Day 17: Family Portraits, Part1

17/30: Family. "Family... they're the people in your life you don't get to pick. The ones that are given to you, as opposed to those you get to choose." ~ Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key

That's why family is the best starting point to practice loving others unconditionally. You didn't choose them and whether you like it or not, you are forever bonded to them by affinity, and sometimes, by proximity. But loving others is easier said than done. I am, by no means, the most loving person in my family. Since I embraced Christianity, it's the loving part that I've struggled with the most. Time and again, I am reminded of Jesus' command to love. In Luke 10:27,  he summed up our relationships to two levels of priority:

First: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Second: Love your neighbors as yourself. 

Loving our neighbors practically means loving everybody else. Since we spend most of our time with our family, it is through them that we should learn to be more loving each day. Our family is our first neighbor, the first zone where people have the capacity to nurture as much as the capacity to hurt.  My family has experienced a sort of "extreme adjustment" in the past two years that has left all of us feeling exhausted and unloved at some point. To be honest, I have given and taken my own share of the "hurting" piece of the family drama.  God has humbled me each time and I've learned to forgive and let go. I love my folks and my bros. And even though I'm still a stubborn apprentice in the "loving your family" department, I press on just as God wants me to, especially now that I have started a family of my own. 

Lastly, what we nurture grows and forms us. Jesus is the expert in relationships and if we keep ourselves attached to the expert, then it's likely that we'll pick up from His examples. Loving like Christ means being patient, being kind, not keeping record of wrongs, amongst many. I do have a lot to learn from the Expert!

And I know it's quite a prologue to our family portraits, but here they are: 

My family on my wedding day: (without my father who I wished were there to walk me down the aisle, but that is water under the bridge now.) 

Me and my handsome siblings (L-R, from youngest to eldest, my kuya filled in my father's shoes.)

My super sister-in-law and my beautiful nieces and nephew

The Look Alike (but perpetually denying the fact). 

Day 16: Just an Ordinary Day

16/30: A Tale of a Full Time Housewife. Someone asked hubby what I usually do while he's serving time in the office. Okay, I'll let you in to my ordinary day. I spend majority of my time at home (where else huh?) accomplishing all the not-so-glamorous-but-heroic stuff associated with running a livable home which I'd rather not write about. If you've read about my quest to learn how to cook, then that's one. Aside from the domestic stuff, I connect with friends and family through internet (we owe a lot to its inventor, don't cha think?). I read. I write. I have quiet times. I dream. I sleep.

My ordinary day is full of pretty ordinary activities. But you know what? I'm totally embracing this phase especially the days when the infamous Irish weather is fine (a.k.a. a day of blue sky and sunshine) because that means I'll get to see the world outside the four corners of our tiny home. A fine weather is always an exception to my ordinary day. It's a breather to be out there in a lovely autumn day capturing these little things that refill my zest for life:

Autumn photos on 12 October 2012: 

I won't lie, I have my worries about "waiting," but God has provided for my every need every single day in the past 30 years. That thing alone reminds me over and over again to simply embrace ordinary days with a grateful and expectant heart. I have a great God who is in control, just so you know. :)

P.S. I got to see a wedding photo shoot on a fine autumn day. Lovely! :)

Day 15: Sunset Spotting

15/30: Taking Photos Together. Yay, it's my 15th post to the 30-day blogging challenge, half way there! I was supposed to write for 30 consecutive days but realized my energy and my vocabulary can only pen thoughts sporadically, not consecutively. Even so, I'm carrying on no matter how long it takes because I learned that somewhere, somehow, someone reads my blog. Thank you, thank you so much. Your sweet messages keep this blog brewing. :)

Since relocating to Dublin, I've been busy domesticating myself and just lately, been busy sending job applications. I've also rekindled my love affair with photography and nature. Challenging at times given the notoriously unpredictable weather in Ireland.

One of the things hubby and I enjoy doing together is capturing sunsets, no cost attached, just our willing feet and eyes. Our mini collection of sunsets in Ireland will tell you why we love catching it. Last September, we saw a lovely sunset while strolling along River Liffey. Sharing with you the photos from that one fine day.

