Tuesday, August 31, 2010
2010
If I have to write about various phases in my life, then 2009-2010 is possibly a good period to pen. Cherky once told me that he was seized with fear when, at a certain point in his life, he was suddenly given some wonderful turn of events. This was because the period was then followed by a series of unfortunate events. It is almost like some karmic principles, or simply put: "What goes up must come down." I still do not believe in karma in the Buddhist sense of the word. But I do believe in the phenomenon he talked about, because it happened to me in 2009-2010.
In the 1st half of 2009, I was brought to 2 countries I have never been to, for free. Hubs and I bought a certain coveted flat in the most accessible area in town. We continued planning for that dream wedding. I was awarded a scholarship and got a place to do my MA. I received a bonus and a bit of pay rise just prior to leaving for studies. Then the plunge downwards took place.
I found out that my stipend was to be a measly amount the day I signed my freedom away on that scholarship agreement. Worse yet, I was to take a paycut upon serving my bond. Evening classes quite simply killed my health as well as my social circle. I am having this sense that some ppl whom I used to be close to never quite forgave me for that. This is still hurting me because I really never meant to take our friendship lightly, but time and circumstance forbade me from spending time. I was diagnosed with stomach probs due to extreme levels of stress.
I don't wanna go on and on, but suffice is it to call the year, in Elizabethan (the II, of course) fashion: "annus horriblis". Why do I bother to talk about it in this post? I'm not sure, but I just felt that it would help put certain things I write henceforth in context.
My commencement day was a rather emotional one for me personally. Not exactly because I had put my life at stake for that piece of paper. But perhaps in the figures of that 2 profs sitting on the stage who had made a difference in my life. Lockie, who had disregarded his own health condition to provide me with sound counsel time and time again. Rey, who not only reminded me of my own Dad, but oso reminded me of that mission scholars have. I'm sure the audience was as touched as I to witness how many of Rey's students actually stopped by his seat to shake his hands in gratitude before going to accept their degree scroll. Wanted to kick myself for not thinking of that earlier.
I don't think a blog would suffice to write about the myriad of blessings that took place on our wedding day. That day, we both felt the Lord's blessing as we got ready and moved from activity to activity which we had meticulously planned and our helpers had discharged. Th past year had been terribly frustrating because there were elements within the family, whom, instead of giving support, dished out advice or rather, thinly veiled criticisms at the way we were both planning. I admit to not having much patience for traditions, esp those without proper meaning. I am also incredulous to how weddings have bec a set of formula to be followed. I wanted my own wedding to be practical, sensible and personal, therefore I did away with some so-called traditions. For instance, I can never understand why S'porean brides love many changes of clothes that end up looking awkward against their appearence. If you must know, we are not all born models. I think most brides look lovely in that white gown, but 99% look ho-hum in that evening gown. So I did away with that evening gown, choosing to don a cocktail dress for tea ceremony and kept my white gown on for the wedding service and reception. The idea, although admittedly not original, found favour among some ppl that day. It oso saved me from being bedraggled that stormy wedding day. To keep the long story short, everything fell smoothly in place that day.
The post-wedding days have been relatively better, although there is still the need to get used to new things. I think I may have hit a new low in terms of career, but at least I'm trying to be positive and believe in God's plan.
In the 1st half of 2009, I was brought to 2 countries I have never been to, for free. Hubs and I bought a certain coveted flat in the most accessible area in town. We continued planning for that dream wedding. I was awarded a scholarship and got a place to do my MA. I received a bonus and a bit of pay rise just prior to leaving for studies. Then the plunge downwards took place.
I found out that my stipend was to be a measly amount the day I signed my freedom away on that scholarship agreement. Worse yet, I was to take a paycut upon serving my bond. Evening classes quite simply killed my health as well as my social circle. I am having this sense that some ppl whom I used to be close to never quite forgave me for that. This is still hurting me because I really never meant to take our friendship lightly, but time and circumstance forbade me from spending time. I was diagnosed with stomach probs due to extreme levels of stress.
I don't wanna go on and on, but suffice is it to call the year, in Elizabethan (the II, of course) fashion: "annus horriblis". Why do I bother to talk about it in this post? I'm not sure, but I just felt that it would help put certain things I write henceforth in context.
My commencement day was a rather emotional one for me personally. Not exactly because I had put my life at stake for that piece of paper. But perhaps in the figures of that 2 profs sitting on the stage who had made a difference in my life. Lockie, who had disregarded his own health condition to provide me with sound counsel time and time again. Rey, who not only reminded me of my own Dad, but oso reminded me of that mission scholars have. I'm sure the audience was as touched as I to witness how many of Rey's students actually stopped by his seat to shake his hands in gratitude before going to accept their degree scroll. Wanted to kick myself for not thinking of that earlier.
I don't think a blog would suffice to write about the myriad of blessings that took place on our wedding day. That day, we both felt the Lord's blessing as we got ready and moved from activity to activity which we had meticulously planned and our helpers had discharged. Th past year had been terribly frustrating because there were elements within the family, whom, instead of giving support, dished out advice or rather, thinly veiled criticisms at the way we were both planning. I admit to not having much patience for traditions, esp those without proper meaning. I am also incredulous to how weddings have bec a set of formula to be followed. I wanted my own wedding to be practical, sensible and personal, therefore I did away with some so-called traditions. For instance, I can never understand why S'porean brides love many changes of clothes that end up looking awkward against their appearence. If you must know, we are not all born models. I think most brides look lovely in that white gown, but 99% look ho-hum in that evening gown. So I did away with that evening gown, choosing to don a cocktail dress for tea ceremony and kept my white gown on for the wedding service and reception. The idea, although admittedly not original, found favour among some ppl that day. It oso saved me from being bedraggled that stormy wedding day. To keep the long story short, everything fell smoothly in place that day.
The post-wedding days have been relatively better, although there is still the need to get used to new things. I think I may have hit a new low in terms of career, but at least I'm trying to be positive and believe in God's plan.
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