This Stroller or That

The next baby necessity for us to buy after the crib was the stroller. Choosing the crib was tough (since we had to make sure it fit the theme and size of our nursery), but choosing the stroller has been much more taxing. There's just so many choices and considerations!

For me, the priority considerations were that it had to be safe, comfortably padded for the baby and able to attach a newborn car seat. It also had to be durable enough to last us years. For Eyebrows, it had to be easy to fold and compact enough to travel with and fit in the trunk. We've trimmed down our choices to 3:

The Bugaboo Bee Plus is just too adorable to ignore. I love the look - so modern. It's compact and easy to fold. It doesnt seem padded enough for a newborn though, but you can buy a separate infant car seat that sits snuggly on top. The big catch - in Amazon, it costs $649!!! In Hobbes and Landes, its even more! And that does not come with the car seat, any accessories or shipping! Hmmmmm... definitely not the practical buy. But... but....

The Peg Perego Pliko P3 Compact stroller with the Viaggio car seat was another top contender. It folds really easily (umbrella-type style). It seems stable and durable and the reviews are 99% positive. It can come with an infant car seat that clips easily to the stroller. In Rustans, the stroller costs approximately PhP 21k and the car seat PhP 17k. Still on the high side. When we checked in Amazon though, the entire travel system costs much less. Running price is at $580 for the set. Even with shipping, it still comes out cheaper.

Our third option (c/o Eyebrows' ingenious internet shopping skills) is the Britax B-Agile stroller and B-Safe car seat travel system. I've never seen or tested this stroller so I feel a bit iffy about it. But the online reviews are almost all positive! It's sturdy, has full leg support for the baby, comfortable padding, a large canopy and it folds easy and compact. Cons include it having a relatively small basket and it folds with the seat exposed and handle to the floor. And it only comes in red and black. All in all however, its good value for money. Amazon sells the entire travel system for $350. We'll probably have to add a little more for shipping, but not significantly.

So those are our top 3 stroller choices for now... The more I Google, the more confused I get! Ultimately, I think any reasonable, safe, sturdy and compact stroller + car seat should do the job. 

Getting Started on the Nursery

After being hospitalized for a week for premature labor, Im finally home although confined to strict bed rest. Thank God I've just finished decorating most areas of our home. Now it's down to the nursery. We have the crib, mattress, changing table, shelves and Mommy's lazy boy in place, but thats about it. On a side note, Mommy's lazy boy was the one "luho" item we got for the nursery. Its a bit on the pricey side but extremely comfortable! It's very well cushioned with soft leather, fully reclines, has full leg support, and best of all -- offers great lumbar support! I vouch it to be more comfortable than any other furniture in the house! My rationale: for those long and exhausting days and nights of breastfeeding. 

Anyway, back to the room... there are no accents or decorations whatsoever. It's quite disappointing I wont be able to step out of our home to shop for baby stuff (at least not anytime soon) and there's still so much to buy. I made a list of all the necessities and if worse comes to worst, then Ill probably delegate the shopping to Eyebrows and my Mom. But for now, Im learning all about internet shopping! My first buy.... removable wall stickers! 

Found these in Amazon on sale for only $3.23 each. With door to door shipping, it sums up to approx $30 for 2 sets. I closed my eyes and clicked the purchase button. I think it'll go perfectly with our nursery theme. Im going for light hues of white, cream, mocha and baby pink. Plus, its a really practical buy. It wont ruin our newly painted walls in case we decide to take it down. Cant wait for it to arrive!

Next nursery room buys: Stand Lamp, Beddings (sheets and crib guards), and a nice large picture to hang on the wall (probably will end up hanging a family pic instead).

Engagement Part 2 - Proposing Again at Stanley Park

Eyebrows proposed at the same spot in Stanley Park again, a year after our first engagement :) *melt* The second time around was so much sweeter! I guess it was because we were both in a happy place and sure of where our relationship was going...


The location is actually quite symbolic of our outlook in life that we started to dissect it! It was right in the middle of two opposite scenes, one studded with pretty little cherry blossoms - pretty, dreamy and perfect. The other one scattered with random trees, dreary, haunting and mysterious.


