a little breather

Monday
Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.


Tuesday
Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in others.


Wednesday
Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.


Thursday
Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.


Friday
Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.


Saturday
Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.


Sunday
The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Have a good weekend everyone. :)

updates

after two whole weeks of follow-ups and disappointments, my confirmation certificate was finally released to me yesterday. i am very relieved that it's already with me now. but still, i insist that their system really sucks.

not only that, the endorsement letter from our association president was also given to me last night after finally settling with them some dues that were left unpaid. armed with my endorsement letter, i finally got my barangay clearance from our barangay hall this morning in less than ten minutes. at least, that made up for lost time.

our remaining dilemma right now is that i cannot apply for our marriage license without Joseph physically present. we have consulted an attorney friend and some of his contacts about the process and they all advised us to just go through it as legal as possible because of the fact that Joseph is no longer a Filipino citizen. meaning, we have to apply for the license personally at the municipal hall on the 15th of August at the latest so we can still push through with the scheduled civil rites on the 26th.

we're just crossing our fingers now and hoping that Joseph's leave of absence of three weeks will be approved. other than this major hitch, all is now set and ready for the civil rites in August.

sana maayos na.

trust

Trust that you'll crust
faster than rust.
Trust you won't bust
if your feelings get mussed.

Trust that it's better
to love and to learn
than to boil in emotions
or otherwise burn.

Trust that it's funner
to smile and to live;
to love and to learn--
not forget, but forgive.

-- Anonymous

my second fitting with Veluz

we went to Veluz today to fit the lining of my gown. i was with my twin sisters and my mom. we were running a bit late, but thank goodness we got there at the appointed time as there was no traffic.

i was initially entertained by Niko, Veluz' assistant. this was the first time i was introduced to him and he seemed nice. since Veluz had to attend to something first, Niko took measurements of my feet for the custom-made shoes that is included in the bridal package. he then showed me a couple of options for the straps and front of the shoes. i chose a pointed tip to be embroidered with the same design as my gown, with cross-ankle straps for a sexy look. perfect for the garter removal! hehe... ;) very classic yet modern style. love it! :D

we also discussed the style of the bag that was to be made and agreed on the pear shaped style. the same embroidery design will be used. both shoes and bag will make use of the same cloth that i will also be using for my gown. how's that for uniformity? :)

and finally, my fitting. yup, i can really say i was more dazed this morning than i was in my previous fitting. again, the fit was exact. Veluz only had to adjust at the sides of the bodice. nothing more. the form was, as she said, symmetrical and that we didn't even need a third fitting anymore. she told me also that she could already make the pattern for the embroidery this week and that i should drop by again next Sunday to pick it up. but just to be sure, since i will be going to her house na rin lang, i can fit it once again then.

yup, everything is going as scheduled (except of course for the documentation thingy). we might be going to Lumban the following week to meet with Veluz' embroiderers. Veluz also promised to make the sketches for the gowns of the entourage this week. i'm glad that she liked the styles that i showed her. :D

more pictures of the second fitting can be found HERE.

less than 5 months to go!

wow.. time does fly! and yet here we are, caught at a standstill because of all these red tape.

hay... still no update on the barangay clearance. can't seem to catch the officers of the homeowners' association. it's either they're not at home or they've already gone off to sleep. how malas can we get? anyway, my mom reassured me that we will settle this matter by tomorrow. make or break.

i called up Ms. M of the parish office to follow-up (again for the nth time!) on my confirmation certificate. she told me that it was already done then excused herself for a while to probably search for the certificate. she comes back on the phone to tell me that she can't find it, and that she knew that she already did it yesterday. then she asks me again, "Kelan ka nga ulit nagpaconfirm?" dead give-away. obviously, it wasn't accomplished yet. then she told me to call back tomorrow before i drop by to pick it up. before i hanged up, i reminded her that the certificate was to be issued for marriage purposes only. then she exclaimed, "Ay, para pala ito sa kasal?" arrrggghhh!!! where is this woman's mind? who was the woman i have beeen talking to for the past week?

i will not let these affect me. i will not let these affect me. i will not let these affect me.

+++++
apart from the overly stressed week i had, i need to accomplish the following tasks today:

have ID pictures taken (in 1x1 and 2x2 sizes) for the marriage license and visa applications

go to QP glorietta to sign and approve new layouts for entourage card insert

shop for bridal underwear. need to wear this for tomorrow's second fitting with Veluz

speaking of Veluz, i suppose this is the only highlight of my week. cannot wait to see the lining of my gown. :D

siguro naman bukas wala na yung malas.

my frustrations

i am still pissed. i called up our parish office today to follow up on my confirmation certificate. i don't know if it was something that i would be expecting but guess what? the clerk still says it isn't done yet. she keeps on telling me that she can't seem to find my name. arrggghh!!!

although i am not sure when i was exactly confirmed, i told her that i may have been confirmed in the years 1985 or 1986. since it's only done once a year, every summer, is it really that difficult to find my name???!!! i even volunteered to help her find my name and she instantly said, "Ay, hinde pwede." sheesh! just goes to show she didn't really look for it yet and if i found it myself, she'd be totally put to shame.

joseph told me baka kelangan ng langis. told him, "baka naman tamaan sya ng kidlat nyan." i can't believe how inefficient this person is. i have got to complain this to somebody.

