Semi Hiatus due to Severe Addiction

There's just so much things that I want to blog about but this thing always, always gets on my way. Now I've summoned all the forces of the universe to bring myself to finally write. But I suppose I will be in such a hurry so I'll just summarize my whole week in one entry to save my precious time. What's up with me?

I'm on a The Sims 3 phase once again. Every time I get ahold of a new game or expansion of it, I always go nuts playing it non-stop for days/weeks or even months. It all started a decade ago with The Sim City. It has a quite different game play than The Sims, but the heart and soul of these games is all the same - simulation. Then came the first ever The Sims game. It has a crappy graphics but who would complain about that in the early 2000s. Then Sims 2 went out with better-looking graphics. It also has the most awesome expansions ever! Yeah, better than the Sims 3, well atleast for me. Now the third version of the Sims is out along with several expansions already. The graphics is kick-ass. The game play is better, of course. Now, I recently installed the Generations expansion set, it was quite late having it, that's why my curiosity and excitement boiled up to this level that I can't even stop playing it while working. Next month, they'll be releasing the Pets expansion and I wonder how will that affect my work, health and social life, hahah. Some people may not get why am I wasting time with this boring game. But hey, who wouldn't want to play God? Okay, that sounds wrong. But just think of it like playing dolls but far more complex ones. 

Here's my sim, taking care of her client's children. She's a daycare specialist.

Oh, I was about to talk about my week. Last Friday, we had our test engagement photo shoot. It was just a fun way to immerse ourselves slowly into the photo taking world. I am very fond of having my photos taken but not in that level. I was quite uncomfortable actually, but our photographer is nice so we got through it very well. The idea was to have a very light feel, no still poses, no dramatic outfits and sceneries, just everyday mundane stuffs. We decided to do it on my boyfriend's work site. Imagine ginormous satellite dishes, cables and equipments. It's very fitting and original. We wore our matching shirts (they are not couple shirts, just plain black shirts with a little printed detail which is supposed to be an inside joke). 

Taken outside a storage room, yes that is a broken washing machine and in front of it is a lawn mower's handle. And yep, he's holding a fluorescent light.

Another highlight of my week is the album launching of my favorite local band, Chiro. I first heard them way back in 2008. It was my birthday when me and my boyfriend decided to spend the night drinking in a bar. He requested Sunny Came Home to this band and dedicated it to me. That was the first time I heard that song and it was beautifully sang. I became a fan. I followed some of their gigs and I got so excited when they won a national contest. I am happy they are now somehow recognized as they already have their digital album. They launched it last Saturday in Marquee Mall and I was so determined to watch it. I wasn't disappointed of course, they gave a great show and their album just costs 99 Php. We didn't finish it though because my mom's really starving so we decided to have our dinner already. Right after eating, the mall is about to be closed when we saw the band heading out to the parking lot. I asked them to sign the album and had my photo taken with their lead vocals. I know, they're not that sikat yet and it's so not-sosyal to ask for an autograph, but I did. So what! Hahah, defensive. They're really talented, I can see them hitting it big someday soon. 

Me and Toni with our flaming aura

Then last bed-weathered Sunday, I peeled my lazy ass off my chair as I attended my cousin's cotillion practice. Yes, I was asked to join that dance because they were short of female dancers. Don't get me wrong, I love my cousin and I am also excited about it because it will be my first time (me and my close friends didn't have this kind of bonggang debut) but I was kinda reluctant for two reasons. Reason number one, I seem to be too old for it and number two, I am a very, very bad dancer.


A supposed graceful dance turned into a painful one. My fellow dancers (most of them are teenagers) all wore cute sandals and flip flops while I did not bother to think of that because I was too lazy to dress up so I just grabbed my shoes (with a brand who boasts strong grip from the sole). So there they were, gracefully gliding over the tiled floor while I was squeaking my feet difficultly. The steps looks easy but I just can't seem to follow them. Ugh. After less than two hours of awkwardly dancing without a partner, the practice finally ended. Then my knee started to hurt. Lesson learned, if you do not want to look like an old fart who just got inflicted by rheumatism, do not wear shoes with sticky soles when dancing waltz. Or I guess every sane person who knows how to dance knows that already?

Videographer

We had reserved a slot to our photographer already. He's such a sweetheart. A supposed "service-only" package suddenly included a whole lotta freebies after just two meetings. After all, I can sense that he's a genuinely good person without some pushy sales talk. He advised that we get a separate videographer so they can focus on their respective tasks. 

We scoured and scoured of videographers who's got some good deals. Yes I found one, HD video services for an affordable price. Not bad, definitely. I've checked his works and they're okay too. I have talked to him before email and bargained for a price. I gave my name so he knows whose he dealing with. We went to his office after closing the price at 15k.

He wasn't at his office that day. We talked to his assistant and told him about the price we settled. He called his boss to confirm. I was kinda disappointed that the price was again raised to 18k even after I told him my name. I understand that he may have a lot of customers and pricing may come confusing, but I find it a little unprofessional too. He should know, right? Or if he's not sure, he should have checked first. After some back to zero bargaining, it was settled once again to my expected price. I gave the deposit and left. 