Anyway, as a souvenir we decided to get ourselves drawn. :) Sitting in one spot with a poker face for 10 minutes is not as easy as you think! hehe!

A Wedding Present

We finally make it to Kuala Lumpur

We decided to go on get away for Holy Week. Without much of a budget, we decided on a promo flight and accommodation package via Air Philippines. Because it was a budget airline, the flight departed from Clark Airbase. Usually, it takes us about an hour to get to the airport, however since it was Holy Week, we expected a little more traffic and gave an extra week leeway. Problem was, the traffic was not just a little bad -- it was HORRIBLE and we ended up missing our flight! To make a long story short, we ended up paying a few extra hundred dollars to buy a new ticket for next day. Apparently, you cant rebook budget tickets!

Anyway... despite all that happened, KL Malaysia turned out to be a blast. :) On top of that, I was able to buy a little present for our wedding - cufflinks!

With his wedding present! Just for the picture, you get to get it again on our wedding! haha :)

Seeing Veejay Floresca's Designs

Visited Veejay the second time to see his designs. Went with Eyebrows and my Mom again to get their thoughts. Its always fun to do wedding stuff with my two greatest loves.

Remembrance shot of our second meeting

Anyway, Veejay is a very young designer, but straight away you can tell that he's got talent. His designs we're very well crafted, he started with a presentation of his mood board, then a series of pictures showing the inspiration for his designs, then sketches of the designs themselves. His designs showed a combination of lace and corset tops and flowy chiffon shirts, very much aligned to our theme. It was elegant but still suitable for a Cebu wedding. It was vintage but not out-of-style - still very modern. Plus it had a hint of Grecian style that Ive always loved. I loved his designs.

Eyebrows and I listening to Veejay's presentation

After the sketches, we took time to think of colors. Instead of our original all purple theme, we decided to take Veluz' advice and go for something more on the pale side -- beige's and light pinks and creams, really going vintage. Surprisingly, Eyebrows and I were quite happy with that palette. In no way was it painful to give up my "purple dream". Well, not to say that I've given it up completely, still going for purple for the flowers :) But for the gowns, we're going VINTAGE!

Choosing fabric, Eyebrows and I are sold - lets go vintage!

I love Veejay. He's so light and easy to talk to but still professional. Out of all the designers we've visited, you can tell Veejay really puts his whole heart into our wedding. He takes his time talking to us, getting to know our personality and style and helping us decide on what we want. He's very sensitive to our wants but still offers his professional opinion. Plus, his style is very in tune to Eyebrows's and mine so it makes it really easy to explain how we imagine things.

Having a few laughs

So, after the second meeting, I was pretty happy with Veejay. We just had to wait for the proper quotation.

***************************
Veejay Floresca
Address: 3552 Durango cor Emilia St, Brgy Palanan, Makati
Phone: (+63) (02) 758 2128
Mobile: (+63) 9175013535
Email: veejayfloresca@gmail.com
Website: www.veejayfloresca.com

***************************

Vintage Finds At The Cubao Expo!

Eyebrows and I have been hearing about the Cubao Expo for a while now. One weekend afternoon, we passed by Araneta to pick up some Mossimo gift checks and decided to finally check it out. Lunch was a pleasant surprise. We ate at an Italian restaurant called Bellini tucked inside the Expo alley.

Lunch at Bellini's

The food was decent and reasonably priced. But over that, the restaurant was pretty. It reminded me of Rome's Sistine Chapel with hand painted ceilings and brick like structures. The walls were studded with vintage memoirs that gave the place a home-y feel. I would definitely go back.

