"Just living is not good enough", said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower".

-Hans Christian Andersen-

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It's My Birthday!!!

Friday, December 25, 2009

The morning of my birthday, three days ago, I woke up and logged in to check my emails. I found many greetings and birthday wishes from my friends and family. It made me smile.
I got a message in facebook from one of my much older cousins. She wished me a birthday wish and said that she's wishing to God that I would have kids soon.
I was wincing while thinking, uhm... that is presumptuous of her to think I want kids right away. And even went ahead praying for that.
For one, I haven't had my grandeur wedding reception like my parents want. My mom would be livid. But then, I can tell her, well, blame my cousin, Tina, who's been talking to God about it. She's the culprit.
I chuckled thinking about it.

Well, I am thirty-three now. BUT despite that, I am thankful for all of God's blessings. And it is the first time that I am celebrating my birthday with a husband.
I have accepted and no longer in denial, that I do see more lines on the corners of my eyes. And I am in the market for some anti-aging cream... or some eye cream, possibly. Although, I'm not willing to pay for those hundreds of dollars worth of cream in tiny winy jar.

I also chatted with my sister (who is 7 years older than me) on Yahoo.
I said: I feel old.
And her answer was: Are you mocking me?
Which gave me the perspective that I was not that old. And actually a week before my birthday, ChicagoDimCorner's church just celebrated the birthday of its oldest member. A ninety-freaking-seven year old grandpa. His name is Don Taylor. Don has a really good memory. I'll say even better than mine. He remembers people and their stories. He is still capable of driving, painting his house and fixing his basement.
That's the way to live when you are ninety something, don't you think?

I couldn't really enjoy my birthday this time because it is just a day away from the fateful immigration hearing for ChicagoDimCorner, which turned out to be not that fateful anyway as it was postponed for another three weeks.

But anyway, I think the funniest thing someone said to me on my birthday was when my friend David said: Thirty three? Jesus died when he was thirty-three. And Tammy, his wife, dropped her head and shook it in disbelief that he just said that.

And the most touching was when my not-romantic and non-elaborate husband asked me to pray together with him and in the prayer he thanked God for bringing me into his life.

Touched. Yes, I was. 0 comments








The forecast said it's going to be flurry on Thursday.
Sigh... that's it. Winter is here. 0 comments








We got married on November 5th. It was a Thursday, so I took a day off and was back to work on Friday.
It was a very small ceremony, if you even consider it a ceremony.
We went to the courthouse in Joliet, IL and paid $10. We waited for an hour and then a judge in an empty court room read us stuff, asked us the question. We said I do. Then we repeated after the judge, vowing to stick by each other, through sickness and health, richer and poorer, yada yada...
Then we kissed.
We took pictures.
And off we went to eat.

It could've been a more pleasant day, without all of the drama that was going on between me and my parents.
Without my dad's push on the (again) prenup and his extravagant, impersonal and expensive ideas on the wedding reception while I want a small one.
Without my mom's silence treatment to me and her risen up blood pressure when I suggested (just a suggestion!) that we just have a pastor blesses us here instead of in Jakarta.
Again... just a suggestion!!!
And she was so dissapointed, with tears, she demanded to have a wedding reception back home.
Uhm... this is just a suggestion, by the way, no need to get all freaked out.
Sigh, I really began to think that my wedding was their fantasy wedding. A big Cinderella wedding that they didn't have.

I don't know if I have always been this private, but that last scene in Runaway Bride is the perfect scenario for me. Just the the wedding officiant, the bride and the groom, on top of a green hill.
Perfect.
But of course, that didn't happen. And it will not happen.

I'm happy to be married to ChicagoDimCorner, though. I have never been so sure about anything else in my life, despite my brother's separation from his wife, Prince Charles' infidelity, Tom Cruise's and Nicole Kidman's divorce, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt, Elizabeth Taylor's and Richard Burton (twice!).
I'm sure we will be the anomaly, and will surpass all the hurdles in life.

That afternoon, we took Bandit to the doctor because he had eye infection. That's why if you see in all my civil wedding pictures, Bandit was squinting.
The trip to the doctor was short but that was the first time that day that I have some time alone with my husband, without relatives, without cameras, without people nagging about anything.
I said to him: So... do I refer to you as my husband now? Or still a fiance?
ChicagoDimCorner said firmly: Husband, of course.
Then I asked: And as what are you going to refer me?
He said: my woman.
I said: Hm,... fine... just like a caveman, huh? Grunt.. grunt.. my woman. By the way, I want to change my name. My dad asked if I'm going to change it to my last name hyphen your last name. But, I think I'm going to strip off my last name, and adopt yours completely.
He just smiled and said jokingly, whichever you will comfortable with, woman.

After the doctor visit, we walked to a small pathway in the woods right next to the doctor's office. We walked there in silence with Bandit, we held hands. And it dawned to me, I got married. I got married to a guy who loves me and understands my quirks and, let's face it, accepts my other hundred of mental disorders.

And it doesn't really matter what other people want, at the end of the day, when all the people are gone, it will be only me, ChicagoDimCorner and Bandit.
Nothing else matters.
And now, we are a family.
And in the chilly air in the woods, I felt warmth in my chest. 3 comments








Fifth day.... will passed in 10 minutes. 1 comments








Only the fourth day, and I need a hug.
Fourteen more days to go. 1 comments

Mood of the day

ABOUT BLUE CACTUS

Love to eat, therefore know how to cook to satisfy my eating passion.
Stopped eating meat because of humane reasons.
Don't drink because it is not good for your body, and also because I got buzzed so easily.
Have a dog, Bandit. He's my baby.
Workaholic. Lefty. Introvert, too much social interaction is very tiring for me.
Love: hubby, Bandit, gloomy & rainy days, summer night walks, fall season, Sunday mornings.
Can't stand: roaches, arrogance, people who drive slow in the fastest lane.

the people

Boyfriend
Roommate
Reney
Doraemon
Kane
Lotus Land
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