sorry. I am in your way. I’m standing right in front of the display. I didn’t meant to block your view.
Me: (gasp, did the old lady think I was upset at her?) Oh, my gosh, I’m soooo sorry! No, please, you weren’t blocking me. I’m sorry! (all flustered)
Old lady: I don’t know why you’re apologizing to me, I was the one blocking you.
Kim: She’s apologizing because she was swearing.
Old lady: (turns to me) Oh, that’s okay, I do it all the time!

—after they were done paying—

Old lady: (turns to me again) Watch your mouth, young lady! (laughs and gives me a hug)

…keeps on rising.

I love Bloc Party. I’m upset that I can’t see them in concert this Thursday in Avalon. I don’t know why their concert schedule is a month early. Their website says differently.

Oh, and get gas as soon as you can. It’s only going to go up. I’m up to $35 per full tank. That’s insane.