Random Thoughts

For the Nth time, I'm typing a start to this blog entry. Might end up deleting this again and starting anew. Kinda makes me think of typing things on an old school typewriter and crumpling the papers when I don't like what comes out. Currently do not have an congruent train of thought. Not sure why. Just really really lazy right now. No motivation to work.

Marc has been studying his bum off the past week and the sunog kilay thing will go on 'til the end of this week. Sacrifices has been made in the form of less time to spend with each other, but he has been such a dear, making it a point to still have quality time with me, just not as much as we used to have. On my end, on days like yesterday and today, when we don't get to go home together, I feel cheated... as though my end-of-the-day-something-to-look-forward-to was snatched away, and replaced with more pointless work. Sad, really. I miss him terribly. Two more days.

On work naman, I honestly don't feel like it anymore. I'm about to write a whole bunch of stuff about my boss that he won't be liking, but are really really consistent with how I'm feeling right now... but since I know I'll be regretting that later, I'm opting not to go through with it. Let's just leave it as I'm currently hating my work right now. I'm feeling unappreciated. I know this is bad, but I'm just venting, and hope it helps the blah-ness of today. Tiis tiis, until things change.

Fire drill this morning. We avoided the grueling walk down the stairs by escaping to Cafe Bene near our building minutes before the drill started. While there, we had a little meeting so as not to really waste too much time. After that, I filed my liquidations and stuff. Lunch was a bag of Granny Goose Chips. Now I'm just staring into space. Lazy.

So now that's that. Let's hope things will get better from now 'til end of business day. 

The Rings

We ordered our rings from J's Diamonds. Same with everything else, we had the same criteria: simple, elegant, and timeless. When we found all three in their booth at the wedding expo, it was a done deal. We've been to hundreds... ok, maybe around fifty jewelry stores. There were simple rings, elegant rings, timeless rings, simple and elegant rings, elegant and timeless rings, simple and timeless rings, but not one of them were all three. It made us smile a little bit wider to find all three requirements in a pair of wedding bands that time. It would take a few months to have them made the right size and have the engravings done since they have to be ordered from Hong Kong, but it'll be worth the wait. Besides, we have time. 

The tips: One kuya from a store gave us his two cents, which we found to be really helpful, so I'm sharing them here, together with a thing or two we learned on the way. 

First, whatever design you want for your rings, it will always be best to see the real thing on your finger. 
No matter how pretty the design is, especially in photos, it will never look exactly the same when custom made. 
Next, aside from the stone qualities/specs, there are various other ring characteristics you have to pay attention to. For example, the width of the rings. Generally, thin delicate ones look good on women; how wide the men's are would depend on the size of their fingers. Then there's the thickness of the rings. Also, there's the insides and the edges. Will they be flat, curved, or pocked.
Check as well the other rings that you don't pick for the general quality of their merchandise.
Try not to scrimp on your rings too much coz you'll be wearing them forever, after all.
For the ladies' ring sizes, allow a few millimeters more in preparation for pregnancy bloating.
I don't know why, but the standard sizes didn't seem to apply to us. Our sizes differed from one store to another, so it would probably be best to have your size sorted on the store where you will be buying your rings from.

Aside from J's Diamonds, Radiance also has good ones. We had my engagement ring modified there. I'll look for the links of both and update this post.

Engagement Ring: Orogem & Radiance

Wedding Rings: J's Diamonds
Reserved/Ordered: March 8, 2014

A Love Story

People call it mental block, I call it "duuuuuhhhh..." (insert drool) I'm not exactly the diligent blogger and most of the time, I can't even think of what to say, or how to express myself. It's just that writing has always been my outlet as well as a way for me to keep memories. Sometimes it's just hard to know how to begin, how to narrate everything, and how to end.

Well, it's that time again, and I'm afraid I'm kinda stuck. Part of me wants this post to actually make sense, and hopefully help people as references. Another part wants to just write and write and write regardless of the sense it'll make. The latter's winning.

Here goes. I'm going to rewind, back up and start with the planning. So yeah, before everything, it was clear to both Marc and I that this... our relationship and everything related to it has this ultimate goal of ending up together and marrying each other. I told him right from the start that I do not get into relationships for a trial and error run. My end objective will always be marriage, so if he's looking for someone to "test" things out with, I'm not the person for that. He told me that we have the same view and he's done with the part of his life that doesn't (have the same view). It's time for him to settle down and be with someone he loves more than anything and anyone in this world, and that, according to him, is me. So I told him about my God and my relationship with Him. I let him know that, his highest spot with me will always only be second to God, and he's alright with that. He knows how important my faith is, and what I have with my Savior cannot and should not be de-prioritized; he understands that. I then started to pray for him, for his salvation and for God to prepare us both. So there, sometime last year, we became us. After about a year or more of constantly praying for him, he got saved December of 2013. This year, he proposed, and thus, we are starting yet another journey together.