After reaching home, I sent him an email, informing him about the down payment and since the breakdown was not clearly stated in the contract (we got a photobooth service too), I asked for his acknowledgment. He replied that he would check it. Days have passed... I waited. Until I knew I had to follow up. I sent him another email asking when can we hear from him. The morning after I sent that, he called me on my phone. He was asking what I needed. I was shocked since I was sure the thread of messages were there on the email I sent. I said I just wanted an assurance that everything was okay regarding the services included and he said he already acknowledged it. When?? Well, it was that time when he said he would "check it"... that was his acknowledgement. And then there's this feeling of impatience in his voice. Twisted. I was disappointed. I do not expect to be treated as a queen, but at least someone who deserves some courtesy. 

But then again, I know my coordinator knows him. I'll just let her take care of it to save me from such minor headaches. We might got off on the wrong foot, but I really reallly need him to do his job perfectly on our special day. So I will let this slip off. See? I didn't even write his name. 

My Teenage Dream

Before our highschool graduation, me and my friends were brainstorming what college course we should take. I didn't have any clue. Deep in my mind, I knew what my dream is. It's not a typical fierce, independent-lady-like kind of dream. I know I can take up any course because I wanted to be a housewife. Yep, you heard me right. A housewife.


I ended up taking a very challenging course. I even made my parents proud by passing its licensure exams. I had real jobs with related tasks to my field. I had no fun so I hopped from a job to another one quickly. Yes, we're talking about months, not years. In a span of 4 years, I already had 6 jobs already (and several months of rest). And then I realized, maybe this career is really not for me?


Fast forward to today. I've been staying at home for the past 8 months now. I have some ways to earn online that makes me survive somehow.


Recently, my bf and mother had needed a whole lot of support. My bf had an accident which made him barely mobile and my mom had to be hospitalized due to a condition. My housewife DNA took over and made me oh-so domesticated and caring. I attended to their needs while juggling my online job and household chores. Then it occurred to me. My highschool self must be grinning with pride for her plan is finally at reach. I am exactly a plain housewife now! 


Did it bother me? No. I may be tired, but as cliché as it may sound, I feel fulfilled for the first time in my life. I know I may have to rethink if a baby is on the way, but it's not yet. I am happy now and it works for me. So why not. 

Back to Mommy's Trainings All Over Again

I'm her clone

As babies, we were gifted with the rights to receive maternal teachings like, clapping of hands, talking, walking and dancing. Mommies are so patient nurturing us, making sure we grow up just right. I am very thankful I was never an exemption. My mother was very hands-on in bringing me and my brother up as she was a stay-at-home mom and an intrinsically kind-hearted human being.


As now grown-ups, me and my brother still live with her. With my wedding coming this year-end, I know it will, somehow, break her and my dad's gentle hearts as they would have to let me go. I will, for the first time, live on a different house, with my new set of family (husband and maybe in-laws). Instead of being reluctant of that big change, she's just so wonderful of trying to teach me things that will help prepare me.


Now we're back to basics. My mother, teaching me new things, but this time, it no longer involves potty training. Lessons that are more valuable. From time to time, out of nowhere, she tells me things, without me realizing she's actually lecturing me. Maybe that's her subtle way of readying me because I may seem oh so excited, but a little part of me is scared as sh*t. Marriage is a lifelong commitment which requires unending love, understanding, passion and compromises. See that? I included the word compromise. If there's something I've learned from the past, that's one of the most important I guess.


Some important pointers I recall receiving lately (mostly while we're washing the dishes):

• Don't ever nag.

I lived with my parents most of my single life. I am proud to say that I've never heard them yell at each other. Yes there have been some arguments in the past but they kept their cool. They kept their respect for each other by not cursing and name-calling.


As tempting as it seems to just vent out every time things do not go our way, nagging doesn't always help. Yes it may feel good for us at that very instance to let it all out but it will just be converted to some random ramblings to our partner. It will never be listened to! Well, unless we include some taunting and insults, I'm sure our voice will be crystal clear. But you know where that will take us. So why not save ourselves from regret (or sore throat) and just be silent whenever we're angry. Silence is the best weapon anyway. It will cool your heads off until both of you are on your sane minds to talk and sort things out.

• Love your in-laws.

We all know how mothers-in-law are being stereotyped as "monsters". I'll be very honest, mine is not perfect too. She has this very strong personality which can scare anyone away. She's over protective of her family and their traditions. She loves being in-control of the house. I can't blame her, she has a loving husband and three sons who treated her as the queen ever since. And now, one by one, her princes are marrying their new "queens". And I am next. I don't know if I can be in par with her expectations and capabilities. All I know is that I'm quite scared of how I will handle it. 


