Its my birthday

Bonne Fete (French)
Saeng il chuk ha ham ni da (Korean)
Otanjyobi omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)
Selamat Hari Jadi (Malaysian)
Maligayang Bati (Filipino)
Happy Birthday (English)

In whatever language and tradition, it is one of the most anticipated time of the year for some of us.

Our Birthday.

And yes, today is my 37th birthday. (Make sure to greet me at the comment section below and upvote my post after reading, because hey today is after all my birthday)

According to the famous Oprah Winfrey, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate", and I couldn't agree more. Counting your blessings every day, especially when you turn a year older is a reason to celebrate.

I will be celebrating my birthday over dinner tonight with family.
I will be preparing a simple meal at home and I am looking forward to blowing my birthday candles and hope the heavens will grant my wish.

Thousands of years ago people considered their birthday as a time when bad spirits harm you.
So to keep the spirits at bay they are surrounded by family and friends.

Lighting candles was a custom to send signals to the gods for prayers of blessings.

So the tradition of blowing a birthday candle and being surrounded by the people you love goes a long way back and as the human race evolved, people adapted various practices they deem significant for the occasion.

In some parts of Canada for example their noses are greased with butter to ward off bad luck. My family have been practicing the same tradition only that instead of butter, the icing from the cake usually ends up on my face after I blow my candles. My ancestors must have picked this from the Canadians.

Eating noodles symbolize longevity for the Chinese and yes there will always pancit on the table during birthday celebrations for my family.

I have several friends and relatives celebrating their birthday in August.
So my calendar is usually full on weekends this time of the year.

But for the Vietnamese, everybody celebrate their birthday at the beginning of the year, regardless of the actual date of birth. They call this celebration as Tet. This sounds like a good idea, especially if you come from a big family. My parents would have legitimized this had they known it can be done, as it can be pretty cost effective for them. So no birthday leaves applicable at work then?

How about you? How do you celebrate your birthday?
What traditions do you follow in your community?

I hope to celebrate my birthday with family and friends in the many years to come.

It’s always a blessing to share and give thanks for the many wonderful things that happen to you all year round with the people that matters to you the most. Agree?

So to everyone celebrating their birthday today with me, Feliz cumpleanos!!!