The Reason I Smile

Somebody sent me this quote the day after I wrote my previous post.  I think it applies to this situation perfectly.

“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness.  Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”

- H. Jackson Brown

No matter what doubts my parents my have about my future husband, our love and commitment to each other overrides the need to convince them that we have a bright future together.  Turns out that my grandparents weren’t too thrilled about my parents’ choice of partner all those years ago.  They’ve been married nearly 30 years now so that goes to show that parental approval is not required for a happy marriage.

And seriously, how can I not be in love with a person who sends me text messages like this?

Hi Baby.  You’re the reason I smile.

::Heart melting::

 

That Was Totally Uncalled For

Wow.  I don’t think I’ve ever felt this bad.  Have you ever felt so upset that you feel like vomiting?  That’s me right now.

I should be happy.  My parents are visiting from the US this month, we’re having an engagement party in two days, I have a loving fiance and the greatest dogs in the world.  Sometimes I can’t believe just how lucky I am.

So why am I crying so much that I can barely see what I’m typing?  Well, my parents decided to tell me today that they don’t like my future husband.  Then proceeded to list everything they think is wrong with him.  They think he’s immature because he plays video games and likes sports, irresponsible because he doesn’t own property or have a stock portfolio, irreverent because he doesn’t kiss their asses 24/7, and unrefined because he doesn’t act like a rich 50 year old.  From what they told me, they don’t seem to think he has any redeeming qualities. 

They don’t like his family even though his family has been so generous and friendly.  His family welcomed me from the start with open arms and over the years I have become closer to them than my own family.  My parents look down their noses at them and treat them like crap.

Who would they want me to marry?  Probably an ambitious lawyer with a masters degree or two.  His wardrobe would be made up of Ralph Lauren polos, khakis, and boat shoes.  He would earn enough money at his boring job, but wouldn’t work too hard because of course he would have to have enough time to spend with me.  He wouldn’t play sports or video games, but would instead spend his free time sailing.  He would be my servant/secure financial future.  Sorry, but that is not my idea of the perfect man.  I don’t want to marry a robot/ATM machine.

Nothing is ever good enough for my parents.  As the oldest I’m not allowed to fail.  Everything I do has to be perfect and for the most part it is.  I got great grades in high school and college, found a good job doing pretty much exactly what my dad did, I stay thin (which I think my mom thinks is the most important thing in life), own property, am working on a masters degree and I’m a generally pleasant person.  By my parents’ definition I am successful and I’ve worked my ass off to meet their strict standards.  Does it matter that I find my job boring, lack motivation and have no idea what I want to do with my future career?  No because I’m making good money and that’s is apparently all that matters. 

Since I moved to Australia I’ve been free.  Free to make my own decisions.  Free to do what makes me happy.  I’ve found happiness in being able to make my own decisions without being judged but that sure doesn’t make my parents happy. 

All parents want the best for their kids.  But sometimes they don’t realize that what they want for their kids isn’t necessarily what their kids want for themselves.  I’m happy and my fiance has a lot to do with that.  We’re a great team and I love him with all my heart.  Is it too much to ask for my family to accept that?

Help Burma

I donated some money to the monks in Burma to assist in getting aid to those affected by the cyclone.  Can you help too?

The cyclone that ripped through Burma left tens of thousands dead and a million homeless–a natural disaster made much worse by the failure of the military junta to warn or evacuate its people.

Now, the government has slowed the urgent process of providing humanitarian relief–so Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.

In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma’s poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government–but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.

As I’m sure you’re aware, aid has been blocked by the Burmese military government.  Aid is only just beginning to trickle in.  Please help.

I am the Luckiest

We were having a really difficult time deciding on the song for the first dance at the wedding.  I was thinking something jazzy like Harry Connick Jr.  He was undoubtedly thinking of something awful.

Most of the artists on his iPod playlist are dead: Jonny Cash, part of The Clash, half of the Beatles, one quarter of Led Zeppelin, and the lead singer of Nirvana, .  The rest are about three times his age: James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Crosby Stills and Nash (and Young who is not young), and Steely Dan.  He has the musical taste of a sixty year old.

The only artists he likes that are not in the grave or halfway there are the Dropkick Murphys and Ben Folds.  As much as I enjoy the combination of bagpipes and punk, I’m not keen on the idea of dancing to it at my wedding.  Ok, maybe later in the evening but certainly not for the first dance.

My playlist contains an absurd number of Bon Jovi songs and a bizarre hodgepodge of songs ranging from indie rock to classical to techno. 

We’ve already decided that we’ll be entering our reception to “The Love Cats” by the Cure.  Lame?  Kind of.  Cheesy?  Totally.  Perfect for us?  Absolutely!

I’m stoked with having the Cure for our entry music but for the first dance I want something a little more romantic.  I had been searching for the perfect song for weeks and my efforts had not been fruitful. 

That is, until the fantastic Australian Wedding blog Polka Dot Bride posted a mixed tape of lovely songs for the first dance.  When I came to the 5th song I started crying.  Happy tears, of course.  I am ever so grateful to her for leading us to our wedding song. 

This really is the perfect song for us.  Check out the lyrics.  It conveys what we both want to say on our wedding day.  We both feel that we are so lucky to have found each other.  This song never fails to bring a tear to my eyes.  I am going to be a blubbering mess during our wedding dance. 

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Tiny Giraffes

Me:  I’ve always wanted to go to Madagascar for no other reason than the fact that it’s full of lemurs.

Co-worker: Lemurs?  Are those like tiny giraffes?

Me:  Um…what?  They’re nothing like tiny giraffes.  They’re tree-dwelling creatures with big eyes.

Co-worker: I mean lemurs.  You know, like tiny giraffes but furry.

Me:  Oh, you mean Llamas?  Hahahahahahahahahahaha!

Best laugh in weeks!

Busy busy busy

Sorry for the lack of blog postings lately.  Things are just so busy right now.  With the engagement party only two weeks away I have a lot of preparation to do.  My parents arrived from the US this morning so I’ve spent the past few weeks readying the house for their arrival and the other 100 or so guests we’re expecting for the party.  I’ve also been trying to track down contractors to refinish our floors and interview wedding photographers.  Plus I’ve got work, my uni work, a health scare for the fiance (he’s fine), escaping puppies, and a few hours at the gym every week (yes, I joined a gym).  I am one exhausted lady.

Ok, I need to grab some food before Uni tonight.  14 hour days make me hungry.