The strongest muscle in your body...

          My hubby recently discovered a site with weird facts about human body. I was amazed to find out the tongue is the strongest muscle. Giving it a second thought, it makes sense. It is the strongest, and not only biologically speaking (Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 18:21). Imagine this:

          Friday night. Your sister, your friend and you are getting ready to go out. As you are getting in the car, you yell at your sister because she borrowed one of your many bobby pins, then turn around to your friend, smile at her and compliment her on the shoes. Your fav  pair of shoes. None of them did ask for your permission to use your stuff. But you afford being a total bitch to your sister, she's always around.. You get to see your friend just once in a while.. right?...

          Well, that's messed up. Seriously. I did it: to my sisters, to my parents (all right, I never yelled at them, but you get the picture), to my husband. Same attitude, different situations. It's not funny, it's embarrassing. for me. and heartbreaking. for them. Even if they don't realize it. Sometimes, I'm ashamed of my acts and my words. 

          Today, I challenge myself. To be careful what I say. how I say it. and even more important, when I say it. because, being part of a family is the most wonderful gift you can ever receive.

what did you learn this week?...

On moving

{photo by me}

          When it comes to moving, I can say I'm a fortunate person. I've lived the first 19 years of my life in the same city, on the same street, with (almost) the same neighbors, in the same apartment. Eddie was not as lucky as me. They have moved around so many times, I get confused every time he tells me some of his memories. However, when time came for me to move, it was a huge change. I moved from Romania to New Jersey, USA. I don't know how much you understand, but let me tell you the difference is so complex, I'm still not 100% accommodated yet. And US have been my home for 4 years already. 

          The first year I longed to go back home. And I went. For 2 weeks. But it didn't feel like home anymore. I didn't know what to talk with my friends. Things have changed, I didn't know what bus to take to go from one place to another, stores closed down or moved and so on. I came back with a broken heart realizing the place where I grew, was my home. It was harder then when I first came to US. 

          A year later when I went back to Romania for 6 months (it was when I got married), I learnt how to let go. I learnt that my real home is not here, and I love how Peter says it: "Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it." (1 Peter 2:11 MSG). Right in my face. Impossible to interpret other way. I realized being with the ones you love is much more important than when or where you live. I've finally accepted that God doesn't move me around because He's bored. I've learnt a lesson that if I hadn't ever moved I would've never understand it; or even think about it. 

          Couple months ago my husband and I moved to our place. It's not a change as dramatic as the first one, on contrary, it's a blessed, very welcome and needed change. At this point, I'm open to any changes God wants in my our lives. As a family. I know I am blessed to be able to taste a little bit of heaven living my life next to the best husband ever. 

          Have you ever moved? What lessons have you learnt through these experiences?...

A fairy-tale come true

         I live in a fairy-tale. 

                    

           Almost two months ago, my husband and I moved to our own place. It's been a dream come true and I think it is the best thing that could've happen to us this year so far. After the move, I finally have time to spend writing again (which I missed so much) so I wanted to start out by sharing with you a glimpse of our new nest.

the bedroom

dining room & living room

the kitchen

details...

          And when I thought things could not get better, my friend Erika from Shine On asked me to write a guest post for her. Go there say Hi to her (she's very friendly and cute) and see details for a very simple but awesomely delicious greek recipe. 

         

2011 Recap

NYC, a photo by v.sch23 on Flickr

It was a great year. Long and short in the same time. Filled with wonders and tears... happiness and moments of silence. It couldn't have been more beautiful. Now that is over, I want to share with you 12 highlights of the 2011... 

It started with an unforgettable party at our house in Romania. Friends, family and good cheer...

An odd "good bye" with hopes and incredible faith in what's to come. A good bye with smiles and encouragements instead of tears and "why do we have to do this?"

A lonely, unnoticeable Valentine's Day. No harm at all.

Work, and missing more than ever. Still, not desperate. The hope in me was stronger than anything. And trust in God's plan.

An uneventful birthday, a lot of praying - and prayers answered; we saw how God is holding us in His hands.

