Cherry Blossom Life?

Amidst the recession, there are two people celebrating their 1 year wedding anniversary on December 15, 2009.

And of course, I am talking about myself and my other half. ^_^

When did it all started? Perhaps I should share tiny ” glimpse  ” of what happened before we got married and how we end up to what and where we are now. ^^

Unexpected Meeting:

I met Theodoros last 2004, at mIRC # Japan. After my work contract ended, I decided to use the net and took a chance to visit that channel because I was hoping to see my online friends from there. But whom I found was a person that’s very funny with dark humor and definitely cool! - later on he told me he was drunk at that time. Thankfully, we added each other on MSN before we left the net so we didn’t miss a chance to chat whenever we were both online. That first meeting was August 17. A spark ignited, friendship we have found with each other and later on, it got deeper and dee…per… and now we are together in one house, where our marriage contract is being kept in a safe place ^^

We didn’t have good times only, rather, we had bad times too because we are both crazy and messy (and yet adorable hahaha) . But I am proud to say that we are the type of people that has conscience when we mess around with others, even online.

We first met in person last 2006 when he went for a short vacation in Philippines! It was one of the most antagonizing part in my life because we realized we can’t be together yet. Or shall I say, it was ME that was not ready to be with him yet although we found out that we are very much in-love. Without the internet, we wouldn’t have gone this far by just phone calls and monthly letters. The communication we  can say was very regular for a long distance relationship. ^^

When I went to California, as I was petitioned by my mother, Theo also came there, “twice”.  Summer and Winter seasons. It was the 2nd summer that we spent together. He also met my mother And our first winter was the season we got married. ^^

The Proposal:

I feel like sharing how he proposed to me.

It isn’t the “typical” proposal that every romantics would love to do or a woman / girl would dream of. Actually, it might disgust you. ^^ But that’s one of the reasons why our story is unique. Hahaha!

On my day off from work, I didn’t go out but stayed home and chatted with Theo (after being super busy as Thanksgiving celebration and other work-related stuff dragged me away from the net for more than a month). We were both inside our home’s toilets and still chatting. Can you imagine what we were both doing at thesame time? ^^~ Yes… probably that’s the one you’re thinking, *evil grin*

He suddenly said:  ” Hey, ‘ma, why don’t we get married?”

and I was like, “what? hmmm… are you for real?”

He saw me blushing on the webcam (probably that was a mix emotion cos I was cleaning “something” at that time and I had to pause for a sec there) . He continued,

” Well, why not!? ”

At that time, I know that the right day had come for me to take this many-times-asked-question seriously. I’m pretty sure I said “YES” because afterwards we started planning where it will be held; we checked the state of California laws about foreign marriages then we  applied online for our marriage date after a few days. It was exciting and I was secretly emotional. My mom did not say NO nor anyone contradicted in my primary family members. I was happy! On his side, it was thesame, too. The “youngsters”, as we would call his parents (my inlaws now) never ceased in supporting us to be together. ALmost everything we did to prepare for the wedding was done through internet. One thing we owe USA is their comprehensive websites about public service infos which are very much accessible to the public. The people we have talked over the phone are very supportive, too. Getting married in USA is easier for people who are in a long distance relationship or those who travel around the world mostly, because they can do their application in an easy “click”.

Our Wedding Day:

Winter in Orange County, California is not as white as you can imagine. It was December and heavy rain would come and go. Some tradition would say that Rain brings luck if it happens on your wedding day. It brings bad luck if during the funeral. That same belief goes for weddings too, in some countries. We both actually DO NOT CARE of these traditions. We woke up early in the morning only to share that-medium size umbrella of my mom to fetch the rented car at “Hertz”. We didn’t know that the  1-block away “Hertz” car rental store had transferred location recently, so, we have to go to another street to get our car. The cabs were awfully busy too (cos it’s raining …) and we couldn’t find someone to pick us up within 30 min. We decided to walk 5 or 6 blocks to go to the next Hertz store. By the time we get to pick up the car, we were already wet from our feet and legs. Lmao. We didn’t wait too long, thankfully. Call it weird, but having a RED car for a wedding day I think is “untypical” - and I REALLY LOVE RED CARS, especially the sporty ones We had no choice, but to use that one because it is the only available car that day.

To cut the story shorter than it shouldn’t be…

My mom was able to attend our wedding, although she has less than an hour of rest from a tedious work day. Popsi was happy too, and along with my younger brother, the 5 of us went to San Marcos County Clerk Office so me and Theo could be wed. Civil weddings aren’t performed in the city where I lived, so we applied to another city.

On my simple white dress and a white tiny bouquet of flower, while Theo’s on his midnight blue suit, we entered the office at past 12 noon. We were scheduled to be wed at 2 pm, but the registration through computer, plus interview as well, took a bit of time. Something was missing though. Guess what?

