Ibyang
Ibyang

Milestones

Thank You 2008!

Since I got inspired by the year-end thank you’s I wrote last year (click! click! this please), I now look back once again on how this year has been good to me. I may have had dark moments but over-all the good surpasses (as it always does) whatever bad I have experienced this year.

My 2008 has been very eventful. If I were to describe it in one word, the first thing that comes to mind is MANIC–simply because the significant things that happened to me this year has either been ecstactically joyful or painfully sad (walang tulak-kabigin, lahat heavy-gat!). I looked back on my 2008 this morning, I shed a few tears because every event, both good and bad, beautifully happened for a reason, each one teaching a valuable lesson.

As I start my 2009 today, let just say my thank yous to 2008:

Thank you for (finally) bringing my husband home to me.

Thank you for the gift of a good marriage that is values-centered and has enormous faith in God.

Thank you for all the big and small milestones we achieved and for things falling into place. I’m grateful for every plan, every goal that has materialized.

Thank you for challenges I have faced. Each one difficult and at times painful, but has given me a tremendous lesson: that the world does not always revolve around me and that even if I was going thru hardships, I’m still (and will always be) capable of helping others.

Thank you for the blessing of special people in my life. My husband, parents, inlaws, relatives, friends. Each one of them has touched my life in so many ways.

Thank you for the gift of friendship. This year, there were several hellos and goodbyes with people. To the ones who said “Hello”, know that I’m blessed to have met you. To the ones who said “Goodbye”, thank you for being a part of my life–I will leave my door open incase you want to say “Hello” again.

Thank you for the gift of change and transitions. Sometimes nerve-wracking but always bringing out the best in me. It is thru these that I am able to discover strengths I never knew I was capable of.

Thank you for the gift of travel. With each place explored, I know more and I share more.

Thank you for the gift of photography and writing. Two things I love doing because I am able to show God’s wonderful creations and share information that may be able to help other people.

Thank you for a stable and not-so-hectic career. There are days when work was so demanding but it was always worth it because work also gave me back days-off that I could enjoy and a flexible time so I’m able accomplish my personal goals. I will always be grateful that the career I have now gives me more time to be a Wifey than a careerwoman.

Thank you for the gift of good advices. In times when confused and looking for answers, it was thru words of wisdom shared by people around me that has made a difference.

Thank you for the value of fear. Some people may not see it as a good value, but this year, I have learned that it is if you put it into good use. Fear was one of those values that gave me courage to make a big change in my life.

Thank you for the gift of safety and good health.

Thank you for all the memories, big and small. They made me who I am today and has made me cherish every moment that I’m alive.

As I say goodbye to 2008, I feel that with all the things I’ve gone thru, I say hello to 2009 a bigger and better person (the same feeling I have whenever a year has gone by).

Happy New Year everyone! May your 2009 be kinder, happier and always full of love.

Highlights of my 2008:

January. My very own DSLR. Our 1st Wedding Anniversary. My 31st birthday. “Say it with Photographs” website is born.

February. Little Lenten Sacrifice. Chris’ Spouse Visa Approval. Officially changed my name in Australia.

March. Problems with the Immigration regarding Chris’ date of departure from Dubai. Getting ready for my reunion with the Husband: travel preps and office preps. My SWEET REUNION WITH THE HUSBAND. Arrived in DUBAI!!!

April. Explored Dubai. A taste of Abu Dhabi. Quick stay in Singapore. Back home in Sydney with the Husband (finally!!!). Chris’ welcome party. Showed the Husband around the City of Sydney.

May. “Ibyang Doodles” website is born. A day at Blue Mountains. Chris’ grandma passed away. La Perouse and Brighton Beach exploration with Hilda, Andrea and Toti. Celebrated 10 years of being an HR Professional.

June. On Board Kix Tavora’s Team. Phantom of the Opera (The Musical).

July. World Youth Day 2008 (Australia). Billy Elliot (Musical).

August. Port Stephens Roadtrip. Snowy Mountains Adventure. Quick Stopover at Canberra. Blue Mountains Roadtrip. Fr. Fernando Suarez’ Healing Mass.

September. Chris’ Pre-birthday Party. False Alarm. Chris’ Birthday. Chris’ Post-Birthday Party. Dinner at Bahay Kubo with Friends. Trip to Berrima. Tulips Festival in Bowral.

October. Floriade Festival in Canberra. Approval of Australian Citizenship. Realizations. Bus Accident. Moving Day! Night Noodle Festival. Wine Tasting at the Hunter Valley. Halloween Night with the Kolokoys.

November. Meet-up and Lunch with Plurk Buddies Jo and Pen. Lunch Party for Our Relatives. Housewarming Party for the Kolokoys.