Posing by the Sistine-like ceilings

**********************************
Bellini's Restaurant
Address: Marikina Shoe Expo, Gen. Romulo Ave., Cubao, QC, MM
Contact Number: (+632) 913 2550
**********************************

But that wasnt the "wedding highlight" of this weekend extravaganza. Just a few steps away from the restaurant was an artists haven of local paintings and painters and musicians and the like. Eyebrows and I set artistic side free and admired the paintings for quite some time. Above the studio was an even better find! There we met several free-spirited artists where, upon hearing news of our engagement, a talented nose-fluteist played us a lovers hymn! Amongst all that was a room filled with vintage items, maps and books and newspapers and letters and even stamps! Ive been looking for old stamps for quite some time to use for our wedding. I picked out a few to accent our giveaways! YEY for hidden finds! :)

Old school stamps found at the Cebu Expo at PhP5.00/piece

Old school envelopes to be used as guest cards at our reception!

Destination Weddings Rock!!! G + G

December 12-14, 2010
Ceremony: Shangri-La Boracay GardenReception: Shangri-La Boracay Ballroom
Hightlight of the Wedding: Partying in Boracay!!!

By far one of the best weddings I've been to so far! Instead of being just a one day affair, the weekend was full of "merry-making"! Friday night was the birthday of the bride, Saturday night the Despedida de Soltera, and Sunday the wedding proper. This wedding was all about close family and friends celebrating and enjoying a momentous occassion. This is what a wedding should be. :)

The wedding ceremony was held at the garden by the beach. The decorations were simple which I think was suited for such a beautiful place! The ceremony was followed by sunset cocktails by the beach. Ladies, take off your shoes!!!

Reception followed at the ballroom where the bride, groom and entourage came with with a surprise dance number! That set the tone for the whole wedding! Time to enjoy!!!

The centerpieces were simple, but I would have it no other way. Centerpieces dont matter much next to memories built. Drinks were free-flowing even at dinner time.

The give-aways were given to the boys for a change. Cigars and a smoking section outside to match.

What followed was a night of singing and dancing! This is me with the happy stress-free bride.

Another Lovely Wedding... J + R

December 6, 2009
Ceremony: Mary the Queen
Reception: 1 Esplanade
Hightlight of the Wedding: Program, especially the games!

Another lovely wedding, this time Eyebrows was a major part of it. (Hmmm... Im noticing, most of the weddings we attend are Eyebrows' friends! he must be getting old. hahaha) Anyway, a long like high school friend and neighbor, Eyebrows walked down the aisle of Mary the Queen as a groomsman. He was given a pink slim tie by Francis Libiran and a carnation as his boutonniere.

I made it to the reception as 1 Esplanade for cocktails and dinner. The cocktail area was in a covered area outdoors. It was breezy and comfortable. They served finger foods and pink lemonade, which was a perfect match to their color theme. They had a photobooth as well, which was a big hit - as always.

The reception area was fully decorated, I'd say in "Pink Victorian Garden" theme. It was coherent and classy.

The centerpiences had 2 variaties, one was a floral ensemble in what looked like a dessert tower. The other was a floral teapot arrangement which the guests got to take home! Come to think of it, there were tons of take home stuff! Aside from the teapot, there was the wooden spoon giveaway, which I used to eat the cake giveaway that they also distributed.
The wedding proper was tons of fun! I hardly noticed myself eating away, I was just so entertained by the program! The groom and his dad gave a surprise song number which impressed everyone. They had 3 or 4 games, all with prices! And the audience was participative! It was all good fun! :) This makes me rethink -- should we have games in our wedding?

The night ended quite early, but everyone definitely had a great time :)
P.S. Wedding gown by Veluz

It's The Time for Weddings... K + K

November 21, 2009
Ceremony: Union Church Of Manila
Reception: Shangri-La Makati
Highlight of the Wedding: FOOD!!!

Since we hit November, the wedding invitations just keep coming! It's amazing how every wedding is different. I love how the couple's personality becomes so evident in their celebration.

The first wedding we were able to attend was of Eyebrow's old friend Kevin. It fell on the same weekend was my friend's wedding which much to my disappointment, we missed. I really wanted to be there, first to celebrate with them, second to celebrate with them in Shangri-La Mactan. I've come to love that place...

