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.

Updates!

I have been neglecting my blog lately so now I'm trying to make up for it. It's just that I have been so very busy that I haven't had the chance to stop and just write about stuff. With all the hustles and bustles of life, I kinda lost track of making the memories. My scrapbook, which I have vowed to complete for this year has been gathering dust on top of a new shelf. Anyway, here's what's been happening lately:

Since the retirement from my previous company, my office stuff has been cluttering the living room corner. I have been too lazy to clean up and find space for them. My mom, being the sweet angel she sometimes is, bought me 2 shelves to put my kalat in. I have then channeled my inner carpenter self, (yes, I do have one, courtesy of spending much tinkering time with my dad growing up) and managed to assemble them into decent furniture.

Not bad, huh? I have transferred everything to both shelves and they now have a place in our room. I have also recently tidied up my cabinets and drawers and am hopeful they'd stay that way for more than 3 days... a week... forever.

Another thing keeping me busy is the more than usual dining with friends. A few weeks ago, Marc and I had dinner with his friends at Sunrise Buckets and coffee after at Starbucks. We had another bonding over dinner this past Friday at Vikings, SM Marikina. The reason for the cramming was the impending migration of Dave, Christine, and their daughter Charley to the States. They left Sunday, December 8, 2013.

If there was a list done to note my approval for Marc's group of friends, I would've had them at the top of the list. This group being composed of Dave and his family, Karlo and the very pregnant Lala, and Kenneth and Ann. I like them, and if I had the chance to know them longer, I know for sure I'd love them tons more. While they have the usual banter and asaran, they are not bad influences. Not even the men. Their interests revolve around cars and bikes and are not looking for ways to get away from their wives 24/7 (unlike some people I know, smirk.) I actually enjoy spending time with them, which makes their leaving that much harder.

 
Karlo, Lala, and the soon to be born baby are about to leave for Canada on Dec. 28, too. We're going to miss all of them.

This past weekend, I spent Saturday night to Sunday morning with the girls for fellowship. We stayed at a hotel and bonded. We did accountability activities, future visions for our life, and the like. It was a blessing to get together and have everyone there. (Almost complete!) Praise God for aligning our schedules. 

I've been wanting to visit Christmas bazaars, but Marc's on business trip for the week, so we'll see if we can do it on the weekend or next week.

Memory Lane

After seven, yes, seven years in Sun Cellular, I am now being retired and rehired under Smart. With the abruptness of everything --clearance and pre-employment requirements in under a month, simultaneous with our everyday work duties, I can't help but feel nostalgic. Sigh.

Here are some unfinished pages from my scrapbook for reminiscing:

And the epic comparison of ID picture from Sun from seven years ago, to the current picture I have submitted for my Smart ID...

Truly, the experience I have acquired, the family I have come to love with Core will not be matched by any other team I will work with in the future. They will always have a place in my heart, come what may.