Emmalyn’s Birthday: A Day of Laughter, Rain, and Gratitude

 We went to our friend’s house to celebrate her birthday, and it was my first time visiting their place. I was honestly excited because they said it was in a rural area — surrounded by nature, peaceful, and a bit adventurous. I’ve always loved that kind of setting. Just a few days before, there had been an earthquake, so things still felt a bit tense, but we didn’t want to miss this special day. Despite everything, we decided to go and celebrate with her. The travel was long, but it was worth it. The air was fresh, the scenery was beautiful, and the simple life in the countryside reminded me how calm life can be away from the city noise. It turned out to be a memorable birthday celebration filled with laughter, good food, and heartfelt moments that made the trip truly unforgettable.  Wow, just look at the sky — it had this strange purple color, and the fog was so thick! By the time we arrived at her house, the rain was pouring hard, and we were all soaked. The sky looked like it was getting dark even though it was only around 3 to 4 p.m. There were still some aftershocks happening in nearby areas, but thank God we were safe. Their place is really up in the mountains, surrounded by trees and hills. Despite the weather and the tension from the earthquake, the view and the atmosphere felt peaceful and breathtaking.  I was completely soaked when we arrived, so I quickly changed clothes in her room. Emmalyn, our friend who was celebrating her birthday that day, really took good care of me. Even though she was busy preparing the food and entertaining guests, she made sure we were comfortable first since we were all wet from the rain. I truly appreciated her kindness and warmth — it showed how thoughtful she is. Despite the gloomy weather and the rain that wouldn’t stop, I still enjoyed being there. The place, the view, and the people made the celebration feel special and full of joy.  These are my friends, my cousin, and one of my siblings. At this moment, we were already singing “Happy Birthday” to the birthday girl. If you look closely, you can tell our hair was soaking wet — honestly, our whole bodies were! We rode motorcycles from the main road going to her place, and since the rain didn’t stop, we just decided to go for it. No turning back, just pure adventure! It was funny yet unforgettable. Despite being drenched, we couldn’t stop laughing and enjoying the moment. It made the celebration even more special and full of real, raw memories.  They had a huge roasted pig, and I couldn’t stop craving the crispy skin — it looked so crunchy and delicious! The lechon was really big, even though it was just us, her close friends, who were there to celebrate. Her family truly went all out with the preparation, and you could see how generous and thoughtful they are. No wonder they are so blessed — they have such kind and giving hearts. We all enjoyed the food so much; everything was delicious! I was honestly so full and happy that day, surrounded by good people, good food, and a joyful atmosphere.  The cake was so purple — turns out, ube is her favorite flavor! No wonder everything matched her theme. The cake was a bit slanted because it tilted while being carried, which made us all laugh, but it still looked and tasted amazing. The ube ice cream was the perfect match — sweet, creamy, and so refreshing after the meal. Everything was just so purple and pretty! I stayed seated for quite a while, just enjoying every bite of the food and dessert. It was such a fun, cozy moment, and I couldn’t help but smile at how simple yet special the celebration felt.  This was the view from their place at night, and I couldn’t miss the chance to capture it. Their house is up in the mountains, while the road is down below, which makes the scenery even more breathtaking. The air was so fresh, and the surroundings were filled with trees and greenery — truly the perfect place to unwind and relax. Their house was also spacious and welcoming, making us feel right at home. What made the experience even more special was how caring and accommodating her family was. You could really feel the warmth and love in their home and environment.  was so full and happy at the same time. The whole experience helped me unwind and refresh my mind after everything that’s been happening lately. It felt so good to be surrounded by nature, good food, and genuine people. I’m really thankful for the experience — simple moments like this remind me how beautiful life can be when shared with friends and laughter.