You see, I've been a princess in our own little home. My parents and only brother spoiled me rotten with everything I needed. Soon I'll be leaving home. I may be staying with my new mom - my mother in law. I know I should be impressing her. My mother told me that no matter how scary it may seem to live with the in-laws, I should always aim to win their hearts. She never taught me to avoid it. Instead, she wanted me to exert a lot of effort in loving them. Yes, real, genuine love just like how I love my immediate family, walang kaplastikan! She wanted me to listen to them and allow any corrections, even reprimands, to be given to me. No, she's not teaching me how to be a martyr. It's just how it goes. Pour out love, and she's a hundred percent sure it will all be given back to me. 

• Don't let money rule the marriage

Let's face it, we all need money. We need it to pay our bills, to eat and even to live comfortably. But it should never be the center of marriage. It should never be an issue. Money comes and goes. Why bother fighting over it. It should not be the main goal of our every day living. 


My family, just like any typical Filipino families, went through some financial problems in the past. Curse unemployment. My father had this very long "vacation" while me and my brother are on our graduating years (highschool and college respectively). I saw how hard life can be that time. My parents had to borrow money from relatives and we had to live off the same ulam every day. But never, ever, had I heard my mom pester my dad about it. My dad did his best to do something and always assured my mom that God will always provide just like how he provides foods for the birds (Matthew 6:26). My mom trusted him and Him and we made it through. If you look at it the other way, it's so easy to just break down and let it out on your partner, especially if you see your kids hungry. But they didn't. And it made us strong. 


And now that she's got this fat bank account and we're teasing her that she's already a Donya, she still knows the value of money. She doesn't live off like a superstar, splurging with their hard-earned cash. But instead, she saves it for their retirement. It's still a mutual decision with mutual benefits. 


You see, money is just an everyday tool. You just have to know how to use it wisely. It should never be fought over. It's just like fighting over a hammer or a screwdriver (Yeah because i said it's like a tool). But no, my analogy's messed up. Money is consumable. Maybe I can compare it with water? It's like fighting over a glass of water? Now I'm not making sense anymore. Maybe I had too much serious talk, lol, ignore this last paragraph.

an AWESOME birthday

If I could sprinkle glitters on the word AWESOME just to further emphasize it, I would. It was the birthday of all birthdays. My most favorite birthday so far!

I spent 10 days, doodling how to write this entry. I kept editing, changing, re-writing - only to give up to the fact that I am actually lost for words how to describe it. Let me summarize it through a single photo:

Yes, he officially popped the question. I know, we've already been planning to get married this year so you may think it really isn't a surprise. But it still was! Sealing it with a rock is still a big deal for women, they really are our bestfriends! 

A Real Wedding Experience

I've been blogging about my upcoming wedding for quite some time now. I've never been this excited about something before. I've been researching and planning it endlessly on my pc, then I wondered, when was the last time I attended a REAL wedding? I must see one before I had my own. I must have a preview of what, and what not to have on mine.

Until recently, my mom received an invitation to an actual wedding. She'll be one of the Primary Sponsors and of course, she needed a "driver" to live up to that "primary" status. And no, I won't be the driver since I kinda banned myself from driving on the highway until I realize that running over stubborn kids on the streets is wrong. My brother had only 3 VLs left until December so he refused too. She asked my boyfriend to do it instead. Luckily, it was my day off too so I tagged along.

It was a rural wedding. I felt a little sad for the bride not because it was done in a barrio, but because I know it could've used some improvements. I did not blame the bride herself but I despised her suppliers. First, the invitations looked very DIY. You can see pencil markings, irregular cuts and inappropriate fonts. You see, there's nothing wrong with DIY, except that it's NOT! I can't believe they were professionally made. Then the flowers, how can I describe them kindly? Well, they were half dead, a stone's throw away from being literally withered. Then groom's men had very different styles and colors of suits. And not to mention, very poor-fitting. The cameramen acted as coordinators, commanding everyone when to stop, pose and walk. It ruined the solemnity and spontaneity of the ceremony. During the reception, I can't stop whining how unorganized their setup was. I mean, a lot of people were hoarding excessive amount of foods which made the latter batch hungry and unsatisfied (aka ME).

I know my opinions were unsolicited but I can't think of other ways to vent out. But it was not a total disaster for me. Before you brand me as a cynical b*cth, let me tell you about my epiphany. As I was busy picking on the details of the entourage, the bride arrived. They closed the door for her grand entrance. The music changed for a more dramatic mood as she walked down the aisle. Suddenly, I just felt my heart racing and eyes welling up. I was sincerely touched! Imagine what she's been feeling on that very moment. It must be a thousand times of mine. That overwhelmingly beautiful kind of happiness. That feeling of having your dreams come true right before your eyes. Sigh.

So there, I realized, minor details may not matter at all when you know nothing in the world can bring you down at that moment. A wedding may seem to be about a beautiful and flawless ceremony, but what matters more is the union, the marriage itself. *

*but I still want mine to be perfect... crosses fingers and toes. 

Saizen Mud Pack

Have you heard of that Japanese store, Saizen, where you can buy stuffs for 85 pesos each? A store where you'll find quirky stuffs which will make you wonder what the hell are they thinking inventing these things: 

e.g. Banana keeper - a container specifically designed to keep a banana from bruising. IKR.

