A Song I've Always Wanted

I got up from bed because of this certain song I have saved and played with my MP3 a while ago that I would always wanted to hear on a wedding.. maybe on my wedding. It's more of having it applied to a committed mother and wife and you've witnessed all sacrifices and time she had for her family and so on. But it's kinda different, and of course I want this song dedicated for me soon by my husband-to-be. I said I'm gonna write it on my blog. Well, actually there is another song I have always wanted too and it's so classic. I heard the song SHE from the movie Notting Hill with Anna Scott and I guess that's just one great song that maybe can be considered for a Bridal March, am not sure with my fiance.

She's Always A Woman
by Billy Joel

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child
But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to live
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free
She steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

Oh, she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She will promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best
And the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
But she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me

Last Year of Being Friendly Couple

Speechless as I may be because this is the last year Jojo and I celebrated 2007 as girlfriend-and-boyfriend couple and we are much looking forward to being husband and wife by May. I never thought time flies so fast and we are turning to our 8th year as friends, lovers, couple. That's why considering to be married on 2008, on our 8th year seems to give us all the best wishes and luck. I just turned 28 last December and Jojo turned 28 too this January. Truly it's about time to tie our knot and not wait for the third little Jojo or little Yang to follow. But still, am looking forward to more challenges that would make us strong and firm as partners, more straightforwardness and courage to face squarely whatever trial that comes our way, and more good health so we could take good care of this family that we have started to establish. May our God help and guide us, bind us as one.

You live your life only once. As you commit it, you make sure it is worthy so you can join them in that blissful paradise.

New Year's Eve 2007

Wearing my fiance's Christmas gift which is a Blue Green Guess vintage style collared shirt while he was wearing my gift too of Ralph Lauren Blue collared shirt last New Year Eve, nothing would be as memorable as the GRAFFITI Jojo has made in front of our house. Every year, we make one ourselves alongside of Leo Street especially when it is our Year Anniversary during month of May.

The next morning when my Dad and my daughter Gaielle were doing some gardening, I went outside to check the GRAFFITI and just took another picture of it. Thanks MahaL for the sweet thought. That was a perfect heart graffiti there!

You live your life only once. As you commit it, you make sure it is worthy so you
can join them in that blissful paradise.

First Bridal Fair June 2007

THE FORT

GLORIA JEAN'S CAFE

To start the day right to our first participation to the Bridal Fair,

Jojo and I decided to have some Chocolate Macadamia and some Vanilla Caramel.

There were butterflies on my stomach when we walk towards the NBC Tent.

I kept on sipping my coffee blended frost. I was thinking of a lot of couples

enjoying the fair comparing notes from their lists, taking a look at different options, but I, I looked forward to

bridal talks which unluckily we did not have...

NBC TENT, The Fort
WEDDING SUMMIT 2007 Bridal Fair
FERNDWOOD GARDENS & FERNBROOK GARDENS
as Major Sponsor

You'll see Jojo's excitement as we walk towards the red carpet after we had checked our

registration. We were given name tags for suppliers to address clients properly and to recognize

our interests for our wedding. We enjoyed tasting food from the chocolate fountain, Jojo tried speaking

to different sponsors of souvenirs and event's analysts and most of all, he was so happy

collecting brochures and getting our loot bag from the counter.

We never had the chance to taste from the sponsors of the Catering Services

because we thought to spend our time together in a differnt way.

The souvenir sponsor which Jojo cannot forget most was the designer of the craft himself, a LAHAR victim.

Although I really do not appreciate much the color gold as a souvenir,

we paid respect by trying to look at his creative designs.

Jojo did take a photo of the parrot but we forgot taking a picture of himself
at the venue...SORRY, MahaL!

Jojo and I went to Market! Market! just to find a good ambience for good eating and to catch some movies. But Jojo did not feel so comfortable with so many people. Actually, there was so much of a crowd inside and shoppers are really mad. Well, one thing is for good, SHAWARMA CHANNEL, our all time fave is there! I guess anywhere we go, we try to look for some shawarma... This is our favorite food nowadays. And to cut the story short..after two SHAWARMAs for each, we ended up to EASTWOOD CITY CINEMAS. We never thought we would be watching MR. BEAN it is just that we were not able to make it for the start of the movie, Zodiac. Jojo and I both agree that we should be on time for taking our babies to sleep. It was about 6:00pm when the movie started and honestly at first I really don't like watching but in the end... I found out that it wasn't so corny watching it at all!

Sobrang dulo ng inupunan ko sa itaas! Cuz I thought I am really to watch a nonsense movie so I chose this place just to sleep, but no I did not...

Lucky Seven (May 24, 2007)

(Compilation from my other blog)

Here's a toast to THE COUPLE who just turned SEVEN YEARS today!

ONE FINE DAY. The celebration was made simple. It was a choice at first of spending it over in a hotel with the kids or in a resort for a final bid before summer ends. But no, Jojo preferred it to be spent at home as I am nursing my body from migraine and overstressed work. Evidently, there was no filed leave for this special day but I have to stay at home, be absent, and get sleep as much as I want to.

