The Sands of Tim: 2013

In less than 24 hours from now, I will be 29 years old, and will celebrate this birthday as a late-twenties guy in Afghanistan (again). For some reason I am not too excited about it. Perhaps, it is because I knew that it would be just another day of work – with a long meeting at night (Tuesday nights suck – big time), or I’ve been through a lot of celebrations not too long ago that I feel this one’s just going to be "normal".

Well, perhaps the latter is an easy guess, especially for those who personally know me. The past year have been a year of ups and downs, yet despite the roller coaster ride, I think I’ve received one of the most important blessings in my life (if not the most). I’ve been married to the most beautiful woman in the world, Mrs. Rodelyn Javier. We had a beautiful celebration which was followed by an unforgettable honeymoon (I’m posting pictures below). And as I’ve written in my past blog entries, she is my inspiration for everything that I do now. After getting married, I think no more words can describe how much I love her (at least not those that can be described by all the creativity that I have). I love her – and the rest goes unwritten.

The year 2012 also saw me and my then fiancée travelling to places we’ve never been to. We went to Kuala Lumpur in May, then Coron, Palawan for the 2^nd part of our prenuptial photo session, and then to Lucban, Quezon (I’ve been there a couple of times but it was the first time with her). However, most of the year was spent on wedding preparations that proved to be exhausting but rewarding.

In October, we’ve celebrated Dad’s first death anniversary. I do not know if celebration is a good word, but I know my Dad was happy when we sang his favorite songs during this karaoke party we held in our childhood house.

Then, there’s this animosity I had in one of my present endeavors. Though for many years I have tried to hang on to it dearly, for almost nothing in return, I couldn’t bear the pain of my hands continuously getting scalded. The year 2012 have thought me so much, one of them is to know that people change - and that not all people can reciprocate what you have done for them - and that sometimes you think you know them, but – oh well, you don’t. Well it was a bittersweet moment to know that I’m letting go just to have that freedom and peace of mind, and yet realizing how much time and hard-earned money I have wasted dreaming, with unfortunately, people who didn’t dream the same dream I did. I got tired of the drama. It was going nowhere. I had to let go.

Yet, looking on the bright side – and practically the best lesson I have learned – is that some friends would come and go, while others would pretend that they are, but my wife and my family would never ever leave me behind – no matter what. And sadly, now, I feel that they are the only persons that I can fully trust, persons who would never deceive me, and persons who would love me – unconditionally. I thank them for understanding me during the times I had been misled and blinded.

Plus I've got married with the most beautiful woman in the world, it was an a+++mazing feeling! Now, I have forgotten about everything else, ha ha!

This year, my request to be transferred to Dubai was approved. So apparently, I’m going to live with my wife now. And of course, live normally. Gone are the Skype calls, kisses on computer monitors, and exposure to UV rays while sleeping (as we would always leave our computers open till we sleep). I will get to be with my wife which I consider a great blessing. I have been blessed countless times these past years, and I do hope that I get to share these blessings with the people I love, and the people who are truly in need.

Now, I'm ready to be 29. Thank you Lord.