To sum up the year.
As 2015 gradually comes to a close, I figured I should write a post about this remarkable past year and the ways that I have changed since coming over to the States. I'm writing this in advance because come January 31st, I'll be in Gatlinburg with the husband counting down to the New Year. Exciting! =D
As I type these words, Jasmine is quietly snoozing on top of a comforter in her dog bed on the futon in a heated apartment with Christmas music playing in the background. American dogs, pffft, so spoiled. =P For the first time in my life, I am fully responsible for the life of another creature. I loved Lara as well, but mum was really the one who took care of everything from her food to her vet bills. With Jasmine, her quality of life depends solely on me (and JW, of course, but if things get tough, he always says she's my dog =P). That's a whole different level of love and commitment. We also don't have a backyard for her to romp about in, so I need to walk her daily to ensure that she gets the exercise, entertainment and potty breaks she needs.In addition to that, I now fully understand the pressure that parents experience to provide the best for their children. Just an hour ago, I was reading up reviews on dog kibble brands and wondering if I should splurge on a high quality dog food instead of going for the cheapest stuff. After all, paying a little more for high quality kibble might be worth it if we save on trips to the vet for health problems, no? But I keep myself in check by reminding myself that Jasmine's humans eat the cheapest stuff too, and it wouldn't make sense for her to be eating some doggy version of caviar while we buy stuff on clearance for our own consumption and freeze them to extend their shelf life. =P
While we're on the topic of freezing things to extend shelf lives, that's yet another way that I've changed. I used to be really particular about expiry/best by dates and leftover food, but poverty has a way of dialing down one's concerns. And when I say "poverty", bear in mind that I mean "first world poverty", which isn't poverty at all by Malaysian standards. I'm living really comfortably, even if not luxuriously. Praise God for His providence! When I first arrived a year ago, we didn't even dare to expect any savings at the end of each month since we were two people surviving on one (meagre) salary. But we can attest to having some savings left over at the end of most months, and that's after giving away a tithe to the Lord. The reasons we came up short a few months were mainly due to major expenses, for instance, car servicing or paying a nonrefundable fee for our little darling to live with us. Even then, if you consider those as coming out of our savings account instead of the monthly paycheck, we'd have extra. Back to the topic of questionable food. So yeah, back when I lived at home, I'd always avoid leftover food and mum would grumble that we always left the leftovers for her to eat. Nowadays, leftovers are a relief. It means I don't have to spend more time cooking another dish!
On a related note, since coming over, I've also increased my consumption of food items I'd previously considered inedible. This list includes garlic, onions and mushrooms. To me, these weren't actual food, just seasonings for taste. Which begs the question, what about Chinese dishes with lots of that stuff in them like kung pao chicken, or sweet and sour pork ribs, or sea cucumber soup? I'd pick out the meat and leave all that extraneous stuff behind. True story. It's okay, I've learnt that when you're the chef of your own cuisine, all of a sudden wastage seems extremely abhorrent. I would also attribute this to my husband's preferences rubbing off on me (he loves garlic, onions and mushrooms). I like to think I'm eating more healthily now too since alliums and mushrooms have many health benefits. =P
Enough about food. Personally, I have been plugged into a Christ-centred, mission-driven church and that has been a real spiritual awakening for me. In my church, it almost seems like every other person shares my dad's radical mindset when it comes to what church should be about. I have been encouraged to grow deep in my relationship with God, and also to reach out to others around me with the Good News of salvation. I'll never forget what a church member said to me before she left for another campus location because she wanted to bring her neighbours to church: "Never get too comfortable in a church, because you never know when or where you'll be sent." Complacency simply isn't an option in the kingdom of God. I thank God all the time for placing me here to catch His mission and His heart among like-minded believers. =)
I have also been learning to jump into things even if I don't fully understand what it's all about. Here, I try to volunteer and learn as much as I can, but volunteering opportunities don't usually come with clear manuals of what you're in for (and I can be quite a control-freak when it comes to that). I have learnt to step out of my comfort zone to pick up new skills and that it's okay to look stupid when I make mistakes. I used to shy away from learning new things because I hate feeling and appearing like I don't know what I'm doing, which also meant that I didn't learn or do much. It definitely helps that people in the volunteering business are very forgiving of mistakes and appreciative that you're helping out anyway. I'm still a work in progress, but I think I'm gradually becoming more and more thick-skinned. =P
In terms of our marriage, it's been going great. I think I lead a charmed life because this whole year, we haven't had any serious arguments or even harboured ugly feelings towards each other. We've gotten through our first year of living together, and it's been a beautiful dance of mutual affection, gratitude and friendship. I don't talk about my marriage very much because there really isn't much that has changed. I think the happiest marriages are the boring ones. =P
Anyway, it has been an invaluable, enriching year living with JW in the States. I couldn't possibly write about everything I've learnt, but I hope that I managed to capture the spirit of this year in this simple post. Looking forward to the New Year 2016 and beyond!
