October 29, 2011

A birthday letter from a friend


Dear Alice,

As of today you have spent 33 years on this planet. I know you totally don’t feel like you’re thirty three and I'm here to tell you that it's perfectly normal. I also know that you're very confused as to why you still feel like you're in your mid twenties. Again, this is not unusual. I don't think anyone out there can give you a straight answer as to how a 33 year old should feel or behave.

I wouldn't say that you're in denial cos that means you're pretending that you're not aging. You don't deny your age. In fact, you concede to the physical changes caused by aging. So what's wrong with you? Well, the thing is, your emotional maturity doesn’t match your chronological age. I believe a lot of women suffer from this. Those species from Mars are even worse. They refuse to act their age until they are nearly 60.

Despite not having sufficient emotional maturity, you seem to be doing fine so far. You're married to a man who adores you. You have two wonderful kids who amuse you, a loving and supportive famiy,  loyal friends who'd help when you need them and this blog which helped forge so many virtual friendships. What else could you possibly want? Okay, so maybe you don't have that fancy schmancy walk-in wardrobe you've always dreamed of but that can wait. You just got to be patient. For now, you should count your blessings and thank God for everything.

To be honest with you, I think you still have a lot to improve. One of them is to  learn how to relax and go with the flow. I know you're uptight about your paper work every day, so much so that it impedes your ability to function in society. Like, when you meet new people at a barbecue party and they ask you "So what are you studying?" you'd give them a long chronological report of your research. You'd get so engrossed in explaining how some of your samples almost screwed up Study 2 that you don't notice the look of disdain on their faces. Stop it okay. Not everyone likes to hear about your thesis. Next time, just say hi and talk about the weather. That always works.

The second thing I'd like to point out is your habit to procrastinate. As your friend, I'm begging you to kill this habit once and for all. Seriously. You'd get so much writing done if you'd just stop wasting your time doing other stuff or watching that silly drama called Pretty Little Liars. Come on la, you're not even the target audience. The only reason you watch that show is because you love its wardobe. My advice: don't dilly dally anymore. There's no time like now.

My third advice is don't fret over the small stuff.  One thing you should learn is to pick your battles with the kids. Before reacting, assess the situation and then decide whether it's worth getting mad or not.  For example,

Situation A: Alden doodles on the wall using unwashable crayons. Red crayons. The verdict? Petty. Don't get mad. Just walk away and let your husband deal with it.

Situation B: Alden empties a bottle of eucalyptus oil by pouring it all over the soft toys and then he takes your lipstick and smears it on the doll's face. What do you do?

Shout.

At the top of your lungs.

Although daily babysitting isn't a bed of roses, you should enjoy the wondeful time you have with Alden and Alva. The kids will never be this age again. Before long, Alva won't be able to fit herself into that tiny toy box anymore. When Alden turns 13, you will never hear him say "Wanna lie down on your tummy mummy." When they both enter their teen years, you'll never get to play hide and seek with them anymore. Cherish these adorable moments for they will become wonderful memories in the future.

I know at the moment you feel as if time just whizzes by and that there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything. As I said before, relax. Some things are beyond your control and if you can't get it done, never mind. Don't let  it bother you. Eventually, all will be well.

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. Happy birthday my dear.


Yours truly,

That little voice in your head


29 comments:

carolchs said...

Happy Birthday Liz!!!!

I really enjoyed reading this letter from your 'friend' :)

Cherish the moment while it lasts. I need to remind myself about that too from time to time.

Ken said...

Happy Birthday Lizee :) I seconded Chegu!

Lizeewong said...

Kay- Thanks a lot! :) I have to remind myself this EVERY DAY. When you're so busy with stuff, you tend to take things for granted =)

Kenny-Hi pretty mama. Thanks you for the birthday wish =)

aemynadira said...

what a nice letter..somehow i feel that the "friend" is writing to me. hehe.

btw, HAPPY BIRTHDAY sis lizee!!!!! ^^
wish you have a very good life. to me you don't even look like 33..i thought u're 25 or something at the first place. ^^
stay pretty & healthy. :)

Lizeewong said...

Aemy-I guess everyone has that special 'friend' who tells them what they need to hear hehehe.

Thanks for the lovely wishes dear =)

Caroline said...

Happy Birthday Mrs! Yeah! Hope you had a great day! Once a year, just once, you can have your cake and eat it too! Hehe.. God bless.

Lizeewong said...

Hey Carol! Yes, I had a great day yesterday. Went to Westfield, had good food, great time with the kids and a birthday cake to end the evening :)

Next year you're baking a Tiramitsu for me ;P

Isabel said...

Happy birthday Lizee! What a fun letter to read. Feels like it's written for me juga oo..haha

Hope you've had a blast on ur special day!:)

Eudora Priscilla said...

