Happy New Year

It was my mom's superstition or tradition that every new year our house should be immaculately spotless for the new year to bring blessings. I have followed that tradition, cleaning and organizing every nook and cranny of my place, ever since I can remember. Not because I believe this will bring me blessings. I just like the idea of welcoming the New Year with a clean house and a clear mind. This year however, I have failed. My kitchen and bathrooms are clean. The living room and dining area are somewhat clean. But my desk, oh my mom would have a massive heart attack if she could see this now. I was telling Vince about this superstition, and he said Chinese believe in that too. So he said not to worry, because I could go by the Chinese New Year. Hehehe, that means I have until January 28 to clean up my desk.

And since the end of 2005 is near, I welcome the 2006 with a few goals (I listed them in no particular order:

• Keep my desk clean and clutter-free.
  
• Get married without losing my sanity.
• Read at least one book a month.
• Make every effort to find at least one new friend in Indianapolis.
  
• Take more pictures. Maybe take some lessons.
  
• Learn at least one Chinese and/or Filipino dish this year.
• Be more organized.
  

Happy New Year everyone.

Christmas in San Francisco

I spent my early Christmas in San Francisco with Vince and his family. I had a wonderful time. We were also able to take care of wedding details. We found a seamstress to sew my cheongsam for the wedding, ordered our invitations and our rings.

Before flying back home to Indy, Vince, his mom and I went to visit Poh's (Vince's grandma) grave. I found out that Poh was also born on my birthday. And she liked butterflies too like I do. Vince thought this was a little freaky.

Vince stayed in San Francisco until Christmas. I had to go back to Indy since I had to work on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th. So for the second year in row, I spent Christmas Eve on my own. Sad, but I am glad that Vince got to spend it with his family.

always a flowergirl, never a bridesmaid

I have a confession to make. It was my dream to be a bridesmaid. And I guess I'll never become one before I get married. I was chosen to be a flowergirl to two of my cousins' weddings, and another relative's wedding that I don't remember much because I was too little. I vaguely remember walking down the aisle and crying at the same time. Hehehe, the bride must have been cursing me at the time.

When one of my bestfriends from the Philippines got married she asked me to be a bridesmaid, but I couldn't make the trip to the Philipines because my mom was sick. Another friend asked me to be her bridesmaid when she got married, again in the Philippines, but I had to decline because I just started a job and couldn't get a vacation at the time. I felt bad that I couldn't support them during their weddings.

So now that I am getting married, I feel a bit disappointed that I was never a bridesmaid before becoming a bride. Funny, how I never dreamt of myself in a white dress, but I've always dreamt of wearing pink chiffon gown (heck, I'll even wear chartreuse satin or fuchsia taffeta even if they clash with my skin just to please the bride.) I imagined these fabulous shower parties the other bridesmaids and I would plan for the bride. Sigh... some dreams are never meant to be.