Nine Best of 2018

Counting down the days until it's finally 2019. This year had been nothing but wonderful. This year is too awesome that putting a collage of just 9 photos is not enough. But before I go into the jest of that, belated Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your celebrations were filled with gratitude, peace, happiness and love. Let's not forget the real essence of this day which is to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, on our final entry for this year. I want to share a very childish thing I did on Christmas eve. Every Christmas, I always made sure to give gifts to everyone I love, no matter how inexpensive it is. The important thing is to share what little blessings you have to those whose eyes will light up with excitement with the thought of receiving and opening a gift. I did just that, my usual routine every year. In my gut feeling, I know that I won't be getting any thing and I know I won't be receiving any package from my husband because it's not his thing. But I was still hopeful. Then Christmas eve came and all the names were called and mine was not - and there in the face - in all my red lipstick - made up face - I wanted to cry. I felt sad and like a child who was not called to be part of the dance group - I hated the thought that none of the people in the room I was in, bothered to wrap something for me. And so I complained to my husband.

The following morning, I woke up a little broken hearted but then I realised that I received so much more than any gifts that any one can wrapped for me. This year was all about receiving good graces from God even though I didn't asked for most of them. In one of the social media platforms - Instagram, some people are using the hashtag #2018bestnine to post the top best nine photos they have for this year and that is the inspiration of this entry.

2018 started with a banged for me. Here's a brief description of the photos I have chosen to include in my nine best of 2018.

1. At the beginning of the year, Martijn and I got engaged and secured a wedding date.

2. Got to see my aunts whom I haven't seen in years. 

3. Martijn and I got married in a civil ceremony in Holland.

4. Celebrated our marriage with family and finally got to meet Martijn's sister and her partner who lives in Czech Republic.

5. We got to tour the famous Rijksmuseum and got to see the "night's watch" by Rembrant. 

6. Was able to successfully host my first birthday dinner.

7. When I went back home from Holland, my parents decided to move to Davao, so we can live in my house. Thus, the need to bring Mobee there - it was a success.

8. This year I finally took the Basic Dutch Integration Exam (hopefully I passed, that's for another blog for next year).

9. Got to spend the holidays with my family. 

You see, this is not even half of what I have received this year. There's more to this photos but can't put in the collage anymore. I may have whined for not getting a gift but I am thankful that I realised right away how blessed I have been. Sometimes, we forget the real essence of this season which is God's gift of life for each and every one of us. I am here, healthy, with food in my hands and a roof above my head. I have my family beside me, my husband, his family and my friends just a message and call away. I am beyond blessed and I hope we get to be grateful for these things apart from being grateful to the material things that we have received. I did get some wrapped presents from my in laws in Holland and my husband - but I have yet to open them when I'm back next year.

Wishing all of us a wonderful year ahead and a lovely end of the year. May we not forget to give thanks and enjoy the little things that matters. Happy Holidays!

YES!

Hi everyone! Greetings from stormy but filled with warm hearts Philippines! Officially back to my home country since end of January and there are so many exciting stories I'd like to share but will limit it to the most thrilling highlight of my 2018 to date.

In my last entry, I was expressing my excitement for the plans that my partner and I had plotted for this year and for our future. Everything was going smoothly as planned 'til we decided to drop by the city hall in his town to inquire and gather requirements about getting married (it was part of our plans for this year) and while we were merely there standing in the counter chitchatting with the officer, she suddenly came back with a surprising question of which date we wanted and to which time - to which I blurted this and this, all thinking that she was just asking for the sake of asking and then she came back and said to submit our requirements 2 weeks before the reserved date and it was it. It was a done deal, we had our wedding date on the spot - even before we got engaged. So, what did my partner do?!?!?

Being the good boyfriend that he was, we both got engaged on the same day (asking me for marriage was also on our to do lists before I left Holland - it just came earlier :D ). So, on the afternoon of the same day, Martijn brought a ring with his mother while I went window shopping and when we came back home, I went to the toilet and put some moisturiser on my hands (so it's ready for the big question).

Martijn got on one knee in our living room and the whole time I swear I was laughing because it was unlike him but he did go down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I can't remember the many times he has asked me through skype when we first started dating to marry him. It was like a practice question to which I always laugh off but says yes all the time but seeing him do the proper way in his own Martijn de Roos way was different. It still makes me a little teary eyed because - I am finally engaged to the man who made me believe in second chances and in love. It was the perfect and bestest YES, I've blurted in my life. I am officially off the market and if all goes well with our requirements then in a few months, I am officially a Mrs. SM de Roos :) 

My love story with Martijn is like in the movies but filled so much realities that we both went through before we met again and dive into the world of relationships and commitment. Four years ago, I was prepared to just be single. I wasn't looking for anything fun or serious. After all the heartaches I've been through, I've said it was enough but then Martijn stumbled upon me on Instagram and of all the photos I've seen in my entire life and after all those years that we've lost contact, I still remembered his profile photo (his baby photo!) and as they say it in books, the rest is history. I'll always be glad that he blurted I love you on that night and went through a 20 hours flight to see me in person and spend his holidays with me in spite him feeling a bit sick. 