There you'll find crazy stuffs with even crazier english-translated instructions. You'll definitely kill a lot of time being amazed by the Japanese's creativity and innovations (even on the darndest little things). You'll also find yourself wanting to buy random stuffs, swearing you definitely needed them even though you've survived most of your life having no clue they existed at all:  

e.g. Portable ashtrays - you'll never have to flick ash on the floor anymore. Seriously?

Since my cousin works there as a manager, she gave me a tour while explaining the usages of their items. She said they barely had sales that day so she forced me to buy some things. Fine. I carefully picked out things I could actually use (or eat). One of the items I chose is a mud pack, I found out afterwards that there have been raves about this product which made me felt good about the purchase. 

It's just a mask! Don't freak out.

The package did not come with english instructions so I basically just followed my mud pack instinct. I let my pores open up first by patting my face with a warm towelette. Then I covered my face with the mask, waited until it's dry enough and peeled it off. It was surprisingly black and glossy at first but it dried out matte. The whole process took half an hour. I was so excited to peel it and watch those darn black heads say goodbye to my epidermis! True enough, it was effective! My face even felt a lot smoother afterwards. 

But one thing worth mentioning, co-incidence or not, I woke up with some red rashes on my face. I got so dang nervous about them but just before I freaked out, they're gone. Yes, they voluntarily disappeared after some few hours. Did the mask cause it? I don't know, but there's only one way to find out. 

photos from here and here. 

A Night to Recover

Socks, Pajamas, Blanket and a Cat - my version of Biogesic

Yesterday, I summoned all my guts to go to a doctor. I never feared doctors before because I knew I was only getting checked for minor illnesses (fever, tonsilitis, uti). But yesterday was a different story. It took me two weeks of self-medication and procrastination before I finally went to one. What held me back was the thought of "what the hell is wrong with me", because it wasn't an obvious sickness. I got something on my throat which are too disgusting to discuss. My usual paranoid self deduced it right away to cancer, mouth gonorrhea (WTF, right? Really, wtf am I thinking?) or anything horrible and life threatening.

As the ENT specialist checked my throat with a scope (showed it on a monitor which made the whole deal a hundred times more eeew), he told me it was just another case of tonsilitis which infected my adenoids. Normally, adenoids shrink after childhood. And guess what, in my case, they didn't. Just my luck!

I'm happy it was barely life-threatening, to prove, I was just prescribed to take a total of three pills. Still, I felt a little feverish that night so I resorted to my favorite things to feel better. Socks, pajamas, blanket, Plicka my cat and a warm peppermint tea! And for the record, I slept at 12am - my earliest sleep this year!

Pre Cana

One of the requirements before getting married is an attendance to an interview plus seminar done by the Church. We were scheduled to have it last July 9.


The interview was conducted by the priest. It lasted for a good 5 minutes - half of that revolved around my boyfriend's job. Too bad, we actually prepared for some gruesome questions concerning sex, drugs, abortion and the likes. And all we had was one lousy question regarding both parties' sanity. Yeah, he asked if by any chance, we had mentally-unstable relatives. I was kinda surprised but it was explained to me that mental condition may be a ground for annulment. Are neighbors included?


Okay... moving on to the Pre Cana Seminar. It was led by a third party group who usually does this stuff. We joined other couples for half a day, listening and sharing. Though they did most of the sharing. I don't know, I was never comfortable talking about my love life , well at least in person (coz here I am, blogging about it, lol). And I cringed on their stories. Yeah, they're sweet and all, but hey, we're still strangers! I don't wanna hear about your nagkadevelopan stories. TMI people, TMI.


Yes, I seemed very inattentive all through out, as a matter of fact, the speaker called for my attention at one point because I was "whispering" (i never thought it was that loud) as she was speaking. But hey, I picked up the whole point. I was even touched by the explanation why it was named "pre-cana". If you've absorbed some lessons on Religion subject way back in elementary days, you'll remember that Jesus performed His very first miracle in a wedding in Cana (water turned into wine). So yeah, it was nothing but suitable to relate it to that. Which made me somehow wish He would do the same on our wedding, but then I realized I am not a wine-drinker myself. And besides, I am thankful enough for the wedding, finding the perfect guy who can put up with me is already a miracle. Lol.


Another thing we were thought that time is was the power of prayer. Of course, we do pray. But it becomes more remarkable if we pray not only for ourselves but for others too. You see, it's not consumable. Praying is without limit, so never for a moment think that you're wasting your chance of praying if you prayed for other people too.


Lastly, they thought us something, which in my opinion is the best advice they can ever give to couples. That is to keep every quarrels to themselves. It was even pointed out specifically, "never include your parents to your fights". Hahah. I knew a lot of people living a life of hell because their parents-in-law perceive them as someone flawed - someone unworthy. Why? Because their partners made them seem that way each time they narrate every nasty imperfections the other one have. So I totally agree to that. Actually, we both agreed to that. We have practiced that from day 1, so until now, his parents still think I'm an angel and my parents still adores him so much too (even if we broke up several times already, hah!).

