Goodbye 2010! Hello 2011! :)

As this fantastic year comes to a close, I look back at all the milestones that made it super special and one-of-a-kind. Not only did I marry the love of my life, I also went through so many transitions and saw a couple of friends do the same. A lot of blessings marked this year, and for that, I am truly grateful. I know that 2010 was not always about positive things - there were tragedies too like the hostage crisis - but at least for my personal life, it was nothing short of perfect. Thank you to God and to the universe for gifting me with the glorious year that is 2010. And a big hello to 2011! Here's to a more love-filled, blessing-full and happy year ahead, dotted with many travels and many new experiences :)

the award goes to.....

Today, I was hit with a thought. Maybe everyone feels this way about their husbands, but if there was ever a BEST HUSBAND contest or search, I'll enter mine in a heartbeat. I'd challenge anyone else's hubby to prove themselves more devoted, more understanding, more thoughtful, more selfless, more emotionally mature and more pure-hearted than my husband. I love love love love love this man to bits, and even then, even as I strive to love him in deeper, richer ways than I did yesterday, he always seems to do it better. I don't know how else to express it- just that I definitely lucked out and got the best husband anyone can ever dream of :D

And with that, Merry Christmas to one and all! Hahaha! And most important of all, Merry Christmas to the best Christmas gift I have gotten and will ever hope to get in the years to come. You are the biggest blessing in my life.

change upon change

Had dinner the other night with a friend who's recently married (about 6 weeks married) and who is also newly pregnant (9 weeks pregnant) - Yeah, do the math ;) - Anyway, she was just telling me how overwhelmed she feels, having only tied the knot and gone on her honeymoon. She hasn't even had the time to feel married yet, and now there's a new adjustment to tackle - one that had its own clock and cannot be ignored. While she's ecstatic over the baby and being a mom, a part of her cannot help but feel that things are moving way too fast and wishes she can pause time to be able to have the chance to enjoy each new change, before the next change came along. She and her husband haven't even found the time yet to move into their new place, and they're currently staying at her folks' place, because she doesn't feel very well during the day while he's at work so he didn't want her to be all alone in their new townhouse. So again, no time to feel totally and truly married. And now, there's a bun in the oven.

I totally understood this point of view and immediately felt grateful to have had this time with Dennis to feel truly married. As I told some girlfriends this afternoon, there's a slight chance we may end the year 2010 with another piece of news, and if it does happen, I'm okay with it since we've had these 3 months of marital bliss. I can't imagine not having had any time to go through this transition in to being a wife, and be able to only focus on that transition and relish it.

Speaking of which, can I just say, how annoying I find it when people try to "scare" me into having a child already, by quoting other people's experiences and difficulties in conceiving. Believe me, my sympathies are totally with these people. I can only imagine the disappointment over not getting something you truly truly want, or worse, the heartbreak over finding out you're physically unable to give your partner a child. I do not wish it on my worst enemy, and pray that neither me or anyone close to me would have to go through such an ordeal... But please, don't use these as scare tactics or worse, say things like "you're making a mistake and you don't even know it" because they do not help anyone at all. None of these comments are ever solicited, and for that, I now pledge never ever to comment on someone's childless marriage. It can only be either of two reasons: the couple doesn't feel ready to have a child or they are unable to, despite the desire and intention to have one. Either way, it's not a topic for public consumption and it's definitely something to bring up in casual conversation. If it's volunteered, then that's a different case. I just feel it's insensitive and maybe now that we've been married for 3 months, I've noticed the increase in such comments and questions. And strangely, they all come from people I barely even know. Geez.

Ok, let's end this with a positive note. It's 16 days to go before Christmas- my first Christmas with Dennis as his wife- and I can't wait to spend the holidays! I'm on break starting 21 and am now thinking of ways to fill in this time, as Dennis still has work. I plan to cook and/or bake, finish up our holiday shopping, deliver our gifts and maybe plan for our France trip :) I've already shortlisted some hotels, and need to put together our VISA requirements. Exciting!!! ;p