Anyway... the couple's wedding reception was held in Makati Shangri-La. It was was simple but elegant with probably the best wedding food I've ever had! They had a few songs by the band, a few speeches, a few AVPs with a tribute to both their parents - no games, no crazy surprises... just simple, classic, and timeless.

The food was the best, it just kept coming and coming till I couldnt have any more!

We started off with a sampler plate of foie gras, scallops, etc... That in itself was to die for! The foie gras was so good I could have eaten Eyebrows plate as well! haha!

The tomato soup was perfect. Then came the sea bass with mushroom risotto. Perfect! Perfect! Perfect! The fish was crusted with truffles and the risotto was clean and sweet. I loved it.
A sorbet to cleanse the palette, then the juicy tenderloin steak! Mine was cooked medium to medium-rare. Eyebrow's maybe medium-well. By this time I was ready to explode!

For dessert was a rich chocolate cake with a surprise ferrero in the middle. If it didnt look so inviting, I would have skipped it. No regrets though, it was well worth the calories!

The drinks were free flowing -- and not just any ordinary bottle. Blue Label baby.

The floral centerpieces were done in taste. Classic just like the wedding -- I loved the orchids.


The night was topped off by DJ Karl Ty. Good fun :)

Enjoying Cebu!

October 30 - November 2, 2009

Cebu always brings beautiful memories to Eyebrows and I. I must say that it has unintentionally become our place of retreat. Our last visit during the All Souls Day long weekend was another great one with time well spent on wedding planning, party time with friends, eating and even sight seeing!

The Gustavian
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu City
Phone: (063 32) 344-6179 and (063 32) 344-7653

For great steak and seafood

Our first night! Just flew in and was starving!!! Headed straight to Terraces for dinner -- my turn to choose!

Tried out Gustavian and was quite happy with it!!! Buffet at around P1000 for 2! Not bad at all! The seafood was super fresh -- loved the mussels, smoked salmon, grilled fish and steak! Was totally worth it. Only thing was, it was just our first night and already we were pigging out!!! I can see the pounds coming!

La Tegola
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu City
Phone: (063 32) 354-6080

For some reasonable good Italian food

Second dinner was at La Tegola -- yummy simple and clean Italian food. To date, we still havent repeated a restaurant in Cebu! Not bad!

I loved the ambiance of the place. If I could transport this back to Manila, we would have our despedida de soltera here! It's completely in theme with our vintage travel idea!

We had pizza, pasta, wine and beer for only 700 plus! NOT BAD AT ALL! It was yummy and super reasonable!

Jazz N Bluz
27F Cabahug Street, Ayala Access Road, Mabolo Cebu City
Phone: (063 32)232-2698
Website: www.jazznbluzcebu.com
E-Mail: info@jazznbluzcebu.com

For some jazz music and upbeat ballroom dancing

In line with the vintage theme, I wanted a jazz band to perform at our wedding. Since no one we knew had any idea on where to find a jazz band, I turned to the trusty Google and found a club called Jazz N Bluz. We stopped by to check out the bands and get their contacts. Not my top choice, but its an option.

The Tinderbox
Archbishop Reyes Avenue cor. Bauhinia Drive, Banilad, Cebu City
Phone: (063 32) 234-1681 or (063 32) 234-1683 or (063 32) 234-1685
Website: http://www.thetinderbox.com.ph
E-Mail: tbx@thetinderbox.com.ph

For a chill time with friends over some wine and cheese.

Then we headed to Tinder Box for some good wine and cigars. What a chill way to spend Halloween! I wish there was a similar place in Manila... Manila's just way to crowded.

VuduCrossroads, Banilad, Cebu City
Mobile: (+63 0) 922 815 8884
Phone (063 32) 234-0836 or (063 32) 420-7070 or (063 32) 236-7700
Website: http://www.facebook.com/VUDUcebu?v=info
E-Mail: VUDU.Cebu@gmail.com

For a fun night out clubbing with some good music!

And just when we thought the night was over... we decided to party with the group in Vudu! Havent danced with Eyebrows like that in a while! Added plus: got the name of this cool "house music" guitarist and local photo booth!