I am so blessed that I will be marrying a man who loves me in spite all my childish ways and the miles of distance between us. I am looking forward to being called his wife and him my husband. To everyone who feels that love has closed its doors on them, have faith. Sometimes, good things happen when you least expect it. It also doesn't hurt to pray for guidance to meet a genuine person to love. With that I am excited to wear my wedding bridal set soon but for now, give me a moment to admire the promise ring and engagement ring Martijn gave me. Happy Valentine's Day everyone! :)

Hello 2018!

Happy New Year everyone! First entry for 2018 as I'm counting down the few days left of my visit here in Holland. Here's to hoping that everyone had a wonderful NYE celebration and jump start of the year.

As for us, we started it with a whole lot of planning, little tears (from me obviously) and full of positivity for what's ahead this year. Currently sick but feeling better. As everyone in Cebu is feeling all the festivities of the Sinulog, I am also feeling the good vibes for, Martijn and I have made platforms for the next few months. Starting of with me learning to speak Dutch. Since last year, I have been trying to learn words and sentences with the help of Martijn's mother, I'm now able to say and write short sentences, though I have to admit that most of the time my brain freezes with the overwhelming idea that I am learning a new language at 34 but learning is a never ending curve.

Some might be asking as to why I have to learn the language, I have to learn to speak and write in Dutch to be able to take a civic integration examination, which is a requirement if an individual wants to stay in Holland for more than 90 days. My visa is currently valid for 2 years but I am only allowed to stay for 90 days each visit but I have no complains about it (just that the fare are high on peak seasons). If I pass the test, I'll be able to apply for a residence permit which is good for 5 years which will enable me to live with Martijn for good and be able to work in Holland. 

Holland has a different immigration platform compared to other European countries. I say, theirs is to secure that anyone who steps foot in their country gets treated fairly and would go out and be part of the society to make the whole nation a better place for everyone. At first, I didn't understood such policy but if you look at it in a bigger picture, it is really for you own advantage and I am looking forward to being able to blend in and slowly start a life here. So, here's to hoping that my Dutch improves and that all our plans as a couple works out.

Will also start to be active on here again. The next few months is going to be a little exciting but for now, this is it. #nosebleed is real :D 

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland. That's how I would describe my snow experience in Holland. A little different from the first experience I had in Sweden but it was totally wonderful. I decided to walk last Monday when it snowed a little harder than it should be.

In Holland and in most parts of Europe, snow has been less abundant than it used to - blame it on climate change I say. But I was glad to have experience it even for a day. Christmas in Europe is more magical when it's white but we can't force the weather. Here are a few snaps I took.

These are photos from the street that I always walked with Martijn going to the grocery or to the square. It was all filled with snow.

Trees became real Christmas Trees.

At the church and the square. It was so breathtaking to see.

All covered :)

View from our balcony.

 

The ice in our balcony was just too much but so pretty to look.

 

From our window. 

Our first snow fall kiss.

As you can see, winter is really fun. The temperature on this day was just 0 degrees but in other parts of Europe it goes negative when it's snowing. On what to wear for this weather, I would say invest on a good thermal waterproof thick jacket with hood and good leather boots (not suede), knee length if possible to avoid your jeans from getting wet and it should be with good soles (not the flat ones). Also, make sure to wear waterproof gloves.

As for your camera, try to use a waterproof camera, but if it's impossible, try bringing a small towel to cover it from the falling snow. Also, make sure your mobile phones have back up chargers, cold weather can take up so much of your battery.

Looking forward to experiencing it again but if not then this one is for the book. Happy Holidays everyone! 

Autumn

Greetings! I don't know how to start this post. I've been feeling a little lazy lately - must be the weather. Let me try again - Greeetings from cold Holland! Arrived a few weeks ago to spend the holidays with my boyfriend Martijn and his family. Also arrived to one of my favourite season (I love all season though) - Autumn.

What's not to love about autumn? The weather gets colder which I really love and the leaves falling off from the trees is just magical. The colours of autumn are as variant as spring but more deeper and I just love it.

Martijn took me to a walk to the forest near his place and I did took some snaps. 

Look at all the colours and this is nothing to the trees by the road which I can't take a photo of while we're driving. It feels magical seeing the leaves. Growing up in a two season country - Spring, Autumn and Winter will always feel like a dream.

Of course my favourite subject :D Holland is filled with tiny forest which is good for walking but I feel that one should not go there alone on a regular basis. 

This is the view from our balcony earlier. It's a bit gloomy at 9 degrees.

Snap by the boyfriend :D 

Autumn kisses <3 p="">

Over all, I love autumn even though the weather will start dropping as winter comes. Temperature can be as high as 9-10 degrees and can drop low to almost -1 degrees in the early morning. When I arrived, it was still a little sunny but now it's mostly foggy. Sun sets now at around 4 in the afternoon and sun rise at almost 8 in the morning. Autumn is the season for thicker than normal jackets, scarfs if you're the type who gets cold easily and it's also the start of boots season. For now, I am still wearing my normal sneakers though I wear boots on Sundays for church and for dining out. It's also the time for indoor arrest cos I seriously feel more comfortable at home with the chilly weather :D Will try to post more entries but this is it for now while I chow on the soup that my boyfriend made for me yesterday. Cheers!