Excited..

Snowflakes.. Golden balls.. Ribbons.. Acorns.. Garlands.. Poinsettias.. Angel.. Wreaths.. Lights.. Pine Tree.. Yes! It's time to setup our Christmas tree!

Went to Paya Lebar with Tin and Cel to buy tree and ornaments. I wasn't able to think about the theme I want for our tree prior to going to the store though I had some ornaments bought by Nanay from Pinas. It took some time for me to decide the theme. I settled for an orange and gold theme this year but will be adorning the living area with snowflakes decorations. I have some pine garlands which will be decorated with orange poinsettias (I am not sure if I'd include the pink ones) and some more gold ornaments.

I still need to drop by Daiso and Ikea for some more ornaments but it shouldn't stop us from setting up the tree tomorrow, right? :p

(Update) Thinking about it, it will be our first ever Christmas tree! haha.. :p

(Update 2) The big boy was so excited to set up the tree that right after dinner, he started opening the tree box. :p A bit exhausting but we enjoyed it! :p

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Changing conditions

Very powerful words indeed... Makes me re-assess some things that changed. Read on..

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Accept, adjust, act and evaluate. It's a great strategy for successfully handling changing conditions.

When something that previously worked no longer works, accept the fact that things have changed. Embrace the new reality of what is, so you'll have the power to work with it.

Adjust your approach based on what you see. No matter what has happened to change things, there is always value to be found and always a way to utilize that value.

Go ahead and take action. Your new approach may or may not work, and the way to know for sure is to move forward with it.

Evaluate the results you get. Learn from what went wrong and from what went right.

The world is constantly changing, and new possibilities are being born every moment. Accept what has changed, adjust to it, take action, learn, and keep going until you get the results you seek.

-- Ralph Marston

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One More Week..

til it's work mode again. Though next week, my boss will be giving me some tasks that I need to work on from home. I have to get my groove back as the coming weeks are going to be very hectic. I just hope that even though it'll be busy months ahead, I still have a chance to go home early on some days specially that Christmas season is near (and our anniversary as well).

Thinking about it, we won't be home for Christmas.. again. :( This will be the third Christmas away from home. We always head back home during CNY. Hopefully this time, we can have a longer vacation probably 2 -3 weeks.

As for our anniversary, we're cooking a simple yet special celebration. It will be just a few days of R&R as we won't be able to travel even to nearby countries like Malaysia and Indonesia (though I am hoping we can still accomodate it early next year :p).

Oh well, I must make most out of the few more days of rest. Have to make a last minute list of to dos. :p

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Moving On..

Now, I'm ready to speak my mind... but still just a bit..

It has been a month since the most painful event in our life happened. 'twas Sept 23 when we lost our baby, Angela Marie. She's 21 weeks old in my tummy then.

I have been in a lot of pain for the past weeks. I initially had questions to God on why it has to happen. For weeks, I cried myself to sleep -- remembering seeing her via ultrasound during our checkups, the countless times that Mon and I talk to her, the nights we checked and heard her calming heartbeat, the bond that I had with her. It was and still is lingering in my mind.

It was equally difficult for Mon as well. He initially had a hard time expressing the pain he felt. But he endured everything for me. He has been very caring of me, comforting me and staying by my side at all times.

At first I cannot really understand God's purpose. But as days pass, I slowly began to see that this painful experience gave us more strength and bond as a couple. We're really thankful to Him because we never felt so loved by our respective families and friends. Along with God, they have been with us to provide guidance and support. There might be some more reasons I still haven't realized but I'm sure in time, God will let me see it. Now, I am surrendering it all up to Him.

I still constantly ask Him to give us more strength and understanding. Though I still cry at times, I know Angel is in a better place now, watching over us. She has given us a lot of happiness and joy for the five months that she's with us. Her memory will forever be etched in our hearts. And that is a very very good reason for me to wear again my smile.

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