Bizarre Marriage

September 21, 2009

Our Song

Filed under: Cultural Differences, This and That — Tags: , , — Vienna @ 2:04 pm

As you might have noticed, I changed the theme of this blog. I’ve been using the old one for about a year and a half and I thought that this blog could use a face lift. The project of installing a new theme entailed digging in to our wedding pictures. I needed to look for photos I can use for the rotating images on the sidebar.  While doing so, I couldn’t help but walk along the memory lane and mull over  everything that happened on that special day. After looking at our wedding pictures, I listened to our wedding song and I thought of sharing it with you.

It is in German. Back then, I didn’t really understand it but I fell in love with the melody right away. After listening to the translation from my, then, fiancé, I thought it fits to what we feel for each other. We both like the song and the lyrics so we sort of had an understanding that this song will be “our song”.

It was played on our wedding day right after the “you may kiss the bride” moment.

Two years later, I can understand the song perfectly and although there are a lot of translations on the internet, I made my own. The words might sound silly and awkward in the English translation (because we don’t say things like that in English) but trust me, they’re wonderful in German.

DAS BESTE by Silbermond

du bist das beste

September 9, 2009

I thought it would be easy

It’s a Sunday today and as usual my monumental laundry is already taking their sweet time in the washer and the dryer. I’m already done with my grocery errand and just had a sorbet for lunch. I am not feeling well today. I have not been feeling good lately… I feel nauseous in the morning… I feel like I want to throw up every now and then… and I am always cranky with a little burst of dramatic mood most of the time. I BETTER NOT BE PREGNANT!

Today, I finally got the chance to sit down and browse on my favorite websites. And this is one of them. I love this website. This website and I had a history way back when I was still new in this country (USA). This website served as my outlet to release stress and to keep my sanity intact.

Like Vienna, I am also in an interracial marriage. Vienna and I have common denominators that made us virtual sisters that we are, a relationship so special that even if we have not met each other in person, we have a certain bond that drew us closer, virtually of course. Why not? We both married foreigners. I met her when she was still in China and from then on she became my sounding board. I was a whiner and a cry baby and Vienna patiently listened to all my whining.

I constantly whine because I was once one of those women she described who has difficulty in adjusting to a foreign land. It was a difficult transition for me despite the fact that I was very much aware of what to expect in this country and from my then Fiancé. Before I come here, I was all prepared… emotionally, physically and spiritually. But then I guess I didn’t prepare well enough or I must say… the reality is different from my expectations.

islesboro 202I met my American husband online and got married. And just like any other interracial marriages, mine is no extra-ordinary. I thought it would be easy.

I had a better life in the Philippines… I don’t do many chores and spend more time in the spa having a body scrub than scrubbing floors. I don’t cook my meals and spend more time [and money] dining out or dining at a friend’s place. And I don’t even have to worry to get my well-manicured fingers dirty sweeping the floor or working in my garden because there is always someone who does the dirty work for me.

Coming here… I thought would be easy. I had to do chores and have never been in the spa since I came here. And yes, I scrub floors. I had to cook meals but hubby would treat me to a Chinese every Friday night. My fingernails are now short and un-manicured because I need to do the dishes… and help hubby rake the yard [fall], shovel snow [winter], weed the vegetable garden [spring], and gold pan [summer].

Living here… I thought would be easy. Oh well, I survived 4 seasons and I am used to Maine winter now. My life here is an endless struggle and unending discovery of new things that constantly fascinate me if not surprise me. Having a great life in the Philippines is indeed a blessing I will forever be thankful for. And living a different life here in Maine is a blessing that opened up my eyes to appreciate the best things I had, cherish them and forever be grateful.

I don’t say that I am disappointed with my life here. Maybe, I was more disappointed with myself for being such a baby. My husband did not promise me the moon and the stars when we first met and I had to admit he practically explained to me everything what I should expect from him. He was honest from the very start. He did not claim that he is a rich guy but a poor carpenter who just wanted to start a life with me and to grow old with.

Being in an interracial marriage was not that easy, I had to admit… but just what Vienna said… the love we have for each other made every struggle easier and worth-living for.

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