feeling the rush

I never knew how stressful invitations could be! But now I know. First, I couldn't sleep because they weren't done yet. Then I couldn't sleep because I had to write down the people I had to send them to. Then send them. And now I'm stressing because the couriers are saying they can't send some of them because its "too far" or they need a contact number for the ones that are to be sent out of the country. I have only 12 days left!

But I am excited about this one. My best friend Elena will be singing Lea Salonga's "Two Words" during the reception. All those years of seeing her in competition, I'm thrilled that she said yes to my wedding.

Hello July!

I can't believe it... Its finally July. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that one day the month of July would hold this much weight on my life. The month that my life will change forever. Exciting. Daunting. But might as well take the leap.

The things Bryan and I have been going through in June has been more than we have ever expected. But I appreciate it because we get to see each other in a different light. We do work well together. He's the sane and I'm the SLIGHTLY insane/paranoid :D That's in my blood I guess and you can't mess with the gene pool!

30 AND FINALLY!




Funny how I used to dread birthdays. Really. I did. I dreaded it more because it sorta meant getting older and still alone. I know, must be all those Sweet Valley and Sweet Dreams books I read as a kid. It messes you up, apparently.

But now its different. I'm 30 but I'm also engaged. A bit off schedule (make that 3 years off), but glad I'm in this point in my life wherein I'm 98% sure I'm ready and raring to go.

Partying on my birthday was always a thing for me and my friends since we didn't have anybody in our lives then (single ladies inc.). Now its more chill and mellow and just enjoying the company of family and friends. I know who my real friends are so I'm blessed and every time spent is never a waste.

The messages on my Facebook page has been more than I could have ever dreamed and its very humbling. I'm actually worth something to these people for them to take the time to message me and greet me. Little things like that we most often take for granted. But right now, it gives me encouragement and hope that I'm not as messed up or a loner as I thought I was.

The people at work surprised me AGAIN! Can't believe how much they can come up with and still do it almost every single year. Love them and at the same time they can raise my blood pressure just like that. But Hercor won't be Hercor without them.


To top it all off, I have family... As nuts as we all can be.

Friends, too. Although we weren't complete that day, but we are in our 30s! No more sunggod2 :D Its all cool :)

I'm 30! :D

Girl in the white dress

Still hasn't hit me as much. But I do get teary eyed thinking about what my dad would say during his speech. How my dad would be when he walks me down the aisle. Seeing the man I waited for 30 years finally next to me. How everything you dreamed and hoped for, crammed into that single moment that would change the rest of your life.

I always imagined being married. I was one of those girls who always hoped for it and PRAYED for it. I remember Tita Geline teaching me to pray for it specifically since I was 16 years old. And I did. I can still recall moments, like when I would be stuck in traffic on my way to school, I would find myself praying for my future husband and hoping that everything's okay wherever and whoever he was.

Then in one split second, after waiting for so long, he's finally in front of me. One of the miracles that God has up His sleeve that is just too amazing for words.

In all this chaos, I find myself picking out fonts for our invitations, wedding bands, giveaways... I have to pause sometimes and think, "Is this really me?" "Is this really my turn?"

In our barkada I always thought it would be Elena. I always thought I would be one of those really late bloomers. I guess I guessed wrong.

My destiny was almost literally right around the corner. How could I have missed someone who looked like this?

Love this picture! Awww... My dad surprised me when he saw this picture and said, "If this is how my grandkid would look like, I wouldn't mind at all." Awww... I get tears in my eyes again just typing it.

PICTORIAL TIME:
Had our pictorial this weekend with Bordoy as our photographer. Funny how we ended up having it in Talon. But I wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else. Besides being the family's property, this was my family's legacy. My great grandfather, grandfather and father walked this land and made it their pride with all the sacrifices that went along with it. My best childhood memories are from that place. The people there I consider my family.

It was an experience in itself. I am still the kind of person who prefers to be behind the camera. Having all that attention on us was one thing. I am also not a PDA person either. Having tricycles and jeeps go buy at certain locations made me want to sink under the grass we were sitting on.

The experience taught me to appreciate family even more and the family that I will be having soon.

