IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, AND YOU'VE MADE IT SPECIAL

Every July 16th speaks a lot about me as I celebrate my birthday, and getting celebrated is always an exciting moment that I cherish a lot, but my Hive friends made this year's birthday one of a kind, with the show of love via positive reviews of my personality, singing birthday songs, tokens of love in the form of gifts, and much more, to mention but a few. From the bottom of my heart, I'm glad I met the Hive and you all in it.

Prior to joining Hive, most of my previous birthday celebrations were usually boring, probably because I'm an introvert who has few friends and is mostly indoor, but this year's was remarkable because my friends in the city of Neoxian Discord channel light up my day, and to celebrate them, I set up some giveaways to give back to everyone who has guided, helped, and supported me in one way or another in the past.

One of such giveaways was me asking everyone to please write a review of their encounter with me, highlighting my personality and behavior, and to also share my bad behavior towards them in the form of criticism. I asked for these so I could use them to work on myself and how I deal with everyone. For this, I gave $5.2 worth of Hive to the top 3 I liked most, and below are the entries that I've been given permission to share.

By @burlarj You are a big time hustler, Never letting any opportunity pass you by, I see you as a person who will not let anything hinder him from becoming successful in life, As you want a good future for your kids, My perspective about you is that you are a good person but would never allow people get too close to you so they won't hurt you.

This was my favorite among all; although short, it cut across all of my personality as a person, and for him to say all of these correctly shows he is a good observer and a good leader. Thanks so much, boss.

By @nkemakonam89

Nkem's words were so touching and brought back memories from way back when I was a newbie. I must confess I actually loved hers best but felt everyone might think I was choosing her because we're so close, so I chose her second instead. I'm grateful for our friendship, for how far we've come, and for your support over the years. You're the best person I've come across on Hive. Stay blessed.

By @depressedfuckup Vickoly You’re one of the best connections I’ve made in this city. We weren’t exactly friends when I just landed in this city’s Element chat, mostly because I thought you were too extra some times when it came to drawing people’s attention to breaking rules, but the many months I’ve spent around you has changed my mind about you. You care a lot, and I know I’ve never told you this before, but you’re one of the wisest and humblest leaders I know. The most recent thing I’ve found wise of you is watching from a distance, not interfering, but guiding me as an instructor through out the just-ended newbies initiative. I’ve learnt a lot of investment opportunities on Hive through you and I’m confident I’ll learn a lot more in the future. You may not be everyone’s favorite in the city, but you certainly are loved and admired by many. Have a great one, man.

One thing I loved most about Hamza's review of his encounter with me was his honest criticism of one of my behaviors. I know how annoying I can be when pointing out or alerting someone to something wrong, but surprisingly, no one talked about it until he did. My reasons have always been to help others avoid getting into trouble for disobeying rules. I'm also grateful for his kind words and his opinion about my leadership style in the newbie initiative. You're a genius that I admire.

Those were the top 3, and after going through each of them, I must confess I love everything, but then I had to choose winners. Even though I didn't make plans for an honorary mention, I decided to give @quduus1 and @george-Dee something for their honesty. I apologize for letting them down at one point or another, and I'm glad We've put that behind us.

Other entries are as follows;

From @bos Ahh, Vickoly, where do I start.
I don't even know how and when I first met you. I just know you're one of those random newbies that used to do shoemaking content. It was till you came to element that I started seeing more of you.
At first you were shy. Almost never talking. I used to cajole you and Heskay that time to chat cause you guys were always lurking. How times have changed.
All of a sudden you started showing your true colors and started talking. You're a interesting guy with lots of talents. Always looking to loot from any angle. Minetest, posts, investing, gaming, even offline you are a jack of all trades (shoemaking, fashion designer and so on)
Can't really think of any criticism of you, but when I do you can be sure I'll tell you.
Happy birthday bro wishing you long life and prosperity.

You're one of my closest friends in the city, and I must say you're one of the people who brooded with the extrovert. For me, thanks for all you do.

From @iskafan Here we go. I admire you for being a friend to your friends. I have seen that first hand when you supported Wallay with his poll. And you supported me when your friend, b0s asked you to. And every other support you give to your friend, oluwa... Something.. haha.. always sharing his videos and asking for support for him. You are amazing.