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Early last night, when we both drove home from work, we tried catching up at the wet market for some Chicken Curry ingredients... but chicks are to no avail. (We decided to have this for lunch on our day because I knew already I wasn't feeling well and I'd better get rest on the next day instead of reporting to work) So we still have to rush to Rustan's Express Lane as we have no choice but to have the major ingredient on our hands. Unluckily, we bought home nothing since the shopping lane has ran out of stock.

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Waking up early in the morning seems so ordinary. But Mahal greeted me happily and excitedly to welcome the day ----totally I was blank and it seems that I had a memory lapse on my head. What I knew was that we four, Mahal, me and our kids, enjoyed the cool breeze of the airconditioner which was our companion for the whole night of sleep. And to make the day so extraordinary, Mahal was appointed to go to Ampid Wet Market to get some cold cuts. Luckily, we found a bunch of chicken stock from our refrigerator which were mom's. So I was left with no option but to ask for a permission by texting her. She was away for a retreat in Tagaytay. All we were left is to get extra ingredients for the feast. We decided to walk with the kids to a nearby store in Lower Saguittarius Street. to buy some veggies and to make the day perfect, we dropped by Jojo's house to greet the Ramoses a good morning. Luckily, on the second strike, Jojo's parents are on their way to the market. His father offered us a menu for our special day. Jojo decided to have some PAPAITAN be prepared as it was the meal which made us both closer seven years ago. Halo-Halo was served in the afternoon at the Ramos' abode after our lunch at home. Angel, Jojo's sister, bought Aira Sef at home for a little get-together w/his brother and to spend the day specially.

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To wrap it all up before Jojo left for work around 7pm, the kids watched Barney Zoo CD and Mr. Bean around 4pm as we both decided to relax; me in front of the computer, and Jojo on his one hour bed rest. I can say that there's no more meaningful that a simple celebration like this with our family. At least, we had the day pass without overspending too much money like how we usually do over the past years... Mahal has succeeded in convincing me about this.. well, I thought so because he is right.

First Visit To A Venue

BLUE GARDENS
The only ENGLISH GARDEN in the heart of Quezon City
A bubbling fountain soothes the soul while the formal garden
is softened by elements like charming bird houses, stained glass
bottles and white lattices covered with vines.

This Monday was our schedule to visit and feel the TOP FOUR value-for-money wedding venues in Quezon City next to Fernwood Gardens of course which is very much familiar to me and to Jojo. These four places are both of our choice. We have not yet considered listing down farther places because we believe that practicality would best work in wedding plans if you've come across the cheapest and the not-so-considered.

It was noontime when Jojo and I stretched COMMONWEALTH AVENUE. We watched Supernatural Season II at the morning after preparing Gaielle for school and before Bastin's Nap time. Luckily we were able to visit two out of four places. Rain poured so hard that we had to postpone visiting other venues. But it was okay, the whole day with my love one was as memorable as ever.

BLUE GARDENS captures the OLD WORLD OF CHARM and natural beauty of an English garden. The stone wall entrance gate has magnificent ornate carvings, a fish fountain, and pillars reminiscent of 17th Century CHATEAU DE BRECY’s monumental gate in Normandy—a fitting dramatic first impression of the garden.

STONE WALL ENTRANCE GATE

Upon entering the garden’s grounds, one is transported to another world.

The landscape is filled with blooming flowers of every color and shape.
A cobblestone path, which is framed by a lush arbor filled with violet lowering
vines, leads to a majestic white gazebo inspired by Castle Versailles of France.

A cobblestone path, which is framed by a lush arbor filled with violet
flowering vines, leads to a majestic white gazebo inspired by
Castle Versailles of France. This is the view outside from the castle-inspired
building. I am actually standing at its staircase.

We were on our way up to the MAIN HALL.

MAIN HALL
European-Inspired Chateau

It has all-white pristine interiors, Greek pillars wrapped with flowering
silk vines, big French windows, a chandelier, and a stage with a panoramic
view of the lush garden.

It's lobby opens to a grand-gilded mirror and chandelier.

Over-all, Jojo was happy and contented with his first visit at the place. He has not seen the rates yet for 2008 but he was able to come up with some unique ideas if ever we'll be celebrating our wedding at Blue Gardens. His eyes expressed so much excitement and many colorful plans he has shared to me when we sat back to the car as we drove to the Grand Terrace. He mentioned about what OUR CAKE should look like, what his pair of shoes will be and what his unique outfit would be. All these are remembered here in my heart. SALAMAT, MAHAL!

The rain has not stopped until we reached our next destination. THE GRAND TERRACE is conveniently situated at the heart of Quezon City. It was only a five-minute drive from Blue Gardens.

The Grand Terrace houses the first fully air-conditioned garden venue in the country, the Venus Garden, which accommodates up to 300 guests. Its UV protected polycarbonate roofing makes it an ideal venue for morning or lunch affairs when the sun is bright, dinner and cocktail parties on moonlit nights, or even when it rains. Conceptualized with the comfort and convenience of the guests in mind, The Grand Terrace incorporates revolutionary concepts not found in any other weddings and events venue in the country.