Our wedding rings.

Here’s the reason. With less than 3 weeks of preparation for this marriage, Theo nor I could find a jewelry shop that would finish making our rings in 1 or 2 or 3 weeks. Theo found rings in the town in UK where he was living at that time, but no size would fit his finger. So we decided to have them made in USA since more variety is offered in that country. Amen.

Well knowing we aren’t traditional in our out-look toward weddings, we thought we would accept the fake , temporary wedding rings that they offer at the county office. It really did not matter to us; would a missing wedding ring on your civil wedding day would really matter after 4-years of patience and virtue? Lol.

Our wedding ceremony was very simple. It’s all been prepared at the ceremonial office. The acting chaplain was an energetic man. He made us laugh most of the time. Me and Theo would smile and grin the whole time. Saying “I do’s” has been easier and no stopping for us. I held his hand, he held my hand that day; without a doubt, it was the most memorable - rainy day for both of us - perhaps the most unforgettable, as long as we are alive. ^^

Dark it was, when we came out. Probably because of the exciting-tension, we forgot that it was winter season, afterall. It was December 15 of year 2009 that I remember smiling for the whole 30 minutes even while I was saying “I do”. I remember… Theo, too. ^_^

Marriage Life?

Someone has been asking me what’s marriage life is like? I am reluctant to say directly, “

It’s a life that you spend with someone you call a husband: you eat, you sleep, you work, you date, you enjoy yourselves, you fuck around, make war this time and make love later on, talk about gossips - etc - together. It’s an ordinary life, but sometimes it isn’t, I couldn’t ask for more at the moment.”

Can’t things be just, simply answered, because every couple have different experiences. One can not only believe in one definition of life. ^^

One Year, one dream, many goals to reach. Theo and Me viewed from space is a tiny dot, yet, we follow one line, so if the telescope could detect us, you will always see two heads going in one direction.

Thank you “Bonnie” for these cute figurines. They have been our Wedding Icon!

“Christmas Nessy & Theo “

“Every couple has their own life. They live with it. And you shouldn’t care much about it.”

end.december 15.09. AMEN.

P.S. post is subjected for re-editing. Pardon the wrong grammar.

A short entry of today’s mood and weather:

Still in shock and dismay to know that Imeem,com is not thesame as before, the weather today in Thessaloniki is an image of sadness and depression;
though I woke up early to prepare my assignments, well I was actually enthusiastic! and then after opening imeem.com, it all changed.

Before I leave for school, I shall say, I should not feel too attached to anyone, but how can I help not?

If you are my Imeem friend, sister, or brother, please add me on Friendster or Facebook.

Search for “Nessy San” or “Nes Tea”.

I hope to see you all.

Hurry up, Nessy!

I started going to my Greek Language class, beginner level, since last week of October. It’s a 5 days a week, 3 hour class study with other foreigners in this country. I seldom call my mom nowadays. She’s quite exhausted after coming back to California from Philippines. I told her, that makes Philippines different from USA because the life there is more exhausting - and I said this in a funny way. ^_^

If given a chance next year, I would like to go back to Pinas than go back to USA. But me and Theo had to choose which season or month we have to go there. One of our wishes is to see the Philippine’s sun again. Yes that means, we love Philippines because it is more unique than any of the places we have been to. (and it’s not like we’ve been to alot of countries together… but out of the 3, yes, we love Pinas better!)

On the other topic,

What’s Winter in Greece?

Hmm, I will tell only according to my own perspective and observation coming back and forth in the mountain side down to the center city of Thessaloniki.

Well, it’s cold but no snow - yet. It’s early for snow this November. The past  week, it’s been very sunny during the day; sometimes it’s windy, sometimes it isn’t, thankfully though, because it isn’t as windy as the UK. Something to appreciate more about the winter here, hahahaha!

During the afternoon, like around 5 pm, it starts getting colder, and it will be much more at night. The temperature in Filyro area is much lower than in the center city. Well it is a 4,000 population village and several hundreds of meters above the sea level, so it’s definitely less warmer during the night. Despite of this fact, I love Filyro. Know why? Because I have a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains and a part of the Mediterranean ocean, while tackling the curvy road. ^_^

Today, I saw the winter sun shining between the tallest mountain on my sight, while Theo was driving. The view was right infront our eyes and one could wish to capture that moment. But just like many moments we have missed on our journey, they will end up being stored in our minds only. It’s something to remember if one of us decides to write a book. Hahaha wishful thinking again!