May You be Guided Back Home

You are the most common-looking dog we ever had. You are noisy, fidgety and stubborn. Despite of that, you are definitely funny, sweet and most of all, lovable. You make funny noises only you are capable of every time you're being scolded. Which is why it's so impossible to get mad at you.

I just hate why is it in every dog's genes to go out of the gate to chase cars, stray dogs and people aimlessly. I hate it why they have to get lost when their tracks get washed out by the rain. I hate the fact that you might had been run over by a car or captured by some stupid, dog-eating drunkards (Oh God forbid that!).

Boy, you got me heartbroken. I still hope you're still out there, having fun. Just come home when you get hungry or tired. May you be guided back home. I miss you already, my iPod. You know you're my bff.

A Break from all the Hype

I've been very busy lately with all those wedding preparations and all. This week, I took a little break from all the hype to do some other things for others and for myself. Here's my week's worth of events.


June 22
My mom was invited by her sisters-in-law to watch their most favorite band in the world. Nope, not Spongecola, not Parokya ni Edgar, not even the Hotdogs. They have been following this band for quite some time like crazy teenage groupies! Behold: the most talked about band in our clan! The Draybers!

The Draybers

I know right, who the hell are the Draybers?! All I know is that they perform every Wednesday on Pagcor Angeles and Tuesdays (not sure) on Pagcor Clark. It was a Wednesday. My mom was so excited to watch that she asked my boyfriend to drive for her. It was raining so hard but we didn't mind. Deep inside, I was also excited by the fact that I'm going inside the Casino itself. You see, I haven't entered that darn establishment ever since it was erected oh so gloriously. Its facade is quite intimidating with all its gigantic architectural ornaments. Why would a commoner like me enter that million-dollar-looking thing, and to think, I can't even afford a hundred-peso coffee, what more a hundred-peso chip for a single game. Oh well. That's what I thought. As soon as I entered, all my dream bubbles burst! There was nothing fancy about it! The interior looked fairly old, the carpet was a little dirty and honestly, its players looked nothing but common too! Hahah.. so it was all me and my imagining mind, who thought that this place was a fancy one. 



While my mom, with my aunts, watched their "idols", me and my boyfriend roamed around and fought every single cell in me that wanted to place a bet. I didn't know I had a potential gambling problem! I realized it when I sat on a slot machine, a very beautiful one, and inserted my hundred-peso bill. Cheap, I know. But heck, I enjoyed every press I made on that SPIN button. 

A wonderland for adults.

I won several times but I lost a lot more. That hundred peso was succeeded by several others and before I knew it, I was begging my boyfriend to give me some more.  I was definitely on a high. He didn't give in and tried to control me. So there, we just went back to watch those Draybers sing "knock three times... on the ceiling if you want me". They're good in all fairness. 


June 25
My brother's girlfriend went home from abroad for a week-long vacation. She's wonderful enough to invite me and my boyfriend to join their family getaway in Fontana Waterpark. I love beaches, but I do love waterparks even more! I guess the child in me is more dominant than the 2-piece clad adult in me. I spent the whole day eating, swimming, playing, eating, swimming some more, posing for photos and did I already mention eating? It was an ultimate relaxation. It's complete with a wave pool, three ginormous slides, a big horn, hot spring, olympic size pool, lazy river and some water factories for kids! It reminded me of Singapore's Jurong Sports Complex, only better. Why? Because I wasn't swimming with some smelly people. (Oops, I'm not stereotyping, I just happened to swim with actual smelly people that time).

A wonderland for children and children-at-heart alike.

June 27
Since my brother's gf's here. We planned a little surprise for her. Actually, it was not little at all, it was a mega humongous legen, wait for it, dary kind of plan. He was going to PROPOSE! The plan was to fill his car with balloons and flowers, put the ring beside them while the car stereo's blastin' "don't say no no no no no, just say yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah" (Marry you by Bruno Mars). My brother gave me some cash to buy and set everything up while they roamed around the mall. She didn't have a clue that me and my boyfriend were in that same mall, setting something up for her. He parked the car on the same spot where she first said "yes" to him to be his girlfriend (he's gonna kill me if he read all this details here so I'm hoping he never gets to find this blog). 

25 pcs balloons, they got to see only 23. One popped out and the other flew away.

And of course she said yes and now they're officially engaged. I'm happy and excited to have a beautiful sister like her!


June 29
Ever since I've seen Bruce Willis' movie 6th Sense, I've always taken pleasure in watching horror/suspense movies! It's like a substitute for a roller coaster ride. Same heart-pounding fun! My top list includes Sukob, Paranormal Activities 1 and 2, Fragile, The Eye (original version) among others. Since I've read some raves about this new movie, Insidious, I decided to torture beg my boyfriend for some accompaniment. 
During the movie, there were some scary and shout-educing moments. But no, it did not land to my top list. The ghosts looks very lame, the plot was somehow predictable in the middle of the movie and the gulat-style was very classic! Really! I mean they must have done that in purpose, I read a review just now by Bruce Diones on Rotten Tomatoes and it said "Wan and Whannell have, in effect, ripped pages from the "Poltergeist" playbook and stripped the formulas down to old-style gothic scares." That's exactly what I'm meaning to say, gothic scares! 
Well I can't say it's a total waste of time. It's not that bad anyway, but it didn't keep me awake all night or make me sleep with my mom either.  

