Happy Birthday to Me - The Big 3-1

I'm 31 years old today. 31. One year after the big 3-0.

Not much has changed since last year. Still at the same company, doing the same thing. Still staying in the same house. Still driving the same car. Still a mother to two daughters. Still married to the same man.

I wish I could report more positive changes in my life. One year, 365 days and I can't think of one single thing that I did that I'm really proud of.

I still have lots to be grateful for. I'm grateful for:

1. My family - my hubby and my two beautiful daughters. My parents who I get to see every weekend. My brothers who have grown up to be wonderful uncles to my kids. My in-laws who have accepted me for all my flaws and faults.

2. My job - as much as I like to bitch and moan about it, my work has given me a lot of opportunities to travel and meet such interesting people. I've made friends (and enemies?) throughout my 7 years in the work force and I count myself lucky to have them. Plus, having money (though not always enough) at the end of the month is always nice!!

3. My health - After being sick and bedridden for 2 months, there is nothing I would take for granted ever again. The fact I can EAT without throwing up! I can WALK without feeling dizzy! I can hold and hug my kids without being nauseous by the smell of their shampoo. I can hug hubby at night without being offended by his BO!! Hahahaha, just simple things I would usually take for granted. Thank you, thank you, thank you Allah for giving me health to enjoy these things.

4. My car - It's a Wira. It's 7 years old. It still runs great and though it's not as nice looking as before, it does its job of taking me from point A to point B in one piece. As much as I would love to have a new car, it would still break my heart to let go of my Wira. My very first BIG purchase. WHR ****, I love you!!

There are many things I would like to improve, now that I am older.

1. My relationship with hubby - Even though we've known together for more than 13 years (since 1994), there are still a lot of things about hubby that continue to surprise me. We've had fights that would rival WWWII but each time we've made up and vowed to be better spouses to each other. Our previous loss helped bring us closer together, made us see that whatever life would throw at us, we could always get through them by supporting each other. I hope to be a better, if not the best wife I could possibly be.

2. My relationship with my kids - As a full-time working mom, my deepest concern is that I don't spend enough time with my kids. Even when I get home in the evening, the only thing I wanna do is lay down and watch America's Next Top Model or CSI or Law & Order. Now, I vow not to turn on the TV until my kids are asleep. I wanna spend more time with them, more quality time with them. I realise they'll only be kids for a short time. I want them to know, that without a doubt, that they are the most important things in my life.

3. My health - I'm not looking to enter any marathons but I do want to start working out again. I want to be able to climb the stairs at home without having to catch a breath. I want to be able to play hide-and-seek with the kids without surrendering 10 minutes into the game. I want to be able to be there for my family, to be there when my kids are all frown up and have kids of their own.

4. My career - I don't want to be stuck in a rut. I want to be able to wake up and be excited about going to work. I want to feel that I'm making a contribution to the company I'm with. If hubby would let me quit (Hi, hubby..love you!) I would like to kick off my Wedding Planner business.

5. My overall attitude towards life - I want to spend more days smiling and laughing than bitching and moaning. I want to have more happy days than sad. I want to be able to take challenges in life by the horns and be able to look back a year from now and say "My life is so much better than it was a year ago".

So here's to me and my so-called birthday wishes. Cheers!!!