Dude, I'm 30...

No profound thoughts or introspections on my life (yet) for the turning of the year so I'll just start with a count of my day's highlights. So unfortunately, Helen had to work. (at 30 I am more understanding. To her credit she tried to get out of it and was bummed all the way through work that day that she couldn't.) We did have lunch at Sukiyaki where we inhaled Japanese food in like 30 minutes (not the way to go. it just isn't.) before Helen went to work. I got a pair of black leather Chucks (The I.Robot kind) from Helen. I planned a TMNT movie watch with family at the Gateway Mall (Although I wish it was the Laz-E Boy Theater). Master Ken and I ventured through the afternoon rush hour from Makati to the QC based mall with the 30 Rock (TV Show) inspired game "Kill-Boff-Marry" and its variations to entertain us. (Ken chose that Portman girl over the PussyCat Dolls together...sigh. I have failed you Ken. I am sorry.) And COWABUNGGA, that was a good movie for a kid's flick. I'm especially happy to have spent it with my nephew, Gabrielle before he heads back to the US. It was the best the turtles ever were. With the killer moves and the killer lines. Fun-nee. (At 30 I'm still a kid.) So we had dinner afterwards, ME the birthday boy, Ken, Gabrielle, Lovely my 8 year old aunt, my brother Kiko opposite Ate Cherry, and engaged couple brother Carlo and Lea. Super Bowl. Good enough food. The night was still young so Master Ken and I got a few mugs of brew at Chili's where we we joined, shortly after, by their dad. (Sir Aki) Chili's called last call so we headed to Saki Lab for a few more of mother nature's milk where we hung out. Like regular guys, drinking and talking about drinking and getting drunk and college and women. It was fun. At 30 it was fun.

Twas the day before 30 at Mcdo...

My teammates Myra and Gaye are like the worst actors ever. I could smell the MO like it forcefully, loudly came out of my own ass. Which makes Potpot the worst texter when she missent me a text planning the event the week before. And Marco couldn't give a decent lie to save his life when I noticed him lounging around the hall heading out to the secret meeting place. And everybody else are really, really, REALLY bad at hide n' seek. Which leaves ME. The biggest sucker of 'em all. Who, despite all the giveaways and signs, did not, could not put 2 and 2 together.

Nevertheless, it was one of the biggest surprises I've had in my life. A really good one. I think, like most people, I have a tendency to face my birthday with a little bit of dread hoping to fade away into the background without notice until it's all over, secretly hoping someone would make a big deal out of it. (and I think that's normal. ) And THIS was a very big deal made. My first very own Mcdonald's Birthday Party. (and the wait is over.) It had everything, a very peculiar phalic shaped birthday cake, and birthday games, and birthday prizes, and a party host and my very own special birthday guest. Question: If all the other characters in McDonald's Land represent some form or food in the burger chain, what does Grimace represent? (Answer: Grimace is.. )

Good times.

Great taste.

At McDonald's. (hehe. Muchos Gracias Guys.)

4 Years 1 month...

One thing about deep seeded relationships is (that show I'm incessantly watching "How I Met Your Mother" calls it...) the smurf penis. (Watch the show. You'll get it. But for those who dont have the time or a sense of humor...) It's those inside jokes you enjoy with your love person, the secret language only the 2 of you can speak fluently and understand and all the rituals, routines and notes that make the harmony of your 2 person orchestra. (That of course only you 2 hear.) Helen and I have made a little game of being 1st to greet during the monthsary, every 24th of the month. We started this game about 2 years ago. I've won twice. Fair and square. (Really.) And now on our 3rd year run the score be Helen: 1, Jorick: Zilch. Just the beginning. Game on.

And I love you hon.

What Helen said...

It was at 6:30 in the morning when she said, what i think to be one of the cutest things. Helen had had probably about 2 hours of light sleeping, having finished work, when she stirred a bit as I suddenly said, without purpose of actual conversation, that I had filed Saturday off. To which she, being somewhere in the middle of awake and Never Neverland, said that it was good that I did and that she was bringing her Australian friends to Greenbelt that day. For the shopping. At which I reluctantly answered back the idea that maybe I could hang around McDonald's and read a book or something while they do their shopping.

Now, normally, I'm used to situations where saying something like this could get you into trouble and would probably lead to one those big fights over small things. Relationships are exageratingly bizaare sometimes. And this is something I had just realized after the words had already left my mouth. Tact is a word not often used in men's vocabulary.

Despite my anxiety, she just closed her eyes and with a very satisfying smile in her face said, "No. You're coming with ME." And she turned in and floated off to sleep. I found myself, as I was walking past the bedroom door and headed off to work smiling.