Feed Your Mind

On my wedding, a friend gave me a Sogo gift card, which I can use in many MAP retail stores: Sogo, Starbucks, and most delightful of all: Kinokuniya bookstore.

Now, at first I didn't realize that I could spend it in any other store than Sogo itself. Until one Sunday I went to Plaza Senayan, visited the bookstore, and saw a sign on the cashier: "Sogo/MAP gift card is accepted." I almost shrieked with joy. I haven't bought new books in such a long time. For a year, or more. And not only I'm an avid reader, but a book collector, as well. And yes, I read my collection. I may have less time now that I have to share my down time with my husband, but I still love reading.

In Indonesia, when you get married, people will not give you presents, unless they are close friends who know what you need or want. People will give you money, with which you can buy things suitable to your needs. However, I'm so glad to receive this gift card, because I fully realize that if I was given money, my frugal side will kick in and only spend it on things that I need, not what I want. Like books.

Now thanks to this thoughtful gift, I could indulge and buy things for pure enjoyment, totally guilt free.

Aaaaand, I came home with these two heavy loads of Kinokuniya plastic bags, full of books.

You might think I went nuts, but actually I still have plenty of credit left on my gift card. Guilt free!

Besides Maeve Binchy, Debbie Macomber is another of my favorite "feel-good" author. Reading her books make me feel like wanting to be a better woman. I'm not really into romance novels where the story revolves only about two people finding each other. Well, maybe except Barbara Cartland's romance novels - I love historical stories.

Debbie's novels spin much more tales than romance, which I immensely enjoy. Debbie, like Maeve, writes about daily lives or ordinary people: family, friends, travels, money, food, motherhood, girlie things, cooking, homemaking. She writes about young people, old people, children, teenagers.

Mind you, writing styles matter, too. I don't enjoy just any "feel-food" novels. Sometimes I read some works from an author, and without knowing why, after maybe a second book, I'd skip all works by that particular author altogether, since it's not my cup of tea. Even if he/she is a best-selling or putlizer-winning authors. Same thing goes for more serious literature. In choosing my readings, I follow my own rules. What I think is a swell book might be cheesy according to my Mom - who is also an avid reader - , and vice versa, which is totally fine.

I'm also a sucker for Little Black Book chick lit stories. It's more about thirty-year-old women instead of twenty-year-olds, so I can relate much better. I've finished reading Bittersweet, and it doesn't disappoint. I don't really dig Heartless, though. It claims to be a thriller romance, but it's more thriller, I guess. Though I enjoy light mystery novels like those of Susan Wittig Albert's, this one is far too graphic in its description of murder and cruelty. I think I'll just sell it to used book store, with another one of a LBD book disappointment: a story about Hollywood celebrity or something like that. I'm glad to say that other LBD books are good read and entertaining, if not perfectly educating.

Now, what have we got here. Whenever I see a Peter Mayle's which is not yet in my book collection, my hand automatically grab it from the shelf. Peter Mayle writes about two of the joys of life: food and travel. I also like his writing style. I love food. And I love travel. I'm not a big eater, as you can see from my skinny frame, but I do enjoy food. I love reading about food and cooking and wine. Which is weird since I don't cook nor drink wine. And I've always wanted to go to the South of France, especially Provence, but haven't got the chance - or the fund - yet. Reading his novels is the next best thing. Well, maybe on the same rank as watching cooking and travel chanel on TV. And I don't often watch TV. Hmmmmm... can't wait to get lost in Peter Mayle's yummy stories of Provence once - or twice - again!

Again, since I enjoy reading about food, I also enjoy knowing how they were prepared. Hence, I love to read about farm lives. I used to read the Little House series when I was little. Well, I still do, from time to time. I was with Ma and Pa and Laura and Mary during harvesting time and butchering season, how they made sausage and cheese and bread from sratch. A Year of Food Life tells a story about a modern family who choose to leave their suburban life to live on a farm and grow their own food. I'd never want to do that, but I think it would be a fun (and educating) story to read!

The Land of Painted Caves is the last installment in the Jane Auel's Earth Children series. Now, it's not very often I follow series in which I have no loves for the characters. And I don't really like Ayla - the main character -, nor her husband Jondalar. But, how Jean described in mesmerizing detail about how human live in pre-ice age is just too hard to resist! And of course, a lot to read about how these ancient people hunted for and prepared their food and and made their clothing from scratch, which is my weak point in choosing books, if you don't know it by now!

