Some News

It’s that day again, when most restos are candlelit and when cakes and flowers become scarce. But this isn’t one of those cheesy Valentine’s Day posts. I’ll save the mushy stuff for later. Here’s something new, and I’m banking on that “dreamy lovesick” atmosphere this day brings to brighten up the gloom of this post.

Anyway. Here it goes. Our church wedding is postponed indefinitely. There, the news is out, in black and white and so matter-of-factly. I did get the “But why?” from some. No, we did not separate. No cold feet either. I’m still blissfully taken, thank you very much. The reason is simple—we bought a house. The story is that we got engaged Christmas Day 2007, and we started booking suppliers soon after that. Uh-huh, that early. The changes happened the same time our wedding planning was in full swing.

One night, I was computing wedding expenses. I think I got overwhelmed with the amount of money this wedding will cost us. I did blame those oh-so-perfect Married Away episodes for my desire to chase my dream wedding and, hence, the big budget. Kidding aside, my mom sat down with us to have an honest talk. Aoi wants a church wedding, but I want to buy a house. So we did both. We looked for a house near my parents’ and paid the down payment. With our future home set, our wedding fund was gone. We then slaved away at work to replenish our wedding fund. But at some point, our moods changed. I got so burnt-out of working too much. Too many times I went to the office even when I was too sick. Too many times Aoi went to work with only an hour’s worth of sleep. We use to joke about it and say that we’d be so tired on our wedding day that we will miss the call time. This is not how I pictured wedding planning. I can understand the stress that goes with it as so many friends did warn me. But it came to a point when I wasn’t enjoying the pre-wedding hype anymore. We finally decided not to go through with it this year. Not yet. We’ll still save for it though, but slowly this time. I think that when someone needs to choose between resting on sick days and going to work, it’s time to stop and reflect on wha’t honest and right. And so Aoi told those closest to me, and I’m telling everyone else.

For those who are disappointed or sad that the church wedding will not happen, we’re sorry. Believe me, we’re sad too. But it can’t be all that bad. We’re still getting hitched, and we’re moving in our own home after we civilly wed in July. Now, my worries revolve around what bathroom tiles to choose and how to learn all of my mom’s recipes. Mundane, yes. But we’re more relaxed and happier, and that’s what really matters.

A Leap of Faith

Okay. I said a number of times in the past that I wouldn’t start a blog. I wouldn’t have time. I have nothing to write about. Blah. Blah. I spoke too soon. I got bored. Pretty lame reason, huh? Seriously though, I have this notebook where I regularly write random thoughts and ideas, and the pages are starting to pile up. I say, why not transfer those into an online format. Why not write about things happening in my life. May be when check my archives a few months from now, I’ll judge that my life isn’t half bad and boring as it appears.

Oh-nine will prove tough for me. “Tough” in my standards. I am getting married this year, hopefully. Oh, optimism isn’t really my strongest trait. Also, we are moving to a new house. Of course I’m excited. But I’m a bit scared. Moving from the comfort zone of my parents’ house to living away from home, and eventually having my own family, is not a small deed. Oh well, I’m taking the plunge. I see the crossroads ahead. I need to be ready. I hope to be ready. We’ll see. Ahh, I need a huge dose of optimism badly.

And so my journey begins…