Harry Birthday, 2011

Today is July 31st in our time zone, and it’s that time of the year again: Harry Potter’s birthday. In HP chronology, Harry is age 31 this year (his birthdate is 1980), five years before the epilogue at the end of Deathly Hallows (2026). For the sake of the people who haven’t read the series yet, or haven’t gotten to DH yet, I will spare the details that we can logically infer based on this timeline. For fellow HP fans, let’s just count back, shall we?  :)

Today is also the birthday of JK Rowling, who turns 45 this year. Happy Birthday to the wonderful writer who created a magical universe for legions of readers all over the world.

(Incidentally, a spindly spider the size of my palm dropped out of nowhere and quickly scuttled away while I had a shrieking fit… I hope that wasn’t an acromantula?!?)

As you might have read a few posts ago, I am celebrating Harry’s birthday this year with a much-awaited reread of the series,  my first since the release of DH.

I’d planned on doing a blog post for each of the books, but then again, most of you know how the stories go, and if you don’t, you can always find out for yourself (through the books, I hope, because movies are for Muggles — kidding, but not completely :D).

At this point I have to admit that I didn’t reread the books for a long time because there was a part of me that was afraid I would outgrow it, that I would one day read the books and they wouldn’t live up to over a decade’s worth of memories.

But oh, the reread brought back more than just memories, it also renewed my appreciation for the books. I found the novels gripping even more so now, when I am able to see the bigger picture and how the many parts of the series fit together. Little details stood out, their implications now apparent, and the emotions ran higher, too. As early as Hagrid flying in on a giant motorbike in the first chapter, tears were already coursing down my cheeks. And four five days, I was running on more emotion than sleep, too caught up in the books to put them down for very long (of course, I had to earn my living!), and relishing each word of the series.

Rereading the books also did me a world of good. It’s that stressful time of the year at work, when the balancing act that stretches all the way to the holiday season begins, and it was wonderful to escape into the books. And you know, working in an industry that’s taught me to be a little more jaded than the rest, a hearty dose of magic was exactly what I needed. J.K. Rowling was right when she said “Hogwarts will always welcome you home” — no matter how long it’s been since the last reading, the magic never fades.

I also want to share with you the two new additions to my burgeoning HP collection. My sister brought them back from Singapore, right in time for July 31st:

An owl tumbler (I think it’s supposed to be Hedwig, but it’s a great grey owl, more like Erroll)

and Squee! the Bloomsbury signature edition of Philosopher’s Stone! :)

Dianne and I are having a little feast later — technically it’s a family dinner, but yeah, we’re celebrating Harry’s birthday! Time to bring out our Hogwarts robes! :)

I’ll see if I can grab some photos of whatever crazy thing we’re doing later. In the meantime, Harry Birthday everyone!!! :)

16 thoughts on “Harry Birthday, 2011”

  1. Harry birthday, Blooey! Great celebration you got planned, as usual. I on the other hand am celebrating by moving out of my own cupboard under the stairs and into a new apartment. Haha. I’ve also been rereading the series (for the first time since the release of DH, too), and I find it even more exhilarating despite (but I’m guessing it’s more because of) already knowing what’s yet to come. I’m not much of a collector of HP paraphernalia, but I’ve been eyeing the Bloomsbury Signature Editions since they were announced. I’d be happy just to own the POA one. Haha.

    1. Harry Birthday! Congratulations on the new digs!

      Am slowly working my way to complete the signature edition — the books are expensive so I have to buy piecemeal.

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