Give thanks and saying hello to 2015

I would usually post a typical New Year's resolution and wish list... This time, I just want to take a moment to thank You...

For my health, my career and my family. None of them will be my treasure if it was not for your grace. And it is sufficient for me.

For anything of everything that I bring home, and a little something extra that I can share, so that people will see how good God really is.

My friends that turn into families. My two healthy and happy dogs as they have been an amazing companion for more than 2 years. Woof them (friends and dogs)

For the strength and reassurance you gave us all when we lost our dearest cousins, and a best friend in the same year. Psalm 115:16.
My siblings; Benevolent, Detrianne, Maharani, Isaac. My in laws Budi and Leonardus. My nephews Joseph and Nathanael. And our dearest Mama, Rosita. Our extended family and dearests friends and of course, my darling readers.
I thank you for everything that they bring into my heart.


For 2014, God, thank you.

May You guide me still along my continuous growth in the walk of FAITH.

Thank You and let's see what else we can thank for in 2015.

QZ 8501

For all the victims, may you rest in peace.
For their loved ones, may you find comfort in the midst of this tragedy.
For searchers, air-force soldiers, Indonesia's BASARNAS, search units from other countries... may God's grace and strength be with you.

Read: QZ 8501 crash.

Merry Christmas, beautiful people

God speed.

xoxo,

Tressabel Hutasoit

I pray you'll be our eyes

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

Untuk kekasih-kekasih hati yang telah berpulang  kerumah Bapa di surga di tahun 2014 ini Eliap Lumbantoruan, Elkana Lumbantoruan, and John Ray.

Dan yang sudah mendahului... Andersen Pohan Simanjuntak, Luther Marali Hutasoit, Miduk Hutasoit, Marurat Hutasoit, dan Elfrida Lumbantoruan.

Being single for the holidays

and how to deal with friends' excitement over couple-y plans 

Lucky for me, I do not have: 

#1. Nosy families. My families are the laid back type. Happy-go-lucky when it comes to relationships. 

#2. New Year's love. 

I have never been a big fan of New Year's Eve. So, a "3...2...1" then kiss- scene would never make me go gaga. 

Now, even the recent (very important) studies say those are the main problems that singles will have to deal with during the holidays, I cannot really say anything much.

But I can relate with... #3. Surrounded by friends ( that I love) who love to over-share their couple-y plans. They can give you this feeling that perhaps you are familiar of: You cheer for them, but your paired-up friends can't help over sharing their chronicles of joint travels or Instagramming photos of engagement rings (#soontobemrsxxx). You're happy for them, but sometimes it's enough to make you feel like this girl on the left with my fave gesture!. They will ask for your recommendations for Christmas dinner or brunch, your advice on what's the perfect gift for their partner of 3 years (that you have only known well for the last year), lalala. 

Be still, they do that because they trust you have a discerning taste. By no means to make you feel annoyed. That's how happy they are. They found the love of their life and is just over the moon with excitement! Let them be. March on that parade if you like as it should not make you any less happy. 

And—there are good things about spending the holidays solo!

Good Thing 1: No need to search for the perfect romantic gift or finding the perfect place for Christmas dinner, or toss one or having to worry if you have too much bubbly during Christmas brunch because you significant other's judgmental sister is there.
Go buy a nice gift for yourself instead, gather (single) friends for a pot luck at your place, or a group of friends who may like to host lunch at an orphanage or at a retirement home with you. 
Good Thing 2: You can skip awkward in-law interactions
When you're single, you don't have to dread yourself along awkward conversations or pressing ones (say you are the new girl), or try to finish someone's cooking that's not to your liking (or pretending that you are interested with the amount of cardamon needed for that dish). You can celebrate with your own wacky family instead. Not with family during holiday this year? Call them. Skype.
Good Thing 3: You get to do whatever you want
Don't feel like splitting time between your and a significant other's families? Or having to dress like a nun just because his Grandma still think that you are a virgin ? You get nervous around kids? Great! You don't have to deal with those. Do exactly what you want, single friend. I am doing... me and , grab myself a bottle of nice top- shelf Chardonnay, go to the mass, read poetry book, eat a lot, skip exercise, write, watch The Grinch for 100 times, or Love Actually ;-)

Thou shall not be disgruntled.
Happy holidays, everyone! 

Love, 
Tressabel.

What's your favorite holiday treats?

My take on answering Emily Mcdowell's pressing question; "What is your favorite holiday treats?"

