A Hiatus

What a month January was. Has the Opinionated Aunty lost her voice? My children probably hope so, but that's not the case. It has been a busy month where for the first time in my whole life I have to categorize tasks on daily basis into important and urgent, important & not urgent, and not important. I actually have to schedule-in relaxing activities. So what is my priority list look like?

Important and Urgent:

• Checking in with God - good thing He is always available, no appointment necessary.
• Checking in with hubby and kids - they are busy people, so I must catch them when they are not otherwise engaged.
• Food in the refrigerator and larder at all times. Food on the table at meal times. Clean eating utensils.
  
• Clean and ironed school uniforms & work clothes.
  
• Work and school assignments.
• Appointments with clients.
• Bill payments.
• Keep exercise routine.
• Taking care of visiting extended family.
  

Important but not urgent:

• Clean house.
• Work on dissertation.
  
• Answering personal letters -I have been exchanging long letters with a friend from primary school (through the internet of course).
• Checking in with facebook friends - I like to know what's going on with my friends, so I follow live feed whenever I can.
• Planning for Chinese New Year balik kampung (visit to Indonesia) - this will move up to urgent by the end of this week.
  
• Planning for a family holiday.
• Following local and world news.
• Car servicing.
  

Not important:

• Blogging
• Get a hair-cut, buy a new bottle of lotion and perfume (used my last drop sometime in December, so if I don't smell nice anymore, you know why... :-)
• Buy new clothes for Chinese New Year for my family (we never wear new clothes for CNY, so its unlikely that this year will be any different).
• Car washing.
  

New Year

Written on 4th January 2010, published almost one month later.

New Year, new beginning.
Clean slate... or a bag-full of mix feelings?

Nineteen years ago, a sadness brought upon by a rejection was born in me. Though it failed to overwhelm me but its presence was real. There were times when the pain was so great I could feel something in my chest breaking. Love, marriage and children brought comforts and distractions. Over the years there were periods of hopeful confidence, interspersed with moments of doubt.

Two years ago, choices I made brought upon a renewal of the rejection. The pain returned with a vengeance. It started to affect my relationship with other people. A wise godly woman suggested that may be it's time to accept the fact that that illusive acceptance will remain illusive. I am trying it out this new year.