Lizee! Happy birthday you did't look any older than 26! Awet muda! :D haha..
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things" love this, God bless you Liz, your hubby, little Alden and Alva, and all your love ones~

Gunaqz said...

Happy bday Liz!
XO

Lizeewong said...

Isabel- Thank you belle. I had a really great day with my family :) It's nice to know that the letter 'speaks' to you too hehe.

Dora - Thank you for that very lovely birthday wish..Awet muda huh? Am smiling ear to ear :D

Gunaqz-Thank you mandak =)

Okayarms said...

Waaa I just wanted to ask what kind of friend is that. Hahaa.

Having a family is awesome but kinda hard to me :P I wish I could be an awesome dad in the future hehee.

Happy Birthday Lizee...

gbeejipp said...

Happy birthday Liz. Sama pla umur kita ni. Hehe.

Lizeewong said...

Arms- Thanks! Hehe..this friend? an imaginary friend ba ni =)

I guess it isn't time for you to start a family yet. When the time comes, I'm sure you'll be an awesome dad =)

Jipp-Ya ka? Hehehe. Senteki la kalau gitu =) Thanks for the birthday wish!

Okayarms said...

Hahaa I know ba. What I meant was, I was about to ask who your friend was before I finished reading the bottom hehee.

You sure ka? What a coincidence, I'm sure I will be too. Wakakaa jk.

Have an awesome week!

edythe said...

Wow!! I thought I was reading a short story book. That was very2 nice, really.

Happy belated birthday Liz!! I'll be joining you in less than 3 mths time :)

CathJ said...

Dear alice.. Its a very good advice.. Mcm kena pula saya tau hihihi...anyway its all vry true...

Pls tell alice, happy bday hihihi...

Don't worry alice.. I am 33yeras old too BUT 3 years ago... Mmm... Cherishhh cherishhh.... Hihihi

Lizeewong said...

Arms-Ahhh..If only you girlfriend could read your comment..Bunga2 hati dia tu ;P

Edith-Thanks Edith. Lagi panjang ba ni mula2 tapi sia kasi buang. Too much monologue-ing yg merapu rapu :P

In 3 months' time huh? Yay! We can have our own little club then
..hehhhehe =)


Cath- Dear Catherine, Alice says THANKS. Hahaha

You know how it feels like kan Cath, kadang2 bila telampau busy tu mana ingat mau cherish the kids punya funny moments =)

Jj said...

happy belated birthday dear Lizee! betul2 ko awet muda oo kan...hehe.. ba, kirim salam sama sama tu 'friend' ko kio..sa suka sama tu nasihat dia :)

Unknown said...

Hi Lizee,

Happy belated buffday pretty! Couldn't agree more wif ur friend's letter hehehe

debrajill said...

Happy belated birthday kak! U so lucky kak..a beautiful lil family..just need a bigger closet which i bet u can own anytime! Hehe..take care kak!

Lizeewong said...

JJ-Thanks mandak...kawan sia pun bilang thank you cos ko suka nasihat dia. Hehehe..:)

Hi Vera. Thanks for the birthday wish. Everyone's seems to agree with my friend. We always argue you know hehehe.


Hi Debs! Thanks for the birthday wish! Ahhh the closet isn't easy to get oh. Sabar2 la dulu ni hehe. Hugs to Mita, Chanel and lelek ah :)

Octavia said...

Hi Liz a thousand apologies on the this late wish!! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MY DEAR SWEET FRIEND!!! This time next year we will be celebrating ur birthday together...Loved ur "friend's" letter. Kind of hit the spot with me too ...hehehe. Lotsa luv and anticipating ur return ;D

Lizeewong said...

THANKS Oct! I can't wait to hang out with you again. Let's have birthday bash next year and have pre-birthday shopping spree! Hehehe. Miss you heaps xoxo

StellaClaire-Richard said...

Sweet letter.. :)
Happy belated bday moi.. God bless u..

Joo said...

Tcher,
I miss you, Tcher^^...Happy Blated Brthday, Tcher Alice^^

Keep blogging Tcher, I like to read your blog bcoz there were a lot of Tcher's experience, language,postive thinking,laughter and joy that I can learn from you^^

Tcher, keep beauty too!! XD

Reply:
I have 1 month to stay here in Institute and I'm goin' to grade this year too. Next year, I'm working oredi hehe :D

Tcher, bila T'cher abis study?

Lizeewong said...

Stella-Thanks a lot! God bless ^__^

Suzan- Hey! You're going to be a teacher soon!Good on you.If everything goes well, I hope to submit my thesis next year. Fingers Crossed :)

Thanks for reading Suzan. Cheers xxx

Enniebelle said...

Beautiful entry, moi..

Lizeewong said...

Thanks Ennie :)