WINTER STORM 12/16/07-Todo na to!!!!

Ok,so we just went out to have our pictures taken.(My Grandma,Aunt and I)

We got to have lots of fun despite of being in the center of a winter storm(how brave of us!Really this was just in our front yard!)

Within the compound

In all the years I've lived here(just for nearly 3 years),I''ve never experienced anything like this.I was'nt able to sleep well for fear of going to work the following morning.Thankfully Nitsa did'nt let me go to work.There was hardly any bus passing by.

Me braving the wind

Me and my Grandma

Despite all these, it has been one hell of fun! :-)

"Claudius The God"

Finally! After long agonizing months I finished this book last night.I don't know.This has'nt warmed up to me unlike the first one, I,Claudius. It accounts of Claudius' reign as an emperor and his relationship with his wife Messalina and his friend, Herod Agrippa.

I just found it gripping during the latter part of the story and his confrontation with his harlot of a wife. Makes me wonder, had Calpurnia not confront Claudius of Messalina's promiscuity, would history change? I think that this is the turning point of history and of the story.Because of what happened, Agippina came in to power, subsequently, of Nero(the infamous prosecuter of Christians).

Nah! Somebody else would have risen to power to give mayhem to all.

Get to know us

Nobody knows why we call each other wah.Its a secret between the two of us.Unless you can count my Mom's guess,which is correct much to my dismay,though I did'nt admit to saying yes.Mothers have an uncanny instinct of being right.She knows when I am lying.She knows when we did someting funny like......Or when I reek of........Anyway, the point is don't lie to your mother!!! Where was I? (I was straying as usual).

Yeah we met at work when I was an HR Assistant, and he a Logistics Officer at a leading chemical company in Manila.

I know super cliched huh? We met almost 6 years ago. I can still remember the exact moment we saw each other.No love connection then let me tell you. We both still were thin then and looking like "totoy and nene" Super payat as in! I still had short hair and he,no pot(beer) belly yet he he he.(nag gygym na sya promise!).

3 years of being together and 3 years and being apart? Things must have changed between us......We'll see.

The Snow Drifter

As I get up this morning to prepare for going to church(I go every Sunday at 7:30am prior to work) I saw a big pile up of snow outside.The snow storm came after all.As I went out,Lo! It was knee deep.( I was more concerned about ruining my fave boots though)I was seriously contemplating of going back home and go back to sleep(coz' its a 15-minute walk to the church).However, I changed my mind and plowed through with it so to speak. 7:30am

I love winter.It's my favorite season.No matter how cold it gets ( up to -27 to -32 without the wind chill) I still love it. I love the cold. I love the snow. It's just simply amazing. Snow flakes dropping from the sky.I always liken it to being inside a snow globe.Hayyyyy... Really, the best things in life are free.

My Newest (and only??) Baby

I rarely have something to brag about.I hardly buy stuff to myself. I am a self confessed frugal. I enjoy saving, thank you very much. My cell phone is pathetically out of date.I only own a few pairs of shoes.Maybe out of habit. I grew up watching my pennies that I find it soo hard to roll them away.

That makes my purchases sweeter.This is my latest MP3/MP4.The newest from Sony. Only 4GB, it can chold up to 1,000 songs.I chose this over ipod because of the picture resolution.It's like watching a freaking movie when I watch videos.It's soooo sweet. Plus,ipod modifies its product every fall making them depreciate faster.I also chose 4GB over 8GB so I have a reason to replace it when I get bored over this.

Dream Fund...EUROPE!

I'm going to Europe.

Well not yet but I will.As soon as I finished saving for it.My Uncle Sam brought me to work last Sunday.As usual we got to talking about possibilities.My wedding for starters, on how I planned to move the date.Somewhere in the middle we got to talking about Europe.You see, he went there last year.He went from country to country only by train.Never in my imagination had it occured to me that I can do it.

Now I lust for it.

I want to go by myself.Perhaps after getting married.As a matter of fact I have begun saving and planning for it.I plan to go by 2009 or 2010.Hopefully I won't have a change of heart (as I often do),got chickened and not do it.

For the record,I want to backpack to Europe since November 25,2007.

"Tuesdays With Morrie"

I already read this one.Well, almost.I was 5 pages short of finishing it last year but lost interest.Last week I started reading it again and got to finish it last night.

It's an ok book.Very poignant in self-reflection kind of way.The content comes no surprise since I incorporate the teachings already in my life. I can't say its life altering for me.I did cry a bit though, especially on the part where Mitch was saying his last goodbye to coach.Morrie got to him at last.This teared me up.

