The Year in a nutshell

It has been a good year. 

I married my long time boyfriend, who is now happily ( though, he might contest to the happy part. Who knows?)  promoted to the 'Husband'.

A good part of the year was spent on the wedding preparations. And boy, are we glad to come out of it alive and kicking. 

The difference between life as a swinging single, life in an exclusive, long term romantic relationship and finally life as one half of a married couple  is the concept of 'We'. The transition between 'Me' to 'We' was not easy especially for someone who has a very strong sense of self and personal space.

Six years down the road, 'We' are still learning.

The husband has also resigned to his fate of being delegated 1/1000000000000th of our closet space.

I don't see this changing when we move to our new home next year. Life is tough but I'm sure he'll manage.

It just struck me that today is the last day of the last twenties in my life. ( Mass panic mode on).

What have I done so far? What I have achieved?
What have I gained this year aside from my muffin tops and love handles?

Year end anxiety tends to worsen with alcohol and over-eating.
Things you learn as you age.

As I bid 29 goodbye, I hope to become a more confident, focused and less spendthrift ( I'm sure my husband will clap his hands in glee) individual ,a loving wife to my husband ( cue clapping hands and feet from the husband again) and generally, a better person in more ways than one as I welcome my late 30s.

I obviously can go on and on. But, a nap beckons.

Merry Christmas!

Dear Family and Friends,

In the midst of the festive cheer and holiday exuberance, I regret to inform you that most gifts from yours truly will likely not be  wrapped in fancy ribbons and pretty wrappers.

I tried. I really did.

I think I managed to wrap two gifts successfully without (much) hyperventilating,but not without jagged ends peeking out of the gifts.

Then I realized that I am no Martha Steward and I will never ever be given the job of gift wrapper ( which incidentally is my best friend's dream vacation job back in school).

I gave up, leaving a trail of crumpled wrapping paper and double sided sticky tape ( some sticking at the sole of my foot,)  in my room.

Oh, the perils of having a good eye for pretty things but not the ability to create objects of beauty. 

This probably explains why I'm such a sucker for great packaging and a fool for seamless,clever marketing.

This explains why I'm such an incorrigible shopper.

This definitely explains why I have many, many things in general. Period.

On a more  serious note, please be assured all presents are indeed lovingly chosen. - Many of which are things that I've discovered this year and wanted everyone I care about ( and who would listen) to try.

I've learnt an important lesson.

Next year, I will only do Christmas shopping with stores that offer free gift wrapping services.

P.S: Yeah, I'm not sure why I needed to get this off my chest on a relatively late Sunday Night.

P.P.S: Merry Christmas in advance!

P.P.P.S ( or should it be P.S.S.S, things that mess my mind with on a Sunday night): I was completely beef-ed out last night at Morton's but I'm like feeling really hungry now.

Love,

Jane

Don't look back in anger

Sometimes, I forget that the simplest thing brings me the biggest pleasure.

 I've neglected this tiny, neglected yet cherished little space where I pen down my thoughts, my dreams and emotions. Writing forces me to think, ponder and create.

 And I do love to write, grammar mistakes and coherence notwithstanding.

I do, however, feel sheepish waxing lyrical about the virtues of penning my thoughts down when the last time I've done the deed was (gasps) more than a year ago.

Time passes really quickly, in a whirlwind.

Before I could truly comprehend what I've gotten myself into, I got married some two months ago. I guess you can say, I finally got one leg stepped into adulthood.

I used to think that becoming a Mrs will change my lifestyle, shake the status quo, at the very least.At this point in time, I'm not too sure whether my single-minded conviction ( the same one which delayed my marriage to the Only one) hold true. 

Time will tell.

It's ironic, isn't it? Biologically speaking, I'm an adult and then some. 

From a psychological and emotional perspective, I feel young yet so old at the same time.

Mind you, I'm not just talking about the times where I misplaced my phone, my keys and my sanity.

I have evolved. And, I continue to evolve everyday.

Sometimes, the crazy moral compass I seem to be born with ( for better, or for worst) doesn't seem too sure about aspects of the person I've become.

On finer things in life - I love good food, pretty clothes and a branded bag or two. Nice hotels and swanky resorts are major weaknesses ( not that I always choose or can afford to stay at expensive places when I travel.).

 I earn the money that I spend (honestly, some of my husband's money on special occasions like my birthday) but at times, I do feel guilty and defensive of my material pursuits.

I'll be lying if I say I don't care what people think of me. That is not true.
What is true is that I never believe that buying one more pretty dress or one more designer bag makes me better than anyone else in the room. I know I'm more than that.

As you can see, the above illustrates perfectly how defensive i can get ( can I also add that I always try to donate to less fortunate when i can?:p) about my self indulgent habits. 

Somehow, there is a little nagging feeling behind my head that I should spend my money in better, more constructive ways. Oh wait, maybe that nagging behind my head is for real.

It's my husband.

On skinnier days - I'm physically bigger than I ever was in the past. 

Even though I do gasp in disbelief when I finally get on a weighing scale these day , I'm not ashamed of the fact I didn't go on a diet for my wedding. ( on hindsight, however, I have to admit that I'll look better in my wedding photographs if I have lost a couple of pounds).

Let's be brutally honest, I miss my skinnier days. Days where every damn thing I wear looks good, where my collar bone is proudly visible in its full glory and have people urging you to eat more.

I may, on a monthly basis, habour secret hopes that I will wake up skinny or lose some pounds miraculously on the minute amount of exercise I do.

However, I have little misgivings about my body and I do think I look pretty good the size I am now. 

What I hope for is a fitter and healthier body in this coming  year so that I don't fall sick or get exhausted so easily.

On pursuing a MBA - Obtaining a Masters degree is a must on my to-do list. I'm not too sure how that came about but I do know that self improvement , in general, is very important to me.

In less than a month, I will embark on a journey which I hope will expand my horizons ( okay, very cliche but you get what I mean) ,gain new perspectives, thinking skills and few good friends along the way. I'm not a big fan of multi-tasking due to my insane need for details but I know I will come out a better person juggling studies and work at the same time. (please, ask me a couple of months down the road).

And of course, any boost to my career and earning power is welcome and appreciated along the way.

On my online store - My online store has obviously come to standstill despite being full operational. This is my guilt trip of the year.

Entrepreneurship 101 - your business should always be your priority otherwise nothing gets done. I can give thousand excuses like marriage came to the picture yada yada but I know I only have myself and inertia to blame.

I gag, cringe and get nauseous just thinking of what I could have done and didn't do. 

I am not a competitive person by nature. I do,however, like to better, improve and fight myself ( is this why i get exhausted so easily? I need yoga,maybe.)