Some folks admiring the view the same way we did:

The Ha'ppeny and the Millennium Bridges:

And then there was us:

Filled with awe on the beauty of sunset, I'm reminded of what I wrote 9 months ago:

"Sunsets in Ireland will always remind me that God has taken me to a place I never thought I'd ever go to, that there's a reward in waiting patiently, and most of all, that He is a God of awesome surprises, that He gives you something (or someone) at the time when you are just ready to notice it and be grateful for it." 

How awesome it is to look back and realize the same words I wrote about yesterday speak to me now while I patiently wait and pray for a job (that does not involve the kitchen area). I still have the very same God who surprises me, whose plan is always better than mine. Waiting can be tough, but God is the best companion while waiting. He has proven that in my life, in our lives, one time too many. I trust the same God who paints the sky with colors in His perfect time when we're out there and ready with our hearts and cameras. :) 

Day 14: Look who's cooking?!

14/30:  That part of the wedding vow. Hi! I'm still here in Dublin---alive, kicking and COOKING. So yeah, I'm cooking! I have been learning to since the day I got here. That's part of my quest to domesticate myself for the good of mankind. :) To tickle your senses, allow me to give you some facts:

Fact #1: I'm an unica hija, but my kuyas are the experts in cooking. I'm the expert in eating. 

Fact #2: I hated cooking just as I hated riding the MRT on rush hours (thank God, I'm now an MRT alumni).

Fact #3: Back home, I only cooked once a year, or twice, if my family got lucky enough.

Fact #4: Not that I couldn't cook. I just really wouldn't. Cooking did not excite my artsy senses.

Fact #5: When I was in high school, I got a burn from a hot cooking oil on my right leg (which by the way has an ugly scar I carry up to this day). So I really really despised cooking.

Fact #6:  "I promise I'll learn how to cook for you..." ~ Me in my wedding vow

Why did I ever promise such thing?! Hahaha! It's because I knew I had to force myself, otherwise, I'd never really do it! But I'm learning. These Instagram photos would attest to that:

In case you wonder whether these food taste good or not, I asked hubby to grade my cooking. I married the most honest person in the world. You'll have an idea, pretty much, of what tasted good and what needs improvement. Hahaha! Well, yes, you can laugh too! 

Cooking has been fun. I would give myself a pat on my shoulder for being brave enough to put the cooking oil in the pan and start mixing this and that eventhough cooking confuses me to no end. While it has been fun, I certainly wouldn't trade an office job for a cooking job. So off I go now, time to edit a CV and cook up a good cover letter. 

Your hot chef (says the towel),
Lai :)

Day 13: Helloooooo Autumn!

13/30: Autumn. Hello Septembrrrrrrrrr! Guess what? I'm a month old in Dublin today! Nothing has changed that much since the day I got here except that I've learned to cook, take photos on Instagram and ride a bus on my own, in that order of importance. Small triumphs for a slacker me. :)

September in Ireland  means helloooo autumn, helloooo thicker jackets, thicker stockings, thicker scarves, taller boots! I toured here last September 2011, so I kinda know what to expect this season---chilly breeze, gray clouds, rain showers---all speak of a colder and gloomy weather. On the other hand, autumn means lovely leaves wandering all over Dublin, being blown away where the wind wishes. During one of our walks, we picked up these three shades of autumn leaves, saved for my photography woes. Autumn is indeed here!

Autumn in Ireland also reminds me of that day when someone asked me to marry him and I said yes, of course! We are spending our second autumn together, but unlike the first one, this is bound longer. :) Happy autumn to you all!. *Thank You God for another autumn. Love much, Lai.*

Day 12: 20 Months and Counting...

