12.12.12

I've tried hard not to write any intervening post to my 30-Day blogging challenge (which means not wedding and just married life-related) but today, they say all over the world wide web, is an auspicious day. Now I've never been a believer and practitioner of any superstitions. I simply believe that any day could be as lucky and as blessed as all the other days, depending on your perspective.

What I'd like to marvel on today is that I'm alive, on a date which only happens once in a century. Aren't you just glad about it? What I'd really like to say is: 12.12.12 thanks for stopping by in my lifetime. I truly believe God had me in His mind when He created you. :-)

Day 26: December Dear

26/30: First Christmas away from Home. This first of December just sends all the nostalgic nerves in my system at an all time high! *Sigh. I'm longing for home so much, you have no idea. Back in the Philippines, (where I hail from, proudly) I had always looked forward to December and all the wonderful things that went along with it---cooler breeze that always made me curl up in my bed one hour longer, Christmas songs playing everywhere (MRT, jeep, taxi, fx, neighborhood, malls, office, oh you name it!), holiday foodie (bibingka and puto bumbong!), lights in Ayala Triangle, kris kringle, shopping/discounts, gathering of relatives, meet up with friends, PARTIES, carols of the neighborhood kids, I could go on and on!

Both hubby and I are celebrating our first Christmas here in Ireland and we really don't know what to expect. We heard that it's not as festive as our homeland's, not as noisy, not as grand, and obviously, not as warm. But we are here and we're not flying 6,000 miles back (though we would love to if we could!) So eventhough I'm nostalgic as it is, I'm also aware that this is my new home now. It's also our first Christmas together as a married couple and there are plenty of things to look forward to (if only I could stop wishing I'm in PH this time of the year!). :(

To cheer us up somehow, we busied ourselves doing this little creative project today: our Advent Calendar (thanks to Pinterest for supplying the idea). We haven't completed attaching notes/activities until Christmas Day but the calendar is up on our wall now, letting us know it really isn't bad out here. We've gone a long way this year from our LDR: us reuniting in December 2011, separating in January 2012, reuniting in June 2012 for our wedding, separating in July 2012, then reuniting at last and for good in August 2012. Despite the fact that we're away from our loved ones' hugs and kisses, we do have a lot to thank God for!

December dear, welcome! Let's fill that calendar and wrap this year up with awesome memories, shall we? :)

Day 25: The Vows and The Rain

25/30: Wedding Ceremony Pt2. Our 23rd months together today as a couple and 5th month being married :) Let me just indulge myself to some memories on that one rainy afternoon of June 30, 2012.

*** 

It was raining cats and dogs the whole morning. While I was being prepped up for the biggest day of my life, I knew there was nothing else I could do but to surrender everything, our hearts most importantly and the weather secondly, to the One who authored this day. We were having an outdoor ceremony, thus we badly needed a calm sky. "Please God, stop the rain" was my ceaseless prayer.

At 2 PM, the downpour ceased and the heavy gray clouds disappeared. A sigh of thanks and relief. Fast forward to the ceremony at 4:30 PM, the entourage marched down the aisle in a humid afternoon. I walked down to meet my groom and eventually, our officiating pastor took over. It was a pretty calm sight during the ceremony despite the uncomfortable humid air hovering over us.

Half-way through the message, the sky suddenly darkened. At that moment, Lando and I held hands tight. I knew we were individually knocking on heaven's door for the weather to calm down again. But it didn't. Then came our vows which were delivered with the presence of harsh winds and droplets of rain.

But as you can see, we only had our eyes and ears on each other. :)

Just seconds after I finished my vows, it rained! At that moment, I just completely let go. I whispered to my groom, "Let's  just enjoy this day. This will only happen once and look, ang daming tao, di natin ito inexpect!"

So therefore, the ceremony had taken a halt. Everyone scattered frantically looking for a shelter. After a while, the rain stopped and the ceremony was resumed but this time, the audience were all over the place. We didn't mind. Look, we were running giddily, entangled in our veil and cord!