Even the title screen screams classic!

My Attire

My Inspiration Board

This is the look I'm trying to achieve. Counterclockwise.

• The gown. It's a Maggie Sotero creation, but of course, I won't be buying it from her. I'll just have it patterned by a local couturier. You'll notice that it still sticks with the Grecian theme, having an elegant yet simple silhouette. It's accented by a jeweled single strap. I was never into ruffles and bulky gowns because with my petite build, it might overwhelm me.
• Next is the hairstyle. I want pulled up curls, emphasized by a hair embellishment. I don't want it too clean for it might make my head look ridiculously small.
• For the bouquet, I want yellow calla lilies. Plain and simple. I love how the yellow just pops out!
• Bangles. No, I won't be flooding my arm with those three. I think I'll just have one, a little something to go along with the gown.
• Shoes. I'll be searching for the perfect ones. Something with a gladiator feel but in an elegant, wedding-y way.
• Pouch. I do not want those spherical ones with rope handles. I want a simple white purse, small enough to fit a phone and some cash.
• Garter. I don't want those fancy, itchy-looking ones.
• Veil. I have no idea yet. But something like that in the photo would do.
• Earrings. Dangling ones preferably. It would be nice if I found pretty blue ones, they could be my "something blue".

I don't seem too excited at all... right? Right?? Hahah, who am I kidding here.

Photographer

It was night time as me and my boyfriend found ourselves hanging out at a local coffee shop in a local mall. We never really drink expensive coffees just to kill time because, believe me, we know way too many better things to kill time. We were there to meet with someone. It was our photographer.


He was just supposed to be one of the prospects, like I still need to choose after meeting up with other photographers too. But at the back of my mind, I know, I already chose him.


His name is RV dela Paz, creative director of the Seekers. He is a very young photographer from Angeles City with a booming career. We found his site while googling local photographers and to my shock, he really has potential. He's good actually! Well, not to mention, he fits our budget.


As he arrived our meeting place, he started showing us his portforlio. It was on his phone! Nothing that I haven't seen online though. I'm glad he never bad mouthed competitors, even though I intentionally provoked him to. Thats a sign of professionalism. This is his offer:


Sevice Only Package
Service of Seekers (3 Photographers)
Engagement Session
100 pcs 4R Processed Prints
High Quality Images on DVD
Php 15,000


It's crazy affordable! To judge from their previous works, they're far above from so-so. I also liked the way he gave us a cushion for our decision. We'll shoot the engagement session early, without any payment whatsoever, no strings attached. Meaning, we can back out anytime if we weren't satisfied with his shots. That is a good deal and we can't wait for that engagement shoot! Time to prepare the outfits and location!

RV dela Paz

www.facebook.com/RVdelaPaz

cargocollective.com/seekersphotography

seekersphotography@gmail.com

0915 781 6843


*** I still need to look for an independent videographer though.

Some Updates

June 12, 2011
Me and my mom went to Marquee mall to hear morning mass (yeah, masses are held on malls too nowadays). We met up with my 2 of my favorite cousins to tell them "the news".  They kinda knew what it was about but they still both gushed about it non-stop and never actually heard mass. They accompanied me checking suppliers in a bridal fair inside the same mall. The fair wasn't a huge help after all since I just ended up with a pile of calling cards from vendors and suppliers. Calling cards containing information already available online.

A pile of brochures and calling cards.

June 13, 2011
Monday morning, we went to the Municipal Hall to know the requirements before getting married. They only required two documents - Cenomar and copies of NSO Birth certificate. Both of them are available on NSO Office. So off we went to San Fernando in the middle of a sunny afternoon on an open-air vehicle.  Accomplishing government documents (or any other documents) is and always will be my least favorite activity ever. I know a lot of people would agree to me. And to think we'll still be coming back after 4 days to have those papers printed.


Anyway, after that rather unenjoyable errand, we went home to prepare a massive dinner. His family (and then some) will come over to officially ask for my hand in marriage (pamamanhikan). It was very touching since they arrived with a jeepney full of aunts and uncles from his mother's side of family. Our relatives, both mother and father side, also came. It was a feast! We talked about the wedding's date, venue, theme and principal sponsors. We were kinda uncomfortable being the center of it all, especially a crowd led by elders, but we made it a point for our voice to be heard. It's our wedding after all, right?

Some food that me and my mom prepared. They brought a lot of food too!