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i am also trying to obtain my elusive barangay clearance. yesterday, i went home early to go to the homeowners' association president to get his endorsement as a prerequisite for my barangay clearance. all along we thought he was our family friend Atty. G. to my dismay, when i went to his house, he informed me that he is not the current president anymore and i'd have to go see a Mr. R. for the endorsement. he advised me to go later in the evening as Mr. R. still goes to work and comes home in the evening na.

so at eight in the evening, my mom and i went to Mr. R's house, only to find out that he wasn't home yet. i just left my contact details hoping he'd make me the endorsement and i'd be able to pick it up this morning. when i called him this morning, he informed me that he'd still have to call the association's treasurer to check on our association dues and advised me to call him back tonight.

what the?! what has association dues got to do with my certificate of residency? and even if we had some outstanding balance, i'm definitely not the homeowner, so why hold it against me? does this mean i can't get married because of this? haaaayyy...

i am so frustrated at this point. all this trouble just to get married. and i thought it was going to be so easy. :( i'm crossing my fingers that the embassy won't be giving me a hard time later, when i get Joseph's Certificate of No Impediment (CNI). malas ko na lang talaga if di nila ako mabigyan.

8 hours later...
against all odds, including the winds and rain, i finally was able to obtain Joseph's CNI. some of my e-groupmates at PBOZ told me it would be issued within 5 minutes. guess what? they made me wait for 30 minutes. the officer even asked me where the application form was signed and witnessed when it was already there in front of her. somebody must have put a jinx on me. :(

+++++
i also dropped by QP Designs after my trip to the embassy. i requested for a new layout for the entourage card insert and paid them the 50% downpayment. i brought home the layout for Joseph's final approval. hopefully, no more boo-boo's na. i'm bringing back to them the approved layout this saturday.

+++++
got my copy of the latest Wedding Essentials magazine. i have been checking it out at the mall almost everyday since w@w announced that it was already sold at magazine stands. finally, it's here! :)

this is sooo much better than Metro Weddings. there is just more substance. what's also cool is that they featured our photographers Mimi and Karl of Fotogra.ph. (congrats mimi & karl! ü)

this issue definitely helped me feel a lot better, not to mention the Go Nuts Donuts that i bought. i have been meaning to buy some for months! i was just too lazy to fall in line then. haba kasi ng pila eh. :P

bits and pieces

nothing much on my end. i went to Veluz this morning to drop off the cloths for my lining. she wasn't there so i wasn't able to show her the piña swatch that LCM gave me. incidentally, when i was getting off the vehicle, i realized that i left the swatch at home. just goes to show that it wasn't meant to be shown today. :P i'll be back to see her next week for my second fitting. exciting! :D

+++++
i'm a bit pissed off at the clerk of our parish office. i requested for my confirmation certificate (with the annotation FOR MARRIAGE PURPOSES) last tuesday and she told me to come back after three days to pick it up. today is definitely more than three days so i asked our helper to claim it in my behalf as i wasn't feeling too good because of a migraine. i even wrote a letter of authorization and sent my ID so they'd ask no more questions.

when our helper came back empty handed, i asked her what the problem was. it was actually simple. the clerk said she didn't make it yet. geez! what was the point of her making me come back after three days? in my disappointment, i called the parish office and asked her to explain. she just said, "Pasensya na po kasi di ko pa nagagawa. I have naman your number so i'll just call you when it's ready na." sorry my ass!

Ganun?! what if i needed it ASAP? hay.. i will call her everyday though, just to irritate her and finally get the damn thing done.

+++++
the map inserts for the invitations are all done now. i was able to print four maps on one sheet of parchment paper. then, to save on laser printing costs, i had it photocopied (powder) still on parchment paper. i am so happy because the photocopy version looked so much better than the original. :)

divisoria trip # 2

my mom accompanied me again to divisoria this morning to buy the cloths for my lining. we intended to get there early so we can make tawad and purchase them at a lower price. they usually do that especially if you're their buena mano customer.

we had some difficulty finding the exact cloths that Veluz wanted. for example, some shops claimed to sell frosted organza when it wasn't shimmery enough. so, we went to the next store (L. Cabrera's Commercial - Pasilio Z, Yangco Market) and we found what we were looking for. we fell in love with their off-white organza. it was absolutely incomparable to what others claimed as their frosted kuno version.

next up was the shantung and light satin. Veluz pointed out to us that we should buy the kind that does not have too many slubs on it. i think she mentioned something about it causing friction if they were numerous. not quite sure about that though. anyways, it was a bit hard looking for what Veluz exactly wanted as most shops carried the "slubby" type. (hehe.. if there is such a term!) we finally got to a shop which had almost the same kind of shantung we were looking for. it was the closest that we could find.