All in all I would recommend it so you can go deeper in your view of life and death.

My First Canadian Baptism

For the first time here in Canada I attended a baptism.I was also fortunate enough to be a godparent to Raissa Anne,daughter to my friend Annalyn.Its a good thing that it was held in Scarborough and was just 20 minute drive from whitecap.My aunt and grandma dropped me off.I was the first one(as usual) to arrive.

The ceremony was very private.Unlike back home there were gazillion other babies being baptized at the same time.Afterwards we head off to Imperial Buffet.The restaurant was located where Wal-Mart used to be.I went home around 3:30.It was freaking cold outside!

My Medical Exams...

Then came Friday,November 16,2007.I tried not to think of what's to come on Friday all week long.I did'nt want to get stressed yet again and think of what ifs.(I lost a lot of weight because of that). It was easy and fast as I thought it would.I could have gotten to the clinic sooner if I did'nt gel lost.When I went inside the old building it was kind of deserted since it was already late in the afternoon around 4:15PM.I was the only patient.The Chinese receptionist was sooo nice, even on the phone that's why I chose their clinic in the first place. She asked me to produce my urine(of course).After that I saw Dr.Chan already. He asked me questions(I knew I should have reviewed!!)then examined my eyes,ears,tummy and breasts.He took my weight for which he said I was so tiny.He got my blood samples too.Then he said to go to the basement for my X-Ray.That's it,as fast as that.I think it only took me 15 minutes.A bit longer since I got to talking to the Filipina X-Ray technician.All in all it came like a blur.I just hope the result will be like that too.

A Sudden Change of Heart

I finally got my Open Work Permit and letter for my medical exams from the Canadian embassy last November 9,2008.The day was very significant since it came on a Friday.I am now a Divine Mercy devotee and goes to novena and mass every Friday.While I was still back home and processing my papers,my significant day was a Wednesday because Bernie and I always went to Baclaran church to say our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena(I still do the novena but never goes to church on Wednesdays anymore because of place restrictions.Not all of the churches here have a novena,let alone open all day long.So many idiots vandalize the church! I could'nt say that I was happy,for I rarely am,but say I felt so blessed.All along I knew God will give it to me.



However come Monday night,a Filipina told me that it might take me another 5 months to get my PR.What??!! I thought it won't take me long and I planned to go home on the last week of April.Everything is all set!! I was distraught and had been pretty shaken up and depressed.I thought of everything,every possible things that can happen and of course my back up plans.SO came Wednesday I emailed Missy,and the others if they are still open for July or August since I plan to go home on those months if ever.Missy emailed me right back saying she is still very much open on weekends of July and some dates on August!That reassured me and got my hopes and joy right up.At least, there is still hope after all...

My Super Hectic Weekend....

Hey, I have mentioned that my birthday was coming up right? Well it has come and gone.Same old same old.We had sushi, chow mein and of course red wine.(Darn, I think we're getting addicted to the thing) Red wine is really good for you, good for the heart.What makes you think the Italians live longer?

Then the following morning I had to dash off to my friends house,which is in the other side of Toronto.(They are from the west, us from the east).We were supposed to go to H&M's warehouse sale in Brampton.We did go there but the line up was soooooo long already.And we couldn't possibly wait that long since we have a baby with us and it was freakin' cold and windy outside.So we went to Vaughn Mills instead.It's not as good as a mall as I first thought it was.Mas type ko pa sa Yorkdale eh! Afterwards I treated them to lunch.Too bad I could'nt stay to get wasted.I had work at 5pm to 1am.





So I went to work,took a quick shower and got dressed.My grandma and I was asked to assist in Rebecca's bat mitzvah.Man oh man was it soo fun!!! Eventhough its basically a children's party everyone had a blast! It was so fun.The kids had fun, nakakahawa! There were airbrush tattoo,dancing,free picture taking,free pjs,tons of pizza and pasta! It was held at Beach Blast near Yorkdale Mall. I did'nt expect it to be that much fun considering its just a beach volleyball set up.But they were able to play dodge ball,volleyball, sand castle building,etc.Basta masaya sya! Period! Can you see my grandma's tattoo?As the young ones say here,it's poppin' fresh!








