A day (and year) to remember

Happy Monday, blog readers!

Even if it’s not a happy one for you, at least it’s happy for me, because a year ago today (in approximately half an hour’s time, if you want to get technical), this happened:

That’s right – I got married.

There were a lot of things that weren’t perfect (with weddings, are they ever?) Naming but only a few: the sidepath of my hair was on the wrong side; the flowers weren’t 100% what I expected; it was an incredibly windy day; and I was 20 minutes late! I know the bride is allowed to be late, but I’m a punctual person, and I don’t really do late. I just comfort myself in the fact that I was actually ready to go, and that the other people in the bridal party were still busy doing their hair/make-up and having their pictures taken…

It’s been a great year filled with love, laughter, happiness and all the other things that couples go through (it’s not always sparkly nyancat rainbows and the like, after all). And yes, I’m thankful. It’s wonderful being married to someone I can be silly with, who genuinely wants to know how my day’s been, who won’t let me get out of the car until we’ve shared a kiss, who playfully teases me when I cry during movies or tv shows (believe me, I can cry at the smallest thing!), who “tolerates” my cooking… and who hasn’t murdered the cat yet because he secretely loves her.

We spent the weekend in a guest house just outside Robertson and had a lovely time. We dined at Mo & Rose and had the most amazing food ever!! I might share some photos of our dining experience with you tomorrow. Tonight we’re going to Balducci’s, and I’m really looking forward to trying their cuisine… I’ll probably just have to find something more appealing to wear than my current attire: black jeans & a green jersey.

Although I have yet to complete the gift I bought my Significant Other, I had a little ‘side project’ I was working on, and after he dropped me off at work this morning, he went home to discover this against one of the cupboards in our study:

That’s right: 40 post-it love notes! I started each one with “I love” and took it from there. It’s the thought that counts after all, right? Plus it’s not like I could list everything I love and appreciate about him – the cupboard would have become pretty full, and I might have ended up sounding clichéd. At least I knew that a few of these would ellicit some chuckles – and being able to laugh & reminisce is something wonderful to me.

Thank you for an amazing year, Sweetheart – here’s to many more! I love you <3

Message Sessions III

Dear Department of Home Affairs

You better send me my new ID soon. The fact that you misprinted my ID and never let me know about it doesn’t put you in my good books… not to mention the inconvenience of having to fill in the forms again and getting that annoying black ink all over my fingers for prints. You better not mess up again, or there’ll be hell to pay. Why can’t you just get your sh*t together?!

Fed up,

A hard-working tax payer (likely helping to pay your salary!)

– – –

Dear movie people who determined the release dates of films

I read THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy at the beginning of last year and have been eagerly anticipating the release of the first film since then. However, for some or other reason, it only starts showing in South Africa on the 13^th of April!! Now I have to try and avoid reading people’s tweets, reviews, memes et cetera for the next two and a half weeks. I don’t know why the release dates for films as greatly anticipated as this one need to differ from country to country (read: for us not living in the US), but just know that you have really ticked me off. And then you wonder why so many people download pirated versions of films…

Disdainfully,

An annoyed filmgoer

– – –

Dear writers of dystopian novels

I love you. There’s no better way of putting it.

Warm regards,

An avid reader

– – –

Dear work/job

Thanks for not accumulating while I was away for the last week and a half. It’s nice to think that all the e-mails I came back to this morning were only general updates/admin and the like. Now if only we could arrange for a salary increase with the new contract I received this morning… I don’t particularly want to be jobless from the 1^st of April, but I also feel all the hard work I put in is worth more than I’m getting. Don’t worry – I’m sure we’ll work something out. I think I’ll go crazy if I have to sit at home, unemployed, with nothing to do with my time… unless I start a little home bakery… or the whole book review blog idea picks up.

Gratefully,

Obsessive-compulsive workaholic

– – –

Dear Significant Other

Thanks for the few ‘lunch dates’ while I was on leave, for helping me download books to read, for making me laugh when I felt bored/depressed/listless, for watching CONAN THE ADVENTURER with me (and enjoying it!)… and for just being you. Oh, and for reinstalling/fixing my laptop – you always know best *haha*

Oodles of love,

Me xxx

– – –

Dear Mr Awesplendmarkable

Thank you sooo much for sending me your latest novel a while ago – I read it in a day and LOVED it (I’ve told you that already but it’s worth repeating). If I were a publisher, I’d definitely snatch you up! Thanks also for being such a great friend and for letting me be one of the first people to immerse myself in (and comment on) your works of fiction. It’s much more fun than schools publishing. You ROCK!!

Signed

Your biggest fan…

– – –

Dear life

Get yourself on track. I know I’ve been joking about having a mid-twenties crisis, what with the boredom and listlessness I endured while on leave, but that was probably to be expected after working hard for an extended period of time and then finding myself with no obligations and nothing to do. Let’s think about what we want to achieve in the year to come and take better care of ourselves (i.e. let the exercise regime & development of new interests begin!)

Tough love,

Yourself

– – –

Dear narcissistic people

You may think you’re amazing now; you may get away with being rude and obnoxious all the time, throw tantrums to get want you want, and only contact others when you want something… This, however, will not always be the case. Just know: your day will come. That whole “do unto others” saying has been around for ages, and it holds a lot of truth. I am not someone who gets angry often, but I am really close to giving one or two people a piece of my mind. Your distorted view on the world (and everyone who isn’t as marvellous as you believe yourself to be) is going to come back to punch you hard in the face someday…

Definitely not sincerely yours,

Unimpressed & edgy

– – –

Dear coffee

Stop smelling so good. I just might give up all restraint and fall back into your aromatic (proverbial) arms… which, after 27 java-free months, likely wouldn’t be the best idea.

Tempted,

An ex-coffee drinker

– – –

Dear daily headaches

Stop torturing me! You just seem to be getting increasingly worse, and I deal with it, but we both know this isn’t normal.

Quit it,

Un-amused

Another happy birthday

Today is a very special day…

…because, for the 4th year in a row, I get to spend my Significant Other’s birthday with him

The day started off with yours truly preparing him a champagne breakfast, followed by a visit from my parentals, and a bit of game time (“Orcs Must Die!”) for my S.O. We’re about to leave for lunch at Ocean Basket – nyummy sushi! – which will be followed by a movie at Cape Gate (the new SHERLOCK HOLMES)… and dinner at La Pineta!

Yes, I am spoiling him rotten – because he deserves it.

Happy birthday, my dearest, and remember that I Love you soooooo much <3

This is the birthday card I made my Significant Other. Doesn't Smudgy just look thrilled...?