Jane Austen Quote of the Week 100

Wow! We're at our 100th quote! And two days ago I had my 36th birthday, so I was looking for something birthday-ish... but haven't found something suitable until 5 min ago (hence the almost belated installment for Australia and New Zealand...). Anyway. I've pulled out something from Emma, at the end of Chapter 31 after she talked to Harriet re: Mr. Elton's marriage. Here for the first time Emma realised how affectionate Harriet was.

"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart," said she afterwards to herself. "There is nothing to be compared to it. Warmth and tenderness of heart, with an affectionate, open manner, will beat all the clearness of head in the world, for attraction, I am sure it will."

And it is true, ladies and gents. I had many things to do (work-wise) on my birthday, but I was surrounded by so many beautiful friends, online, offline and physical... that I felt so lucky and grateful for such a wonderful birthday. My office is still fragrant because of a bunch of pink lilies my office friends gave me. While I typed this, I was looking at beautiful bday cards my friends sent/gave me, and again, I can only thank their beautiful tender hearts for making me so happy.

The picture is a red orchid, mine, which currently resides at my friend's garden in Bali (for I can't take care of it here...). Another friend gave it to me six years ago, during my 30th birthday, a few days after I had a major surgery, and it always blossoms regularly since then. Last time it blossomed (probably still) was a few days ago. Very beautiful...