The rest of the ceremony was done in a rush but at least the major part was over: the message and the vows.

As you can see, we stood under the umbrella all the way through the completion of the ceremony. :)

***Later, we heard comments that it was "swerte" daw when it rained on your wedding. Someone even added that we were going to be rich! Someone on the other hand asked what I felt when the rain poured down. I simply answered, "Sabi ko lang kay Lando, i-eenjoy lang namin yung araw na yun, sobra yung hirap namin sa preps, we just wanted our wedding to be over yet still enjoy every minute of it. Besides, it was beyond our control na. In the end, we surrendered that it was God's will to rain that day. I think that was His way of making our wedding memorable, of humbling us or perhaps testing our faith, if we would grumble over it. And actually, what I'd like to think was... He was also blessing us, in a unique way! He had turned us into rainmakers, that's got to mean something!" :)

Day 24: A Walk to Remember

24/30: Wedding Ceremony Pt1. So it came to this very moment. I was finally being ushered to walk down the aisle after one final touch of make-up.  From where I was sitting, about 30 feet away from the garden ceremony set up, I could sense the crowd's anticipation and weariness (the program was running late by 30 minutes) and it was a humid 4:30 PM, I could never blame anyone. My heart was simply overwhelmed with gratitude: all seats were taken and half of the attendees were even standing. They had taken time to travel all the way to Tagaytay for this one chaotic day of an event. For me. For Lando. For us.

"Ms Lai, Godbless!" I heard my make-up artist uttered while walking away. It was about time. From the open space, a soft intro to our chosen bridal entrance song started to fill the air:

"Ikaw ang pangako taglay ng isang bituin...

Tanging pangarap sa Diyos ay hiling

Makapiling sa bawat sandali..."

I stood up from the golf cart, my knees wobbly from being the center of attention. I had never been one in my lifetime. As I took my first step, all the wedding preps stress were finally being lifted off my shoulders. All the struggles we had gone through started to melt away.

As I took another step forward, it was just him that I was thinking about, the people faded to a soft blur.

"Ikaw ang pag-ibig sa araw at gabi...

Ikaw ang pag-asang tanglaw sa dilim

Napapawing hirap at pighati"

It was then that I saw you near. You were half-smiling, and you whispered from where you were standing, looking straight to my eyes, "This is it." 

"Langit ang buhay sa tuwing ika'y hahagkan

Anong ligaya sa tuwing ika'y mamasdan

Sa piling mo ang gabi tila araw

Ikaw ang pangarap, ikaw lamang..."

And the song went on... and is still playing in my ears up to this very day. :)

Day 23: Thanksgiving List

23/30: Thanksgiving. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, which surprisingly fell on hubby's birthday, I'd like to pen down 10 things I'm grateful for in the past 11 months because really, there's just an abundance of things we can and should be thankful for. To stress a point, let me share this one status I read in FB: Nothing to be thankful for? Check your pulse. To the wonderful, to the magnificent, to the awesome Author of my Life, I give you my praise and thanks.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

His love endures forever."

~ Psalm 136:1

Same with my previous year's list, this would be short. :) Thank you dearest God:

1. for our wedding.
2. for my husband.
3. for the gift of forgiveness and the grace to reconnect with my family esp my parents.
4. for friends, old and new.
5. for new church community and the opportunity to serve.
6. for the gift of contentment and living within our means.
7. for the 30-day blogging challenge, which makes me appreciate more God's goodness on our wedding, on our early months of being married, and beyond.
8. for photography.
9. for dreams.
10. for salvation, grace and hope. 