June 14
After we had our whole family's blessings, we proceeded to the church to book our date. Unfortunately, Dec.27 is no longer available. We looked at their calendar and saw an opening - December 30. It's a holiday, perfect! They handed us a piece of paper containing their requirements. I realized two things afterwards. First, getting married in a church really has a price, literally! I didn't expect the church's fee to be that expensive. Second, it also requires a whole lot of tasks to accomplish! Have I told you accomplishing documents is my least favorite activity ever?

Where will we begin?

June 15

It was holiday (Mt. Pinatubo day) so we both had a lot of time in our hands. We had our strategic plan of scouring the whole city of possible reception venues. We're eyeing for somewhere decent yet not-that-expensive. We will be hosting 300 guests and for our budget, that is a HUGE number of people to feed. After seeing (and rejecting) the first venue on our list, we landed on to our second one which is Batis Asul. It was love at first sight, only that we fell inlove with different options. I loved its indoor function hall, he loved its outdoor garden set-up. We can only choose one and no, we didn't tossed a coin. Instead, we went home, had some rest and went back to that place with his and my parents. It was a landslide vote. We chose the indoor venue. I'm kinda excited to dress that place up!

Indoor - it has some potential from what I see. I hope I'm right.

Outdoor. It's pretty with all the pool and garden stuffs going on. But I don't know why it didn't had my vote.

So there, our little advances on this dream wedding in the making. We already shed some blood out, and by blood, I mean money, on some down payments. I know it's just the beginning, but so far, I am completely enjoying this journey. And yeah, I'm also freaking out a bit*.

*this darn website keeps on sending me countdown of days before our wedding. It makes my heart jump every single time I receive it. I can't unsubscribe though, along with the countdown are helpful tips. So yeah, I must face the reality - it's getting nearer and nearer, two-hundred-days-nearer to be exact. 

Our Dream Wedding on Our Dream Destination (figuratively, that is)

I just can't contain my happiness right now. This is a huge milestone in our wedding planning. I thought we can get by without having a theme just because I can't think of any. But now, I'm glad.. so glad I figured out something. I'm gonna set my previous palette aside because no one actually agrees on black being our motif anyway.


After a series of brainstorming, I had an epiphany. There is this one place where I really really wanted to get married. But of course, due to ridiculously expensive airfare, I accepted the fact that it is not yet possible (we can renew on our 10th wedding anniversary there perhaps, lol). I just fell in love with that place. I even bugged my boyfriend to watch several documentaries about it. And of course, he loved it too! What is it? Are you ready??


Santorini. 


And since we won't be able to bring the actual ceremony to Greece, we'll just bring Santorini into the celebration. It will be the theme where every little details revolve. I designed an inspiration board just to have, well, an inspiration. It doesn't necessarily mean we're going to use the exact things there. Here it is:

Inspired by the distinct blue and white houses of Santorini, turquoise seas and Oia's magnificent sunset.

Gowns will have Grecian cuts. Royal, or should I say Santorini blue, will be the primary color. Yellow, of course from the famous sunset, will be the secondary color along with white and turquoise. Flower girls will have wreath-like headdresses. Men will have olive leaves on their heads. I was kidding on the latter. OMG! It will be fabulous! I can even wear a sexy Greek toga for the reception! Can't wait!!!

The Quest for the Perfect Black

I'm still sticking with my initial palette, I want black, turquoise, and happy yellow. Yep, black! I want it to be different, elegant and chic. Problem is, my boyfriend thinks black is pampatay. I understand. But maybe... maybe if he'll see the perfect black I'm imagining, he'll also understand. So now I'm on a quest to find that dress. A dress good enough to convert him, along with my conservative mother and his even-more-conservative mom. 

I thinks it's because I'm showing him knee-length dresses. Maybe flowy ones are more wedding-y? I'll look for some now. 

Knee-length black dresses - rejected

I can't believe planning can be this stressful. To think I'm still on minor stuffs! I still need to decide on the venue and suppliers. 

Some Baby Steps

I haven't had some decent brain rest since our sudden decision of "getting married in 6 months" yesterday. I just keep on thinking and talking and browsing the internet, trying to figure out how am I supposed to do it! I knew sooner or later we'll gonna do it anyway, but it never occurred to me that it will be this soon. 


What's the rush anyway, you may ask? Well, this year is supposed to be my brother's wedding year. But then something came up with his gf's work, so they stalled it until next year. I don't wanna be haunted by a random ghost just because we got married the same year (I'm referring to the Sukob movie, duh!) and I don't want to get married in 2013 just to be safe (13 is malas, right?), so we jumped right in the opportunity. I never knew I was superstitious, but hey, I don't want to risk it.


The date. We're eyeing 27th of December. It's a weekday but within the Christmas vacation so I think guest's attendance won't be that much of a problem. It also happened to be our monthsary, hahah! We'll be 6 years and 4 months by that time. It's not yet official though. We need to book the Church first, I think. We'll gonna do that tomorrow. After that, I can start coordinating with suppliers so they can already block the date. 


