Last day marked my two decades and a year of existence. Yes, I turned 21 on the 12th day of January, 2012. Cool.
I did have a great birthday. It was my first time to celebrate in a foreign land. For the same reason, it was also the fourth time I celebrated with my mom.
We went to Westminster Cathedral supposedly to just light a candle and pray. Luckily, there was a mass. However, it was already in the proclamation of the Gospel when we came. It was about the return of Jesus Christ, not to punish but save us. That we don't have to worry if God is with us. And like any other Catholic Christian who wasn't able to listen to the whole Lithurgy of the Word (two or three scriptures readings), we did not receive communion.
After that, we had lunch at a Chinese buffet in London Chinatown. The atmosphere was warm and convivial. The service was prompt and perfectly satisfactory. And the food was superb! Not to mention the unlimited drinks and desert. Mom had Coke diet while mine was chinese tea. And we spent about only £19 for all! That's just about one thousand three hundred in Philippine peso. Still expensive, yes, but in Central London, that is cheap. Really.
Then we went to Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and M&M's World, best places to celebrate a 21st birthday. Lol. We also watched some street dancing in Picadilly Circus, had some picture takings and stroll around. It was about half past nine in the evening when we came home.
Of course, it was strange. I never used to celebrate without family and friends and drinks. But it made me realize that I can let my special day pass without an alcohol. That I don't need balloons and cakes to say I'm blessed. That happiness is really an acceptance of life. That having my mom with me, who always there to support and guide, I'll be thankful.
And that hey, I'm 21 and I should know how to live on my own.. Like my friend told me, the next years of my life would be solely mine to conquer.
Anyway, let me have this opportunity to give thanks to social networks for the virtual cards, gifts, hugs and kisses from my friends in different parts of the world, mostly in the Philippines.
Most of all, thanks for another year, Papa God.
With Love,
Ariane