And here's our simple celebration yesterday: a sweet fix at Anne's Bakery (mind you, for only 3.85 euro each for a mocha/coffee and a piece of cake, a real treat!) and the Pinoy style Spaghetti that we labored to cook for hours. I am truly grateful God, I really am. :)

How about you? What's on your list? Have you thanked God for them? :)

Day 22: Happy Birthday Hubby

22/30: Birthday. The love of my life turned 31 today at exactly 6:00 AM (yep we checked his birth certificate for the time, the nerd that we are!) And as such, I want to take this once-in-a-year life event to honor him (publicly, through this post). :) Links to his past birthdays: 2010 (courtship stage) and 2011 (engaged).

Last night after our dinner, I asked him what his birthday wishes were. He said he only had two: (1) He wants to be closer to God and (2) He wants me to be happy. "But I am happy!" I exclaimed. "Yes, but I want you to be always happy!" his reply. And at that moment, my heart just melted, once again, for the man that God willed to be with me in this life journey.

You see, I happened to marry someone who prioritizes my needs more than his (that annoys me at times to be honest because I want him to think of himself too). But Rolando has been like that with me ever since he courted me. For example, that recent issue of the socks. I came to Dublin with only a pair of socks while his were already thinning and inhabiting holes. I  begged for him to buy new ones because I knew how awfully they must hurt against his leather shoes, but instead he insisted on buying new pairs for me (Me who didn't have to go to work 5 times a day, and who didn't have to come home for lunch and walk 40 minutes to and fro!) I grabbed two pairs for him alibi-ing he probably needed a thicker pair for the cold weather, and with that he conceded.

That, and so many countless sacrifices he has made for me never fail to touch a big part of my heart in ways that humble and bless me and oh yes, spoil me! I also happened to be married to someone who is not the typical "Pinoy" guy whose idea of having a good time consists of staying late at night with friends and beers. He would rather be branded as kill joy than compromise his values. He loves his family so much and he cares and thinks for his beloved parents more than one can count. He reads his bible. He strives for excellence at work. He sings to me when I'm feeling down. He massages my foot and washes the dishes though he is tired from work. He rebukes me lovingly.  He cheers for my dreams.

I could go on and on... But at this time of writing, he's waiting for me in his office (he's taking a half-day VL so we can celebrate and cook his requested dish, the Pinoy Style Spaghetti, wish us luck!).

Dearest hubby, I love you so much and I can't thank God enough in this lifetime that He blessed me with such a wonderful and loving husband, a faithful prayer partner, an awesome photographer, a funny travel buddy, and an honest-to-goodness bestfriend. I celebrate life with you and I love you with all the love my heart can ever contain! 

Us on our recent trip to Galway :)

Day 21: Hellooo Novembrrr, Hellooo Winterrr

21/30: First Winter Together. Suddenly, I cannot step outside without mummifying myself in layers and layers of cotton, wool, and windbreaker. Not to mention the leather gloves, the silk scarf and the thermal socks to complete the ensemble. Friends, winter season has finally arrived in this part of the world kicking out autumn's glory in such a freezing and numbing fashion that makes me wish for it to be over, ASAP. Pronto!

Quite frankly, I'm not thrilled about my first winter in Ireland and I'm not jumpy about experiencing snow either. Why? For the plain reason that this season is too unmercifully cold! I used to like it in the movies though dahil sa mga umuusok usok na bibig at uber cute na ear muffs, haha! To help me get through this below-5-deg November and to counter my winter misery, I'm listing down stuff to look forward to this month:

1)   Birthday of hubby.
2)   Cooking spaghetti on that day (his special request: Pinoy style spag).
3)   A trip to the countryside (*fingers crossed, hopefully this semi-free trip will push through.)
4)   Wrapping up the 30-day blogging challenge. 9 posts away. I don't have an excuse. I have the time.
5)   Joining the kids' ministry in church.
6)   Completing my quiet time/bible study on the Gospel of Matthew. I'm now in Chapter 6.
7)   Uploading wedding photos. I wonder if I'll ever receive edited copies. I can't possibly edit thousands of wedding photos, I'm not a professional!!! Ito ay isang panawagan. :(
8)   Editing photos from our day trip in Bray and Powerscourt and all the other photos in between!
9)   Learning to bake at least one decent and edible piece of cupcake.
10) Renewing our visas on the last week of Nov (so I can finally take job hunting more seriously and I can skip explaining to recruiters the complicated stamps and notes on my passport).