VENUS GARDEN

On the contrary, Jojo was not satisfied with how their host presented the place to us. No thrill at all he told me. The place was actually really more convenient to me because I was thinking that our guests might not be delighted when they find their way to Blue Gardens compared to Grand Terrace which is actually along Commonwealth Avenue with so many good landmarks. Well anyway, to make the day complete since it's already too late to hop to the other two venues, we dragged ourselves to UP DILIMAN to meet new friends. I suggested to Jojo to try looking for an alternative group who would sing for us for both at the church and at the reception. Yeah, we really don't know anyone from the COLLEGE OF MUSIC, but it was a good shot though for me not to miss dropping by at the college and look for volunteers. Jojo wanted some fishball and kwek-kwek, so we dropped VINZON'S HALL where we used to buy the streetfoods way back years. Wow! It was newly-painted! It has been a while where I last stepped in UP.

Accidentally, I met DAYANG at the 2nd Floor corridor of the Plaridel Hall. I first approached her and I told her of our situation about the wedding. Jojo was at the College's quadrangle, talking to EZ. He called EZ on his mobile phone just to share his experience and his excitement in visiting BLUE GARDENS. Dayang took me to her office and she said that I somewhat looked familiar to her. I told her that I belong to Batch '96 CFA so she can have an idea that we maybe classmates to some GE Subjects. But I learned she belonged to Batch '93. But yeah, she could have been a classmate on one of my PE Subjects. The acquaintance was good and quick. She gave me two referrals w/their handyphone #s and she wished me good luck. She actually shared her wedding experience at Tagaytay with the Madrigal Singers or MADZ. She also mentioned that these referrals were really good at their piece. They may play 10-11 songs at the reception with a good affordable package; instruments include GUITAR, VIOLIN and FLUTE.

Banners along A.S. WALK
reminds me of my college years

Jojo was reminded of the Black Bat cigar we have tried from couples, Ayn and Jeff Azarcon, when we dined in Prince of Jaipur last June. Ayn mentioned that we can buy this stuff in UP. I took Jojo to the Main Library and viola! He bought two as souvenirs. That was a looong walk from where we have parked the car. At least, it was a very good chance I did a li'l exercise. We are sure we will be back, no not for the cigars, but for a long morning walk and some family picnic in Sunken Garden.

JULY 30, 2007

Towards A Lifetime
Commitment

I started saving with me wedding stuffs I have gotten from the internet way back year 2001 when Jojo and I first came to Manila Cathedral together and visited Intramuros. We never thought of any wedding plans at all, it was a simple date indeed touring the vicinity. We took lots of pictures while we were at the Church and I have saved them in an album. It was here when he first proposed to me for a lifetime relationship. Of course, I would hate to say but I declined it because I am not prepared yet. I was only 21. But he kept on telling me that his life belongs to me.

On the second row, infront of the Basilica's altar where we were seated, he told me of his dreams marrying at Venice, Italy. For a second my heartbeat stopped ---because I am to say the same story. It was such a shameful coincidence and from there, we kept on exchanging ideas of how are wedding dreams would be. Jojo and I met on April 11, year 2000. I had the chance of talking to him again after so many years. We met each other along the street in the subdivision after I have accompanied my Youth For Christ friends on their way home from my house. Jojo was a childhood friend, a servicemate, when we were in nursery. He goes to Marist School and I to St. Scholastica's Academy. From van during nursery days to a yellow bus on grade school days. Funny because he usually writes me love letters and send it through a male friend...then his male friend change Jojo's name to his own. But I didn't get to read them all-- my friends do the reading for me and interpret his every sweet word by reciting them. When we were in grade three, he tried dropping by our house one morning. While waiting for me in the living room, he tried playing LEGO with my brothers. But he wasn't entertained. Instead they had all spill the LEGO on his head which made him cry and go home. Funny again, but he told me this story only when we became boyfriend and girlfriend. What I remember most was when we were on 5th grade. There was a November Affair here in Bancom and tickets were sold for P50 per entry. I was cleaning my shoes at the terrace that time about 6pm when he came knocking at our gate. He invited me and he has shown me two tickets that he bought for the DISCO. Just imagine, my mom permitted me to go.

On April 2007, Jojo and I decided to tie the knot. The wedding date is next year. This May, we started attending several Bridal Fairs and we started hopping to different Bridal shops. Yes, we keep on going and trying to discover ways we can make our day memorable. Below is an example of the invitation and some gowns I would want to have for our wedding plus a cocktail dress for the reception. Here are my major picks that somehow have pleased me. On the other hand, I would want to add some vintage style on our motiff. We were dreaming of having with us a white vintage car not necessarily a Benz. There are a lot more plans which have not been finalized yet but I am saving 'em all for the record on this blog.

elegant ecru invitation

a Cocktail Dance Gown

bride's bouquet as simple as this