As I type these words, Jasmine is quietly snoozing on top of a comforter in her dog bed on the futon in a heated apartment with Christmas music playing in the background. American dogs, pffft, so spoiled. =P For the first time in my life, I am fully responsible for the life of another creature. I loved Lara as well, but mum was really the one who took care of everything from her food to her vet bills. With Jasmine, her quality of life depends solely on me (and JW, of course, but if things get tough, he always says she's my dog =P). That's a whole different level of love and commitment. We also don't have a backyard for her to romp about in, so I need to walk her daily to ensure that she gets the exercise, entertainment and potty breaks she needs.In addition to that, I now fully understand the pressure that parents experience to provide the best for their children. Just an hour ago, I was reading up reviews on dog kibble brands and wondering if I should splurge on a high quality dog food instead of going for the cheapest stuff. After all, paying a little more for high quality kibble might be worth it if we save on trips to the vet for health problems, no? But I keep myself in check by reminding myself that Jasmine's humans eat the cheapest stuff too, and it wouldn't make sense for her to be eating some doggy version of caviar while we buy stuff on clearance for our own consumption and freeze them to extend their shelf life. =P
While we're on the topic of freezing things to extend shelf lives, that's yet another way that I've changed. I used to be really particular about expiry/best by dates and leftover food, but poverty has a way of dialing down one's concerns. And when I say "poverty", bear in mind that I mean "first world poverty", which isn't poverty at all by Malaysian standards. I'm living really comfortably, even if not luxuriously. Praise God for His providence! When I first arrived a year ago, we didn't even dare to expect any savings at the end of each month since we were two people surviving on one (meagre) salary. But we can attest to having some savings left over at the end of most months, and that's after giving away a tithe to the Lord. The reasons we came up short a few months were mainly due to major expenses, for instance, car servicing or paying a nonrefundable fee for our little darling to live with us. Even then, if you consider those as coming out of our savings account instead of the monthly paycheck, we'd have extra. Back to the topic of questionable food. So yeah, back when I lived at home, I'd always avoid leftover food and mum would grumble that we always left the leftovers for her to eat. Nowadays, leftovers are a relief. It means I don't have to spend more time cooking another dish!
On a related note, since coming over, I've also increased my consumption of food items I'd previously considered inedible. This list includes garlic, onions and mushrooms. To me, these weren't actual food, just seasonings for taste. Which begs the question, what about Chinese dishes with lots of that stuff in them like kung pao chicken, or sweet and sour pork ribs, or sea cucumber soup? I'd pick out the meat and leave all that extraneous stuff behind. True story. It's okay, I've learnt that when you're the chef of your own cuisine, all of a sudden wastage seems extremely abhorrent. I would also attribute this to my husband's preferences rubbing off on me (he loves garlic, onions and mushrooms). I like to think I'm eating more healthily now too since alliums and mushrooms have many health benefits. =P
Enough about food. Personally, I have been plugged into a Christ-centred, mission-driven church and that has been a real spiritual awakening for me. In my church, it almost seems like every other person shares my dad's radical mindset when it comes to what church should be about. I have been encouraged to grow deep in my relationship with God, and also to reach out to others around me with the Good News of salvation. I'll never forget what a church member said to me before she left for another campus location because she wanted to bring her neighbours to church: "Never get too comfortable in a church, because you never know when or where you'll be sent." Complacency simply isn't an option in the kingdom of God. I thank God all the time for placing me here to catch His mission and His heart among like-minded believers. =)
I have also been learning to jump into things even if I don't fully understand what it's all about. Here, I try to volunteer and learn as much as I can, but volunteering opportunities don't usually come with clear manuals of what you're in for (and I can be quite a control-freak when it comes to that). I have learnt to step out of my comfort zone to pick up new skills and that it's okay to look stupid when I make mistakes. I used to shy away from learning new things because I hate feeling and appearing like I don't know what I'm doing, which also meant that I didn't learn or do much. It definitely helps that people in the volunteering business are very forgiving of mistakes and appreciative that you're helping out anyway. I'm still a work in progress, but I think I'm gradually becoming more and more thick-skinned. =P
In terms of our marriage, it's been going great. I think I lead a charmed life because this whole year, we haven't had any serious arguments or even harboured ugly feelings towards each other. We've gotten through our first year of living together, and it's been a beautiful dance of mutual affection, gratitude and friendship. I don't talk about my marriage very much because there really isn't much that has changed. I think the happiest marriages are the boring ones. =P
Anyway, it has been an invaluable, enriching year living with JW in the States. I couldn't possibly write about everything I've learnt, but I hope that I managed to capture the spirit of this year in this simple post. Looking forward to the New Year 2016 and beyond!
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