Haha, a friend of my friend is my friend, and nothing makes me happier than winning or seeing my friends win, and I guess that explains my act both to you and everyone else, including my friend Oluwadrey. Thanks for your kind words.

From @edystringz I may not know in person except the few times we have communicated in the city but I have realized you are someone who never gives up, and you take whatever life throws at you and make the best out of it. Like when you have school but still find a way to compete in the city and when you lose, you lose honorably. even when your phone got issues, you still tried your best and got crushed with dignity. YOu are a man of your word, and you show a trait that is admired in the city especially how you win polls and elections. Lol. Happy birthday to you, my courageous Ex.

Awwmmm, my dearest x-lady, thanks for such words and feedback, lolz. I guess everyone sees me as someone who'll make a good politician based on what they see in polls and such. Your words are much appreciated.

From @momogrow Vickoly - never melancholy or for oligopoly.
Not an amphiboly nor rolypoly.
No duopoly
nor monopoly.
Doing nothing unholy
Only calm-oly.

This poem from MOMO is just mind-blowing. Though short, the words carry weight and speak a lot about me and her ideology of my person. Thanks so much for all you have done over the years, ma'am.

From @wallay I just join the city , but the little things I know about you is that , you are straight forward and always ready to carry people along,,there is something I like about you , you don't complain when ever I need you to assist me on anything and lastly I can say you are very mature.your bad side , I don't know yet with time I will get to know that.Happy birthday blood🎉🎉

Thanks so much for your kind words; it's good to know you think highly of me. I hope you don't get to see my bad side. Also, thanks for the birthday wishes.

From @sholex98 Actually I don't know where to start but I'll start somewhere... You've been a wonderful person ever since our university days, I'll say you're a friend indeed, one who's ready to elevate his friends too not one that's selfish and wants to grow all alone forgetting his friends behind.
You introducing me to hive is one of the things you've done for me that I'll never forget and ever be grateful for, you also stood by me and encourage me even when I wanted to quit. I wasn't even showing interest yet you didn't give up on me.
You also inspire me directly and indirectly.
And there's this attitude you have, a never give up attitude/ habit. You're a Looter to the call, I fear you in that aspect lol, you can loot anything lootable.
no amount epistle can thoroughly explain what or who you're, let me just stop here.
Happy birthday to a Looter king.

There's a common saying that someone isn't rich until they have a network of rich friends. I'm glad I led you to the hive, and you're now doing well for yourself. By the way, I'm still learning the act of looting.

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I also did another giveaway that was held in the voice channel, and there I requested that those picked by the bot come and say their review of me in the voice channel. @iskafan and @moremoney28 blew my mind away with their straight-from-the-heart words. I wish I had recorded that. Thanks so much for the love.🥰

In the last phrase of the giveaway, this time around I wished to hear some lovely voices sing with their Angelic voices, and I chose @merit.ahama, @glorydee, @princessbusayo, @wallay, and @jessicaossom to do just that. Funny enough, all these guys selected are top musicians on the Hive blockchain, and they sing pretty well, from worship to gospel, do Fuji, and several other genres. I love you, guys.🥰

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I'm grateful to all my friends who wrote a post or sang a song to celebrate me on my birthday. I value and appreciate our friendship, and I thank you dearly for the love and well wishes. Cheers to Nkem with this masterpiece, Moremoney with the epistle, @shrazi with his unique gif wishes, and @oluwadrey with an angelic voice.🥰

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I'm grateful to everyone who sends me a token of love in various forms. I'm grateful and appreciative of your kind gesture.

@george-dee @nkemakonam89 @burlarj @quduus1 @iskafan @oluwadrey @princessbusayo @akomoajong @sholex94 🥰

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Wondering how my dad went offline? Well, it wasn't too merry, but I enjoyed my day alongside children from church and my neighborhood, for whom I purchased some snacks. Below are pictures of those I gave to kids and some adults in my neighborhood.

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Now for a giveaway for my Hive Learners Community families, I've got a number in mind that is between 1 and 100, and I'll be giving the 5 closest guesses to my number 1 Hive each. Winners will be announced on my entry for the second prompt entry for this new week. Good luck.

Appreciation to everyone who wish me well, have a wonderful day and may we all have reasons to celebrate and be celebrated always.