December. Christmas Chair Tree Lighting. Dear Pink. Chris Being Permanent at Work. Dinner at BBQ City. Dinner at Sagano. Wii Party. Christmas Eve Party. Our First Christmas Together. Sydney New Year’s Eve Party!

Favorite articles I’ve written for this year:

Blog Highlights:

Click on the colored phrases to refer back to the articles.

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23rd

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

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Six Years Ago

One fateful December morning, we started the day holding hands.
Since then, there was never a moment he’s let go of my hand.
Happy 6th Syota-nniversary!!! 🙂

Just like a star across my sky 
Just like an angel off the page  
You have appeared to my life  
Feel like I'll never be the same  
Just like a song in my heart 
Just like oil on my hands 
Oh.. I do love you.  
 
Still I wonder why it is 
I don't argue like this 
With anyone but you 
We do it all the time  
Blowing out my mind  
 
You've got this look i can't describe  
You make me feel like I'm alive 
When everything else is a fade 
Without a doubt you're on my side  
Heaven has been away too long  
Can't find the words to write this song  
Oh..your love,   
 
Still i wonder why it is  
I don't argue like this  
With anyone but you 
We do it all the time  
Blowing out my mind  
I have come to understand  
The way it is 
 
It's not a secret anymore  
'cause we've been through that before  
From tonight I know that you're the only one  
I've been confused and in the dark 
Now I understand   
 
I wonder why it is  
I don't argue like this  
With anyone but you 
I wonder why it is 
I won't let my guard down  
For anyone but you  
We do it all the time 
Blowing out my mind  
Just like a star across my sky  
Just like an angel off the page  
You have appeared to my life 
Feel like I'll never be the same  
Just like a song in my heart 
Just like oil on my hands.

Corinne Baily Rae – Just Like A Star.mp3 –

*photo was taken a month after we became an “Us” in 2002 (camera used: nikon film SLR).

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post-22

Busy and pre-occuppied last week, we decided to eat in last Thursday and celebrate our 22nd wedding monthsary at home. I baked Barramundi fish and cooked Broccoli with Oyster Sauce especially for our little milestone.

Today, we continued our quiet celebration by paying a visit to St. Mary’s Cathedral after work and had a cheap dinner of KFC and Spinach Canneloni at Myer.

My husband and I can talk about anything under the sun–may it be stupid, trivial or intellectual. As we walked out of St. Mary’s Cathedral, we saw three newlywed couples (in their Bride and Groom attire) having their post-nuptial pictorial outside the church. The husband and I smiled at one of the couple. And I can’t help but giggle too. It reminded us of how it was for us when we got married. Whenever I see a couple in their pre-nuptial or post-nuptial shoots I can’t help but gush for them, I love love love seeing people inlove, i love seeing people getting married. 🙂

Anyway, going back to my husband and I being able to talk of anything under the sun. After seeing those three newlywed couples, I asked the Husband that if we’d ever have the chance to do it (prepare for a wedding and get married) again, would we ever do it??? We paused for a moment and we both answered, “No”. And then we laughed.

It’s not that we regret being married to each other (I think it’s too early for that har har), but to prepare for a wedding again??? We would gladly say “No” even if you pay for us to plan another wedding.

The thing was when we planned our wedding…when we had the wedding, we gave it our all. We cherished every minute of every hardwork we put into that once -in-a-lifetime celebration. In our eyes, it was as perfect as it could be and we can never ask for anything more.

And the reality is, right after the honeymoon, you can never really think much of your wedding simply because you are happy being a husband or a wifey to your partner. And I guess that’s what we are now, happy being who we are to each other. Weddings may have been fun and memorable but married life is so much better.

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21st: New Chapter, New Beginnings

HOORAY for NEW BEGINNINGS!

chris & ivy jumpshot

We love new beginnings! That is basically the reason why the theme of our wedding was Romantic Spring…to emphasize that beginnings are happy, positive and beautiful.

On our 21st month as husband and wife, we start another chapter of our lives in our first home. So instead of having our usual dine out at a restaurant, I decided to prepare a simple dinner at home last night.

21st month in our new home

Our first photograph inside our home

barbequed chops

I cooked Barbequed Chops for Dinner

dim sum
While the Husband brought Siomai as Pasalubong

We just had a quiet and relaxing dinner. Since I wasn’t feeling well, Husband took care of cleaning up and washing of dishes.

Now that we are by our lonesome, we are discovering more of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Before we moved, I actually thought that we’d see the worst of each other since it’s going to be just the two of us now, however, I believe that the move has brought out the best in each of us instead. So it’s all good and happy.

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