The Lab Rat [aka Country-side Mouse] and the Number 23

Today has been a perfectly normal day for me. Already nearing my 2nd month business stay in Nihon, and just getting used to its suburban life. Waiting for 5 days till the next 2-day weekend. Good thing that the rain had stopped, because lately I have been using the pitiful "Super" umbrella. It's an umbrella my lola bought for about 100++ while I'm in Baguio, when I think its actual price should have been somewhat like Php50 to be found on Metro Manila's streets. Now, my umbrella is losing its cover along the edges. I do hope it would no longer rain since I have to take daily long walks towards the train station, and also towards the client company.

Today marks my 23rd. The number eventually gets bigger and scarier. I remember the last 2 birthdays prior to this and I just had spent the whole day doing our project/thesis in IML (my affiliate-laboratory in college), hehe. And now, It's my 3rd time in a lab again, albeit a different one. I really am not used to giving pakain or blowouts because my birthday falls on a convenient date for escaping those responsibilities (sembreak/ halloween break). But of course, I was able to treat those who were with me during those times (i.e. groupmate Eugene).

Now that I am a bit far away from my friends, again I have a reason not to make libre, hahaha. My work mate doesn't even know the exact date, although he knows it's within this month. One time when we had a dinner with our company president around Kita-Senju, my workmate jokingly told them that my bday is fast approaching thus I would be the one in charge of paying our meal. The Japanese was clueless at first until they realized that it was some sort of custom for us. It is common tradition that bday celebrants receive gifts, but for Filipinos, most of the time the bday celebrants are also compelled to sponsor at least a small feast. This is a weird concept for them since they understand that if one would want to hide his birthday to avoid the sponsoring, he won't be able to receive gifts. haha.

Anyway, just as I've said earlier, this day just passed by in the usual manner. But thanks to all the wellwishers, it's the one thing that made the day at least a bit different from the usual and of course I've appreciated it very much. 皆さん、ありがとうございます！Now back to country-side living...

"Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest." -- Larry Lorenzoni"