1. My 1st wedding anniversary with Stephan 25.02.07!
My second anniversary is coming up in abt 1 mths's time! Really treasure each day I spend with my beloved husband. There are some days when I'm sad to go to sleep! Cos that would be mean saying bye to Stephan and when I wake up, he'll be going to work already. I know that marriage only lasts on earth so I'm going to try my best to treasure this. When I see Stephan in heaven and we're no longer married, but have a bro-sis relationship, it would be kinna bittersweet! God really uses this relationship with Stephan to mould and change me and I think the constant lesson that I keep having to learn is humility and learning to say sorry. Oh and controlling my temper and being able segregate my thoughts and deal with them logically one by one.....plus many others.
My second anniversary is coming up in abt 1 mths's time! Really treasure each day I spend with my beloved husband. There are some days when I'm sad to go to sleep! Cos that would be mean saying bye to Stephan and when I wake up, he'll be going to work already. I know that marriage only lasts on earth so I'm going to try my best to treasure this. When I see Stephan in heaven and we're no longer married, but have a bro-sis relationship, it would be kinna bittersweet! God really uses this relationship with Stephan to mould and change me and I think the constant lesson that I keep having to learn is humility and learning to say sorry. Oh and controlling my temper and being able segregate my thoughts and deal with them logically one by one.....plus many others.
2. Visits from my dear friends in Singapore
2007 was also the year when I experienced what it means to live in a foreign land and have friends from back home visiting. May was a busy month, with Andrea, Beks and Renita coming to visit with only a duration of 2 days in between their visits. Words can't describe the joy and fun and experiences that we all shared. My first visitor was during winter 2006 when Charissa had a stopover in Frankfurt and we spent 2 half-days together. Lovely!
3. My first year in Germany - 25 Aug 2007
I must say that I was so relieved when my first year in Germany was over. There were so many changes, challenges and adaptations for me - physically, mentally and emotionally too. Had to let go of a lot of things - eg. relationships, my wants and desires etc. So many "first-times", disappointments, lots of comparisons....all the typical blues of a person who relocated.
Now into my second year, I definitely feel that its easier, (for one thing, the bye-bye scene at the airport was so but better). On the other hand, I've been told from my friend who studies "Intercultural communications" that it would take about 7-8 yrs for a person to fully adapt to a different culture and country....well, I'm 1/8 of the way there!
Now into my second year, I definitely feel that its easier, (for one thing, the bye-bye scene at the airport was so but better). On the other hand, I've been told from my friend who studies "Intercultural communications" that it would take about 7-8 yrs for a person to fully adapt to a different culture and country....well, I'm 1/8 of the way there!
3. Singapore trip Aug - Sept 2007
A superb whirlwind 1 mth when I attended Steph's and Ryan's wedding, stuffed myself with all my favourites, had my annual meeting with friends and family, stocked up on food for Germany etc..... somehow time flies when I'm back to visit!
4. Krabi trip Sept 2007
Our return visit to our Honeymoon haunt (Mar 2006). It was a real relaxing 3 days when we really had time for ourselves, relax, swim, snorkel and soak in the sun, sand and sea.
5. Hungary trip - Sept 2007
Attended Stephan's friend's wedding. It was a true eye-opener for me to go to my first country in Eastern Europe. Its such a beautiful city and from the buildings, one could tell that it used to be a world power, until it fell under the hands of communism. Till now, the economy is still suffering the consequences of 50 years of communism. Awesome trip and first country that I've visited in Europe, other than Germany. Would definitely want to travel MORE!
6. Making new friends
- From German school
After my dreaded Intergration Course, I met more friends from IFA and had a more enjoyable time with the language towards the end. Lost touch with a number of them already (which is a pity) but still keep in touch with two of them- A. and L.
- From Overseas Singaporean Portal
Managed to meet up with a number of Singaporeans living in Stuttgart too and its awesome simply to have Singaporean potluck! We have a pack to meet up more regularly in 2008 and have already been doing so.
- From Church!
Been really wanting to find more friends my age, since most of the people Stephan knows are mainly parents with kids. I managed to meet Geli, who by now is my closest friend in Germany. We have an accountability group where we meet up weekly, read the Bible, share and pray for each other. Such a blessing really!
7. Being able to organise more parties!
Had my first birthday party in Germany, which was blast! Had a housewarming party, Christmas party and many other informal parties in between. Thanks to God that my cooking skills have improved such that I feel more confident inviting friends over.
4 comments:
Hey mei mei,
loved reading your 'reflections of 2007' post! It sounds so optimistic and happy. I try to see the good things in life wherever I can nowadays (thanks to Holger who taught me to treasure the moment than to live in the past or worry about the future). Glad that you can see all the good things about 2007 and try to forget about the bad stuff. And you are right, you are 1/8 there already!!!! :) Wishing you all the happiness that you deserve in 2008 with many more parties to come, many more visitors from Singapore and a lot of love from everyone around you.
Lots of love from me for now anyway,
your jie jie
Dear jie jie! =)
So nice to read your comments! Yah! I agree with Holger too, I've heard of that before....the moment is called "present" because that's what it really is, a gift from God to us. Joyce Meyer said that her happiest day is TODAY. Yah, I felt that it was really good to a do a reflective post too, cos I tend to forget and I'm glad that my blog holds all these memories! Hey, one of my close frens is moving from Sg to London! She'd be working for JP Morgan, cos she got an internal transfer. I really wanna visit London soon! That makes it 3 people I know, incl. u who lives there! Wish u all the best in 2008 too! May it hold so many new beginnings and blessings from above. Luv and kisses, Mei Mei and yr bro!
There'll always be some space on my floor for you... :) Ok, might give you and Stephan the bed and I sleep on the mattress instead. ;) You are always welcome.
Just need enough pre-warning as Holger and I book flights in advance to get cheaper fares. And my flat is too small for 4!
xx
Hey jiejie
wow, u are so sacrificial! I'm so touched! hahah. No worries, we'd defnitely give more than sufficient advance warning if we're going down. My guess is we will hardly be traveling this year, cos of the steuerberaterkurs. But next year! If everything goes well, when stephan passes, we hope to travel more. OH btw, Volker passed his tax exam!
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