A pictorial of my Wedding preps





Our wedding invitation 'postcard' style.



Enclosed in that sinamay box is a wind chime. Our token of appreciation to our guests for attending the wedding of two souls who couldn't be more happier and really blessed to have each other.


The facade of our lil up and down apartment somewhere in the Q.C. area. It is still being renovated and repainted. But I am eternally grateful to D for finding us a homey and cozy place to start our married life. =)

Ashop Commerce

D and I aside from planning for our fast approaching wedding have also been talking about putting up some sort of business. I suggested an e-commerce biz which I can maintain from the comforts of our home. Nothing is definite yet but I'm sure that one of the key ingredients in maintaining an online business is a good shopping cart software. Ashop Commerce is one of the main providers of shopping cart softwares. Its comprehensive website provides a lot of information for those who want to set up an e-commerce website. Their shopping cart software is easy to use and consumer friendly even for first time users. If you still have inquiries their customer service is readily available 24/7 and willingly guide you through every step. They really made setting up an ecommerce online shopping website quite easy. I've decided to bookmark their page for future reference. I'm sure it will come in handy for our plans.

I just want to say

1. The T0T0 concert was a big disappointment! They sang mostly songs from their new album which nobody has bought nor heard of before! Their old favorites were sang medley style. It seemed like they were merely jamming. I have no idea why. My speculative guesses - the band was tired because they performed in Cebu the previous night. Maybe there were some technical problems or whatever. Who knows?

My only consolation is that I was holding hands with D the entire night in the air conditioned Araneta Coliseum. So it wasn't that bad to sit on my behind for 1 hour and a half listening to I've never heard before songs at full decibel.

2. I was 'tortured' for exactly 2 hours yesterday. At yes you got it right - the dentist! What started as a simple tooth extraction turned into a horrific session as she had difficulty pulling out a small portion of a tooth as the root was deeply embedded inside my gum. Major ouch! Even with doses of anesthesia, I could still feel the different instruments poking into the enamel. At one point, another dentist came to help so there were like 3 sets of hands all poking all those dental instruments inside my widely opened mouth. Then I could also taste the mix of blood, saliva and some fleshy gum accumulating inside - I had to gargle several times trying not to choke in the process. I started sweating. I couldn't help the tears from falling down my left eye (since the extraction was on my left side). It was terrible, really. Very unpleasant!

This time D wasn't around to hold my hand (but let it be said that he did lovingly volunteer to do so). All around me I could hear little kids likewise being tortured by other dentists and the voices of their mothers consoling them with reassurance. I was all alone! OK I know I am 39 years old for Pete's sake but still! Oh well at least that is done with, I don't have to worry about swollen gums and protruding tiny portions of teeth ruining my facial appearance. I only have to let the 'wound' heal so I don't look like I have marbles in my cheeks for my wedding. Phew thank God that is over!

That's it?

Today on the first day of the warm month of April, D and I made our way to City Hall. We went to apply for our marriage license. Armed with a Manila envelope with all the required documents both the original as well as their copies, I was fully prepared to deal with bureaucratic mayhem. Much to my pleasant surprise, there wasn't any line. The building was clean and brightly lit and its air conditioning was at full blast. D filled up his side of the form. Me well I had already filled it up days ago because I am efficient that way. We submitted all the papers together with our 1 x 1 ID Picture. I was ready to roll up my sleeves and make a scene if and when they would make it difficult for us. But unfortunately or fortunately I didn't have to channel my taray self. It was a breeze. We just have to show up on the 14th of April to get our marriage license.

For a few seconds, I thought huh that's it? Are you kidding, me? It is really that easy or are you guys playing a trick on us, today on April fools day? Well I didn't wait to find out. I just left the building with a relieved smile.

10 things that made me happy

I was tagged by Vanessa.

Rules: Post 10 things that recently made you happy then tag 10 people and force them to post this on their blogs.


1. Eating at Pho Hoa. I still can't get enough of it!

2. Buying black waigu flip flops.

3. Receiving emails from my friends with words of encouragement whenever I bombard their inbox with my rantings.

4. Indulging in 1 scoop of chocolate ice cream which I haven't tasted in ages.

5. My sister thanking me for being supportive during her financial setback.

6. Finding the time to read at the end of the day before I doze off.

7. An uncle who just met D for the first time joking that D was 'pogi' :D hehehe.

8. Buying tickets to watch T0T0 in concert this week!

9. Attending the Pre Cana seminar which was pretty informative and very enlightening.

10. D telling me he loves me several times each day always puts a smile on my face.


I'm not tagging anyone but feel free to post it on your blog to brighten your warm weary day! =)

Pre Cana seminar

Despite the throbbing toothache (thankfully the swelling has subsided so I don't look like Marlon Brando in "Godfather") I had to wake up early today to attend the Pre Cana seminar at the Edsa Shrine.