Lookie that bling. ^_^

The proposal: I've seen a lot of proposal videos and read a ton of stories. Most of them depict a nervous guy, asking his girlfriend to be his wife in front of a public. Most of these guys tell people that the proposals were pretty nerve-wracking coz the girl might say no. I've never been a fan of that. Maybe I'm just a private person... sure, I blog, but not about the personal details, i.e. step by step on how he proposed, how our dates go, etc. Maybe I'm KJ. Or maybe not. For me, proposing in front of a public is really impersonal and kinda manipulative. It's like hey, look at all the people around, say yes, and don't be the bad person breaking this poor guy's heart. Also, what's up with the girl might say no thing? Maybe it's just me, but I'd want to know beforehand that we're both ready and committed before I propose marriage to another person. I mean, if I'm not sure if this person will marry me, then we're not ready to start this part of our lives. Sure, if I was the guy, I'd still get pretty nervous, but it'll be because I'd want her to like the proposal... for it to be heartfelt and really special, not because she might just turn me down. Thankfully, I'm happily blessed with a loving man who wants the same intimate and private proposal and gave me just that. Since I do believe everything from the proposal to the marriage is for both parties, and not just for the bride, as an added bonus, I got to propose to him too. And yeah, he said yes! 

My ring & his watch. Image reposted.

The preparations: Technically on-going, but so far, we have the venue, the catering, the photo & video, the hair and makeup artist, and the on-the-day coordinator booked. The guest list has been finalized (let's say, second to the last finalization), the rings ordered, and the gown penciled in. Praise God for the discounts, the great deals, the wonderful people, and the ever so patient fiance! I'd have to double check the list, but I do think we're on schedule. Fingers crossed so I don't have to turn into what the people in the business call Bridezilla.

Lovin' it! Thank You, Lord.

The Perfect Venue for a Perfect Evening

We only had two options shortlisted for our venue. Our preference has always been simple, elegant, and timeless, and we agreed to have this incorporated into everything for our wedding. The color motif, of course, will be green and white. It was then a matter of picturing both venues with the intended spring look.

Marc was actually the one who picked Light of Love, and by the time we went there for the ocular visit, I was more than convinced. The Atrium venue we wanted had an amazing glass ceiling that would show a wonderful sunset hue to a hopefully starry night sky on the night of our wedding. We still went to the other venue just to make sure we had covered all bases. It paled in comparison. So, Light of Love it is.

Aside from the glass ceiling we had fallen in love with, Atrium has the charm and elegance we wanted for a sweet romantic night with family and friends.

photo from lightoflove.com.ph

The reservation and/or booking wasn't that hard either. Ms. Steph, our contact, had a bubbly happy attitude that made us feel like we were talking to a close friend. Being the OC and sigurista person that I am, I kept e-mailing her for everything. From the packages, to the rate adjustments, to the payment terms. I was even texting her for some catering questions. She was really patient, accommodating, and was well-equipped with details, contacts, etc. for their affiliates. She made this task a breeze for us.

One down. Tons more to go.

Venue: Light of Love - Atrium
Reserved/Booked: March 8, 2014

 

First Time

It's my running joke that isn't so funny anymore. Whenever I get confused or make minor mistakes on the wedding preps, that's my excuse. It's also my initial line before I ask my family for advice, hehe. Anyhoo, doing this big event for the first and last time in my life, I get overwhelmed a lot. There's just so much all at once, and I am constantly reminded that it's going to be a one time hopefully not so big time thing, thus I simply cannot flop.

So as I go through everything, I plan on documenting both the excitement and the frustrations on the way, with permission from Marc, of course. Hopefully I don't get much panic moments, despite my OC-ness.

Technically, the preparations have started before the proposal. We talked about it and decided to go to our first bridal fair, January 18, 2014. The amount of brochures, fliers, and calling cards we got was quite a shock to us both, the pictures don't even do it justice:

It was a good start. In an attempt to get organized, we sorted them out and kept them in a clear book. Shortlisted some after a ton of inquiries and email exchanges and got our top 3s for the major ones.

317 days left.

At the Beginning

I have always liked that song.

We were strangers starting out on our journey
Never dreaming what we'd have to go through
Now here we are and I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you

It hints of an adventure about to be experienced by the couple. A kind of mild you-and-me-against-the-world-thing, or something like I can do and go through whatever as long as I have you. It makes you want to believe in a happy ever after.

No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected what you did to my heart
When I lost hope, you were there to remind me
This is the start

It really is a wonderful thing when God has someone special waiting for you. It shall and always will exceed your expectations. It's kinda like a symbol of hope for me. Put your faith and hope in Christ, He will never disappoint.

And life is a road and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road now and forever
A wonderful journey

Sure, life won't always be smooth or in this case, wonderful, but as I always tell Marc, it will always be worth it. 

I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you

Well it'll probably be nicer if they're together even during the storm, (who thought up that specific line, anyway?) but hey, it's a feel good song. 

So why the sappy love song? Because of this: