25th Birthday Scrapbook

Okay, so my sister thought she'd be a sneaky ninja and present me with a scrapbook with friends' wishes in it for my 25th birthday. She also thought she'd sneak a surprise party past me... um, I found out about it because of Cindy Y. :P

In the interests of posterity, this is what people wrote in the scrapbook:

Steph: "HAPPY B-DAY! You're 25! Leslie's B-Day book with birthday wishes. Hey Leslie! Wow, it just feels strange calling you by your 'real' name! SARNY! Happy 25th Birthday, from your 'loving bayneefdic sis'! Now you know why I had those (or these) gelly pens at the AWANA orientation. I normally am more practical and just buy plain ballpoint pens! But I thought you'd like something really thoughtful, so I hope you enjoy all the 'entries' from your friends. Happy Birthday, and I hope I 'out-do' your birthday surprise! Love, Stephanie! You love me and you know it! As Mum would say, SISTERS ARE FOREVER!" (she included some photo from what I assume is a family dinner)

Melia: "Wowzers! A milestone! 25!! That's like the best age! I'm so glad to have gotten to know you better. Yay! AWANA sissy! Mmwha! I luv ya! Happy B-Day! TTYL! Love, Melia."

Vanessa: "Big surprise, EH! Hee hee! Well, happy 25th birthday! I hope you had a good time! :) This time, we're the ones to hold a party for you! Hee hee! Oh, thanks for all those times you gave me a birthday card! :) You're so thoughtful! Love, Vanessa! :) "

Emily: "Leslie!! :) Wow!! So I guess you're pretty surprised, eh? Hee hee. So good! :) Anyhoot, you deserve the bestest 25th birthday EVER! Yay! You da bestest! Awaner dis year is gonna be F-U-N! Yippie... Anywayz, have an awesome burfday, dudette! Love, Emily." (she drew a teddy bear and a farting animal *BOOOOOT*, haha)

Fidela: "Leslie!! It's your birthday, it's your birthday, it's your birthday! :P Wow, the big QUARTER CENTURY! Hee hee, don't worry - it's not that old... *ahem* Well, it's not like you can help getting older - sorry 'bout that. Love, Fidela. Now I'm gonna do the funny circle thing! :) I'm so excited for you! I'm sure you are too! We all look up to you and you have been such an encouragement to all of us! :) Have an awesome birthday and hope it lasts the whole year. God bless! 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11 " (she drew a cross, squiggles, and a few flowers!)

Priscilla: "Hey Hey Leslie! Happy 25th B-Day. Hehe, yup... have a great year and God bless!! :) Love, Priscilla."

Karen Lew: "Happy 25th birthday!!! And so... it's another year. Isn't it hard to believe? Just last year, we went to San Francisco!" (she drew a turtle)

Vania: "Leslie! Thank you for always giving me cards for my B-Day! It's appreciated. :) May God bless you in all you do. Luv Always and forever, Vania." (she drew stars, a flowery border, a flower, and a cute mouse)

Larry and Sandra: "Happy B-Day, Leslie! Having already been there, I can tell you that being a quarter-century is a lot of fun! I hope that this new year in your life will be filled with new adventure! May God continue to work in your life and show His will for you! In Him, Larry and Sandra. :)" (they did some of it in a "25" formation, heh)

Cordia: "Happy Birthday, Leslie!" (in very tiny writing...)

Quan: "Hey Leslie! Happy Birthday! Have fun!" (she drew flowers and a border)

Sam: "Hi Leslie. Happy B-Day! :) Hope you have a great year! Sam. :)"

Joey: "Hey Leslie. Happy B-Day."

Mike K.: "Well! It's time for ME to say Happy Birthday to You! So, uhhh... Happy B-Day!"

Daniel: "Leslie, may the love of the Lord encompass you as you grow in Him and follow Him faithfully. As the waves crash into the sea, as the sun and moon set and rise, so too will His love surround you forever. Happy Birthday!" (he drew a weird face, haha)

David M.: "Hey Leslie! Surprise... this time, I will write something. So what would you like me to write about... How about all the times you remembered my birthday with all those unique cards that you can make. Well, it's a quarter-century for you, and another to go. May God continue to Bless you, and bless other through you. Happy Birthday!!"

