So we went house stuff hunting today, before we went and watched The Blind Side. I loved loved loved loved it! I loved the idea of us putting together our first home... together. More than going through fixtures, furniture and appliance shopping, I loved the discussions we had when going through our many choices. I loved the talks about what we want to do with each room of the condo, how we want things fixed, how we envision living together. I loved it all, so much so that there was a point I remember wishing we had a video cam pointed at us, so I can document the moment and cherish it forever. I can't wait for our home to be done, to be up and running. Then again, just like with the wedding preps, I am so happy that we're having such a great time with the house planning. I am so thankful that we have this stretch of time to enjoy. If there's a honeymoon which is the period after an official union, I wish there was a term to define the period leading up to it. Like a "prequel" of sorts. It deserves a name, because something that makes me so so so over-the-moon happy, much like how I envision our honeymoon will make me, deserves a label to be called by.
Bottom line: I love love love love today, because I love love love love you.
=)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
worrywart
Two of my biggest flaws are over-obsessing and pessimism. These two weaknesses definitely take a series of long, hard stabs at me when life presents moments of uncertainty. Add another character flaw of being a control freak and you'll understand the dark clouds that I let overwhelm me sometimes. I hate feeling out of control and I absolutely hate feeling like I've lost footing or I get caught unprepared.
But I know that I need to let go sometimes and have a bit more faith. Faith that things will always find a way to resolve themselves. I need to fully believe that being responsible doesn't equate to being perfect. That I will not be able to foresee everything and prepare for everything. So being taken by surprise sometimes should be allowed and forgiven. I can be harshest and hardest on myself, and I'm not proud of that.
I don't know what the point of this entry is, except I realize that now that I'm about to embark on the next chapter in life known as full-fledged adulthood, I need to at least try to shed off these layers of pessimism and need for control. It's not healthy. It may be impossible to shut off a habit that's 27 years in the making, but for the sake of my future husband, my future children and my sanity, I need to try.
If only there was a self-help book on this. Or a 10-step checklist.
Or hmm... maybe yoga can help me. One of the benefits of yoga is being able to calm oneself down and take the weight of the world off your shoulders. I'll try.
But I know that I need to let go sometimes and have a bit more faith. Faith that things will always find a way to resolve themselves. I need to fully believe that being responsible doesn't equate to being perfect. That I will not be able to foresee everything and prepare for everything. So being taken by surprise sometimes should be allowed and forgiven. I can be harshest and hardest on myself, and I'm not proud of that.
I don't know what the point of this entry is, except I realize that now that I'm about to embark on the next chapter in life known as full-fledged adulthood, I need to at least try to shed off these layers of pessimism and need for control. It's not healthy. It may be impossible to shut off a habit that's 27 years in the making, but for the sake of my future husband, my future children and my sanity, I need to try.
If only there was a self-help book on this. Or a 10-step checklist.
Or hmm... maybe yoga can help me. One of the benefits of yoga is being able to calm oneself down and take the weight of the world off your shoulders. I'll try.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
8 months to go!!!
We have 243 days or exactly 8 months to go until our big day!
Accomplishments so far:
1. Church and venue: Check
2. Food: Check, except we have to finalize the menu
3. Guest list: Partial check only. We only know so far that we'll have 60 tables. No exact list yet.
4. Designer: BIG FAT CHECK! More on that later.
5. Photo/Video: Check
6. Emcee: Check. Just need to book a sound systems guy.
7. Strings: Check
8. Cake: No decision yet.
9. Invites: No decision yet.
10. Florist/Stylist: No final decision yet.
I think I'm making good progress. I like the pace I'm on also; no need for bridezilla so far and no need for unnecessary stress. Before the month is over though, I'd like to finalize my color palette, so I can start strategizing the venue decor. Then before Feb is over, I'd like to finalize the entourage designs.
Speaking of dresses, I am so majorly, overly, super in love with my bridal dress design. THIS IS IT! I love love love love it! I can't wait for my wedding day so I can slip on that beauty queen of a dress :) On Friday should be my measurements day and when we discuss the entourage designs.
I'm so happy!
8 months to go before we become Attorney and Mrs! :)
Accomplishments so far:
1. Church and venue: Check
2. Food: Check, except we have to finalize the menu
3. Guest list: Partial check only. We only know so far that we'll have 60 tables. No exact list yet.
4. Designer: BIG FAT CHECK! More on that later.
5. Photo/Video: Check
6. Emcee: Check. Just need to book a sound systems guy.
7. Strings: Check
8. Cake: No decision yet.
9. Invites: No decision yet.
10. Florist/Stylist: No final decision yet.
I think I'm making good progress. I like the pace I'm on also; no need for bridezilla so far and no need for unnecessary stress. Before the month is over though, I'd like to finalize my color palette, so I can start strategizing the venue decor. Then before Feb is over, I'd like to finalize the entourage designs.