This one is not mine. My husband asked if I would buy it for him. "It looks interesting," he said. Well, my husband doesn't read very often, except comic books, he was more into gadget than books, reading e-books from his iPad and news from his iPhone, so I was kind of surprised at his request. But considering that I bought myself 12 books, it's just fair that I bought him this one book he desired, rite! Ow, and a cup of his favorite caramel latte, too! ^_^

I can't wait to start reading all these books!o:

Linking up t

A Breath of Fresh Mint, Warm Loaves N Hot Rolls

Hapiness is...

Going inside a bakery and inhaling that delicious newly fresh-from-the-oven baked-goods aroma. I always say that bread and cakes are not just feast to the stomach but also feast to the eye as well as for the nose. With or without icing, a cake can always put a smile on a girl's face.

An another thing. Surrounded with so much delicious food always give me such a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. It's a feeling of abundance. It's like God's way of saying: "You are fine. I'm taking a good care of you. Look at all the bounty I've provided you through your fellow human. Just keep doing the work you have been doing, and I will take care of the rest. You are not in need of anything."

Sometimes I think it's silly. Sometimes, I think it's not.

I went to Bread Talk today and got a loaf of coffee bun for afternoon snack in the office, a cup of tiramisu for my husband, and two pieces of tuna croissants for our breakfast tomorrow. I don't cook, but no one can accuse me for not taking a good care of my husband, haha!

Do you think it's a pathetic thing or a great thing that such simple pleasure can give one such joy?

Black dress: Papaya. Black tank: unbranded. Shoes: Yongki Komaladi. Mint cardi: Marks & Spencer. Nekclace: F21. Earrings & bracelets: old collection. Mint purse: Les Catino.

Linking up to:

A Simple Gal Journal: Hello World...

Dear all of my American Friends...

Happy Independence Day! I hope you're having fun with family and friends and loved ones on this holiday! Anyone want to invite me for a BBQ? I usually had tons of BBQ invitations from my American friends back when I still lived in Texas. Yum!

Dear all Friends who have read and commented on my posts...

Thank you, thank you so much! I love reading your comments and learn from them and know what you think or your opinions on the subjects that I wrote. Especially on my last post about peanut who forgets its shell, I didn't think anyone would even bother to read it since it was such a lengthy post and basically just described what I thought. The fact that you do read really means a lot to me!

Dear F21 mint teardrop necklace...

You are soooo beautiful!! And even more so because you're a birthday gift from my husband on my first birthday after our getting married. I had been seeing you being worn by various fashion blogger and it was love at the first sight, but I didn't know where to get you since Indonesian F21 stores don't have you. So, thanks to Ebay, now I finally can wear these gorgeous strand of teardrop mints around my neck. Ow, you didn't look pretty when you arrived enclosed in that bubble wrap, but once worn, you do not disappoint!

Dear Dark Chocolate Toblerone...

Why do you have to taste sooooo good? Once I open your aluminium foil wrap, I cannot stop eating! My mouth is watering just writing about your deliciousness! Well, at least dark chocolate is healthy...

Dear Starbucks...

My brother said they should have named you Fourbucks, not Starbucks. How could you be so cruel stealing so much of my hard-earned money away! And I'm not even a coffee drinker, but that choc frappucino of yours is soooo difficult to resist! And more so, your cozy, homey, and warm environment is just so apt to hang with my girlfriends. I will avoid you from now on, as much as my will power will allow! And no more of your tempting pastries and cakes! No more of your hot beef and cheese quiche. No more espresso brownie. No more chicken and tuna puff. I'll just buy them at the local bakery for much cheaper price, thank you!

Dear money...

You're such cunning creatures! When I don't have any, just a little bit of you will keep me happy and thankful that I'm able to buy food and do not starve. But then, when I start to have a little bit more, then I want more and more of you to buy more clothes, more outings to fancy restaurants, better things to decorate the house, more and better of everything! I have to be careful to know when enough is enough. You are a possession that could buy many nice things and help other people and pay for good things like education and healthcare and gifts for loved ones. But I won't be possessed by something that should only be a possession! Anyway, don't feel bad. Many people badmouth about you when the fact is, you're just a tool. It's your owner who can either do good or bad thing with you!

Dear Little Black Dress chick lit series...