Like for example, we missed the ocean scenarios while driving the highway to the center city. There was one time we saw the sun’s rays flowing down the ocean, forming a spotlight and the only thing that was missing was a “stage”. This is so right for the phrase, “The Lord has Come!”. I’m not religious but such image reminds me of the religious paintings and artworks where Jesus walked on the water and etc. No wonder these artists can picture it very well because it has been seen in nature.

Winter trees here are less orang-ie. The mountain is abundant now of dark green sceneries. Those which aren’t Olive plantations, lived on pine trees. Natural pine trees. One could get a free Christmas tree here. But heh, it’s illegal to cut pine trees; rather, you can buy them along the street where some people grew them in farms for business purposes. I saw very few maple trees, unlike in California where it flourish everywhere. This is a different Winter scenario for me. Being in Greece means - GREEN.

Christmas songs are being played nowadays on the radio. The occasional stores are once again open to sell Christmas products. Occasional stores I call them because I remember these establishments closed during summer and a few months of fall season, but the coming of winter meant a dis-hibernation for them. I love Christmas decorations! The red color attracts me the most. Since I also love white, I fall in love more…

• A few glimpse of my life this start of Winter Season

  Went to a horse riding club in Filyro. I think this one was taken during the last week of Autumn.

One of the things a human can learn from a cat; you can have a safe and easier way to warm your “ass” by sitting on the floor where the heater pipe lines are located.

At my in-laws house, it’s located near the kitchen area. As you can see below. Whenever I arrive at past 8 pm, Booboo would be found sitting at the kitchen floor and I join her. ^_^

Both my babies…
It’s good to start a day with a smile, what’s more if there are entertainers?

The Other Babies…

These are the adopted kittens. They are the babies of our late “Kanellos” and “his sister”. The black fury one is “Furball”, the beige (half-siamese) is “Misa”, and the stripe one is “Stripes”. Well , obviously they are named ridiculously because I gave them the names. When did I ever become a good name-picker? I’m thinking of changing “Furball and Stripes”’s names - soon.

Think whatever you want. Are they in a conversation?

Finally able to capture Booboo and the 3 youngsters as if conversing. Because I had the pic’s resolution downgraded, so it might be difficult to see something. Like “Furball” hugging “Misa”, tightly.

Until Next time,

“Ta Leme!”

-Nessy-

It’s Autumn already yet, Northern Greece is unlike California during September where maple trees aligning the American roads look like on fire of their yellow-orange colors; it’s fiery scene amazed me and it’s one of the things I love the color of Autumn in USA. By now, pine scent surrounds Escondido city while here in Filyro, the site is green because of them. The mountainous region of Greece is at the moment, field in array of greenery that when strike of the sun’s grace, someone like me can conclude it is one of the best scenic views I have seen in my life…

While tracking the road to reach Thessaloniki center city, driving in a curvy downhill road could scare some people that’s why they would miss the scenic view of the mountain side:
the sea view at dawn during summer, or the warm summer quarter moon filling the half side of the half-shape ocean, or the-after-rain scene seeing the mountain earth-tone abstract figure glittering of diamond dust. One could also missed over-looking a part of the Mediterranean ocean with it’s Daylight Stars …sparkling afloat freely and my mind fascinated by it’s sight, doesn’t realize it’s only a 2-minutes scene.

I remember the town of Escondido City, small yet peaceful, where I used to walk in my coat in middle of August, overlooking the maple trees… their thorny fruit stepped upon. The road is a burial of chlorophyll-less leaves; a sight that makes me feel wanna embrace it, sleep upon it, and change the title of Bon Jovi’s song to , ” Bed of Autumn Leaves”.

A part of me says that I love Autumn in California, a part of me says that “i love Autumn in Thessaloniki” too, because I am finally able to spend it with my bestfriend and soulmate for the second time around… and looking to the future of spending it with him for the rest of my life…

This is all that matters.

I think I am running out of english vocabs so I’ve been inferior to write an entry in my several blogs online. So far Friendster has been the busier blog compared to others.

I have mentioned long before in my previous entries that me and my husband are movie enthusiasts. But the sci-fi genre is his specialty. As well as other stuff he can learn in regards to computer by just doing them by himself, so we would end up not wanting a computer technician to tell us what to do or help us unless it’s something serious like a computer washed by flood (maybe?) but definitely not when it is attacked by a virus.

Alright, well we’ve been busy these past few days watching some movies. And after changing his vista OS to Windows xp, there seems to be always a disadvantage and advantage between the two Operating System. *sighs*
Oh well, in short, every movie we have to watch will have different resolution. The audio settings had to be adjusted here and then cos not all free movies got good audio or vid copies. I find myself eyeing my husband intently while he’s being busy scrolling his mouse, not to mention I have to keep away from the hanging surround speakers at the back of our couch especially when I’m adjusting the window curtain there. *chuckles* So much gibberish to what my point of this blog. Readers would probably wonder where I am going, but letting you know, this is Nessy or Nessy San. So I can be all over the place. Some old habits cannot be changed, or if it will, in a slow process. That’s why as time passes while I’m typing the english words here, I have to stop to think of a simplest word to describe what I should be writing but I forget them.