Natalie: "Leslie, Happy Birthday to you! I think you deserve an exciting and fun time because you are LESLIE. I want to THANK you for being such a kind person, and for being so thoughtful. I really appreciate how you remember everyone's birthday, and present them with a BIRTHDAY card. God Bless you, Leslie! Love in Christ, Natalie."

Auntie Ena: "Leslie, Happy Birthday to you. I thank God that you are growing in Him daily. My prayer for you is to love Him more dearly and Him known. Have a very blessed birthday party."

Michelle: "Leslie, Happy Birthday! Wow, 25! So much older and wiser than little ol' me. I hope you have the best birthday of all birthdays this year. May God be with you all of your days, and shower you daily with blessings! In Christ, Michelle."

Auntie Cathy: "Time flies, Leslie! You're growing up too fast for Auntie Cathy! May you continue to grow in wisdom and grace as you continue in your walk with God. May you be more and more Christlike. In Christ, Cathy." (she drew three cats)

Tracy: "Leslie, Happy B-Day! Halfway to 50! Haha, just kidding! Hope you have a blast on your birthday with all your friends! Love in Christ, Tracy."

Vernon: "Hi Leslie! Just wishing you a happy birthday and thanking you for all your encouragement and spiffy emails throughout the year. My hope is that you continue to grow in the Lord this year. :)"

Dylan: "Hey Leslie! Happy 25th! You're been really nice extending a warm welcome to me when I first came to the church. I hope our friendship will come to bless in this new year! God bless!"

Eunice: "LESLIE! Happy Birthday, my lifelong friend! Enjoy the Greek... too bad there isn't any A-1, baby! Maybe there'll be some pootine. LOVE, Eunice."

Cindy: "Hi Leslie! Happy 25th Birthday! It's your special, special day!! I wish you all the best this year and the years to come! You deserve all the best wishes because you are so nice and sweet! I'm so glad we're friends. God Bless."

Eddie: "Hey Leslie. Woohoo... it's your birthday... I'm totally encouraged by your constant love for people. May God continue to bless you, because you ROCK! Love ya!"

Winnie: "Hello, Leslie! Happy Birthday!!! I am and have been so encouraged by you and your super warm smile every week. I am so touched by your cards! I have kept every single Christmas and birthday card you've given me. I really do hope you have a wonderful birthday! Love always in Him, Winnie. :)" (she drew a stick figure, a birthday cake, and a nice vase of flowers)

Alan: "Happy Birthday! :) Where's my present?"

Sophia and John: "Happy 25th Birthday, Leslie! We're so glad we can celebrate this memorable milestone with you! Hope you have a good one! Friends, Sophia and John."

Brian: "Hey Leslie!!! :) Happy Happy Happy Birthday! You deserve it! :D" (he drew a face with hair and ears)

Elaine: "Happy 25th Birthday! I am so happy to be able to share this with you! Love, Elaine."

Calla: "Hey Leslie! Happy Happy Happy BIRTHDAY! So... did you know about the surprise? Isn't it so cool? WE ALL LOVE YOU! You're so smart and cool. Awesome, dude! Anywayz, I hope you enjoyed yourself! With love in Christ, Calla." (she drew a couple of hearts and a cross)

Andrea: "Dearest... LESLIE... Happy Birthday! Thank you for always being ready to listen, to care for those around you. I am always so encouraged by how thoughtful you are - remembering everyone on their birthdays and uplifting them when they need encouragement. I look forward to witnessing our friendship grow as we learn to walk together in the light and love of Christ. LOVE YA!" (she drew a bunch of flowers)

Nathan: "Leslie! Ahh... Toe again... Now you can SEE MY CAMEL in its FULL FLUORESCENT GLORY!!! YOU DA BEST! HAPPY CAMEL BIRTHDAY!!! Meow! The Wacky Toe, Nathan! (That's Me!)" (of course he drew a camel, with two people sitting on it... plus a piece of paper and a wacky face) ["Superman and Super-Leslie! Your CRAZY long email in paper form!"]

