- I had been looking forward to see Jay and Lele again after four years. We spent last Thursday in Universal Studios and left there when the rain was starting to pour. We had dinner at Ford's Filling Station with Bo, Brooke and Matt. I had the best and softest Kobe beef ever and it was my first time to taste rabbit. Definitely, I would go back here.
- I spent the Friday afternoon with Letlet and Jay again. We went to Hollywood, Pinkberry near my place, my place, 3rd Street Promenade and then to my birthday dinner at C & O Trattoria. Thank you so much to my friends, some old coworkers and Matt's group of friends. I know it was hard to get a hold of a lot of people during the holiday season but still they made it.
- Saturday was just a lazy day. Matt and I spent the day watching Lost Season 3 while he worked. At night, we had dinner at Valentino and drinks at Arsenal with the Santa Monica crew and their elementary friend and her family. Valentino was just an expensive old people place with nothing special type of food but of course we still had a goood time. My tolerance for alcohol is getting better. :)
- Sunday was another lazy day. A continuation of Lost, pizza delivery and left over food day. It was my birthday in the Philippines already so family members did not fail to call me. Although I was a little bit jealous of them being together in celebrating the holiday, I still felt special that they remembered me. It was also a day of responding to friends' email greetings.
- Then came Monday, my big 30. My family called me again to greet me on my birthday here. Lucky me, I got two-day-birthday and with Matt, I got a birthday month, lol. Matt gave me the watch that I wanted to buy for myself but I decided not to coz I had a lot of expenses already. Yipee! We also had brunch in Promenade before we headed to my place for him to open my Christmas presents for him. Then, we celebrated Christmas eve with his family. I felt so special that they greeted me on my birthday and also gave me presents. He has a nice family that made me feel the wamth of the season.
- On Christmas day, we still had a breakfast with his family. We watched Charlie's Wilson War and ouch there were no restaurants open. We ended up eating movie hotdog and nachos for lunch. I fell asleep during the movie (yikes) and I have been doing this more often lately. We had Coldstone before we headed to his family's Christmas Dinner.
- And then Christmas holiday was over... back to work on Wednesday but I was still able to continue my holiday at night time. I decided to go the OC to meet up with Maria, Ronnie and Von since we weren't able to see each other before and during Christmas, and it was Maria's last night in LA too. We ate at Gerry's Grill (still in soft opening). Of course as always, it was a great laugh and great food. Finally, they are part of my 30 world and my 20 something was just part of our memories. We even went to Tea Station after dinner and enjoyed our hot tea and sweet something toast. Gosh, they gave me this little book, 65 Things Not To Do After 30... funny. Good times!
I'm thankful that even when I'm so far away, I still have good people here who make me feel at home. I am also grateful to have my friends for life back home. It's ironic that I even get extra closer to some despite the distance that we have. I like all the presents that I got and a little something, even a simple greeting, really made me happy. I love turning 30 and being 30!
