Looking Back, Moving Forward

September turns into December with a blink of an eye.

And yes, things have changed these past few months. For one, I am no longer walking on the thin line of taking care of  a kid and working from home. I now officially have an out of home job, new colleagues and a life of my own. Yay!

One month into the job, I am grateful, very thankful to God & The Universe for this opportunity. It is just what I needed. This year has been quite a trying year for me...but I did enjoy the fact that I tried something different. Looking after a baby is no mean feat. Looking after a baby and trying to look for work is even more difficult. But at the end of the day, it's important to look at the bigger picture and what I learnt from this period. Lesson 1: I am capable of taking care of a baby. Lesson 2: Life is short and I need to make sure that I do what I want to do.

I've also learnt to look at my myself in the mirror and loving that reflection. Yes, I do wear glasses but I still think I'm pretty good looking. ;) And it's been a revelation that it no longer hurts when people judge me from a single photograph they see online and that it doesn't matter if they don't want to get to know me because of that.  Why waste precious time and energy on people who are not worth it?

Looking forward to 2013 (since the Mayan's prediction of the world coming to an end didn't work out, as I expected), I will continue to work on my health, eat better and exercise more. I will work on being more independent and staying true to myself. I will also try to be a better friend to my friends, better daughter and sister and aunty to Juhi. And open my heart once again to possibilities of life.

Cheers 2012, Hola 2013!

Anu

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My Little Universal Flower

Welcome to the world...Juhi Emma Joel.

While I had nine months to prepare for this little angel, it was only on February 7, 2012 at when I realised that life will no longer be the same for me. At long last, my sister got that baby that she always wanted. And two days after she was born, I was already a little bit less selfish. I am cutting down my Internet time, I don't feel the need to go out that much. And now any money that I earn would not only just be for me, but also for Baby Juhi.

Fair or not, I already have a few dreams for Juhi. I imagine that when she is 19 or 20, she would want to see a bit of the world. And when that happens, I will help her out with the money I saved for her for that particular reason. Or if she wanted to continue her studies and needs a little extra moolah, I would be able to help her out with it, even if it is just a little bit. It's going to be her money, so she can do whatever she wants with it.

In the meantime, I am going to focus on being the coolest aunty ever. I look forward to sharing new moments with you, Juhi. <3

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The Drama Mama Strikes!

Everybody's life has some drama, at one point or another. I guess mine has started today. And my birthday is around the corner some more. Perfect timing right? Or, maybe not!

As much as I love my aunties, (u gotta love them rite, they are family), sometimes they can just be exasperating and over the top. Take for instance Aunty B, who spends her time 'looking out' for eligible single guys and girls she can introduce each other to. She has been trying to set me up a guy, but so far it has yet to work out.

Just before I left for Melbourne, she decided to try to set me up with a 37-year-old guy, let's call him Mr P. Long story short, we have yet to meet, but he did add me on FB. He hasn't called me either nor has he messaged since the first day we communicated.

Now, it's almost a month since I returned from Melbourne and I haven't heard from him, so I have a hunch that Mr P is not interested. So I told Aunty B what I felt. She told me to hold on, cos' he is away in China for work so "just wait and see". So I waited.

Today, she sends me a forward of a message she sent to him. OVER the top message. It went something like this:

"Anyway P, if u are looking for a glamourous and attractive person, she is not the one but if u want someone who is soft spoken, pleasant, good natured and who comes from a good family,Anu is the one.

I am not praising her or the family but we come from a middle class family and I felt both of u can fit into our families. So I leave it to u but only hope everything will be ok."

How is that not embarrassing? I know she means well, but is this the right way to do it?
And yes, I may not be glamourous, but I do believe I am attractive, in my own way, Aunty B. As 'perasan' as it sounds, guys do drool over me, occasionally. But I can't tell u that, can I?

And what does Mr P reply? (yes, she forwarded me his reply too).

"Dear Aunty B I will surely meet her just that I don't feel well after the China trip. Hope it gets better soon for me to give a decision."

And that ladies and gentlemen, is the reality of a modern day arranged marriage proposal.

Aunty introduces Boy and Girl. They meet, on a so-called date at a chosen place. Aunty asks Girl how she feels then says, let's wait and see what he says. And so the waiting game begins. Days turn into weeks and still no word is heard. And then one fine day, Girl finds out Boy is not interested, one month or two later.

Of course that doesn't happen to each and every girl. I suppose it would help if the Girl is thin, fair and beautiful because at the end of the day, that is what counts. Not so much personality or character. And unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with "the look" but we do have a lot more to give but alas, those qualities are just not enough.

Can u blame me for not wanting to be hooked up this way? But I know she's only looking out for me, so how can I get mad? But I think it's time to tell my well meaning aunties that I've had enough of these introductions.

I think I shall continue to be single. It's working out pretty well so far, plus minus a few aches and pains. But that's normal - be it single, married, divorced. So it is fine then. Single it is.

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