I’VE BEEN gone for a while for a lot of reasons. I’m glad because I spent most of time with my family and on some other things I love doing other than blogging. But since I am online now, lemme take this opportunity to thank everyone who greeted me on my birth day.

Here are some of the messages sent to me via text:

Lotie, close friend in college (23:54:47) – Happy Birthday iel! Wla na gd q iban pa nga i-wish pa cmu kundi tani makita mo na gd ang gnapangita mo. Tandaan mo gd pirmi nga ari lang q sa palibot. [I don't have other wishes except that you find whatever you seek. Remember that I'm just here, always.]

Aethen, college friend, org mate, fellow blogger (0:00:32) – Happy 21st Birthday, Kuya Ayel! I wish you more blessings in life and a fruitful career. Hapi bday!

Glenda, my student (4:16:28) – For I know the plans I have for u, plans to prosper u & not to harm u, plans to give u hope & a future –Jeremiah 29:11 Hapi b-day Sir Bong!

Ate Sandra, Pathways staff, very close friend, (6:36:25) – Ga, happy happy birthday..i love you so much. ü mmwah!

Kate, my niece and classmate from elementary to highschool (7:29:30)- Hello, bong, happy birthday! Musta na man? Debut n jud nimo karon! Unsa handa? Congrats, for all ur achievements…just never forget to bring back the glory to Him…God bless! [How are you! It's your debut now! What did you prepare?]

Justine Trisha, my student (8:06:12) – Happy bday to u! Happy bday to u! Happy bday, Happy bday, Happy bday to you….Hehehe! ‘Py Bday Sir Yel..Wshing you ol d best in lyf…Mwah! Gbu! ü

0909..3191, prolly my student (8:31:27) – HapPy Birthday Sir Ariel! Wish you more bdays to come…Wish U good health, happiness, & long lyf…Gudluck sa carReer..God Bless u always! Take Care Always sir…

Marcie,  close friend in college (8:34:08) – Yel! Hapi bertdey to you! Hapi bertdey to you! Hapi bertdey! Hapi bertdey! Hapi bertdey to you! Happy Birthday, yel! ü god bLess! ü

Jie, my sister (10:16:26) – Hapi bday, bong! God bless you and more birthdays to come…

Tin-tin, college friend, org mate (10:53:57) – Happy birthday, ariel! ü

Marge, co-teacher, schoolmate in highschool (11:05:55) – Hi, Riel, hapy birthday! Wish u gud health and ol d best things in lyf. God bless!

John, highschool classmate (11:49:29) – Hapi  bday, yel…ü

Ate Aya, JVP volunteer (12:16:12) Yel! Hepiberdaaaay!

0915…30307, prolly my student (13:23:23) – Hi sir…hapi berdey po..Wish dat ol ur wishes come true…God bless!

Leann, close friend in college (13:58:15) – Yel, hapi bday!

Therese, my student (15:14:04) – UuYy sir!! Hapi hapi budey! Nyahahaha! IngatzZz palagi sir.. God bless.. (“,)

Ms. A, co-teacher (18:03:22) – elow yel Hapi BDAY! God bless.

Ate Amor, Pathways staff, very close friend (19:54:57) – Hi, Ga! HAppy birthday! ü wish that the Lord will grant the desires of your heart! ü i’m forever thankful to God for having you in my life! ü love u, Ga!

Jovann, college friend, org mate (20:17:18) – Hi ayel! Happy birthday. ["]

Jack, a friend I met during the PACS convention (22:37:04) – Hapi Bday!ü

Carlo, highschool classmate(0:04:50) – Hapi bday!

Christine, co-teacher (20:43:59) – In facing life’s ups an downs, let’s always cling to God and dwell on Hid promises. Let us be like the finest bamboo, bending but not breaking. God bless! Happy bday…belated po.

Michelle, co-teacher (6:10:39) – Gud morning…belated happy birthday Sir Yel! God bless you real good! Abundant blessings to come your way. Keep your light shining for JESUS.

Jessa, my student (8:25:08) – H! sir! belated happy birthday 2 U! nUng 22…wa jud ko naUpdate sir, thank u so much

Thanks also to everyone who left a comment in my previous posts and on the tagboard, especially to Redlan, who has always been throughtful and Cors, the queen of mean, and Richard, who kept of changing urls about every 12 hours.

There might be people whom I have not mentioned, I am very thankful to you, too. I love you all.

Here are some of things in my life now that are worth celebrating: 1) Happiness at home; 2) My employment; 3) New lessons learned; 4) New friends and old friends who remain close to my heart; 5) Earnings from my blogs ; 6) A new bedroom with new furnishings; 7) new opportunities for growth.

And finally, now that I’ve turned 21, I promise to: 1) Continue learning and improve myself; 2) find more friends; 3) take care of myself and the people I love; 4) do well in all my undertakings.

Thanks you all for having been part of my life. God bless!