You are one of my guilty pleasures! Thank you for accompanying me during countless boring time waiting at the doctor's office, waiting for the food to arrive at the restaurant when I dine alone, when the flight was delayed for two hours at the airport, for light reading before bedtime... I'm glad that you came in pretty paperback, colorful covers with lovely illustration and that you're lightweight so I can easily carry you around in my purse. And thank God that you are light but not cheesy and weepy and silly like some of those romance novels!

Dear Mom and Dad...

Thank you for that sophisticated Madato juicer that you bought for us! My husband especially loves it, he keeps trying out making various juice from fruits and veggies. However, I think it's just a matter of time before he gets bored of experimenting with it, haha!

Dear all farmers and ranchers and manufacting and logistics people in the world...

Thank you for working so hard to provide us city folks with food and fresh produce. If not because of you, we city folks would have been starved! I always get this feeling of gratitude and awe and abundance each time I stroll along the full - almost overflowing - aisles of the grocery stores, seeing all those cereal boxes, cookies, colorful fruits and vegetables, bread, cheeses, milk, soaps, laundry detergent, all those colors and textures and rich smells that support our daily life - and many of them are in such lovely packaging - , seeing all those bounty, and I said to myself: "No matter what the news say, we are doing fine. Life is good. God provides."

Dear Boss...

I thank God that my CV somehow got into your hands three years ago. We didn't start off very well, it was so difficult to understand what you expect out of me! But over time I've learned to get to know you better, appreciate your generosity, like your quirky character, understand your elusive statements, try to catch up with your high standard and demanding nature, and respect your integrity. In you I've found a boss, a mentor, a friend, and sometime even a father figure, too. I've learned so much from you in the past three years. I hope I can be the best support I could ever be to you. Thank you!

Dear Husband...

Thank you for all your work in providing for our little family, and for striving to provide an even better and better life for us. I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done and are doing, and I will continue to do so. Thank you for your trust in me to handle our family budget and finances, despite mockingly moaning and complaining that you have such a tightwad wife! Afterall, you said there's no way you would give all your income to your wife to manage should you married a spendthrift woman! ^_^

Dear Marks & Spencer Cocoa Butter Body Lotion...

I love the soothing feeling and the extra silky feeling after putting you on my skin. Your sweet scent always reminds me of a lazy, hazy, long summer spent by the beach, doing nothing but enjoying life and maybe some lemonade. Too bad you cost quite a lot for lotion with the currency and everything!

Dear Broadway musicals...

I miss watching you!!!! Enough said. Perhaps one of these days I can watch one of your great shows in the nearby country Singapore's Marina Sands. How I wish I could watch you in Jakarta. Well, if not I'd just console myself by watching Disney On Ice, which also is super awesome! I watched the ice skating shows when I was little, then again in college in the US, and I won't mind watching it again!

Jacket: DKNY. Skirt: cropped from Mom's old long skirt. Striped top: Phenomenal. Necklace: F21 (birthday gift from Hubby). Earrings and bracelets: old collection. Shoes: Yongki Komaladi. Purse: Les Catino.

The Traditionally Human Nature: A Peanut Forgetting Its Shell

There is an old Indonesian saying: "A peanut who forgets its shell". It means a person who has risen up to power, fame or wealth, then let all of those supposedly good blessings get into his head, turn him into a snob and arrogant person, make him forget that afterall, he is still a mere mortal.

Over the years, on TV, on the news, in the history books, all around me, I learned that it's actually human nature to have this "peanut forgetting its shell" tendency.
Well, let's see.

From history books, we read that over thousands of years, mighty kings, rulers, emperors, pharaohs, rose and fell. Now read today's news. It still rings true today.

We learned about the famous sirens, queens, and courtesans of the past, the magnificent women who captured the hearts of powerful men and twisted them around their pretty little fingers: Cleopatra, Cora Pearl, Sophia Baddeley, etc. What happened to them at the end of their days? Now look at today's celebrities. Especially YOUNG celebrities. Some of them who are famous just for being famous. Sometimes their only claims of fame is just a leaked sex tape.

There are still many more examples.

Question: how many of these supposedly blessed people, when they are at the top, still can maintain their true sense of self? Maybe not many. Or maybe there are more than we thought. Nevertheless, in my personal humble opinion, it is a very difficult task.

It's so easy to judge. Whenever I read a piece of news about the most recent Lindsay Lohan's act, I'm tempted to think smugly: "If I were at her place, I'd never do something so stupid. She's young, and beautiful, and talented, and rich, yet she's so self destructive. Who needs a drink when one has what she has?"