I'm glad I am not alone with all of this. It's such a happy journey knowing I got all the support I need from families, friends and of course my boyfriend. Only few people had known it though, well at least for now. There's our parents, my brother and his girlfriend, my boyfriend's family, one close friend and a previous colleague. I don't know when and how am I going to announce the news, but I'm pretty confident it will spread itself out. 


Early stage planning is a hard phase I guess. I'm still a little clueless. My mind is still battling with itself when it comes to deciding what kind of theme I am looking for. It changes every now and then and it's not helping. It also battles with some opinions and suggestions thrown by my (and his) mom. Don't get me wrong, it's not that they're unsolicited, but it just mixes up with my already mixed up judgement. I get it, they're as excited as I am. Well, I don't know if that should please or scare me. 


** 06/18/2011 update: 
Official date will be December 30, 2011. See why.

OMG OMG OMG

Yeah, that's what I kept chanting after making up our minds. I will be ditching my 2011 2nd half goals altogether because I'll be shifting my priority into something bigger. We will be GETTING MARRIED in 6 months! 


Again. OMG OMG OMG! 


For most brides-to-be, being down to 6 months is already crunch time! Me? I'm exactly at point A. How will I even begin? I'm starting to freak out!


This is a dream wedding in the making. I'm ecstatic, nervous, excited, hopeful and thankful. 


This will be fun!

Off He Goes Again

It was the longest time I've been with my dad, well, me as an adult that is. He stayed home for 6 months this time. I never got to know him that much since he always work overseas for as long as I remember. During his recent stay, I got to know him better. I am fascinated how similar we are to each other. Yeah I may look like my mother's clone, but I got some attitude from him, some are good, others bad. My mother had some complaints on how stubborn I am. She says I got that from him. Hahah! No wonder when he tries to discipline me, I feel like a teenage rebel talking back on every sermon he throws. I also got my obsession with lotions, perfumes and Vicks from him. And of course, everyone know's how we both love pets. 

I love how he spoils everyone rotten. There was this one time when I said I liked the spiced vinegar he bought. After a week, he went back to the supermarket and came home with 4 different kinds of vinegars. He recognizes even those littlest things! He also had this dog who now wouldn't eat fish and vegetables just because he always gave her meat for the whole 6 months. He didn't want her eating bland foods. Such a literal spoiled bitch!

This morning, he left for Vietnam, again. I'm glad I got to know him better. Surely I'm gonna miss him. 

Goals for the 2nd Half of 2011

It's has been officially 6 months since I took this grand vacation. Now, I am happy to say I am completely rested and up and running again! I know it's already mid year and it's kinda late to make a list of this year's goals but I'm gonna do it anyway. Let's just name it my "2nd half goals" (my 1st half goal is to rest). Without further ado, here it is:

• Run a Marathon. I hate the fact that's its so "in" nowadays that it may seem like I was just joining the bandwagon. But if you know me well enough, you knew that track and field has been my only sport ever since. I can't play volleyball, basketball, heck I can't even play a freaking badminton - but weirdly, I have competed on odd games like shot put, long jump, 100m dash and 400m run. Well, that was way back in grade school. And now I couldn't even stay on treadmill for an hour. So this goal will test my discipline not only on the marathon itself but also with the trainings before it. Let's prove that this lazy ass hasn't completely taken over me yet. 
• Do Some Charity Work. Aside from giving away several cellphones, jewelries and 10 units of computers to the needy (aka robbers), I can't recall the last time I did a charitable work. I always have something in mind but I can't seem to execute them. So this time, I really hope this won't be pushed aside for the nth time. Maybe I'll do it on my birthday, or maybe Christmas, or just any random day. All I have to do is find a recipient first.
• Trek Mt. Pinatubo. I sooo wanted to do this a long time ago. At first, I can't seem to figure out how to do it since I do not have some buddies to join me so travelling in pair would be expensive. And then I saw some legit and affordable tours but suddenly something happened to the crater's lake. Its color changed. The majestic turquoise-colored water became dark blue just when I was about to go there. I asked some people and they said that the color usually comes around. I hope it does soon because I really really wanna go there already. Oh Mt. Pinatubo, you're so near, yet so far! Hey, you scared the shit out of me when I was younger (you know, with all the earthquakes and ashes), the least you can do now is be pretty again!
• Climb Mt. Pulag. I'm eyeing December for this one. I wanna be well-prepared to experience the zero degrees temp of Luzon! Brrrr.. Just the thought of it excites me!
• Trip to Puerto Princesa. This is more of a wishful thinking now. I got the plane tickets last year for this trip and booked them in accordance to my boyfriend's schedule. I never thought I may be having a new job now and taking a 3 day leave may be impossible. So let's just see. 
• Complete atleast 40% of our wedding budget. Yeah, pretty self-explanatory. 
• Keep a Job for More Than a Year. This goal is good until next year. Whew, toughest goal for me!

**Updated 6/3/2011 I just learned that Mt. Pinatubo's lake is actually back to normal. I'll be there ASAP. I mean it, I've already booked us this coming Saturday. Excited!!

**Updated 6/4/2011 We won't push through, again, for the nth time. Gosh darn it.