There you go. Now sharing with you my Instagram photos from the first five days of walking around Dublin in the wintery chill of November.

Surprisingly, I've captured colorful and vintage stuff along the way. I think I'm just not ready yet for less colorful photos depicting winter gloom. When the sun is up, it still looks autumn. There are still lots of strong and mighty leaves fighting for their lives in the whole Republic of Ireland. But it's only a matter of time. *_* 

(All photos via iPhone 3s, processed through Vintique app. Get it, you'll have an awesome time!)

Day 20: No Return, No Exhange

20/30: The Rings. It's the 30th again, a date that is so precious to us. Let our love story in typography amuse you and tell you why. To date, we've been a couple for 22 months and married for 4 months. Time flies eh? But there's no grand celebration nor a romantic dinner at a posh restaurant nor a getaway trip today. Just us in the confines of our tiny but cozy home singing to Kenny Loggins' song:

"And eventhough we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey,

And everything will bring a chain of love.

And in the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes,

And tell me everything is gonna be alright."

Just four months in this marriage and we've already been overwhelmed both by the blessings God has showered us and by the things that God is teaching us. Happiness doesn't really have to cost too much and that everyday is an answered prayer. Most importantly, our marriage means persevering together, bearing all things together, and as cliche as it sounds, sticking with each other for better or for worse. Our wedding rings will forever remind us of that commitment to stand by each other forever. Simply no returning. No exchanging. *Hubby dear, eventhough we ain't got so much, I love you this much! Hugs! (photos by me). 

Day 19: In Awe of Autumn, In Awe of You

19/30:  Autumn Again. Yet again, my feet brought me to St. Stephen's Green Park where the autumn season had rendered me speechless for the first time. As I sat there in the park taking in the delightful fusion of yellow, red and orange below and above the ground, I couldn't help but be awestruck of God's invention of autumn. I know Science has an explanation as to why leaves are changing colors and falling inevitably from their mother tree and all that stuff. But don't you wonder what God was thinking when He created autumn?

I read somewhere that the ultimate sacrifice of leaf-bearing trees in the autumn is the ultimate visual pleasure for us. So I'd like to think that when God created autumn, He was thinking of me! :) Experiencing autumn used to be just a dream. I know that God has purposefully allowed my first full autumn in Ireland to be a time of taking pleasure in nature, a time to harness some skills, a time of waiting, a time to be content and a time to practice faith more than anything else. Sometimes, it's easy to lose sight of how far God has taken me. But right there, in that moment, filled with awe and gratitude, I was reminded.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." (Ecc. 3:1)

 Dear God, thank you so much for this fab autumn, and please help me endure the coooold winter. I know I will be under Your tender loving care (TLC) through all the seasons in my life :)

Day 18: Family Portraits, Part2

18/30: Family. Still on family portraits but don't cha worry, I have less to say than the first part. :) I am really blessed to have joined this family, the Ebunas. From the first time I visited them in Ilocos, to the Pamamanhikan, to our Prenup Shoot in Ilocos where Nanay and Tatay arranged for all our needs, to the preps, to the wedding and beyond, I've been really blessed beyond measure having these people around in my life and to be carrying the surname they have. Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve this extension of family. Sobrang bait nila, sobrang simple. The most awesome thing is that I have their son to be with me for the rest of my life!

So now the portraits of my Ebuna family:

Hubby and his awesome family

Nanay and Tatay would only smile on "Wacky"

I've known the simplest, kindest and most hard working parents in the world, that's Nanay and Tatay.

My beautiful sisters-in-law with hubby. Whereas I'm the only girl, he is the only guy. 

Thanks again Ate Jane and Ate Leah for all the help!

The Ebunas (extended and complete edition).

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. :)