12/30:  DIY Love Story Timeline. Since it's our 20th monthsary today, I'm featuring our love story timeline, created by two stressed couples who were rushing their DIY guestbook (ahem, kami yun!). That's the thing you learn from working as auditors, you learn to deal with stressful moments because at the end of the day, something needs to get done. So with the help of a blackboard and chalks, here's what we came up with two days before the big day:

Ooops, there was a glitch for lack of quality control! Hahaha! :) Can you find it? We discovered the error when we were collecting the responses from the guests. How could we forget about 2010!? That was the year when I prayed so hard for God's best, we had our very first date, he courted me and I said yes! Thank goodness we had this to make up for the missing part. 2010 you deserved this next photo. :)

Now that's just one of the things we would happily remember about our wedding. We have moved on now to our "just married phase" and by God's awesome grace, we are celebrating our 20th month together as a couple and 2nd month together as husband and wife. Our celebration consisted of sharing one order of paella for lunch at a park nearby, nothing fancy. If someone asked me today how it feels like being together for 20 months, I can only answer this: adjusting but happy. ♥  

Happy 20th month dearest Rolando, I've said this perhaps a bajillion times, I love you and I thank God for you! Counting more months and more photos together with you... :)

Day 11: The Magic of Make Up

11/30: Make Up. I never believed so much in the power of make up till my time to walk down the aisle came. During the wedding preps, I knocked the heaven's door so hard with this prayer: "Lord, please make me beautiful on my wedding day, pleeeeaaaase, just that day, I'll never ask for any other day again!!!" Three days before the big day, my prayer was answered.

I came across with Imelyn Sanchez's name from Riz's blog (the blogger I've been stalking because I've been blessed with her life). :) I thanked God for taking care of this make up thing and for clearing her sched so I could have a trial with her. Just minutes after the trial, I knew I just had to book her! And what a joy having her around on our big day and watching her transformed my stressed face to a wedding-day face! :) Now I know, there's a magic in make up. Look, I gladly present the evidence to you:

Wedding Day look  (photo credit to Imelyn Sanchez's fb page, more photos here.)

Trial Session

Magic diba? I strongly recommend her to all you soon-to-be brides out there! She's very kind and sweet to work with, not to mention very talented! She understood my eye problem (my right eye is smaller than my left) and my face structure very well... and in the stroke of her brushes, she did create something magical out of me. We were blessed to have found a Christian make-up artist in the super saturated list of make up suppliers. :)

Dearest Imelyn,
Thanks so much for making me pretty on my wedding day. My groom kept telling me how beautiful I was on our special day! :) It was truly a blessing knowing you. You have a gift in creating something beautiful using make up. God bless your work abundantly!
Your Bride,
Laidel

Day 11: The Magic of Make Up

11/30: Make Up. I never believed so much in the power of make up till my time to walk down the aisle came. During the wedding preps, I knocked the heaven's door so hard with this prayer: "Lord, please make me beautiful on my wedding day, pleeeeaaaase, just that day, I'll never ask for any other day again!!!" Three days before the big day, my prayer was answered.

I came across with Imelyn Sanchez's name from Riz's blog (the blogger I've been stalking because I've been blessed with her life). :) I thanked God for taking care of this make up thing and for clearing her sched so I could have a trial with her. Just minutes after the trial, I knew I just had to book her! And what a joy having her around on our big day and watching her transformed my stressed face to a wedding-day face! :) Now I know, there's a magic in make up. Look, I gladly present the evidence to you:

Wedding Day look  (photo credit to Imelyn Sanchez's fb page, more photos here.)

Trial Session

Magic diba? I strongly recommend her to all you soon-to-be brides out there! She's very kind and sweet to work with, not to mention very talented! She understood my eye problem (my right eye is smaller than my left) and my face structure very well... and in the stroke of her brushes, she did create something magical out of me. We were blessed to have found a Christian make-up artist in the super saturated list of make up suppliers. :)

Dearest Imelyn,
Thanks so much for making me pretty on my wedding day. My groom kept telling me how beautiful I was on our special day! :) It was truly a blessing knowing you. You have a gift in creating something beautiful using make up. God bless your work abundantly!
Your Bride,
Laidel

Day 10: Instagram Lovin'

10/30: Instagram. So the Instagram bug has finally hit me! A bit too late i knoooow, but hey, I just earned the right to hubby's rustic iPhone3 when I arrived in Dublin. Talking about conjugal properties, I immediately claimed co-ownership of all things that could snap photos! :)

I dare say Instagram has its own magic although truth be told, nothing beats the sharp/focused photos produced by DSLRs. Dublin is both photogenic and Instagram-genic! And for someone who is a shutterbug and who loves capturing the simple, mundane things in everyday life, Instagram is one awesome tool! Just snap, choose a filter, then hit the publish button and you're photos are good to go! Only a week using it and look what I've got:

Each photo I take here reminds me of God's goodness. My heart soars with gladness now that hubby and I are reunited in a place where our past time is a walk in the park or a stroll to the river nearby, or just a photowalk within the streets of Dublin.

