Let's play a little game!

One of the loveliest Filipino marriage traditions is the despedida de soltera, farewell to the single life. As the Spanish gender clearly indicates it is a feminine leave-taking: the send-off dinner for the daughter of the house by her family close to the wedding date. To the despedida de soltera are invited the family of the groom, close relatives and close friends of both the bride and the groom. Sometime before the wedding there must have been an occasion for the relatives from both sides to meet and to know one another, at least enough not to be total strangers at the wedding and at the reception. Both families might have already extended invitations to each other for this purpose. If there has been no previous opportunity, the despedida may serve as the formal introduction of the two families or clans to each other. (Kasal.com)

Yesterday my parents hosted a despedida de soltera at a restaurant. The lively group included my parents, my sister, D & me. Also present were my male cousin # 1 and his spouse, their 2 year old son. My male cousin # 2 going solo. Our Ninang # 1, her spouse and son. Unfortunately, Ninong # 1 is still recuperating from some medical procedure. Ninang # 2 lives abroad. Something came up so Ninong # 2 and family couldn't make it. D's family are all in the US and they are unable to make the trip. Naturally all sorts of questions were thrown left and right. Querying minds wanted to know details, details and more details. From how we met, who would be next to get hitched, where we would be honeymooning to where we will be living as a married couple and even how much is the rent to our new place.
The small but intimate group had a great time just updating each other on the latest developments in their respective lives, reminiscing about past family reunions, the usual merry banter. It was a happy fun filled lunch and the perfect occasion to introduce my fiance to my dearest and closest relatives. We all had a great time.


Now let's pretend you just happen to be invited to my despedida de soltera. It is your first time to lay your sight on D's charming presence. What would you quiz him about? Kindly leave your questions in the comment section. I will post the replies in my next entry. Please don't ask me very personal questions because I just might answer this is a PG rated blog.

Game! =)

Updates

Things have been hectic as expected. Nowadays our main focus has been on our apartment. We have turned into DIYers (Do it yourself ers).
It is amazing how we still find the energy to do things in the house even though we have practically shed enough sweat to flood a small village. OK correction not 'we' but I, being the one with the most active sweat glands present in a human being has perspired like crazy.

But it is fun, really. Yesterday, we spent the day painting the cabinets blue (my fave color). I did the first coating but only up to the part which I could reach because I'm such a shortie then he finished it up. Talking about our future. Peppering our conversation with peals of laughter, goofing around. Feeding each other snacks and drinks. It was a sweet labour of love.


The whole apartment though is still in disarray. We still got tons of DIY work to do. It helps that I am handy with 'housework' so I can help D fix things. In fact I can fairly say I've impressed him enough with my skills. I meant my mechanical and technical skills. I can assemble electric fans, furniture from scratch. Yes, I'm boasting! Having said that I am equally impressed with his practical sense in fixing a house. So this early it has been an eye opening discovery of each other's capabilities vis a vis setting up a small yet cozy household.
It has been wonderful so far. I'm happy. He's ecstatic. Things are progressing as planned and on schedule. We have totally immersed ourselves into turning our house into a home.

Never mind that we hit a few snags with the wedding preps.
My gown which I was supposed to fit April 15 'accidentally' got transferred to the designer's other shop all the way in Taytay. I've no idea how it looks on me.
We are still waiting for the church to schedule our canonical interview. When we submitted our marriage license, I was under the impression I could pick the date but it is the other way around.
The church still doesn't have the name of the officiating priest which I need so I can get the misalettes printed. The production time is 5 - 7 days and we are running out of time!
I still don't have a reliable make up artist to make my wavy hair straight and to stuff my face with make up so I will look photogenic for my nuptials.
Despite these snags I can still joke about it and told D, my parents and my sister that's it - I knew I would get married dressed in jeans, my hair in a pony tail and merely black eyeliner and lipstick on my face!
D was totally amused, my parents didn't find it funny and my sister was aghast! So based on those different reactions, you see why D and I get along so well.

But I do want to thank my parents and my sister for being oh so very very supportive in helping D and I make our house a truly homey place. Their unconditional love and support drive tears to my eyes. I promised myself I won't cry as I embark on this emotional yet fulfilling journey. But unfortunately or fortunately I've already broken my promise several times during the past few days. =)

857756788th reason why I love D

He is sweating it out in this intense heat cleaning our lil apartment. The landlady called this morning to informed him that it is now ready for its new tenants. While here I am sitting in nice cool comfort blogging about another reason why I love my hubby to be. God bless his soul.

Yes I know I'm spoiled! Teehee =)

Survey says

There is this website where you can take social surveys like the one below and get paid for it. You are paid more if you post it on your blog or any social network interfaces like Facebook and get your readers to interact by answering the surveys themselves. We all like answering surveys from time to time so why not join in the fun? You get to give your input on various topics, see how other people answered it and earn as well. I'd appreciate it if you would click on the surveys I will be posting on this blog. Thanks! =)

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.