We finished at 1Am.As usual my adrenaline was high so I could'nt sleep very well.Kinabukasan hay naramdaman ko yung exhaustion.Natulog nalang uli ako pag uwi.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Nothing much exciting happened to me during the week.Except that last Monday it was a holiday and we had Thanksgiving dinner.Just the usual crowd.We bbqued steak,salmon,shrimps and vegetables.The vegetables were a hit though!(as introduced by me thank you thank you!)Sarap inihaw na onion,zucchini,red pepper and carrots.We drank wine and had fun! Sarap ng food at dami ko nakain. Kahit kokonti lang kami masaya naman. I got a little tipsy though I just had one glass of wine.Everybody looked funny and red.We got to talking about Boracay.How I wish we could go there for our honeymoon.But it would be too expensive since everyone in my family will sure to come(sino kaya magbabayad ng pamasahe???)Wish ko lang talaga.Saya sana kung lahat kami makapunta duon.

Oh,its also going to be my birthday on Friday.I just want to go to church is all.I have work the following night, then the following day.

Fall na talaga.There is already that bite in the air.Funny because I never feel depressed now, unlike during my first autumn here in 2005.Gloomy kasi ang weather plus my birthday falls on autumn.Feeling of isolation and desolation.But it does'nt bother me anymore.

Booked Wedding Suppliers

CENTURY PARK HOTEL MANILA
Hotel Preps

Philippines 599 P. Ocampo St. 1004Malate, Manila PhilippinesTel: (632) 528-8888 (Trunk line)Room Reservations : (632) 528-5814 to 16Fax: (632) 528-1811 to 12

Email: information@centurypark.com.ph






We just booked this hotel 3 weeks before our wedding.We decided to change the hotel 3 days after we found out that Bayview Park Hotel Manila is under renovation. I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself if I stayed on, amidst the fallin debris ang nets outside the hotel. This is pricier than we would normally pick but after where being frugal led me too, we might as well splurge a little on this one.


STREETLINE BRIDAL CARS
c/o Aiza

645-1780
0918-9441302
0916-5656798

Bernie does'nt want to pay for a bridal car.He knows they're expensive and will last only for a few hours.Sad to say we have no choice.Wala syang mahiraman.Hiya sa boss nya eh.

Aiza is soo funny to talk to.Bata pa eh. :-) As long as they show up on time and gets me to the church on time, thats fine.If not,dadayuhin ko talaga sila sa Antipolo at kopow!

PAPEMELROTI GIFT SHOP

Souvenirs

SM Southmall
Ground Floor Las Piñas,
Metro Manila
Tel. 806-4578
http://www.papemelroti.com


Ok ding kausap tong papemel.They will give you a discount if you buy in bulk.I bought their pixie wedding magnet (so cute!). Super worth your money!




CARDPRINTS PHILIPPINES

Invites

Contact Person : Jenzil
LGF, SM Southmall
Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City
1747 Philippines (Beside Surplus Shop)
Tel (632) 801 1891
Cellphone (63) 922 811 0950
http://www.cardprints.com.ph/

Took me also a long time to decide on this one.I always do that.I find out what I want the first time then I still shop around for others,only going back to the first one I picked.Even in shopping for other stuff be it shoes,pants,gifts!I always, always want to look for everything else so I know I made the right choice.

Given the amount of budget that we have, we couldn't splurge on something fancier.But I love this one.Although I'm a bit disappointed with the color though.I find it too light.Yan ang hirap pag nasa abroad ka at puro computer ang kaharap mo! Baka mas maganda sa personal.

But when it comes to "pagaasikaso" wala akong masabi! Very prompt ang cardprints be it with their shop staff and office.Kahit ang kulit kulit ko na! Gora sa pag reply sakin.

Very good ka Jenzil!!!

QUEENSLAND CATERING






















MAIN OFFICE: Sicily Street, CAA Rd.Las Piñas CityTel. Nos.: 826-7791 / 820-7223
NEW LAS PINAS OFFICE: Ysabel's Garden, BF Resort VillageBF Resort Drive, Las Pinas
AE :Kathrine M. Valencia
qckathy@queenslandcatering.com

One of the most "fought after" supplier.My fiance's choice.They are by far the most affordable caterer there is.

Good food too.


FRESHCUTS (Cupcake Tree and Mini-Cakes)

Rey Darroca
1148-B Amparo St.Poblacion,Muntinlupa City

496-8933/ 517-3457

0928-6652425
mailto:freshcutsflowers2000@yahoo.com





















Our latest "booking" after a long drought. Took me a few months to go through the preps again.I used to be so obsessed with cupcake trees.I wanted to share our cake to guests. Freshcuts offered me a huge discount because I'm a w@wie. (buti nalang me w@w tag ako he he he)Almost 50% off.

Thanks Ray!

