Moza Hiranny Turns 2!

The birthday girl was so pretty in her black and pink tutu party dress!

She couldn't sit still as she waited for her guests. They started to come in trickles and then in droves. And the party just snowballed.

How old are you? Two! (showing four fingers!)

Moza's beautiful family!

Being the party girl is not an easy job!

Moza, your party was such a blast! The smiles on everyone's faces show just how much fun all were having!

Happy Birthday and may you and your family always be blessed!

Did you know then?

It's not often I write about you and what you mean to me. Our lives have become populated with strange citizens bearing strange names like How Much Milk Costs and What's For Dinner that we've only seen glimpses of our old familiar neighbors from way back when. Friendships with Let's Go for a Bike Ride Now and Let's Explore This Strange Street have become long distance affairs. Every now and then, though, they give us a call to remind us of the friendship we shared with them once.

This is a record of a conversation between myself and our friend, Let's Stop for Pictures and Have an Adventure.

We gossiped about you and wondered...Did the Universe hint in whispers then where we would be now?

(For other interesting pictures of other body parts, please visit I Heart Faces.)

Our JourneyHome 7: The Melting Pot or The Perfect Buffet

What I love most about my country is its never-ending contrasts.

We have people who adore going out with friends - but still remain family-oriented. We have passionate career women who are also passionate mothers. We love our streetfood as much as we love our restaurants. We have old-fashioned barber shops nestled inside our newest malls.

We are everything all together in one little mixing pot.

Small sidewalk stores selling people-shaped black candles and amulets stand beside one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Philippines.

One of our prettiest and most secluded volcano craters stand tall and proud amidst restaurants which have mushroomed over time.

And our older generations sit comfortably and pass time with the rest of the world.

I love the mix. The sour, the sweet, the bitter and the bland. It's in our cuisine. And it's in our people.

And because I bring a little of my country in me, I am also a mix of contrasts. I love living in a far-away country and experiencing a culture different from mine almost as much as I love being in my mother's house. I love showing a whole lot of the country which makes me who I am as much I love keeping it away from prying eyes. I love places which are smelly, sweet, pungent and exciting.

When I'm in Manila, in my head I always say: Bring it on, Life. Fill me up like there was no tomorrow!

And I did.

And it did.

I miss my country.