Birthday Presents
28 March 2008 "Ben ik zo lief geweest???"Monique, my sister-in-law, used to say this when she was younger and she saw the pile of presents with her name on it during the gift-giving holidays. I echo the same sentiment because people are spoiling me rotten. I just came home from lunch and shopping with Ma, my mother-in-law, and it was fun as usual. We scoured the shops and enjoyed a cuppa several shopping bags later. I didn't get to take the stuff with me because they want to wrap it so I have something to open during my party. What I like about gift-giving here in the Netherlands is that you get to choose what you want in a certain price range. It's easy and practical. Sure, the element of surprise is gone but I'd rather have that than be surprised and get something I totally don't like or have any use of. What a waste of present that would be! At first, I didn't dig the idea of getting someone something they already know they're getting because that's not how we do it in the Philippines. But I caught up a year later. I'm officially dutchified!
I already got a couple of my birthday presents this week and I couldn't be more happy. Yay!
 | I love my new phone and printer! Love love love love! -- I'm now using the phone as camera until I can buy a new lens. |
But this is one of my favorites! I haven't bought any shoes for the past 6 months for the reason that I haven't really seen anything I like. Until yesterday. I didn't think twice and ordered them right away. They delivered it first thing this morning. I love online shopping!
And there's a package for me which our downstairs neighbors were so kind enough to take in as I was out the whole afternoon. Since neither one of them is home, I have to stretch my patience a little longer. I want to know what it is and who sent it! It's probably something Mike ordered online or from someone else. We'll see!!
*The package is indeed from Mike. Two new books! This and this. I like to read young adult lit, I have the first three of the whole sisterhood of the traveling pants series so I must have the fourth. He knew I wanted it! Garth Nix is my favorite fantasy writer. Nuff said!
Birthday Countdown: 3 days
Translation: Have I been this nice???
Posted in Happenings | Comments (8)
Mariale at March 28 2008 | 00:09 |
I am so elated for you. You got all what you wanted. Mwahugs, Boots. Happy 27th to both of us... soonest :p   Thanks, Yeng! You will join the 27 club soon after. Heehee! |
SleepyJane at March 28 2008 | 07:54 |
| Oh Gracey! That's so great, Nokia has to be the best make ever. I've only ever had Nokia phones. And the shoes are super cute. Does that mean your BDAY is on the 30th? And also, what IS your first language? (I ask because you mentioned it in a comment and your English is great) I never had any other phones than Nokia. I love its user-friendly interface and the look. Yes my birthday is on the 30th. Bisaya is my first language, a filipino dialect. Then came Tagalog, the national filipino language. Then English because we learned it in school. Dutch I started learning when I moved here 4 years ago. And once I'm better with my Dutch, I want to learn Japanese! lol |
phillygirl at March 28 2008 | 11:56 |
| Wow, that sounds like an awesome custom ... I'm terrible with gifts I don't know what to do with. And yes, I do try to exchange them when possible! Happy Birthday :) Yeah I really like this gift-giving custom. You'd be lucky to return it if the giver gives you the receipt!Thanks Phillygirl! |
adam at March 29 2008 | 01:07 |
| happy birthday zus! I want an n95, but it\\\\\\\'s too much hassle to do the whole contract nonsense, i\\\\\\\'ll stay with my n70 until it dies :) tell bro i said OMG! Bro, I dreamt about you this morning!! I woke up from the alarm and thought about you. How you are and stuff. Haven't heard from you for months! Then, as per habit, went online on my phone. Checked my email and saw that you left a comment. So strange!! Hahaha.Thank you! I'm getting older. :/ N95 is a really cool phone. I love it! |
Genevieve at March 29 2008 | 07:11 |
| Advance happy birthday! I followed your comment on Wifely Steps & playing the social soiree game :) What a nice way to discover other peoples' blogs. Enjoy our special day! Hi Gen! Thanks! Will visit your blog too. :) |
odette at March 29 2008 | 08:37 |
| advance happy birthday! i wish you peace and happiness, good health and good friends! =D what a loot of your favorite things! enjoy! p.s. i was out of the www because the weather was very beautiful here (in pilipinas standards), cold and raining, so i took a break and spent days reading in bed and drinking hot cocoa and stayed away from the computer. ;-) Thanks dear! Was wondering where you were. Got a bit worried but thought you might have gone somewhere since it's summer there now. Enjoy your break! Don't be away too long.. I miss you! |
Jess at March 29 2008 | 12:31 |
| Hope you have a wonderful birthday, but based on the current gift tally it's already looking great :) Gift giving in the NL is very practical indeed. The first Sinterklaas I celebrated there was a total no surprise and just...different. It's a new take on "it's the thought that counts" because well you did all the thinking for the gift-giver haha Thanks Jess! Will definitely have a good one! The party has already started. HeheheIt comes as a shock the first time but you get to appreciate it later on. Haha.. "it's the thought that counts".. that's a good one! |
toni at March 31 2008 | 03:41 |
| Hurrah for young adult books! Hurrah for birthday presents we love! Hurrah for that cute phone and printer! Hurrah for those cuter shoes!!! Have you been this nice?, you ask. Well, I don't know you personally. But judging from what I read in here and the vibe I get from your blog, I can say you're plenty nice. That said, you deserve all those presents and much more. :) Lots of thanks Toni! |
