You know, being 23 (or should i say, 24?) is really depressing. I feel old, really. During this time of the year, yes it's already december mind you, school holidays, semester break and whatnot, I've got soooo many wedding invitations from my dear friends! Oh come on, chillex! It is still quite early to get married, no? Teeet, wrong! Everybody is soooo getting married! And I started to freak out, really, seriously. What happens to I-want-to-pursue-my-phd-before-I-get-married or I'd-like-to-enjoy-my-single-life-a-little-longer or hey-i-don't-wanna-rush-into-things-and-i-want-to-keep-my-options-open? Smorg libido dah rising to the peak eh? *sigh356times* (cis, itu nama dia dah jodoh dan kau yg jodoh ntah bila nk sampai jgn nk jeles! -_-")
So I had this conversation with a friend, Q. And I told him that I've made a plan to escape. Like when december comes, I'll plan a getaway, hibernating in a cave or something. Tsk. Reality hurts but whattehell, I should just try to soldier on. It's okay darlings. I'll definitely go to your weddings. Mana tau berjumpa jodoh di sana terus tumpang tok kadi buat double weddings. haha. Okay that sounds desperate ugh euw blergh!
And oh it makes me wonder, if you have different life values/views with your partner, can you two be together, happily everrr afterrr? You know, like when you have different opinions on issues. You see things differently, you two have different perspectives on life. For me, it is okay. In fact, it can be a good thing, the catalyst of your relationship progression. I am argumentative. I like to argue, a lot. And I look up to a partner who takes a strong stand on what he think is right, who can come up with reasons to justify his claims and respects my opinions at the same time. And I like to ask, a lot. That way, I gain a lot of knowledge and useful inputs. And if he is wrong, or if he does not have the answer to my question, then he has to admit it and we can explore things together. It is a good thing, right? Like two magnets with different charges attracted to each other.
But what if the two of you just don't share the same outlook on what is important in life. You want different things in life. Your life's principles are different, like, your partner is a heavy smoker, he can't live without puffing tobacco and burning off his lungs and exhaling carbon monoxide, but you really think he should stop smoking because you don't wanna be a victim of second hand smoke, inhaling carbon monoxide thank you very much, which can cause you (and your cute kids) lung cancer. So, how would you deal with this kind of issue?
I think toleration is the key. Both parties have to tolerate and compromise. You can't just expect him to stop smoking right there and then. Give him time. It's not easy for a tobacco addict to stop smoking but that shouldn't be the excuse either. It's not easy but it is possible. Or, if you just can't compromise due to your health condition, then you have to find a partner who doesn't smoke ciggie, leaving him 2 options, losing you or stop smoking.
However, if the issues are on religious matters, then you should NOT compromise. Like, drinking alcohol. If dah kawen dan bakal atau sudah menjadi bapa pon still menoggak cheap beers (or expensive liquor), pergi clubbing budget kau bujang lagi dan tak mahu berubah, susah lah. Dude, you are the leader of the family, bear that in mind! Ppffftt.
And of course we have certain expectations or criteria that our partner has to meet kan? It depends on what do you look for in a partner. Does he/she have to be good looking? Does she/he have to be a good cook? Do you appreciate looks over intelligence? What about inner beauty? So the choice is in your hands.
Most women tend to be blinded by the so-called strong feelings. Like, just by looking at him, your heart skips a beat and you can't seem to get him off of your mind 24/7, or just by hearing his name, you can't stop smiling. Is it love? You sooo want to marry this person and devote your life to him and have his babies! But wait, red alert, ladies! Don't just look at how do you feel about him, look at how he treats you. You have to varify your feelings with facts. If he can't treat you right, don't give yourself excuses like, "he doesn't call or text me, it doesn't mean he doesn't care, he is just busy." Pppffttt. (Sila baca "dia memang tidak sgt ke dalam kau" dan "awas, jangan dibelenggu lagi!")
Okay, he might have treated you well. But you also have to look at how he confronts a situation, how he deals with problems, how he tackles the mysteries of life, how he treats other people. He might be masking his actual behavior with all the sweet talks and "good deeds" to you just to win your heart, dear. Bila dah kawen, he will show his true colour. So, look for a partner who deals with the world in a way you respect.
Compatibility is really important, lovers! Look for a partner who can bring laughter to your life, who laughs with you, not who laughs AT you. Laughter brings magic to your relationship or marriage. Really. After a long day at work, when you have had a bad day, when everything didn't go your way, you just need a partner who can lighten you up, laughs together about that shit and makes you feel better.
Yes, getting married is like whohooo yay kawen!! But choosing the right partner to spend your whole life with, is FREAKING DIFFICULT. Getting married is not just about the licence to have legal sex, having cute babies, or having someone to do your laundry or cook for you. Marriage is a synonym of responsibility. And responsibility is a BIG word. It is all about responsibility and COMMITMENT. So, are you ready for the togetherness?
And for all the newlyweds, congratulations! May 'for better or worse' be far better than worse :)

At this moment, there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world. Some are lonely, some are having good company, some hate the world, some live life to the fullest, some are lying to others, others are just learning to face the truth. Some have found new love, others are heartbroken. Some are moving on, others are still holding back. Some bitch about others and some are good, struggling with the bad. Some are loved, and some have lost love. Some fall in love and others fall out of love. 6 billion people in the world. 6 billion souls. And sometimes, all you need is one :)