Chrystal: "Hi Leslie! Wow... you're 25! That must be some special age, huh? I hope you have an awesome birthday! I'm so glad that all of us can share your birthday with you... it's so exciting, isn't it? HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a super-duper year and I'm really happy that we're serving in AWANA together! Oh yeah, you DO spoil David (sometimes :) ), but that's okay coz he's so cute! :) "

Phil: "Dear Leslie, I know you told me to 'not even try' to calculate your age... but Steph already told me. :) Happy 25th Birthday! The last three or four years of getting to now you have been really enriching. Your honesty is always treasured. May God give you the most joy you've experienced this year!" (he drew a path with grass on it with a person headed for the horizon / sunset / rainbow)

Stella and Billy: "Leslie... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We're so happy we can celebrate your 25th birthday with you. You've been such an awesome and thoughtful friend, Leslie. I hope that we can be at least half the friend you've been to us. We love you lots, and we pray for lots of joy and blessings to come your way this year. Love, Stella and Billy." (they drew wacky faces too!)

Frances: "Dear Leslie, Happy 25th Birthday! I hope you enjoy this surprise birthday party. SURPRISE! Surprise!! Surprise!!! It's been great having you in my Bible Study group and praying together. Your sister in Christ, Frances." (she drew flowers and a weird face)

Jon: "Sarne! Chup Chup Chup... I hope you enjoy this monumental milestone in your life. A quarter century? Whoda thought your booty would survive to get to this point? Say hi to Wong Kee for me.... keep the production high and don't eat too much Butterball Turkey in the future!"

Maxine: "Dear Leslie, It's been great to meet you. Keep smiling, and thanks for your happy nature!! God Bless!"

Tim: "Leslie - Great to get to know you this year, and I hope that we can continue to grow in Christ together. Thanks for opening your home to our prayer meetings. Happy B-Day."

Anita: "Dear Leslie, Happy 25th birthday! It's great to have a friend who's as caring as you are! Thanks for all your help in AWANA - you're great! Hope you have a very happy birthday! Love, Anita."

Keith: "Happy B-Day, Leslie! Welcome to the quarter-century club! You are now officially old! Just kidding."

Lesley: "Leslie, Happy happy happy birthday! :) Leslie, you deserve the best. I've been privileged to have known you all these years. Thanks for always being so encouraging with your cards. Never once have you forgotten my birthday! On this very special day of yours, I want to extend my deepest and warmest wish to a great sister in Christ. May the years to come bring us closer to each other. Love, Lesley." (she drew a heart)

Chung: "Dear Leslie, Congratulations on your 25th birthday. I'm sure GOD has touched your life and you've touched a lot of lives! May GOD continue to bless you in your walk with Him! In Christ, CHUNG YAN."

Dianne: "Surprise! Happy 25th Birthday! I can't believe you're half of half a century year old! Hee hee... anyhow, wish you the very best and like I said, KEEP PARTYING! Now some pics for you! Love, Dianne!" (she drew a heart, with weird faces featuring hair and freckles that she named Moe / Joe, heh)

Vivian: "Dearest Leslie, Since Dianne and I got a little lost on the way to your party.... SURPRISE! :) Happy Birthday! I wish you the PEACHIEST 25th birthday! From church choirs to road trips to A-1 steak sauce, I'm happy to be your friend! :) God Bless, Vivian." (she also drew a heart)

Nina: "Leslie... SURPRISE! Luv your B-Day. May your birthday be full of love and joy and be surrounded by family and friends. May you have many birthdays to come. You are a true and honest friend. I cherish your relationship, your friendship. Luv, your dear friend Nina."

Yazmine: "Surprise! Happiest 25th birthday. I hope you are having a wonderful time. Thanks for being such a good friend. I wish you happiness and joy always. May God bless you and guard you always. Forever, Yazmine." (in HER case, "forever" lasted until late May 2005! :P)

Jocelyn: "Dearest Leslie, Hope you were surprised and happy today! Thanks for being a great friend and so sweet all the time! I know the sun in shining in your heart coz everyone is smiling! Luv you lots!!! :) " (she drew a heart)

Connie: "Dear Leslie, Hope you had a great time at dinner! Thanks for being a cheerful person to talk to, and I hope that we'll have more opportunities to fellowship together soon! HAPPY B-DAY! Love, Connie."

Joe: "Dear Leslie, Happy Birthday! Much happiness and blessings in your future. By God's Love, Joe."