Let me begin from the start. Or probably , wherever I start talking irrelevant topic.

Uh.uh

Well as I was saying, or I am trying to say,
I admire my husband next to my eldest brother *manong* for being “keen” and “particularly - obsessed” with what they love doing. My husband who is naturally gifted for a good memory and IQ and passion for computers somehow reminds me of my big brother. But of course they both have their weakness: women. Ahaha, I’m talking about me! The me who is not particularly intelligent, a freak, a between-cultured-and-non-cultured personality, blatantly honest, impatient, and random ladybug, is a pain - in - the - ass to them, but, I wonder, how could they live without me who is the light and dark of their worlds? *laugh evilly*

This is just one boring blog again that talk about my rants and raves and…uh not to mention, the dramatic effect of some movies on me?

Let’s see… I remember the seem-endless adjusting of the audio set up by husband got to my nerve, at some point, but with a sensitive hearing as his (yeees beware of music composers!!! They are daintly , tedious beings, grrr) , he cannot be blamed if he isn’t satisfied with it. He had to try several video players and kept the good one as well as, also reminding me that some videos downloaded online have different set -up so u have to use a “certain” vid player to play them. And etc etc… *dizzy for a second* OK, so finally audio is done!

And zooom… i have to cut some events, im excited to say that I cried while watching “District 9″ !!!!

Yah yah this is what I wanna talk actually, but since I’m a natural blabber especially when I am comfortably - not - sleepy yet, so hear me out!

District 9 is a new sci-fi movie made by a director whom Peter Jackson financed $30 million to make this movie. For a low budget movie, this director made a fantastic debut in the film industry. Congratulations! (whoever you are, i forgot your name…and im lazy to search now.)

Hubby and I were quite anxious to watch it but since cinema resolution and audio here is NOT appreciated by us, we decided to wait till a good quality one comes out for free DL online. Excuse me, yes I am talking about “piracy” online.

Why not watch a screener or camera version when it is available, because:
1. It destroys the atmosphere of the movie. Unless you are so cheap enough and has the balls to watch it first so u can tell people you have watched it ! yeeee! er. yeah? yey for you, but you missed the fun of watching a good quality movie, dude.
2. Bad Video/Audio is terribly a no-no for me and hubby! Eyes and ears irritation!
3. We rather wait for the Reviews and Ratings online to see if it’s a “good”, or non-watchable movie. Advertisements or trailers will only lead you to disappointment after finding out the movie sucks (which is common this year) . Take the film industry as a shopping store. It has thesame objective and the product you choose is best chosen if it is recommended by many people, don’t you think so? 4. If there is an HD copy of the movie, even bluray, count as in! They’re preferrable to watch if you have an HDTV. Just a little tidbits of cables and wires to insert on computer and tv, you’re fine rather than watching it in a laptop. Believe me. It’s more fun. ^^

And yesterday, Russian Dvd copy of District 9 was out! So hail to Russia in order to prevent piracy in their country they are the first ones to release a dvd of the new movies. Unfortunately… mostly, they have bad audio but District 9 from yesterday was adjustable. Erm..it actually has the audio of a cinema, probably the one who put the audio in the dubbed Russian dvd has an audio code from an english speaking country cinema. Ok where else? America of course. But thank you! We have enjoyed the movie so much. It was an unexpected sci-fi story plot. Star Trek as my hubby said, was stuck to its classic series, yet this one is inventive .

District 9 is one recommended BEST SCI FI movie of this year, so watch it in cinemas (and i tell you cinemas in SM CIty Iloilo has a better cinema resolution than in Thessaloniki, *_* )

In the end, I could not help but cry. It’s just beautiful eventhough it disgusted me, which made the movie more “realistic”. MAde me bite my fingers and pillow and… teary in the end. This is sci-fi movie indeed; it isn’t fantasy, but shows the reality…

My husband told me I cried because I cared about this movie. Who won’t be? Im not saying it is a drama movie! But yeah..it got something like that within, yet, it’s just so amazingly done, thought out, and original out of the blue this year. Action pack, drama - ok, grossiness; you’ll have loads of it, and a different world which is not USA or EUROPE. So dude, watch it in good copy to get the most out of it!

Search for that Russian copy now ^^
Just… learn to adjust your audio settings for a more enjoyable time. If you got cables to connect to your pc to a huge tv screen, the better *thumbs up*

Patience is a virtue indeed. ^_^ worth the waiting hihihi.