Well, of course, if I were at her place, perhaps I'd be just as confused as she is. When you are at the top of the mountain, the view looks very beautiful indeed. But at the same time, everything you see becomes surreal and blur. You cannot see clearly that there are rocks and puddles and deep holes and traps down there.

Let's see in a much smaller scale. Let's say in my case, at work place. Since the very first day of my professional career, I've been taught these two golden rules: "Rule number one: the boss can do no wrong. Rule number two: if the boss is wrong, see rule number one."

Well, if you are a working girl like me, you will know what I mean. Anyone with subordinate, whether only one or one hundred thousand, will have this tendency to think that he or she is always right. Why? Well, look at the rule. More often than not, a boss, especially if he or she is a charismatic leader, will be surrounded by "yes men" or "yes women". When you are the boss, these 'yessers' will agree to everything you say, right or wrong. If you say that the cat is blue, they will nod. If you say the sky is green, they will say yes, indeed the sky is green. If you say "I want your lunch!", they will give them to you and will do without eating.

Another scenario. Let's say, later when I become a wife and a mother. There's a saying: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy." Also this one: "Happy wife, happy husband." Well, if that's so, how easy it would be for me to get convinced that what I think and what I want is the best for the whole family? When perhaps the whole family want other things, but won't say a word because they just want Mommy to be happy! What does my husband want, really, really want? Perhaps all the time he only complies with what I want! Now, THAT is dangerous!

I really love these little heart-shaped earrings! They make me smile...

I thought about this long and hard, and I realized, that I myself, at some point, has been in both positions. For example, if I disagree with my boss, I would take very great measure to say it in the most pleasant and polite way. If he snaps, well, forget about it, I will just shut my mouth and let him be. And I did that to my boss, there is a great possibility that my subordinates also defer to me in a similar way. And if it is so, how do I know when I'm doing something wrong, when everyone around me always nod their heads in unison and agree that I'm right and tell me how smart I am?

Well, there is also a saying: "A nail that stucks up will be hammered down." It means, if you don't want to get hammered down, you'd better lay low with all the other nails. There are times when I really want to stand up tall and straight and shout from the rooftop: "You're wrong!" However, I also know that sometimes, it is wiser to be silent and wait. Wait for what? For the right moment to speak up, of course! Afterall, there is also a saying in the Bible:

"There is an appointed time for everything."

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The world is not always in black and white. Forcing your way to rightness on everybody else is missing the point entirely.

And if you happen to be at the top, or in somehow superior positions, what can you do? What can I do?

"As special each and every one of us is, we, afterall, are mere mortals. We were born naked. We make mistakes. We get sick. We grow old. We were made of dust, and someday, you, me, all of us, will return to dust."

And that's a very humbling thing to remember. Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of that today.

Batik shirt (tucked in): Barata Batik (pesisiran batik). Black wrap skirt: tailored. Taupe swing jacket: DKNY. Red heart-shaped earrings: Claire's Store (USA). Red obi belt (worn backwards): Mom's (vintage). Copper-color purse: Guess (thrifted, an ex coworker sold it to me). Copper-color heels: Yongki Komaladi. Bracelets: Shanghai

Linking up to:

A Delightful Gift

Please meet my new friend: Shaun The Sheep.

Isn't he just pure adorable? He claims to be the darn cutest thing in this whole building of an office, and I cannot deny it! He's just so cute!

A collague from Procurement Department gave it to me as a present, and the moment I saw him I just fell in love.

Look, he can even do yoga! Hahaha!

He's sexy looking from the back, also! He's so soft and pudgy and cuddly, whenever I feel stressed out, I just use squeeze his belly like a stress ball. Ouch!

At the moment he's sitting on top of my CPU with his friend Lawry The Cow, which I got from Lawry's Rib & Steak Restaurant in Singapore during Christmas break. Don't they just make a cute couple or what!

I don't purpopsedly buy dolls or stuff toys then use them to decorate my desk like some of the younger girls here. However, when colleagues give me dolls, of course I would show off their token of love with pride!

This Starfish doll I keep in my car, it was a gift from a friend from HR.

You know, I work mostly to pay the bills, just like most people, and also for self improvement. But when you have such nice and thoughtful colleagues, it's quite a blessing that makes the long working hours fun and good for the heart! Don't you think so, Friends?