Cebu Tourism
Website: http://www.cebucitytourism.com/
E-Mail: info@cebucitytourism.com

For historical sights to see in the city and cheap finds!!!

Next day, we still had the time and energy to go sight seeing! Checked out Magellan's cross! Love the old Spanish feel!

Then we stumbled upon the Basilica ng Sto. Nino - still really vintage and in good condition. Felt like a European church! Then we headed to Colon to check out some cheap buys!

WE LOVE THIS PLACE!

Happy 4th Year Anniversary

TIME FLIES... Eyebrows and I have been together for 4 years!!! Looking back I realize that so much has changed. We've grown and matured and moved a few steps closer to our personal goals and dreams -- and we could not have done it without each other.

Our relationship is one that allows each other to seek and reach our dreams, but also sets reasonable boundaries to protect each other from falls. Its been a challenge finding middle ground, but through time we've grown in love and trust and I believe learned to find the balance that suits us both.

Our love is strong and stable, simple and natural. I have never felt more fulfilled and secure. Eyebrows really is my partner, and I am a better person because of him.

4th year anniversary at Mamou

Victory Engagement Seminar

Eyebrows and I attended 2 days of the Victory engagement seminar. I must say, it helped us understand things about each other that may have taken much more time and challenge to understand. In memory of our pre-marriage lessons, I thought to jot down a summary of things that struck us:


Topic: Understanding Differences

Quotable Quotes:

• "A marriage is not a joining of two worlds, but an abandoning of two worlds in order that a new one might be formed"
• "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Ps 139:14

Differences between Men and Women:

• Men are highly systematized, while women are highly empathetic (We can be systematized too!)
• Men are has a low ability to multitask (I totally agree! Being with a man requires patience patience patience!), while women can do several things at the same time
• Men have a high ability to control emotions, while women are easily emotional (ok, I agree with this one too... I guess being with a woman requires... well... patience patience patience!)
• Men have low relational orientation, while women have high relational orientation (what can I say, people and feelings are important to women!)
• When faced with strees, men act first then think later. Women think and feel before acting (sometimes we think and feel too much before acting! haha)
• Men have a tendency to compete with other males (oh gosh, tell me about it! I dont see why you have to be tougher or cooler than him!). Women have a tendency to cooperate with other females (It's all about spreading the love!!)

Difference in communication between Men and Women:

• Men focus on facts, while women tend to empathize the feelings behind the facts (but feelings speak a lot about facts!)
• Men solve problems one at a time, usually on their own. Women need to talk about their problems to process their thoughts (yes, i agree with this. Sometimes I cant process why I feel bad until I voice out what Im feeling)
• Men approach situations with a strong desire to make decisions and take action. Women sometimes just want to talk about how they feel about those same situations (sometimes over and over and over again! we're not looking for a solution... just voicing out feelings!)
• Men speak directly and use words literally (ok, my man is a man-MAN! haha). Women speak indirectly (I always thought men can read minds! haha)
• Men concentrate on solving the problem, women want to know HOW the problem will be solved (well ofcourse! it cant just solve itself, right?)

Difference in motivation between Men and Women

• Men are motivated by conquest, women are motivated by nurture
• Men are motivated by work and accomplishments (sometimes women can too!), women are motivated by the people they care about

Difference in provision and security between Men and Women

• Men provide financially, women provide the emotional security of a peaceful home
• Men look for respect and admiration from their wife (good thing theres a lot to respect and admire about Eyebrows - naks!). Women look for love expressed through words and actions.

Each of us is different and uniquely created by God! Our differences are all a part of God's perfect design, so love your partner for all that he/she is.