Speaking of dresses, I am so majorly, overly, super in love with my bridal dress design. THIS IS IT! I love love love love it! I can't wait for my wedding day so I can slip on that beauty queen of a dress :) On Friday should be my measurements day and when we discuss the entourage designs.
I'm so happy!
8 months to go before we become Attorney and Mrs! :)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Back to the daily grind... er, early morning class...
This term, I enrolled in 3 MBA classes, one of which falls on a Saturday morning at 8am (Hence, I'm awake at this time and getting ready to leave) all the way in DLSU Taft. Hay.. One of the sacrifices one must make in the name of education and graduating on time. I had the option of cutting back by one class, but I figured the earlier I finish my pending classes, the earlier I can graduate.Plus, I'm getting "set-back" by 1 term this year, which is the term that coincides with my wedding and honeymoon. So, it's only right to take more than the usual load this term, even if it means waking up at an ungodly hour of 6:30 on a Saturday morning. I'm glad though that Dennis is very supportive; in fact, he'll pick me up later at 11am (which is also still early, for a Saturday). But, hey, we gotta put in the work to reap in benefits later...
I just wish it can start at 9 instead of 8.
Hahaha!
I just wish it can start at 9 instead of 8.
Hahaha!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
No Bridezilla :)
These are the days I'm so thankful I have 1 year to prepare for the wedding. There was an incident today that would've made me stressed out and masungit, but since I have time to spare, I didn't. Just spoke very nicely yet firmly, then went on with my daily business. :)
Just a random thought.
So no need for bridezilla.
For now. Let's not jinx it. Knock on wood.
:p
Just a random thought.
So no need for bridezilla.
For now. Let's not jinx it. Knock on wood.
:p
Monday, January 04, 2010
Decade Review
OK, I'm 27 now which means I was 17 when the decade-that-just-was had just begun. Given that the decade before that, I had just reached the age of reason and hence, school mostly occupied my time, this past decade is the only decade I've lived through worth looking back on and reviewing :p So, with details supplanted by my blog, here goes the Decade Review -
2000 - Halfway through my first year of college. First time to be in a non-Chinese-dominant environment, but happy to have my lifelong friends with me (Lianne and Monica). Met new friends Eks, Gen, Roks, Felix and Gopal. My Chinese friends and I founded the first Fil-Chi org in UA&P, to attempt to put some semblance of control over being in an unfamiliar place where our culture was "cute and interesting" to most of our classmates. How strange. Met Father Soria, my first-ever priest-teacher, who found me just as fascinating as I found him. Faced my first-ever "Who is Jesus Christ, Ms. Co?" question. Fumbled with my answer. Haha! Had to explain to him after class where my ignorance stems from, for fear of being misjudged.
2001 - Mid-way through sophomore year and trying to decide what to major on. Was initially attracted to Economics (eew!) but also intrigued by IMC. A tall, lean, pale dude whom people refer to as Dr K asked me to visit his office because he wanted to "discuss my options in IMC." I first thought, "wow, yabang", but turned out to be convinced when he met with me. EDSA Dos happened and the nation was able to get rid of Erap (for now, hehe). Hung out mostly with Knox, Neil and Elber.
2002 - Started in IMC, and found marketing to be my professional calling. Loved my classes, except some really boring ones taught by professors who were better off retired :p Short relationship with Neil also marked this year.
2003 - Fourth year in IMC- the intensity-filled year. Spent the year mostly sleep-deprived, caffeine-guzzling and in front of a computer, or a printer, or a Prom-B table. Also spent most of my awake time away from my own home and in someone else's, i.e. Gopal's, Elber's, Guia's or Noel's (where the only edible thing for guests was water :p ) Also had a realization that in tight situations where printers conk out, I can take the "flight" (or rather "cry") option instead of fight. Someone takes the fight (i.e. profanity) route though. :p Thought I was going to end up in Unilever for my 5th year, and actually kinda really hoped that I would. Went through Unilever Business Week only to get disappointed in the end due to a technicality.