By the way, I had one commenter said that's it's unprofessional to take pictures at work. Well, I don't know about that. It could be yes and no. Definitely I don't want you Friends to think that I spend hours and hours taking pictures at the office. It takes me about two minutes to snap 6-8 decent pictures (yes, I timed it), and that's it. I work at the back office where the atmosphere is quite casual since we don't meet clients or external parties on that particular floor, so nobody minds as long as I get all my work done well and keep everything anonymous. ^__^

Fying Home Part 2: Similar Yet Not Exactly The Same

As promised, here's another way of how I styled my outfit for flying. I wore the same skinny jeans, outer layer, wedges, bag and accessories like I did here, but with different top. Which one do you think is best, Friends? The yellow-purple, or the nude-purple?

Outer layer: Cotton On. Nude sweater. Skinny jeans: F21. Wedges: unbranded. Earrings: online. Necklaces: Warna. Purse: Les Catino.



Speaking of casual clothing, I was contacted by http://www.very.co.uk/ to write a sponsored post about their jumpsuit a.k.a romper products. At first I hesitated since rompers or jumpsuit or playsuit remind me of baby clothing! But then I browsed through their site and changed my mind. I never realized that jumpsuit could be so versatile, and feminine, too! Take a look at these...

For walking along the beach in the summer.

 For casual days.

 For evenings out.

Here's an article they sent me about the advantages and disadvantages of jumpsuits.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits – you either love them or you hate them. But whatever your feelings are about jumpsuits, we cannot deny that this funky item of clothing has really rocked the world of fashion recently.

Having been dubbed as this year’s alternative to dresses, jumpsuits – which are sometimes referred to as playsuits – are becoming an essential part of the summer wardrobe for more and more people.

If you are deliberating whether or not to plunge for this daring and ultra-trendy one-piece garment then you may want to check out the following advantages and disadvantages of jumpsuits.

An Easy Outfit Option

One major advantage of playsuits is that, because they are made of one piece of material like a dress, you don’t have to worry about matching clothes as you do with skirts and tops or trousers and tops.

Flattering and Slimming

Perhaps the biggest advantage of jumpsuits is that they are flattering to almost every body shape, and not only this but they are actually slimming as well.

In possessing an unbroken line from the neck towards to the feet, jumpsuits can give a slimming impression and, not only this, they can also hide a multitude of bulges, cellulite and other body sins on their journey from the neck downwards.

From women with pear-shaped figures who don’t like to emphasise the bottom, to plus-size women who like to cover up, jumpsuits make a stylish and flattering option of clothing for almost all body types.

Comfortable

In being a continuous piece of fabric, jumpsuits are usually extremely comfortable to wear and not only this but they can be put on and removed very quickly.

Versatile

Whether you want a casual day walking around a market or a late night clubbing, jumpsuits can cater for multiple occasions. Simply dress this funky garment down with a pair of sandals, flip-flops or other flats, or dress it up with a pair of killer heels: the choice is yours!

Practicality

One of the only disadvantages of the jumpsuit is that practicality can be comprised at times – such as when the need to take a trip to the ladies’ is urgent.

Fit

When we buy skirts, jeans, trousers and tops we can mix and match these items so that we find the best fit. Jumpsuits on the other hand have to fit the whole body and can therefore be restrictive for women with less proportionate bodies.

So, would you wear jumpsuit a.k.a. playsuit a.k.a romper?

Flying Home

Thank you, All, for your kind and encouraging words on my previous post. Really, really, appreciate it.

Some time in May, here in Indonesia we had a super-long four-day weekend. I decided to fly to my hometown to visit my parents for the holiday. My husband followed after two days, he's so sweet, he said that I should have some time alone with my parents without having to worry about him. Eventhough, I think he regretted it when he realized that he was going to spend half of the long weekend alone. :)

For flying, I tend to follow these following outfit "rules":

Wear something comfortable.

You're going to be walking fast down the long airport alleys, strolling a luggage, then sitting idly for several hours inside an airplane. Unless you're a celebrity for whom looking glamorous at all times is a must, I think it's just practical to wear something comfy that enable free and easy movement. Nothing too tight, nothing too short, no stilettos. Therefore I wore this baggy tee and stretchy skinny jeans. Wedges are the best shoe option if you want comfort and style at the same time, I wore a pair that are not too thick-soled.

Prepare an extra layer.

For obvious reason. The inside of an airplane is notoriously cold. Short distance flights do not include blankets, so bring a jacket, a sweater, or a shawl, especially if you cannot stand cold temperature like me.

Avoid metal accessories.

Remember that you'll be passing through several security metal detectors, and you don't want extra delay because your chunky metal necklaces, bracelets, and heavily studded metal belt (or metal tip boots) make those annoying beeping sound.

