STEEST: June 2012

24 June 2012

Of What Would Have Been

Today, 24 June 2012, would have been the official day of 20 years working at the Embassy of Peru. However, I retired on 29 February 2012, just short of about 100 days to this milestone.

To celebrate quietly, I spent the day browsing through all the photos related to this period of my life. This brought back so very happy memories. Here is the first official photo taken at the Hilton Hotel in 1992. I was 33 years old then.

Left to right: Ambassador Jorge Bayona, Datin Maria, Mrs Perez de Cuellar
Mrs Elena Bayona, Ambassador Javier Perez de Cuellar,

Mrs Daisy Ramos-Tee, me and Mr Pablo Albarracin.

This has to be my favourite, wearing a Peruvian costume.

This is one of me on a casual Friday. The weekend starts

early for us as we work only until 1 pm on Fridays.

I had wanted to remain until this date just to be able to say that I completed 20 years but somehow I didn't give in to the temptation. When I left, the Embassy was without an ambassador and it seemed the perfect time for me to leave without feeling that I had abandoned my post.

Plus I didn't want to allow this to influence me about the date for me to retire. I would have had to remain until the end of June and then it would have just been that, another date on my life's calendar. It's no big deal really. Somehow it made more sense for me to choose the extra day of this leap year to end my career!

My office just prior to leaving the Embassy.

My work space with 19-inch flat screen monitor, colour printer

and everything else, within easy reach.

I don't miss these dictionaries and reference books!

I do miss the view from my window.

In any case, upon hindsight, I did make a good decision to leave earlier. My replacement had some time to settle down before the new ambassador arrived and I began my retirement much earlier than intended.

Ground-floor level where people can sit around.

I am now living in another country. It's just down south from where I was but it's like being in a totally different world. There are no more deadlines; nor accounts to balance; nothing to order, no staff to supervise or daily duties to worry about.

Unconsciously, I had been thinking of this day and now that it's here, it's time to really close the door on this chapter.

23 June 2012

Project 366 - Week 25 (June 17 - June 23)

June 17 - Morning sun!

June 18 - Seen on the side of a van! :D

June 19 - 5 levels high, not counting

the basement level!

June 20 - Whether you are happy or sad,

this will speak to you!

June 21 - Night cycling is not for me!

You CAN forget how to ride a bicycle.

June 22 - After my 3 km walk!

June 23 - With a partner, I did better!

22 June 2012

Of that four-letter word

Yeah, the first thing on most people's mind when they think of a four-letter word would be that "F" word. For me, it's my nickname as it's also a four-letter word. Of course, in my present situation, my days are filled with four-letter words: dust, iron, cook, wash, wipe, etc.

All these are done with love, of course and, very often, I am rewarded with a kiss. Not that I need it, but it's nice to be appreciated.

I never knew I had it in me to be a home-maker. I think it has to do with who I am doing it for. If the one you love acknowledges every little thing you do, then you want to do more. Very often I am told that I don't have to do it all. I am not the maid, he says. I like that. It makes me want to do the best that I can because it is not expected of me.

If you want to know whether he is the ONE that you want to do all the four-letter words (cough cough) with, then you can check this

As I reach the final lap of my life, it never escapes me that I am blessed and that being with someone who can make jokes and say witty things does fill the heart with so much joy.

I know I'm not alone because there are hundreds, if not thousands, of these lovely pictures all over. I've chosen the ones that resonate with my life today.