The Year That Was 2010

As 2010 is nearing its end, I’d like to look back, reminisce and hopefully put into perspective how this year unfolded for me.

January – My husband and I welcomed the New Year in Hong Kong. We arrived there New Year’s eve and stayed until my husband’s birthday, 5 January. It was a different experience altogether - one that I will fondly remember always. After Hong Kong, we flew back to Manila, spent a week there before flying to Singapore with my family. Another holiday I will cherish. After four days we went back to Sydney, back to reality.

February – I was supposed to have surgery this month but it was postponed because my husband was assigned to work in a project in Tamworth, NSW. Tamworth is the country’s Country Music Capital, about 400km or 5.5hours from Sydney. We were apprehensive at first because we were so used to living in the city but we chose to look at it as a blessing in disguise. And indeed it is a blessing, in more ways than one.

March – I celebrated another milestone in life, I turned 30! My husband and I normally celebrate my birthday with a holiday but we chose to forego that tradition this year. Instead, we celebrated with a simple dinner at home. Greetings from family and friends made my day more special. I felt loved and blessed.

April – We went on a 5-day holiday to Coffs Harbour at the beginning of the month, in time for Holy Week. It was our first time to go there and we weren’t disappointed. We didn’t have any plans or itinerary going there but we had heaps of fun! Great food and great place = happy us. We vowed to go back soon. Before the month ended, we went on another holiday, a short one, to Hunter Valley. It was also our first time to go there. Heaps of firsts this month!

May-June-July-August – Not much happened during this stretch. We spent several weekends in Sydney. Most notable was my husband’s fraternity’s anniversary in August. Good food and great company are always a treat to enjoy.

September – My husband and I celebrated our 11^th Anniversary/5^th Wedding Anniversary on the 30^th of the month. We had a simple dinner at my favourite Italian restaurant here in Tamworth. Again, I marvel at the fact that I have been with the same person for more than a third of my life. Amazing!

October – I had surgery in Sydney on the 8^th. I had hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, my first two operations EVER! I was so nervous! Thankfully, everything went well. Thanks to my very good anaesthetist and specialist, another hurdle on our TTC (trying-to-conceive) journey taken care of. Excited, hopeful and positive about the possibilities!

November – My husband was told that his next project will be in Sydney. This means that we won’t need to go back to Tamworth after our holiday. Yay! As I’m writing this entry, we only have 5 days left before we fly back to Manila. I am so happy, ecstatic even! To be able to celebrate Christmas with my family is indeed a blessing I am thankful for.

December – Holiday season will be spent with family and friends!!!  Plus, we’re going back to Hong Kong. Two HK holidays this year. Yay!

Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

 How was your year?

What Are You Thankful For?

I was watching the show Ellen this morning and that very same question popped on the telly. I guess because it’s almost Thanksgiving that’s why. It made me think, even though we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia, likewise in the Philippines. I have a lot of blessings I am thankful for. I can’t even begin to name all but here are some:

-          I am thankful for my husband; ever loving, ever reliable and ever understanding. He is my rock, my best friend in the truest sense. I am thankful that we are both healthy and that my husband has a good job which can support both of us without me having to work. (Note: I well and truly intend to look for a job as soon as we’re settled back in Sydney.)

-          I am thankful for my family in Manila. Despite the distance between us, I feel loved, always. I am thankful that my parents and grandmother are all relatively healthy, same with my brothers and sisters.

-          I am thankful that my operation last October went well. Now we are hopeful that we will be blessed with an addition to our family soon.

-          I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the coming holiday season with family and friends. Time spent with them are truly precious, something no amount of money can buy.

These are just some of the things that come to mind right now. I’m sure I’ve forgotten heaps but you get the picture.

Now it’s your turn. What are you thankful for?