next phase of my life, 2014

it is 2015 here down under but 23 minutes left in the Philippines so i still get this few minutes to post a lookback on the year that is 2014.

january marked the beginning of the next chapter of my life as i received my visa, filed resignation and begin to plan my move. i felt dazed from the time i received it until i guess until the day before i left on march.  tears rolled down my eyes as i said goodbye to my sister, my niece, my nanny and our long time family go-to person whenever we need help.

february was a lot of quality time with friends and i will be forever grateful to have experienced single life partying, having deep conversations, wacky moments and digging back history.  these moments i cherish and appreciate.  these are the family that we choose.

march jim and i tied the knot on the day of my parent's anniversary.  i chose this date to honor my parents who brought me up and to never forget them.  i miss them and wonder what they think about my husband. i think they will be happy and perhaps relieved that i ended up with this person who is kind hearted. in fact, i always hear good things about him and never heard about the negative stuff.  i finally believed that this is God's gift to me.  a promise or belief that is being preached in my SFC days.

april, we moved out of my m.i.l. house and witness the unconditional love of a mother to a son.  i can't believe that in the 1 month that i have stayed under my parents-in-law's roof, i fell in love once again as they have accepted me as their daughter. how i felt the love that i have been longing for in a parent.  as i always say, i have gained a new set of parents.  another gift from above!  my wish is that the live longer lives so i could savor moments with family.

celebrated my first birthday as mrs. and had a romantic dinner with husband.  i am happy that i got out of the house.

march, april, may and june.  unemployed. was happy for the first half, experienced being a housewife, googling every single aspects of running the household from trying out interesting recipes, bake, cook, laundry (separating darks, whites and color), iron, even on how to fold bedsheets!  latter half was a struggle as i learn that eventhough there so many job openings, so does a lot of people looking for opportunities as well.  job hunting here is way different back home. here you have to call, ask, network, update resume to suit each job posting you apply.  the most replies i got was to say i wasn't shortlisted.  until the insurance company that i have been working for almost 10 years in manila finally offered me a job.

july. back to work.  oh how the company's culture is much intense than back home! regardless, i am talking to myself that this is good, i am back on track, no longer depending on husband's income.  i can now push my plans. 

i am glad that i have income but stress in this company is on a different level. keeping positive as this will give me experience and gain new skills in business analysis. my project manager is all over the place and retaliates when you push back. and having issues with my contract.

but then again, i have to think of the positive, right? :)

fast forward to December. so glad that we had our first holiday out of country as husband and wife.  Fiji.  nice! sea temperature was perfectly warm! even the people are warm!

I'm sleepy now... welcome 2015!  i hope to endeavor to make a connection with people to be able to gain friends as well as wanting to lose the weight that i have gained since i came here!