The note was written on Oct. 14, 2009, and the video was sitting in my WeChat inbox when I woke up this morning. There were three videos, I am posting one with all the Pretty Women's voices. Ladies, thank you all for your tender thoughts and wishes.
I am looking forward to a video call later today from my kids who are far away from me but at least they are not that far from each other...
My birthday in 2009 fell on a Tuesday when we also celebrated Mcgill Toastmaster Club's 400th meeting and an open house. There were around 50 people in attendance that evening. I wrote a note on Facebook a day after my birthday.
Reading that note 11 years later, I find the message still true. (Warning: this will be the first and only blog that will be a 3 min read, well, it is my birthday, isn't it?)
What Is a Birthday?
It is not about presents or cards you receive (but I also love to receive presents and cards).
It is life's special moments and what you believe...(Yes, I am going to expand on this one). It is about looking forward to wishes comes true...(I wish I could secure a job at McGill). It is a day set aside just to celebrate you...(I didn't set deliberately for me but I didn't expect I was surrounded by a group of loving people who were there with me tonight...on my special day). The above text is from the card I received from McGill Toastmasters Club. Texts in ( ---) are some of my thoughts when I read the card after the meeting. I love quotes as I often get inspirations from those seemingly simply written ones like this: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" Maya Angelou Here are some of those moments: When I received birthday cards/wishes from friends, in English, Chinese, Spanish, French When I got a voice message from a friend singing Happy Birthday in Portuguese When I received a toast in front of a bunch of fine like-minded people When I got roasted by a serious engineer who entertained the whole group with his refined sense of humor When I was praised as being inspirational to many When I found a box of chocolate on the counter and a handmade card from my 11 years old boy I feel my life is enriched by those touching moments and I would like to express my gratitude to those loving people around me. I am grateful to have all of you as part of my life and I will cherish these special moments for as long as I live.
Here is another quote: Sing like no one's listening, love like you have never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth. And here is my revised version: Sing like you are singing with your friends, love like it is your first time, dancing like everyone is watching, and live each day to the fullest... Here is one I would like to follow: I promise myself to live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, as long as I am true to the best that is in me. To a new older and wiser Angela, Cheers
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Thank you all for being a BIG part of my life. I am forever grateful.
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