Learn to:

1. Appreciate - do not expect or compare
2. Accept - it is not your job to change your partner
3. Adjust - learn to compromise

Topic: Roles of Husband and Wife

Quotable Quotes:

• "Many marry expecting their spouse to do what onle God can do."
• "Headship does not mean the husband is right. It means he is the steward."
• "No woman in their right mind would not submit to a husband who loves her like Christ loved the church."
• Woman says: "I trust you to act, to move and to lead"
• "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." - Eph 5:33

Husband - LEADER
Roles: To love his wife GENTLY and unconditionally

1. Protect - A mans role is to protect his family, not just physically but also emotionally. It is to ensure that no intruder harms his wife and children in any way
2. Provide - It is to financially provide to his family.
3. Guide (Spiritually) - A family looks up to the man for spiritual guidance

Wife - HELPMATE
Roles: To respect her husband

1. Submit - A womans role is to humble herself and allow her husband to take the lead. An ideal wife is one that is quiet, confident and nurturing.
2. Support - It is to support the endeavours of her husband and children. It is to trust her husband. To give him respect, praise and prayer.
3. Assist - It is to assist her husband is raising a family
4. Encourage - It is to encourage her family to be the best that they can be, to cheer them on and allow them to reach their full potential.

Topic: Communication
Quotable Quotes:

• "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. " - James 1:19
• "A gently answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1

Notes to remember:

1. Men generally use their right brain, so they speak very logically and literally. Women use both sides of their brain, so they can logically verbalize their emotions if they try. Women tend to want men to seek them out and know how they have been offended. Remember that not even men can read minds. (Wouldn't it be so much easier if they can?? I need an Edward Cullen -- hehehe)
2. The key to a marraige is to constantly communicate. Never allow your marraige to become silent.
3. Communication involves attention. It is not just about being physically present, each person must be mentally focused on the conversation.
4. Communication is the successful exchange of emotions and ideas. Successful means both partners understand what each is trying to say.
5. Men handle stress by going into their "nothing box". A nothing box is their special place where they do or think about.... nothing. Unlike women, for men nothing really does mean nothing. (Gosh, this is probably one of the key things I learned from the seminar -- never thought doing nothing was actually doing something... men are so strange.)
6. Women handle stress by talking about their emotions. Women feel the need to verbalize their emotions to realize their thoughts (Its probably why I cant understand why Eyebrows' sometimes does nothing when he's stressed -- when Im stressed I talk and talk and think and think. I cant understand how a man can just.... seem to not care. Men are so strange. hehe)
7. When communicating, men look for the bottomline while women dwell on the details. (What good is a story if there are no details??)
8. A man's mind is compartmentalized, while a woman's mind is a chain of interconnected ideas and thoughts

Common problems in communication:

1. Lack of communication
2. Miscommunication - dont stop at the difference, you need to be able to understand what he/she is trying to say

Topic: Intimacy
Quotable Quotes:

• "The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do no deprive each other except by mutal consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

Woman's 5 basic needs:

1. Affection - Women need to be constantly reminded of the love their husband has for them. Love for a woman is not only provision or loyalty, it consists of loving words and sweet actions. Affection in a marriage leads to a woman knowing that her husband will take care and protect her. It builds security in a marriage.
2. Conversation - true conversation involves undivided attention. Helpful hints: (a) develop an interest in your partner's hobby, (b) balance conversation between both parties, (c) recall your early relationship as a couple together
3. Honesty and Openess - It is trust that is built over time, that her husband will tell her the truth even if it hurts. It is knowing that your partner believes that you can handle even painful truths. This builds emotional security. (Gosh, this reminds me of a couple who's relationship is built on a webn of lies. So sad.)
4. Financial Support
5. Family Commitment - This is the assurance that her husband is committed to her and their children no matter what. That divorce, annulment or separation is never an option. This builds security in a woman

Man's 5 basic needs:

1. Sexual fulfillment - men are visual, women are emotional. Sex for a woman brings about an emotional closeness to her husband. Sex for a woman begins at the start of the day, it is connected to how she feels towards her husband. Sex for a man is something that he just needs. (I still dont understand this.... need more explanation please?
2. Recreational companionship - A woman must put effort in taking interest in her husband's hobbies and join him.
3. An attractive spouse - Like mentioned, men are visual beings. No matter how much they love you, they are never blinded by love. So make an effort to look good. In a man's dreams, he imagines going home to a clean home and beautiful wife. Do not disappoint.
4. Domestic support - A wife must build a home for the family, a place for refuge and security away from the stresses of life. A man must be able to look forward to coming home to a clean and loving haven.
5. Admiration - A man needs his wife to look up at him. Self esteem comes from the home

