Turning Into Barbie’s Age (Plus A Wish List!)

"The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance, but live right in it, under its roof."

—Barbara Kingsolver (Animal Dreams)

Once when I was a kid, my birthday wish was to be allowed to skip blowing the candle on my cake because I already wanted to play with my new Barbie doll. I longed to skip the festivity so I can stay in my room instead and play in Barbie’s world; I could zoom into the future to the time when I am 21, same age as Barbie’s I supposed. By then, I will imagine myself in pretty, colorful clothes and a posh car. I would cook breakfast in the morning in my pink kitchen and I would go to work in my classy designer suit. This gave out a natural high; it felt good to think of me being like Barbie. I was chic, independent, and successful.

3 days from now, I will be 21. I would’ve loved to tell you that I am in close range with my Barbie-self, but I’m not. I had a job which could not even allow me to buy a used car (not that it matters; I’m afraid of driving) and I’m going back to school again, thus my savings will depend again on the weekly allowance from my parents. I still have the same wooden closet and it’s now filled with clothes which couldn’t fit me anymore. 3 days from now will be the day I’ve always dreamt of. Who was I kidding?

Now I get it, why those who are growing old are afraid to be reminded of their age. Another year has passed and there could be dreams still left unfulfilled and a pile of resolutions yet to be observed. A year from now, you will have to blow another candle, and before you know it, another year will come on top of another, and you’d ask yourself, while thinking of a birthday wish: Have I become who I wanted to be this year?

You let out a sigh, blow the candle, and tell yourself, "Maybe next year".

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But of course, I’m not dreaming of becoming like Barbie anymore.

Good thing birthday wish lists never get outdated so here’s mine in random order:

1. 1. Lunch or dinner at The Kanin Club (Sta Rosa or Westgate, Alabang) -  because this has been really popular among Filipino food bloggers and I’m a sucker for rice. Kanin Club also used to be South’s ’secret’ restaurant… I’m from the South and I haven’t even tried it yet!
2. 
3. I want to try their crispy dinuguan!
4. 2. M Cafe Sunday Brunch
   1. "For P888++ a person (P488++ for the kids), one gets to eat a buffet that spans many cuisines, and even sample dishes that are not ‘regulars’ on the menu. Their Sunday Jazz starts 11am and lasts until 3pm. Sushi, dimsum, Spanish deli meats and imported cheeses, pasta and risotto, smoked salmon and angus beef — that’s not yet all, of course. They also have your morning comfort food, in the form of steamed rice, Pinoy and continental breakfast fares, eggs and omelettes, fruits, cereals, and salads." (from Clickthecity.com)
   1. 
   2. 3. I NEED A LAPTOP SLEEVE. (Maybe the one from HelloTutu in The Ramp? :P)
   3. My pink laptop is a 13.3" Dell XPS M1330. If you can find a see-through laptop sleeve, it will be even better!
   4. 
   5. 4. Eat breakfast at Antonio’s in Tagaytay (it’s the top 10 restaurant in Asia!) and hear mass in Caluruega. :)
   6. 5. I ALSO NEED A NEW PAIR OF EARPHONES!!
   7. 6. Planner for 2009. I like ‘This Planner Will Save Your Life’ in Powerbooks. Or if you love me immensely, you can gulp in all those Starbucks coffee and give me a Starbucks planner haha.
   8. 7. I want to blow my candle in a yummy cake which I’ve never tasted yet! Google for the list of the top 20 privately and commercially baked cakes in Inquirer. I fancy these ones: Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, Red Velvet Cake, Mango Torte, and Concorde.
   9. 8. Have a spa! I want to try Wensha Spa!!
   10. 9. It’s always safe to give me a bag (tip: I like big bags, especially the ones with hidden compartments). I found bags in The Ramp that I really wanted to buy.
   11. 10. I like to eat but I’ve been going to the gym daily… so I need:
   12. A GYM BAG (a duffel bag would be cute!) and gym clothes.
   13.  
   14. Now I feel pathetic. It seems like I’m asking for donations, haha (But you could donate money in my Paypal account if you like). But seriously, just a greeting will do.