NICEPRINT PHOTO

Unit 204 Emerald Place, 604 Shaw Blvd., Pasig City
Telephone numbers: 6365505, 6333812, 6385206
Fax number: 6333812Mobile numbers: 09177964549, 0922-8NPRINT

Email: Inquiry@niceprintphoto.com

Photo/Video

The very first supplier we ever booked.I was too busy looking for a church and a venue that I never paid enough attention to who I was talking to on the email.I saw someone recommend them from w@w ,look them up and inquired if they can customize the package according to our budget.Sure enough they did!I talk mostly to Ms.Charisse Tinio who is the owner and she is soooooo nice!! Love her,love her! I keep pestering her about my questions and she answers right back!Kahit madaling araw na.(Siguro me blackberry?Or insomniac na sya he he he)However she did not relent when I asked if we could have 2 photographers for the price of one.I guess I've been pushing her too hard he he he.But I love her!!!!

ALFRED ANGELO


Chris & Tina's Bridal Shop,Scarborough,Ontario

Bridal Gown


I got my wedding gown again by chance.We just visited Chris and Tina's Bridal Shop in Scarborough to look at the gown's prices,just to have an idea. But I came across a wonderful simple gown with a ruching skirt,something that I have always wanted.I tried it on and fell in love with it.I ordered the gown even though I still have ten months before the wedding.It just needs to be altered though

LAILA PAPA RAMOS

lailapaparamos@yahoo.com
http://lailapaparamos.multiply.com/

Entourage Gowns/Bridal Gown Alteration

Ate Laila!!!Ang aking ka facebook! One of my favorite suppliers.Pag kausap ko sya parang ang tagal na naming magkaibigan.Kahit binubug ko sya habang nasa FX sya he he.I have mentioned that my gown needs to be altered? She is going to do it.Put some beadings,etc. Super nice! Can't wait to meet her.


MELISSA FERRER-LITAO

Missy.Ferrer-Litao@teamenergy.ph
0917-8292309 / 0920-9464779

Emcee

I never expected that I could get her for our wedding since she is so in demand.I thought she must be booked by then.But luckily,she was still available on our day so I booked her right away! I asked my Mom to deposit the DP ASAP! God sent talaga. :-)She got a lot of good reviews from w@w so yehey!!!

(pic taken from a fellow w@wie, geri and raymond)





ST.JOSEPH CHURCH

(Bamboo Organ Church)


Padre Diego Cera Avenue, Brgy. Daniel Fajardo,1744 Las Pinas City, Philippines.
Phone:(63)(2) 825-7190(63)(2)826-1856

This is perhaps the most difficult vendor to decide on.My fiance's first and only choice was the Nature's Church in Moonwalk.I did'nt like it there because one, they don't accept outside caterers,two, I'm not much into wood, and three I don't like their chairs.So, we have to scout for churches and venues all over the south.We could'nt possibly go far for Bernie's family are all from Maragondon so you can just imagine the travel time. My father had to scout churches from Parañaque and Las Piñas, my Mom went to look for churches in Alabang, while I google most of the time.(I was'nt a member of w@w then so it was really difficult) .

We also had to look into our budget.During that time I was still naive and feeling so tight fisted.My father told me that the fee to this church is only P6,500 without the flowers.Plus they also have two venues to choose from.So I made some computations and asked my fiance to have an ocular of the place.He fell in love with the church,what with it being so historical.My h2b is so patriotic it makes me sick! :-)So we agreed and booked it.I like this church too.Even though all of my family campaigned against it.The most important thing is that we both like it.

ST.JOSEPH HALL

St.Joseph Academy,Las Piñas City

This is how the hall looks like bare.With matching students milling about.At least dami electric fan.Mainit daw dito. I think they hold masses here every Sunday afternoon.This place is being rented with a Sound System.However,with a lot of fighting and resistance from my fiance,I decided to rent out SS from another vendor.Because I would put mood lights anyway.Mas mura kapag package na.

Now this is how it looks like dolled up! Ang ganda ganda diba? I got this picture from Ria and Fed's blogsite.(Ria is also a w@wie. I hope she won't mind hi hi hi). They have somehow become the benchmark for SJ brides.They hired Lala of Interplay to do the event styling. I think they spent 20k on this alone.Whew!