Common problems in intimacy:

1. Failure to care / meet the emotional need
2. Failure to protect

So... all in all it was an enjoyable seminar. No heavy stuff, and lots of laughing. Key things I think Eyebrows got out of it: My partner listens to pastors more that me... bring her to a pastor if you want to tell her something. hahahaha!! But seriously, for Eyebrows it was probably: treat her gently. For me, it was oh so much! I don’t think there WAS a bottomline. Forgive me, I am a woman... but let me try in a few words: men and women are naturally different, men like to lead and conquer, and the nothing box.

Mini-Engagement Dinner at Mesa

Its only now that Im able to enjoy the feeling of being engaged - share about it with my friends, talk about wedding plans and wedding planners, venues and dresses, and all the silly things that makes a wedding exciting for a bride. (I say silly because, if you really think about it, they are quite silly reasons to be excited for the big I DO)

Anyway, since we got engaged, I havent had the chance to see the Avengers (blame it on all the travelling - argh, dont remind me). As soon as I got back from Japan, Eyebrows and his pals arranged for a small and casual dinner, mainly to hang out but in some way also to celebrate our engagement.

It was our first time in Mesa (G5), Filipino restaurant (thank goodness! after all the foreign foods Ive been eating, I really really miss Pinoy food!). Eyebrows went all out (as usual) and ordered a baby lechon (poor pig...). We had it two way: pritchon style, and lechon paksiw. Both were awesome! We had way too much food, but all the dishes were delish! Loved the squid sauteed in garlic (a must order at Mesa!), the fried bangus, the tinapa rice, the laing (although I wouldnt say it was the best laing Ive had). There were other stuff like the lemon butter prawns, some beef stew... I was FULL!

First Wedding Expo

First Wedding Expo

When: May 9, 2009
Where: Wedding Expo, Megamall




Eyebrows and I went to our first ever wedding expo before I left for Tokyo. It’s been awhile since we’ve gone to Megamall – was a pleasant surprise to see that it’s no longer as crowded as it used to be, probably attributable to the recent rise in new malls! Anyway, that’s beside the point.

Since we started seriously thinking about our wedding, I’ve had so many scattered ideas! Since I can remember, I imagine my wedding to be Greek-inspired: flowing gowns, goddess-like. But now that I’m actually engaged, I’m not sure what I want? Maybe I don’t really want it Greek-ish? I kinda like the idea of a romantic gown. I imagine the venue to be elegant but relaxed. Simple yet personalized with details. Formal but not stiff. I don’t really like the traditional roses – maybe orchids (but orchids are expensive, right?) or tulips (yeah, those are definitely expensive) or those long stemmed white flowers (I don’t even know the name of those). A beach wedding seems really fun (especially since Eyebrows and I are both divers), but I think I prefer a cool-weathered place. Destination wedding? In Manila? Who knows where we want to have it? So many options! The only things I am sure of are the color-scheme (purple ofcourse) and giveaways (which really isn’t that important to me anyway). Oh, and being a photography addict, I think I know who I want as my videographer and photographer (but I’m not sure we can afford it).

I was hoping that the expo would help narrow down our options and give us a clearer idea of what we wanted. Tough luck. The first hall we went to was filled with caterers selling food I wasn’t fond of (although Eyebrows enjoyed his Bopis-fest!!!!). The second was 90% photographers/ videographers – and I pretty much know who I wanna get. The 10% though, was a useful 10%. We found rings that we fancied. That’s an accomplishment especially for Eyebrows, since we both never imagined any ring suiting his style! We found these really cool invites for a destination wedding, and they’re not as expensive as I imagined! And we got to try out the photobooth, which we are seriously considering for our Big Day! So all in all, it was a useful trip, I don’t mind going to the next wedding expo.