2004 - Almost done with IMC 5th year, halfway through residency in Citibank. Suffered through 7,000-per-month takehome pay, early Saturday morning classes and awkward stare-downs by my first boss, whom we will hide in the alias "LG". Highlight of the year is spending my residency with FILC, who will turn out to be my three bestest girlfriends in the whole wide world. Also graduated at the top of my class, and visited my best friend in Vancouver for the first time and realized how little there was to do in that city :p
2005 - Began working officially in Citi as program manager of Cards Marketing. Met some of the coolest people ever, who are still my very good friends 'til this day (Van, Ranza, Dang, Karen, Jane, Dane, Eps). Met the love of my life in March 2005, and we got together officially on the 28th of April that year. Life has been extra beautiful from that point on. Dennis finished law school, graduated and took the bar, where he claims 'til this day that he placed #11. (they only publish rankings until #10, hehehe). Made my first appearance in a print ad as a hand model. (Short-lived career though. Hahaha!) FILC went on its first trip- to Boracay! Oh, and I changed jobs. Smart first interviewed me in February, but hired me by December. Long story why. Long wait too. :p Learned yet again that long waits are usually well worth it. First proof was Dennis. Second proof was this job.
My friend, Missy, died after a long bout against ensephalitis. :(
2006 - First full year spent in Smart and another happy year spent with Dennis. Got upgraded to APM level after 6 months in Smart. Went to Cebu with my good friend, Giselle, whose one of the blessings of working in Smart. Also met Loraine, another good friend, in Smart. My best friend's brother got into an accident that left him paralyzed :( Went to Hawaii for the first time, free of charge courtesy of my employer. Took my first business-class JAL flight, which I loved loved loved. Japanese are the best! Got my first-ever salary bonus. I can get used to this :)
2007 - Second full year in Smart, and got promoted to managerial level. Got a car put in my name for the first time. This was also the year of travel for me-- I went all around the Middle East, to London and Asia for work. On the personal trips front, went to Canada again for my cousin's wedding and to Singapore for Ranza. Toured Boston for the first time too and found out I really like college towns. Went to NYC and fell face-first in love with the most vibrant, energy-filled city on the face of the earth. Experienced firsthand the travel nightmares that can befall you when traveling domestically in the US, with the story ending with me sprinting at the Chicago and LA airports and with my luggage arriving one month after I had come home.
2008 - Another year in Smart, another year with Dennis. After some months of pondering in 2007, I finally decided to take the plunge and take on an MBA degree. Met some really cool people in DLSU too. Got offered to be a professor and teach an IMC class- Brand Communications Management. Coincidentally, Dennis also got offered to teach for the first time! Hmm.. what else.. made some big money, and made some big purchases too. Got featured in a magazine for the first time. My friend Karen got preggers while my friend Laurice gave birth!
2009 - Got engaged to the most dedicated, most adorable and most loving man alive. Had my tinghun in the house I grew up in. Was welcomed with open arms into the Chan family. Bought my first ever real estate property. Went on the 2nd FILC trip, this time to Singapore! Went to Bangkok for the 2nd time and turned out to like it so much more than my first trip. Anna and Guia got engaged as well, Gopal got married, and Kayers got preggers! In sad news, Mia had a health scare, and Eggy passed away :(
And so that's the decade that was. Pretty full decade, with so many changes, twists and opportunities. Looking back at some of the older blog entries I had, especially towards the early part of this decade, I find it amazing how things that happened tie together so beautifully. Makes you really believe that another force is at play, not just happenstance or luck. Love also marked this past decade, with Dennis being the highlight of it all.
It's been a really good past 10 years. It may not have been picture-perfect, but few things in life really are anyway. The point is, the good parts definitely kick the behinds of the bad ones, and in fact, most of the bad ones were actually lessons-in-life in disguise, which are actually good. I learned so much in these past ten years and I had a really good ride! I can't wait to go through the next decade with my family, Dennis, and my friends. I'm so thankful! :)
2000 - Halfway through my first year of college. First time to be in a non-Chinese-dominant environment, but happy to have my lifelong friends with me (Lianne and Monica). Met new friends Eks, Gen, Roks, Felix and Gopal. My Chinese friends and I founded the first Fil-Chi org in UA&P, to attempt to put some semblance of control over being in an unfamiliar place where our culture was "cute and interesting" to most of our classmates. How strange. Met Father Soria, my first-ever priest-teacher, who found me just as fascinating as I found him. Faced my first-ever "Who is Jesus Christ, Ms. Co?" question. Fumbled with my answer. Haha! Had to explain to him after class where my ignorance stems from, for fear of being misjudged.
2001 - Mid-way through sophomore year and trying to decide what to major on. Was initially attracted to Economics (eew!) but also intrigued by IMC. A tall, lean, pale dude whom people refer to as Dr K asked me to visit his office because he wanted to "discuss my options in IMC." I first thought, "wow, yabang", but turned out to be convinced when he met with me. EDSA Dos happened and the nation was able to get rid of Erap (for now, hehe). Hung out mostly with Knox, Neil and Elber.
2002 - Started in IMC, and found marketing to be my professional calling. Loved my classes, except some really boring ones taught by professors who were better off retired :p Short relationship with Neil also marked this year.
