Earlier today, as the harsh beads of sand tickled my feet and the waves of the ocean caressed my legs; sweet and feeble one moment, vicious and mighty the next, I was reminded of this…
We met a year ago, but it wasn't really love at first sight.
I wish that we had a little more time apart before we met. That way, I would have been a better person - more ready, prepared and less defiant. I would have been more accepting and a little less resentful over the sudden change of status.
I wish that you came with a warning sign, something along the lines of… "This is real, hardcore stuff. Reverting back to the days of ol' is improbable and unlikely". That way, even though I lacked experience, I would have allowed my heart to take the lead, instead of my intellect.
If it were entirely up to me, I wouldn't have met you a year ago today.
But… He had other plans in mind for my life. With His infinite knowledge and perfect will, He arranged for us to meet in the only way He knows how - flawless plan and stylish timing.
You made me realise that mistakes are inevitable, but my response to them reveals my character. Hence, it's alright to laugh at myself every now and then (even if it involves something as major as almost burning down an entire building).
You showed me that there's a first time for everything and it's an amazing way to discover something new about myself. I just need to take a leap of faith, trust my gut and give Intuition a little more room.
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Happy First Anniversary, Work! You and me, we've got a long road ahead of us, and I pray that you'll treat me well. I promise to do what I love, and love what I do.
I'm truly living up to my name these days (Melissa means honeybee in Greek). A quick snapshot of how my week has, is and will be…
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Monday (Feb 17th, 2014)
Work. T'was a long day, that day. I got home just in time for dinner.
Tuesday (Feb 18th, 2014)
Work, followed by soundcheck at church - which I was supposed to attend, but couldn't because I was hampered with fever and a nasty headache.
Wednesday (Feb 19th, 2014)
AM: Work.
PM: Dinner + time with Tinki Talks and JZ after. The little guy giggled gleefully at impromptu hide and seek chances. Too cute. No pics of him this time around, as I was too occupied with chasing after him.
Thursday (Feb 20th, 2014)
AM: Work.
PM: Bolted for home as soon as the clock struck 5. Picked up my younger sibling and headed out for some quality time.
Friday (Feb 21st, 2014)
Noon: Taking half a day off from work to ensure that the decorations for tomorrow's youth event goes on without a hitch. I'll be setting up my first ever dessert table with Ping. SO. MUCH. EXCITEMENT.
Noon: HOPEFULLY I'll get to slip in some time off to be alone and rest.
PM: Youth Impact's Parents Appreciation Night.
Sunday (Feb 23rd, 2014)
AM: Worship leading for church. I've been doing it once a month (more than once, on occasions), every month of the year for the past 11 years and I still get enormously thrilled to see my name on the roster.
Because… from *this* post, to real-life stories of how the distinguishing between a raw egg and a hard-boiled egg seems to be a matter more complex than rocket science, I fear for my unborn children, who will grow up in a world festered with airheads.
We (Tinki Talks and I) have been planning for a much-needed talk and catch up time from pre-Christmas days, and none of it has materialised because of our conflicting schedules.
The stars finally aligned in our favour earlier this week, and I got to meet her and her little man tonight.
Tonight felt a lot like two years ago, when we were FaceTiming at 1 in the morning because you couldn't sleep and I happened to not have class the next day. I'm glad we got 'our' time. Next time around, we're gonna have our fill of Bee Hooi's pizza and popiah. Promise. :)
(This pic was taken during my parents' recent holiday to Milan and Switzerland.)
… I was reminded of these few verses which were very dear to me some time back:
"See! The winter is past, the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit, the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me…"
I spent my Sunday afternoon playing badminton (with a Hello Kitty racquet, no less), pulling off make believe in a tent and smooching two children - who have stolen my heart indefinitely - as many times as I possibly could.
Later on, it was Thai food (our favourite), walks by the promenade and long conversations under the stars.
Just when I thought Injustice was going to prevail this time around and I would have to suck it all up as part of my career advancement, my God swoops in and takes over… with impeccable timing.
My heart was heavy and my mind was dwindling back and forth on decisions that I thought I needed to make, as I drove to work this morning. I quickly realised that none of this worrying was doing me any good, so I took a deep breath and began to just worship and thank Him for who He is. Immediately, I felt the spirit of heaviness being eclipsed by a sense of His transcending peace.
I got into the office and didn't even have to utter a single word to paint a picture of my situation when my boss informed me of a meeting that took place earlier today. In that meeting, everything was sorted out and delegated as it should have been from the beginning. On top of that, my boss mentioned a couple of things to me that made me glow with warmth and happiness.
Thank you, Jesus, my faithful Protector. My life is truly safe when it is in Your hands.
"The Lord is faithful, He will strengthen you and protect you…"
Every great friendship has a story, and I'm rather fond of this one.
I love that this friendship is forged because of a love for anything and everything creative, and I am amazed at how strong a bond can be formed when the foundation is right.
Sure, Life has led us to different paths and for the most part, we are not in the same state or continent; but today, as I sat across from the both of you and was left in stitches, it felt a lot like four years ago (in a heartwarming, reminiscent kind of way).
I remember the last day of our time at HCC, which happened to also be the final day of our PR and Advertising project like it was only yesterday. We rallied through the days, did our utmost best to earn our diplomas, and we were completely drained - wanting nothing else than to get it done and over with.
To wrap up the entire final year project, speeches were made by our lecturers and after that, Mariah Carey's (originally sung by The Jackson 5) I'll Be There resonated in the main hall.
The three of us linked arms, bobbed our heads to the beat of the song and sang along with it (rather shrilly, if I recall correctly). A little while later, Jerry bent his head down and wiped away a tear (or two, HAHAHAHA). We joked about it (again, and again, and again) but deep down, I know that if left a little longer to our sappy side, both Debra and myself would have teared up too.
It was one of those moments… one that I'll cherish for a long, long time.
Breakfast this AM was excellent, but it has got nothing on your company.
I love how easily we jive, gel and not take everything too seriously. It makes me truly happy just by knowing that our friendship is one that is built to last and meant for the long haul.
Thank you for inspiring me, in ways more than one.
Wherever Life may take us, when it counts, I'll be there (as Jerry's favourite song says *grins*). That's a promise.
After slogging it out in the kitchen, I ate a hearty lunch while sharing lots of laughter and goss with my family and uncles. The plates and cutleries were washed and soon after, we headed out to visit some of our relatives in the season's sweltering heat.