IS THIS ME?
Fitting my wedding dress for the first time. Well, the lining anyway. What an out of body experience it was.

The same place where I had all those bridesmaid dresses made. I think I might have every color already. Then all of a sudden, here I am before a mirror, in white. Is that really me?

What an amazing feeling. What an amazing time in my life. Its not perfect and far from being one. But its mine. No one else's.

Here's to more updates!

Midway Day

Midway is found in Passi City right next to the main highway from Iloilo to Capiz. You can't miss it! Fruits in season and the best Halo2 around! Its my Abuelita's recipe so I'm kinda biased. But its worth the stop and lets you experience the simple yet beautiful life in the country side. Love the green bags, too. Helping the environment as well.

love this dress!

Can't believe this is by SM! Cool dress! Wonder if they have it in Iloilo :D Love!

mga amiga

From Left to right: Elena, Jb, Cathy, Kat2 & Michelle

Got to get together with some highschool friends last May 19 at Sandbar. Interesting how we got together and looking back at how we all used to be and do.

Elena then: The classical singer. Very girly. Glasses and long straight hair.
Elena now: A nurse. Helps out in her family's bakeshop. Still very girly. Still sings. Different shades of contact lenses (love her brown and gray ones!). Hair depends on the season. Still single and looking.

Jb then : the honor student. Leader. Always spoke her mind and knew what she wanted. Popular.
Jb now: Its Atty. Jb now. Teaches in between cases. Married to another lawyer. Still speaks her mind. Currently trying to have a baby.

Cathy then: the school knock-out. Popular. Life of the party. Tallest girl in our batch. Was into modelling and being fiesta queen.
Cathy now: Wife and mother of Amaya. Bakes and joins bazaars. Based in Boracay in her husband's resort there and lives in Manila in between.

Kat2 then: a bit on the boyish side but a such a sweetie. Always a friend to everybody. She had her own clique in highschool but always got on everyones good side. A leader.
Kat2 now: a certified PT. Still a good friend and keeps in touch almost everyday. Still always ready to help out. Single.

Michelle then : quiet. Chess champ. Content with just being in the background. Known her since grade school.
Michelle now: a Doctor! Still rarely get to see her. A bit more outspoken now. Good for her! Still single and looking as well. Wonder if she still plays chess.

Wow its been almost 14 years since highschool. I guess these are the days wherein I can really look back to the life I had already.

Cebu weekend

Hilton Cebu... wish I had my suit with me. Dang! But it was a good day and the break I needed from the monotony of everything thats been going on lately. Aaaaahhh...

Praying for a new Philippines...

Election Day has come and gone, we now know who we look forward to "serving" us in the next 6 years. I do hope they do serve, as most of them have failed to live up to their responsibility time and time again.

It saddens me that some of my personal bets didn't make it. But I do look to the fact and reality that God is there no matter who stands before me. He is the only constant. The only One who has control over everybody's future.

So let us all lay our hopes and dreams in the hands of the only one who has a say in it. Praying for the best. Let us hold on to the victory that is in our Lord. Praying that the people elected will remember their place in our lives. That the Filipino people will finally work together. That we can make our country into a better one.

Congratulations to those who won!

Dumangas stop

Sundays are usually Dumangas days for us. I think we head off to this quaint little hideaway point almost every month. Its just a cool and simple way of beating the hussle and bustle of the city. Get back to the waves crashing and simple, honest to goodness food at its freshest. Shrimp, pork, sibingan... How could you go wrong?

It was such a hot day and we had to do a lot of errands. This was a good way to time out, even just for a few minutes. Then we were back to rushing to our appointments for the day.

The elders

Coming home to this was a classic scene to behold. It kinda reminded me of gossiping ladies on the sidewalks of New York or New Jersey with their sofas out, shades, a fan and just watching the world go by. Well, this is our version. Iloilo style!

This was so funny but something I won't forget for years to come. Its one of those sentimental moments. After all, Abuelita is a part of this picture. Literally.

A few moments later they ask, "What are we looking at, anyway?" Hahaha Classic! Gerard thrown in the mix for extra humour :D