1. Macaroni schotel, Potato Gratin, klappertart, vruchtensalade (fruit salad) and...
2. Roasted pork with andaliman sauce. Andaliman sauce makes it very North-Sumatran and no one... I repeat, no one can whip it better than my Grandma!
3. Speculaas cookies... hhhmmm #nom. I can eat stacks of them till my face is swollen!

ps: Coincidentally, I was interviewed for an article titled Ghost of Christmas Delights. Read it here:)

What's yours? Emily's answers below, I agree with her on NO straight eggnog. But I have no tolerance for anything minty in my food. I just do not get it.

Ahu do dalan I (I am the way)

I posted this song lyrics a few months ago. One of Dad's fave Batak gospel song that he used to play and sing. My dear cousin Elkana Lumbantoruan posted his encouraging comments, saying that he listens to the song everyday. 

Even in the midst of his battle over cancer, he managed to elevate my then nearly estranged faith.

He is in God's hands now. Miracles do happen. As us God's children keep on believing in His time and plan... then experiencing faith restoration.

Till we meet again, brother. I know you will sing out praises in the house of the Lord! Philippians 1:21.

ps: The 

song: "Ahu do dalan I" (I am the way- John 14:6) 

Beautiful

Blue Christmas

Wont' mean a thing, dear... If you're not here with me...

ps: If miracle still exist, I am going to find this album again! 

(Bad reckless movers. Bad... )

Oh... confession, my real fave Christmas song is... from the Boss!

What were your childhood obsessions?

Pop quiz time by Emily McDowell !
But here goes...

1. Pippi Longstocking aka Pippi Langkous! Her beautiful freckles and her mad ideas and approach in life. Love! I secretly thought of my neighbor Doddy and Verina as Thomas and Annika *wink.
2. Crossword puzzle every Sunday with Grandpa. For a heavenly bowl of chicken noodle that we will buy after finishing all the questions!
3. The NeverEnding Story. For a month or two, I would read in the dark, under the blanket, with a flash light. Just like what the boy did!
4. Play. Christmas play, Easter play, Bible stories  play, ANY play. The stage was my oyster.
5. These book series Girl Talk, Dear Diary (When I started to have eyes for boys...)
6. Mermaid and this movie Dad bought in Japan and sent over to my Grandparent's for me:  The Last Unicorn.
7. Milo chocolate and its chocolate bar, Astors and believe this... I was obsessed with green beans and sardines! Like "Grandma, can we eat sardines and green beans for dinner tonight... again?" for like... a year. 

Tell me yours!

Letter to CURRIE Hutasoit

This post is to celebrate your birthday, Detrianie Anna CURRIE Hutasoit!

And I believe that this is something that you can relate!

Even for a genius like Marie Currie, haters exist! She won two Nobel Prizes for her work in two different categories, she was one of the leading physicists doing groundbreaking work in radioactivity (I seriously have zero idea about it, I mean, what the what is radium?!). As a bonus, she gave the world... well... "JUST" X-rays. But trolls and haters of 1911 attacked and judge her anyway. Her religious background, her relationship status was questioned and criticized. Haters came after her (and any of us) for being remarkably happy and successful. They despise anyone who shines, especially if it is their eyes that got burn.

So, it does not matter how you carefully select what to feed your baby with, people will criticize anyway. You will never gain or lose enough weight for haters, because the minute you are happy with your body, that's when they think you look like you need help. And when your husband accepts you for who you are (say you did not crisp-iron his Sunday's best) other people will roll their eyes as if they're the ones going to church with you. When your business attempts fail, and you manage to keep that smile on your face as you try again, they curse you for being "unrealistic." And dear, you're right. It is not even their money.

However, just like you, Marie Curie had plenty of people who supported her too, including Albert Einstein. He wrote her a letter of support, essentially telling her to shake it off. The advice still holds up: “don’t read that hogwash.”

Trying to be slightly like Einstein, I am asking you to remember this; you are an amazing Mama, a sweet sister and daughter, the greatest cook and brave entrepreneur, a supportive and loving wife. Nothing... nothing can change that. 

Happy Birthday, Selamat Ulang Tahun, Tuhan Yesus memberkati :)

ps: Dad did not give you that name for no reason, and... faith. 

Oh, and my post about Marie Curie a few years ago.

Rest of My Life

The video below does not have the best sound quality but I just adore how Brian and his sons performing the song.
Better for the ears version here.