OAN (on another note), homesickness strikes me every now and then, although not too strong to make me pack my bags and go home. I don't know with other Pinoys abroad, but it would be a big fat lie to say that I'm not missing my country Philippines just because I am somewhere in Europe now, an upgrade from the third world country where I spent 30 years of my so-called life. I love being here, but I reckon it's true what an expat I used to work with said. "When you leave your country, you don't totally leave it, because you're carrying a big chunk of it wherever you go!" To ease this feeling, I think it's about time for me to find a work. Just to share the conversation that hubby and I had last Sunday:

L: Babe, is this normal?

R: What?

L: This feeling of homesickness. (Sigh). I miss Philippines, I miss CCF (church), I miss my family, I miss my friends, I even miss my job there!

R: Do you want to go back?

L: No.
R: Why?
L: Because you're here. Diba dapat para akong si Ruth (from the bible and then sing) "Wherever you go, I will go... Wherever you live, there shall I be... Your people will be my people too, and your God, my God."
R: (Smile). Thanks Lai for being here. You'll get through that. It's just a phase. When you found a job here, you won't have time to feel homesick anymore. 

L: Shucks!!!! Pwedeng wag muna ko mag-work?
R: Of course. No hurry.

I had my own share of sacrifices going here. For one, I already loved my job in PH and given some time and steady commitment, I knew I'd be given the opportunity to travel, work and move up. I even had to turn down a job invitation from this dream company in Ortigas because I knew I'd move to Ireland soon after the wedding. Hubby is not hurrying me or anything, after all I've been here just 12 days.

Sooner, I have to be a responsible adult and find a spot in the marketplace here because I strongly believe, God wants me to work and interact with the people of Ireland. I know it would be a start from scratch again but it was one of the sacrifices I gladly signed up for in this marriage. In the meantime, please bear with my photos (Instagram and DSLR-taken) and ramblings till the calling of a JOB consume me! :)

Day 9: My New Home

9/30: New Home. Dublin, Ireland is my new home, a place where hubby lives and works. Being here was another answered prayer just recently added in our ever growing list of blessings. Long distance no more, skype dates no more, time difference no more. Finally, our first year of marriage can actually start rolling.

Living apart after our wedding was definitely not an option. We knew it was God's will for husbands and wives to be together physically. So no matter how hard, long and expensive getting here was, we knew we were under God's grace. God provided everything, we only needed to pray for the right timing.

On another note, I've been sick since the day I got here. I've suffered from headache, muscle pain, colds and fever. When hubby realized it was more than just a travel fatigue (poor hubby, he's seen the worst of me), he brought me to a medical clinic and we found out I had a respiratory tract infection. Nothing too serious the doctor said and I should be better in 3 to 4 days time. Thank God I'm actually feeling a little better now enabling me to write. I know the 30-day blogging challenge has taken a halt, but after receiving my visa, two weeks were spent on doctors' appointments (dentists, ob, optical), buying stuff, meeting people, not to mention 5 idle days of house arrest because of the habagat. But I shall continue on. I promise I'll keep writing on. :)

For now, here are some photos taken the day I arrived here (August 11, 2012) when the infection hasn't taken its toll on me yet. Our first home is a tiny house built in a quiet neighborhood within Dublin. We know this is enough for us now. We have a place where we can fellowship together, where we can dream together, where we can cook or possibly burn food together, where we can start piling our books, our photographs, our travel souvenirs, and other mishmash of stuff. Feels awesomely good to start life with that one person you love to spend your day with in a home full of love (and flowers!). Home, yes I'm home! :)