Being an early bird I was there at 8 am since it was scheduled at 8:30 and surprisingly for once, D got there ahead of me. Heh he is learning to be more punctual, good boy! Of course by 8:30 the doors to the little hall were still closed and there were only 3 of us standing outside in the stifling humidity melting like ice cream.

I believe it got rolling at around 9 something after all 7 couples had registered and taken our seats in the airconditioned tiny hall for our seminar on marriage and parenthood. Tita Miny was our speaker/counsellor. A bubbly lady who has been married for 43 years so I reckon she knows what marriage is all about.

But first the guys had to introduce themselves and their partners, how we met and what we like about our significant others. D told them he likes me for being very understanding and loving towards him. I said I like that he puts God first above everything else and he accepts me for who I am, period. D also mentioned that we met in November 2005 yet didn't elaborate where, when or how. Thankfully he wasn't probed. Because frankly that is our abbreviated version since the real story is rather complicated and full of dramatic moments. We don't need to further explain how we met on Friendster end of 2005, he disappeared for a year due to some issues. Then we reconnected last year online, met for real sometime April 2007 and promptly got engaged making it sound like some whirlwind romance. A love connection of two people who had basically given up on the idea of marrying someone, anyone for that matter. We were resigned to a fate of blessed singlehood till we withered into our old age, reminiscing about lost loves - you see? I told you it was complicated!
But honestly I think it is a rather romantic tale filled with Internet connection, a friendship fueled by text messages and real life dramatic yet lovingly mature moments but D being the non sentimental type doesn't concur with me.

So back to the seminar, she discussed the foundations of a good marriage, its different aspects with some interaction with the attendees. Then the second part was on parenthood complete with a graphic chart illustrating the Billings Ovulation method. It was rather fascinating, vital information for parents to be. I can't wait to practice this method. Teehee!


The last part was a group discussion where we had to answer some multiple choice questions individually based on our expectations from marriage then compare the results with our partners to see if we had the same answers. I am proud to say that overall D and I had the same answers to the questions, give and take a few mistakes which can still be further discussed as we approach our wedding day. I figure it helps that we were the oldest pair in the group or it just stems from the fact that D has always been the openly communicative type of person or I always probe to discuss every little thing about our relationship, our life and everything else in between.

So whatever the reason that we 'passed' the question and answer portion, the fact remains that marriage is going to be a major adjustment for both of us. A journey of discovery with its high ups and extremely low downs but with God's help and D's unrelenting optimism and my very charming personality, we are ready to face each day as it dawns, together. =)

Silent scream

You might have heard some shrilling sound emanating from the Ortigas area earlier today. At around 1:30 in the afternoon.

Yes that was me!

I was reclining back in a long chair that barely fitted me, a bright light shining down on my face, specifically on my wide open mouth.

That's right I was at the pristine office of a dentist.

A discomfort I felt a few days ago was due to the swelling of my gum, the upper left side of my mouth. Apparently an embedded tiny piece of tooth didn't come out properly and got infected. Big ouch!

I tried to console myself by saying that it is just my chubby cheeks making its reappearance. I figured it would go away. How? I don't know but I don't really like going to the dentist. Well who does, right?

So the dentist who at first looked like a kind, friendly lady turned into this sadistic, mean doctor who poked, pressed her gloved finger firmly into my gum to let the swelling subside by draining it of the pus along with tons of blood.

My head was ready to explode from the pain. I almost fainted from the pressure of her finger on my swollen gum but I didn't lest I ruin my tiny but tough image.

I tried to think of pleasant thoughts. Beautiful rays of the sun caressing my skin while I laid on a white sandy beach. Or feeling the wind in my hair as I sailed on a yacht island hopping along the deep blue waters of the ocean.

Everything ... anything ... simply to keep my firm resolve not to let the tears from falling from my eyes from the pain.

But!

Nothing worked.

I was being tortured by a sadistic dentist.

Ugh!

Quel Horror.

The worst thing is she couldn't even extract the tooth yet because of the swelling so I have to bear the pain for another week while I overdose on antibiotics. I guess I need to endure this dental problem on top of dealing with the loose ends of preparing for the big day as we head into the final stretch.

Life is a Gift - HAPPY EASTER!!!

Today, before you say an unkind word --- think of someone who can't speak.


Before you complain about the taste of your food --- Think of someone who has nothing to eat.


Before you complain about your husband, wife or significant other --- Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.


Today before you complain about life --- Think of someone who went too early to heaven.


Before you complain about your children --- Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.


Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep --- Think of the people who are living in the streets.


Before whining about the distance you drive --- Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.


And when you are tired and complain about your job --- Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.


But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another --- Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down --- Put a smile on your face and thank GOD you're alive and still around.