When traveling, wear or bring accessories or outfits that could be mixed and matched.

I only brought one pair of earrings and wore the same bead necklaces during the four-day weekend. You don't want to bring too much stuffs. In my next post I'll show how I styled my other airport ourfit worn during my journey back to Jakarta.

Dressing comfy doesn't mean dressing frumpy!

Why do you think I opted for this cheerful yellow and purple ensemble? Comfy outfits can look polished and stylish at the same time.

On the side note, I'm still trying to find the best location at my new place to take pictures. Here's the best spot I could come up with, at least up till now. My husband is a sucker for movies, so we invest in home theater electronics to enable us having movie nights at home. We could just snuggle up on the sofa, have some snacks, and watch DVD without even leaving the living room. Cheap date!

 I'm too lazy and busy to hold a proper manicure. But pedicure is not so high maintenance, so I always wear toe nail polish. The pop of color make my feet look much more well groomed.

Yellow tee: Banana Republic. Skinny jeans: F21. Bag: Les Catino. Earrings: bought online. Necklaces: Warna. Wedges: unbranded. Outer layer: Cotton On.

Though It's Not St. Patrick's Day

The roof leaks, the water stops running, I have no steady internet connection, and the light at the study room is out. That's the "fun" of living in a house. It's no house play game afterall.
Still, I knew what was coming. One thing about getting married in a relatively mature-enough age as I do: I know and accept the reality that as beautiful as marriage can be, maintaining it, AND maintaining a house, and a HOME, will involve a lot of hardwork.
I now live in a smaller house, and have a two-hour commute everyday instead of a 20-minute one, which my body is still adjusting. I now do house chores when in the past I had people taking care of the house for me. I now manage a financial budget for two persons instead of one. But no, I don't believe that all those changes and additional work need to get in the way of that little thing called LIFE.

So, I still dress up everyday. I still (try to) create blog posts whenever possible. I still clean. I pay our bills and insurance. I keep my little monthly goals. I keep seeing my friends. I call my parents once a week. I make my husband his daily cup of milk and honey. I do my weekly hair spa at home, as I always did. In summary: I don't make change as a poor excuse for living life less than my usual standard. Because excuses, my Friends, 99% of time are just the way of saying: "I am just plain too lazy to do it."

For despite everything, over the years, through several rebellious and difficult years, I have learned to console myself in not-so-easy times by reciting this verse:

"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

So, I'm just doing my part with dilligence (or as dilligent as I could manage, hehehe...), and He will be the one who'll complete it!

Earrings and purse: thrifted. Lacey tank top: unbranded. Black layer: Cotton On. Black slacks: LOFT. Green top: forgot the brand. Red obi belt: Mango. Necklace: bought online. Bracelets: gift and old collection.

Linking up to:

Lavender Rose

Having been living on my own since I was 18, it's a huge difference now that I live with a roomate, a.k.a my husband. Husband? Aw!! I have to admit, I'm not used to that word yet. Marriage is everything I expected to be. I didn't expect a rose tinted world. I expected hard work, a lot of compromises and sacrifices, respect, financial planning, and of course: love and forgiveness. Tons of forgiveness.

There were times when I go back to my old house to pick up my remaining possessions, and I just wanted to cry. I had such a great time living there, it's so hard for me to give up my single life. Fending for myself for years was not easy, but at least I lived it MY way back then.

A dear friend said to me: "Of course, since you've been living on your own terms for so many years, you need a lot of space. A lot of privacy. Right now you're feeling like you're being choked. But it's a step. I took that step too, and I would say, up till now, that I enjoyed single life much better. BUT, if I have to do it all over again, I would have done the same thing. Because despite everything, it's all worth it and I wouldn't want it any other way. You would, too."

Amen to that!

Luckily, my husband is very understanding about my great need for solitude, so he gives me my much needed "me time" this evening. He has arranged to have dinner delivered to our house (I'm still new to this area, I don't even know where to order food), then he's going out and have dinner with some of his college friends. That way, I have several hours of time to blog, catch up on my reading, read the Bible, and organize my accessory boxes.

Thank you, Hubby!

Striped top: unbranded. Lavender flower pin: DIY. Skirt: tailor made, refashioned with black lace to make it a bit longer. Obi belt: DIY. Earrings: Naughty Stores. Purse: Guchi. Shoes: Yongki Komaladi. Jacket: tailot made.