…coz my gift from the Husband arrived today!!!!
It’s funny how we’re living in the same country and he still had my gift ordered and delivered at the office.
current mood:
We also had a relaxing time catching up with everyone over great food, wine and ice cream, and playing with our godson, little Caleb.
It was a good day-out for everyone, spent indoors, that is. At least all of us were able to de-stress before plunging into the busy Christmas celebrations.
weekend-snapshot
We celebrated our 23rd monthsary at the Blacktown RSL tonight. It was a first time for me and Chris to have dinner there. Since it was a Saturday, it was Seafood buffet.
This was our view from where we were seated.
I find it amusing that while eating, we can see the roof of our apartment (it’s the one with reddish/orangey roof, almost middle part of the photo above). We were two blocks away from the RSL, very convenient for us.
Here’s some of the food the we ate:
Fried galore: prawn, crabmeat, fish cocktail, calamari rings and pork dumplings
Fried rice, crab, salt and pepper prawns, sweet-chili mussels
Ham and sushi
For dessert, we had a few slices of watermelon, chocolate mousse and cheesecake. We were so full, had trouble getting up. Good thing we had to walk going home.
We are also celebrating a milestone for Chris’ career today, an answered prayer: he was made a permanent employee at work (woohoo!!!). We are very very happy for this new development in our lives.
The journey for Chris to find a job here was no joke. It took him three months to break in the job market. We’ve had a couple of tough times because we were helping our families in the Phils, trying to make ends meet. In August, he got a contractual job. According to the company, they were on freezed hiring but they really need a graphic artist so a contractual employee is all they can afford. My husband accepted the offer, the important thing was just to have a job and at least it was a graphic artist job. Better than nothing and knowing us, we never said ‘no’ to an opportunity given to us.
Two weeks ago, Chris had a surprise meeting with his boss, he was asked if he wanted to stay with the company. Of course he said “yes”, because he loved it there already. Last Thursday, he was officially a part of the company. 🙂 According to Chris, it was on Wednesday afternoon that he was made to sign the contract and his boss announced the good news to everyone on their team during an afternoon tea celebration (with cakes and all hehe).
As his wife and partner, I’m very happy and relieved for my husband. I know that since he arrived here, his goal was to find a job as soon as possible so that we can start fulfilling our plans. I know it wasn’t easy for him to get over rejections one after another. It wasn’t easy, but the patience and resilience my husband has shown is admirable.
As I end this entry, let me just say a few thanks: to family and friends who truly listened and empathized, may God bless you a thousand fold with all the support you have given us and to The One Above whom we give back all the glory–maraming-maraming salamat po!
During our darkest days this year, we have held on to one of the most beautiful teachings of Christ. It is in this teaching that we have found more hope and comfort.THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10
A letter to my first-ever iPod.
Dear Pink,
As of this writing, I know you’re already in the Philippines and that you’re probably in the presence of my dear parents. I’m envious of you. Buti ka pa sa Pinas magpa-Pasko, ako hindi.
Starting next year, you will have a new mummy…and a new home. My parents will hand you over to her. Be good to your new mummy. I already warned her of your “mood swings” (read: nagha-hang hehe). Don’t worry, you’ll be okay as I know that she’s more patient than I am. And she will really take good care of you.
I just realized today (at this very moment) that I never even had the chance to take a photograph of you. I’m sorry, I never meant to take you for granted. Just tell your new mummy this: “Please return me to my mummy Ibyang should I have an accident (read: masira) or if you don’t want me anymore.” I know it might take a long while before I see you again but you will always a place in my home (wherever that may be).
Lastly, I miss you. However, I’m comforted with the thought that you will be making someone very happy when she sees you.
Love,
Mummy Ibyang 🙂
This is the 2nd time I got interviewed by a fellow blogger. This time, it’s Pia, an online buddy at Multiply.
Here’s Pia’s questions:
1. Anong sekreto mo in finding the love of your life?
It all goes down to values for me. Being committed to someone for the rest of your life is not all about love. It is essential, yes BUT there are a lot of other things that will make a relationship work and last. And for me, the glue that will make us stick together are our VALUES in LIFE. I will never compromise my values just so a man will love me or make him stay.
And now that I’m married, I’m glad that my criteria for committing myself to a man is his VALUES in life (which should somehow be parallel to mine), because whenever we are faced with challenges and issues that need to be decided on, sa kahaba-haba man ng discussion (o minsan may argument nang nangyayari), it is not too hard to compromise because we both value the same things in life–it is easy to find our center.
2. Anong reflection mo nung nakaraang world youth day?
That the youth can do so much good for the whole world if only their actions are based from the teachings of the Church.
3. Do you ever have regrets in the way you had lived your life? Ano-ano yun?
That at some points of my life, I have been too obedient (just so to please other people) that I get lost and forget what I really want to do. Buti na lang, gumagawa parati ng paraan si Jesus para ibalik ako sa daan na dapat kong tahakin.
4. Anong meron sa lente at adik ka sa pictures? hehehe.
You know, I never really thought I would be this engrossed with photography. Before, I just love documenting things that happen in my life, because I love putting photographs in albums or make scrapbooks. Photographs give so much happiness to me because they remind me of happy times, of people who are dear to me, of places I’ve been to and most especially, of things I’ve learned.
The person who has influenced me so much was my husband and he was also the person who told me that I can be great at this (eventhough I’m not very technical when it comes to gadgets). When we met, he exposed me to the wonderful world of capturing photos manually (as in film SLR). Finally, we were able to buy our first DSLR in 2006, slowly my passion for photography grew. When the husband gave me my very own DSLR at the start of this year, all I can say is the rest was history. There was no turning back. For a year or so, I’ve asked myself a million times if I will really pursue my love for photography but my husband answered it for me by giving me my own toy to play with.
I haven’t really answered your question yet hehehe.
So ano nga ba ang meron sa lente?
I have a passion for photography because when I look inside that viewfinder, I find something beautiful, something that will make someone’s heart tender, something that will make you say “wow!”, something that will make you say that “God is so good!”.
Having the chance to photograph something beautifully and be able to share it with other people is a GIFT. Even if photography is expensive, tedious and gives me backaches (minsan sumasakit na ang likod ko sa kakabuhat ng bag kong puno ng photography ekek), it is always worth it because somehow I’m hoping that my photographs will make someone smile and appreciate how beautiful the world is.
5. Bakit ka maganda? Share mo naman secret mo 😀
hehehe… walang bola you are beautiful and radiantly happy. 😀 stay that way,
nakakainspire ka kasi 😀
(1) Laughter. I laugh a lot and I always find something funny or positive in any given situation and I’m not afraid to be silly and laugh at myself.
(2) Being happy inspite of and despite of. And I surround myself with happy people too.
(3) Sleep!!! I try to get as much sleep as I can. During weekends, I try to take afternoon naps so I have more energy during the workweek.
(4) I try to take good care of myself–I relax and inject some “Me” time every chance I get, I drink supplements (Vitamin E and Biotin), I eat a lot of veggies and fruits, I take bubble baths and if I get tired, I tell myself “slow down” and I take a day-off from work or from household chores. I’m guilty of my love for junk foods and meat but I make sure that I take everything in moderation.
(5) Introspection. At the end of the day, what is important is always what’s inside you, so I make it a habit to “detox” my mind, heart and spirit. Everyday, I spend 10 minutes of silence to just breathe, clear my mind and say a positive affirmation.
(6) Whatever I am doing, I just have fun. As I answer your last question, I will end with an Ibyangism: “If all else fails, just have fun!.”
Thanks Pia! 🙂