Lawrence D. Dela Rosa

ANGEL OF HEARTS

Stall # 13 Dos Catillas St. Sampaloc Manila
Cell# 0920-9384610


Florist/Event stylist

Lawrence is so easy to deal with.Wala ata akong hiniling na di nya binigay.(Maliban na lang nung binabarat ko talaga sya sa event styling.Or perhaps I should have tried it in the afternoon?Para di bagong gising)He got a lot of good reviews from w@w. His work is the one I'm looking forward to the most.I asked him to do the event styling at the place,set up the flowers for the church and entourage.He is just going to give me local flowers.I don't care much for imported flowers dahil sanay nakong makakita ng tulips( ang yabang!!!) Para sakin mas maganda sila sa garden.Spring lang sila tumutubo dito.Anyway,I got a really good deal from him if I do say so myself :-)




FRIDAYS @ SEATTLE

fridaysatseattle@yahoo.com

OTD Coordinator

I have always wanted an OTD Coordinator.If I had my way this will be the first supplier I will book ever.It took me a long time to book one since my father was mentioning someone who wanted to volunteer only it turned out differently.Yes! I finally got my excuse to do it.And answered prayer din ako dahil binigay Nya sakin ang Fridays.Covered pa kami ng promo nila.And when I spoke with Carol I felt kinship that I have never experienced with another coordinator.Never mind that they are just three! As long as they can deliver.I don't really need a perfect wedding.I just want an organized one.Bahala na kayo peeps!

CHICHI SOTOMIL

chichisotomil@gmail.com
8013605
http://www.picturetrail.com/chichisotomil


HMUA

Her real name is Richelle Anne Sotomil in case you're wondering.

I got her because I saw one of the most beautiful brides I've seen in her site. And I thought I wanted to look like her.OK fine!

Prettier than her!

I wish! :-)


REJECTKREW LIGHTS AND SOUNDS

funkymix08@hotmail.com
http://rejectkrew.multiply.com/

Sound System


The super polite Elmer Bautista! Pag ka email ko puro opo.He is a night person though, so don't expect him to answer your calls or emails before 12PM.

Very affordable yung package nya,tapos dami dami nya pang equipments.

Bridal Gown for Pick Up! The 2nd Fitting

I know its still too early.I still have 7 months to go and yet here comes the bridal shop saying my gown is now ready for pick up.What can I do but do it?? So after a week I asked my Aunt and Grandma to accompany me and pick up the gown. Here goes..

(In case you're wondering,yes that's my bra showing )

Its still a little bit plain since the beadings on the front and skirt won't be put till February. The size also needs to be altered because its a bit big(kahit na size 2!) .I also want a little sweeping train at the back.

I'm only a little bit disappointed though.It looks like I can't have a strapless gown because of my pitiful small b**bs :-( Baka malaglag kahit na pa alter ko pa yan hu hu hu. Knowing my neurotic self, I will end up glancing at my chest often to see if they are flashing!!!Plus,it seems that the alteration and the beadings will cost the same as the whole gown! Huwahhhhhh!!! Kaya maghahanap pa ako ng ibang seamstress na mas mura.

But I love the ruching skirt :-) It's different and it's the new trend in bridal gowns now.

My First Blah

Does anyone ever read a whole blog? I mean read every sentence there is.Does anyone really care enough to read someone else's thoughts? What exactly does it mean anyway?(gotta google the exact definition)Anyway, I don't care.I think the exact reason someone posts her thoughts on the net is its therapeutic use.I've always wanted to do this. Mostly being alone in my work,the only one who really talks to me is a nine year old boy.I'm always alone in this huge house.Might as well find something to vent out my life in.

Well let me introduce myself.Better not.You'll find out soon enough if you care enough to read.
:-) I just want something to post my pictures at and tell my two cents.You see I'm getting married next year.To my one and only wah.We have been to going out for almost 6 years already.3 of those years being apart from each other.He is back home in Pinas while I am now in Toronto.They say its hard keeping up a long distance love affair.I find it easy.He is always on my mind.I'm pretty sure I am mostly on his.We text each other everyday,call each other every week.However its true that I think we have somehow changed being apart from each other.A friend of mine told me if I'm really sure of marrying him,what being away from each other and all.Sometimes he mentions friends of his that I never know, tells his adventure that I have not experienced with him and I feel a pang of slight jealousy.I am no longer a part of his everyday life.Before,we used to be attached to the hip.Lagi kaming magkasama.Anyway I just tell myself that pretty soon we are going to spend our lives together that there will be a time that I don't want have him with me at all. :-) Anyway,nasaan na ba ako? Ahh,the purpose of this blog.To post my pics and recommendations to all those who are b2bs(brides to be) so that they can have choices and ideas.Especially to southern brides and those who want to get married at Bamboo Organ and have the reception at their hall.Palibhasa kasi wala ako masyado magoogle so,humph! gumawa nga ako. He he he. That and to tell my ramblings.