Goodbye (Almost) 2009, Hello (Almost) 2010

The year is not yet over but I think it's time for a little recollection.

Tons (and when I say tons, I mean TONS) have happened this year, both good and bad.

To start the year off, Steve and I have embarked on a new journey, we have moved and made Dubai our home (well, 2nd home, as Manila still is our home).

Image from: http://www.iacsit.org/icfte/img/Dubai.jpg

It's my first time to live outside of Manila, away from my family and friends, so this is a HUGE deal for me. First few months were all about adjusting, settling down and making new friends. Once, we've settled down, adjusting and making friends took place. With this, I realized that:

• I am happy with surrounding myself with just a handful of people that I can call my friends.
• That I can live without going out of the house for three days.
• I can read and follow recipes and produce good food.
• That there's front loading and top loading detergent.
• I more than understand why my Dad loves Chinese food, I appreciate it now more than before.
• I can almost iron clothes, but I refuse to do it.
• I have the best family and friends back home.

From L to R: G, Tek, Anj, Tiffy, Ceej and Shai

• I am stronger than I thought I am.
• I have become more germ-o-phobic.
• I am a shop-a-holic thru and thru.
• I hate doing the laundry, every part of it (sorting, folding, hanging, everything).
• If I clean the house myself, I won't let anyone "contaminate" the house, so better that I have someone else clean for me. :)

I feel lucky to have met good people in Dubai that I can call my friends, friends that I know I will keep in touch with after we all leave Dubai.

From L to R: Emma, Jill, Leslie, Kim, Pooi-San (Should have updated photos with the girls)

I have also appreciated Dubai, with all the frivolousness surrounding Dubai, at the end of the day, it is a beautiful city. And living here can be comfortable too...not as comfortable as my life back home, but no place will be as comfortable as home anyway.

Although I am loving condo living. I get to enjoy the whole place instead of just our bedroom, which is how we do it back in Manila.

I miss having people do things for me, I miss having Nonoy drive me around. But here, I can schedule maids to come in a few times a week to do the cleaning and ironing for me. I have hundreds of drivers to drive me to places, I just have to pay them by the meter, hehe.

I have been to cities/countries I never thought I'd ever visit.

Egypt

Petra

Dead Sea

Steve spoils me and loves me dearly. Right, Steve? :) I am lucky that I'm married to this guy. :)

Everything seems so good right? It truly has been a good year, all things considered.

Yet, I still can't wait to start the new year and start fresh.

We have been trying to start a family for a little while now and we are just not as blessed in this aspect, yet. I know God has his reasons for everything, and in His right time, we will have our precious miracle. Like Steve said, our kid will be loved so much...after what we have been thru, after all the disappointments, all love and attention will be showered to our kid/s when he/she finally joins us.

I know that next year will be a good year, has to be right? :)

At the end of the day (year, in this case), I have more to be thankful for. We have received more blessings and happiness than sadness. But, we can have more blessing and happiness too, right? Just saying. :)

I wish everyone a blessed and fruitful 2010. World peace (cliche but we need this). No more calamities. And just a happy happy 2010.

Now, I have to start packing and get ready for our Manila trip!