A trip to JFK to bring home my Honey!!! (our miracle)

Met my cousin's daughters - first trip to NYC with Eddie.

Got a new job (as a bookkeeper at Hotels Unlimited). I got what I was asking for - a job where to use my brain!

Starting to think more and more about card making, decorating, arts and crafts, wedding decorations and so on...

The best way to celebrate first anniversary - Pocono Mountains. I've seen it with my eyes how God can transform your plans - I would've never had the courage to dream to be with Eddie on our first anniversary. Still, the power of prayer and the faith in the Lord.

More ways God was showing us He is in control - Eddie finding a job. We just need to stay with Him, and the rest, He’s in control of everything.

And, there was a first time when Eddie said it. He finally talked about how hard it is for him to be so far from his family. And I understood him; completely. I prayed and am still praying for him, I know it’s not easy.

Last, but not least, we had a quiet Christmas with the family, we went to NYC the day after Christmas, and spent our New Years with family.

We had a very blessed year. I’m so very thankful for God’s guidance in our lives. I’m so excited about the year that just started, I know we have a great adventure before us. And as long as I’m with Eddie, everything else can just work out!

Happy New Year!! :)

for brothers and sisters... with love!

       I've seen this video because of my sister, Mary. It reminds me of how us, the sisters, would gather in the bedroom and sing and have a good time. It brings up tons of memories, and because these days I missed my sisters and brother so much, I thought I'd post this.
      This is for all those good old times together!!!

marriage with honey and lemon

{picture via}

            Have you ever heard about this cold remedy? My mother in law told me about it.. Stir some lemon with couple teaspoons of honey and it helps your sore throat and takes the cold away. It works, really... Can you imagine the taste? Bitter-sweet... 

            Last night I thought marriage is like that taste... bitter-sweet... no, I didn't get into a fight with Eddie, but sometimes, things can get pretty hard. So, marriage, usually is some cute, sweet "little" thing and all the flowers and butterflies... and even when everything is ok, things can get hard. Like now, with us. It's like 10 zillions harder than I thought it's gonna be. I am so thankful Eddie is so supportive in all this process... Yes, I know we both decided to keep the papers going for me here, and meanwhile to get him here asap. Yes, I know I enjoy being here and my life over here, and yes, I know it would be very hard if I'd have to go back there and live there... but right now, it's killing me this distance and in a way, I feel like is all my fault. Even though Eddie keeps telling me it's not, it still messing me up. But I'm so happy to have him by my side and to see how he takes care of me.

         ...and from now on, whenever life will give me lemons, I'll stir 'em up with all the honey from our marriage.

"how do you...?" series

            Today I was chatting with mom about States and how my nieces used to make Tiramisu (one of my fav cake ever - easy to make, awesome at taste... perfect!) and suddenly, I realized how much I miss 'em. Ok, not only those in States... my bro' in Spain, my sis in UK, and even my sisters from here. I am so happy almost all of them could come at our wedding, I feel I'm so lucky, and now I wish I would've ask for more help from them. Well... nobody's perfect, so... next time, when I'll need help I'll just ask. 
            So, how do you handle missing someone?... I feel lonely, and I remember all kind of stuff about that person, smile and tear in the same time, and practicly I am good at nothing. Usually, I like missing someone, I mean I like the part when I read letters and look at things that remind me of them, but I hate the sad part of it... I don't really do anything major when it(the miss feeling) hits me, I just lay in bed and ... "enjoy" the feeling..
            On the other hand, this crochet idea becomes more and more addictive. I find myself wanting to do more and more interesting things with my crochet-hook. It's crazy! When I was in school, I had a hard time with that and I remember so clear in the first years of school how patiently my teacher tried so hard to learn me how to do it... Don't you find that odd?.. or maybe not... Ok, I'll stop rambling and go see what's to do till Hubby comes home... can't wait for that! Btw, did I tell you I made mashed potatoes? My mashed potatoes.. it's a secret recipe and everyone just loves it. I'm so glad, cause I was so nervous about that...
Enjoy autumn with its melancholy...