2003 - Fourth year in IMC- the intensity-filled year. Spent the year mostly sleep-deprived, caffeine-guzzling and in front of a computer, or a printer, or a Prom-B table. Also spent most of my awake time away from my own home and in someone else's, i.e. Gopal's, Elber's, Guia's or Noel's (where the only edible thing for guests was water :p ) Also had a realization that in tight situations where printers conk out, I can take the "flight" (or rather "cry") option instead of fight. Someone takes the fight (i.e. profanity) route though. :p Thought I was going to end up in Unilever for my 5th year, and actually kinda really hoped that I would. Went through Unilever Business Week only to get disappointed in the end due to a technicality.
2004 - Almost done with IMC 5th year, halfway through residency in Citibank. Suffered through 7,000-per-month takehome pay, early Saturday morning classes and awkward stare-downs by my first boss, whom we will hide in the alias "LG". Highlight of the year is spending my residency with FILC, who will turn out to be my three bestest girlfriends in the whole wide world. Also graduated at the top of my class, and visited my best friend in Vancouver for the first time and realized how little there was to do in that city :p
2005 - Began working officially in Citi as program manager of Cards Marketing. Met some of the coolest people ever, who are still my very good friends 'til this day (Van, Ranza, Dang, Karen, Jane, Dane, Eps). Met the love of my life in March 2005, and we got together officially on the 28th of April that year. Life has been extra beautiful from that point on. Dennis finished law school, graduated and took the bar, where he claims 'til this day that he placed #11. (they only publish rankings until #10, hehehe). Made my first appearance in a print ad as a hand model. (Short-lived career though. Hahaha!) FILC went on its first trip- to Boracay! Oh, and I changed jobs. Smart first interviewed me in February, but hired me by December. Long story why. Long wait too. :p Learned yet again that long waits are usually well worth it. First proof was Dennis. Second proof was this job.
My friend, Missy, died after a long bout against ensephalitis. :(
2006 - First full year spent in Smart and another happy year spent with Dennis. Got upgraded to APM level after 6 months in Smart. Went to Cebu with my good friend, Giselle, whose one of the blessings of working in Smart. Also met Loraine, another good friend, in Smart. My best friend's brother got into an accident that left him paralyzed :( Went to Hawaii for the first time, free of charge courtesy of my employer. Took my first business-class JAL flight, which I loved loved loved. Japanese are the best! Got my first-ever salary bonus. I can get used to this :)
2007 - Second full year in Smart, and got promoted to managerial level. Got a car put in my name for the first time. This was also the year of travel for me-- I went all around the Middle East, to London and Asia for work. On the personal trips front, went to Canada again for my cousin's wedding and to Singapore for Ranza. Toured Boston for the first time too and found out I really like college towns. Went to NYC and fell face-first in love with the most vibrant, energy-filled city on the face of the earth. Experienced firsthand the travel nightmares that can befall you when traveling domestically in the US, with the story ending with me sprinting at the Chicago and LA airports and with my luggage arriving one month after I had come home.
2008 - Another year in Smart, another year with Dennis. After some months of pondering in 2007, I finally decided to take the plunge and take on an MBA degree. Met some really cool people in DLSU too. Got offered to be a professor and teach an IMC class- Brand Communications Management. Coincidentally, Dennis also got offered to teach for the first time! Hmm.. what else.. made some big money, and made some big purchases too. Got featured in a magazine for the first time. My friend Karen got preggers while my friend Laurice gave birth!
2009 - Got engaged to the most dedicated, most adorable and most loving man alive. Had my tinghun in the house I grew up in. Was welcomed with open arms into the Chan family. Bought my first ever real estate property. Went on the 2nd FILC trip, this time to Singapore! Went to Bangkok for the 2nd time and turned out to like it so much more than my first trip. Anna and Guia got engaged as well, Gopal got married, and Kayers got preggers! In sad news, Mia had a health scare, and Eggy passed away :(
And so that's the decade that was. Pretty full decade, with so many changes, twists and opportunities. Looking back at some of the older blog entries I had, especially towards the early part of this decade, I find it amazing how things that happened tie together so beautifully. Makes you really believe that another force is at play, not just happenstance or luck. Love also marked this past decade, with Dennis being the highlight of it all.
It's been a really good past 10 years. It may not have been picture-perfect, but few things in life really are anyway. The point is, the good parts definitely kick the behinds of the bad ones, and in fact, most of the bad ones were actually lessons-in-life in disguise, which are actually good. I learned so much in these past ten years and I had a really good ride! I can't wait to go through the next decade with my family, Dennis, and my friends. I'm so thankful! :)
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