You know there’s a birthday party when there are…
Balloons…
Party hats…
Gifts…
Cakes…
And more cakes…
Venue dressed to the nines…
The Guests…
And of course, the celebrators!
25 February 2011, Friday, Waziria Medical Square, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia. A few months ago, the institution that we’re working at came up with an idea to gather its community at the end of each month, outside its classrooms, conference halls without any lectures and meetings and office works but to party for our colleagues who were born on each specific month.
It was the very first time for the Faculty of Medicine to sponsor and host (I was one of the emcees) this monthly birthday celebration. With only less than a week to plan, we prepared almost everything, rolled up our sleeves, did multitasking even the blowing of balloons for the love of our jobs. *bow!* 
What made this birthday party extraordinary?
How often would you see medical doctors who are educators as well from different countries unite in blowing of balloons? hehehe…
(from L-R) Dr. Mila from Myanmar, Dr. Vivian from the Philippines and Dr. Phoo also from Myanmar
How many companies celebrate their employees’ natal day all at the same time? How many times have you spent your birthday in a foreign ground with celebrators from various walks of life, cultures, religions and colors? How frequent can you experience a potluck party of food from different nationalities? (oops, that reminds me I forgot to capture the spread at the buffet table!) Occasion with elements such as these doesn’t happen even on a yearly basis.
I must admit, I enjoyed it!
What’s your most memorable birthday celebration?
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PS : Of course, nothing beats special occasions spent with your family and loved ones.
But we certainly did when we attended the 14th HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA at Clark field, Pampanga. It’s an annual festivities of EVERYTHING that FLIES! Made me want to hum, “Up, up & away on my beautiful balloon…” lol. 
My entire family had an overnight stay at one of the villas of Fontana Leisure Park a day prior to the fiesta and made sure that we’re at the venue before those colorful hot air balloons take their flights. We all got up from bed at around 3:00AM, reached the venue from our villa in Fontana at around 5AM, then saw the preparation of the participating countries in this one big balloon fiesta! We trooped to the site on its 3rd day (the fiesta started 12 February 2009) at dusk and saw how those lovely balloons in their flat linens forms until they were graciously inflated. We had our breakfast of rice & spicy barbecue on location few minutes before the 1st flying object was seen on air. I, for one, did not contain my excitement to experience such for the first time. It was really a FUN experience! An unforgettable way to celebrate the day of hearts with my whole family…
We enjoyed every minute we spent watching those balloons fly! It was all pure FUN! 
OPINION COUNTS…