The Year Of...

A few of the gorgeous mugs I received this year

If I could some up 2013 in a phrase, it would be the "Year of Mugs". Here's why:

When S.O and I moved into our new house, his sister gave us four mugs.
Mug tally: 4

Shortly after we moved into our home, the Sister-Person gave me a grande mug, with a lion on it. Why? Because I am a Leo.
Mug tally: 5

The S.O also gave me a gorgeous grande pink mug for my birthday, and so did one of my dear friends.
Mug tally: 7

When I went to Doha for holiday, I also got not one, but two beautiful mugs from my friends.
Mug tally: 9

And maybe this does not count as mugs, but when we once invited S.O's friends over, they bought us a set of six espresso cups. It is still something to drink coffee out of, so I am adding it to the mug count.
Mug tally: 15

Wow, 31 already...

Ten years ago, I turned 21. I remember feeling full of hopes, dreams and drive. There were so many plans I had. But life can be sneaky, and now I find myself of a path I had never imagined, a path with a husband and a home. I suppose all I can do now is embrace it all fully... and enjoy every moment.

The *S.O brought all these goodies to the bed this morning. And I felt so loved.

And from google: 

*S.O = Significant Other 

New Home in Pictures

The S.O.* and I got the keys to our first house in November last year. We only moved in after the wedding in March. In those few months we managed to paint, renovate the kitchen, add a bookshelf, replace carpets with laminated floors and replace four of the conventional swinging doors with sliding doors (to save space). So, without further ado, here are a few pictures!

The kitchen: 

The lounge and dining area: 

The bedrooms: 

And the all important bookshelf: 

It is still very much a work in progress.I have a vision of what I want my home to look like, and I am getting there, slowly and steadily.

*Significant Other 

A Writer's Block

According to this article on Huffington Post, Jason Crombie recommends writers do the following: 

Drink

All the great writers drank like fish: Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ethan Hawke, etc. There's no point trying to write a single word sober, you'll only disappoint yourself and your family. Start the workday with a six-pack, and then work your way up to a bottle of Johnny Walker Black; that's when the magic happens.

Don't bother with rewrites

You've written it; it's there on the page, see? Job done. Now why in the name of heck would you do it again? To make it better? Don't be stupid. Ever heard of a little thing called, 'First thought, best thought'?

(Click here if you want to read more)

I found the tips refreshingly sarcastic and wonderfully entertaining. Then I stared at my computer screen and realised my writing has reached a horrible stagnant stage...and I cannot see beyond the murkiness. Fact is, I am not writing the way I should, the way I want to. This blog has suffered, and there are even blank pages in my diary, where the past year should have been documented... 

There was a time when words flowed out of me, when I did not struggle with every paraphrase and paragraph. That was when I did not second guess myself, and stare at blank word documents on my computer. I almost feel crippled by fear at the thought of jotting something down now. 

Life seems to have gotten in the way - too many things to juggle and I always have these points in the future (after the wedding, after I move house, after I settle in, when I am not so tired) that  I think I can write again.  My job has also put me in a formulaic mode of writing - making me, God forbid! - such a lazy writer. 

These are precisely my mistakes, aren't they? I have excuses instead of forging on. I have more reasons defending myself, than to persevere and prosper despite circumstances. Because, as Jason mentions in his first line, "Good writers write. They don't always write well, but they must write!" I suppose this is a good a start as any... 

I have good reasons for my absence

A work colleague once told me that getting married and getting a new house in the same year is a bit over ambitious. Now I understand what she meant. Since December last year, I have been "Wedding Mode Engaged" plus trying to move house. It feels like I have not had a weekend since then.

Two of my closest friends (more like sisters, really) flew to South Africa from Doha for the wedding. They hosted such an epic bachelorette and I was so touched. It was the only weekend that I really enjoyed this year! They were also invaluable in the week run-up to the wedding. It was so busy and overwhelming, I am so grateful to have had them there.

Thankfully, the 17th of March came and went, with only a few glitches. What else can be expected out of a wedding, right? The honeymoon in Mauritius was much needed RnR, and then there was just another week to set up the house before I returned to work. It felt like I came right back into intense busy-ness! (Is there such a word?!)

I am now sitting at my office desk, feeling all of this has happened to someone else. It has been a surreal experience - me - getting married?! I see pictures friends and family took, and I sit there gobsmacked. Surely, that is not us...surely.

Pictures of the new house and the wedding (when I have it) to follow in the near future!

Chocolate Monday: Week 14

A 400g slab of lovely Cadbury! Image taken by Prixie. 

Don't you hate those Mondays that feel as if you did not have a restful weekend? Today is one such Monday! Let me tell you about it: Friday after work, the S.O* and I went shopping for paint and other DIY things. After an early morning yoga session on Saturday, we went looking for furniture and those seemingly elusive vinyl folding doors (BTW, if any of you readers from Johannesburg know of a place where I can it, please let me know. We went to one DIY store, where they were very rude so on principle, I am not getting it there). In the afternoon, we went to the dressmaker who is altering my clothes for the wedding. I first saw her in July, and after numerous fittings, they are finally complete and fitting perfectly! At night, we went to a surprise 30th.

On Sunday, we rallied the troops - S.O's* parents and cousin, and made our way to the new house to paint. Naturally, we forgot a few things, so I went to the nearby DIY shop to buy those items. We only managed to paint the lounge and dining room area. I have to admit, this is the first time I have ever painted and I feel such a sense of accomplishment. We are still not done and need to go back next weekend to finish it up. So today, I am exhausted and my body is sore - I suspect it must be from the combination of painting and yoga. I also suspect, till the house renovations are done, and the wedding is over, my weekends will be like this. I might as well, grudgingly, make peace with it.

So here I am, on a Monday, in dire need of chocolate to perk me up. Luckily, I was given this gorgeous 400g slab of chocolate after a friend visited Dubai. She said: "I saw it and thought of you." Needless to say, I am thrilled. S.O* had the nerve to take it out of the grocery cabinet and say: "This is for sharing." I  looked at him with cold eyes and stonily relied: "No, it is not. Put. It. Back." 

*S.O = Significant Other