we also learned that light satin wasn't easily available and it is totally different from star satin (which is thicker and not as flowy as the light one). most shops didn't carry it. buti na lang, the shop (Always Bridal - Pasilio P) which also carried the shantung we wanted also had it. that ended our search. i'm pretty happy with our purchases. we saved around Php 300+ from all the tawad we asked, if we were to base it on the prices that Veluz gave to us. :)

we then proceeded to another prospective supplier for our barong and bridal gown cloths. the shop (LCM House of Barongs - Fiesta Mall Bldg.) is actually partly owned by one of my patients parents. what luck! we got good quotes for cut piña and jusi cloths with embroidery (unsewn yet) and custom fit barongs as well. not only that, they said their tailor used to work for Daneche and Onesimus so we can expect the same kind of quality. i asked a swatch of their piña cocoon so i can show it to Veluz. they sell it way lesser than what LH quoted me. i'm hoping Veluz will like their cloth so we can save on that too. LCM also suggested to help us with the embroidery as they regularly go to Lumban for their shop's requirements. now, this is what i'm talking about. it really pays to know someone in the business. :D

when i got home i tried layering the cloths one on top of the other (in this order, from bottom to top: light satin --> shantung --> frosted organza --> piña cocoon swatch). gosh! it was lovely. in fact, because of the frosted off-white organza, it seemed to glow! definitely no sight of that shiny stuff that we get from satin. wala na... i am sooo hopelessly in love na with my gown, even it is just the lining. lalo na siguro when i see the finished product, complete with embroidery and embellishments. can't wait! :)

(if you're interested to get the contact information of any of the suppliers i mentioned above, just let me know and i'd be glad to share it with you. ü)

St. James the Great 15K Flower Arrangement
we now have a clear idea of how a fifteen thousand-peso flower arrangement would look like in St. James. looks really good. but 15k? oh my...

photo courtesy of Mrs. Schmuck (thanks tin! ü)

my first fitting with Veluz Reyes

my mom and i went to see Veluz this morning for my first fitting. yup, my mom was able to accompany me. am sooo happy! :)

Veluz was already up and about and she immediately ushered us directly into her fitting room. there it was on the hanger, in plain muslin (or katsa as we call it). Veluz helped me first with the petticoat, then with the muslin.

it was amazing how the lining was a perfect fit! she only had to make a few tucks here and there, nothing major really. i loved it, even if it was only the lining pa lang. i can already imagine how it would look like with all the embroidery and embellishments. it just took my breath away! (see more photos of my first fitting HERE.)

although i would be wearing a simple empire cut gown, Veluz said that i still needed to wear a petticoat to add some form to the gown. she pointed out that while walking down the aisle, the skirt especially gets dragged towards the back because of its weight. this will definitely not look good daw in the pictures as it would seem like you're wearing a very straight skirt.

now finished with the muslin lining, Veluz gave me swatches of the cloths needed for the shantung lining. there were three types of cloth (8 yards each, 60" width) that i had to buy -- frosted organza, off-white shantung and light satin. she gave us expected prices for these cloths so we'd know if we bought them at the right cost. (more individual shots of the swatches can be viewed HERE.)

Veluz is such an angel! as i have said before, she is never selfish with her ideas. she also suggested some tips in coming up with unique yet functional give-aways for the guests. i found them to be real refreshing as they were not the conventional things that you'd get at a wedding. i have some ideas up my sleeve but will have to discuss this pa with Joseph.

we're going back to Divisoria on Wednesday to buy the cloths for my gown lining and maybe order packaging material as well for the give-aways. that is IF Joseph will be amenable to my suggestion. i'm keeping my fingers crossed! :)

we will be going back to Veluz next Sunday to deliver the cloths and will be returning a week after for the shantung fitting on the 24th.

just for fun

here's a little breather from astrology.com. i entered my full name to get my soul number. read on...

Your Soul Number is SIX.
Devoted, loving, and sympathetic, your life centers around the well-being of your family and those you love. A happy, harmonious personal life is what you value above all else. You will also find satisfaction in serving those in the outside world, becoming involved in the helping professions, in community service and affairs, or by giving generously of your time and help to your friends. You are protective, responsible, and conscientious towards those who depend upon you, and you are the ideal mother or father in many ways, though you can be too involved in the lives of your loved ones. Learn to allow family members the freedom and room to make their own choices and mistakes.

You respond to beauty, and are gifted in the arts. Creating a beautiful garden or home is very satisfying to you.

naks! obvious ba na super bored na ako? hehehe...

+++++
my OT egroup was encouraging us to promote the 14th WFOT Congress in Sydney, Australia on July 23 to 28, 2006. what luck! god willing, by then, i will also be in Australia. that is IF i can afford the fees! i scanned through their website and learned that the registration fee almost amounted to AUD$1000! nyak! that's around PhP 42,000! too steep for a soon-to-be immigrant like me, considering that i may not have a job yet by then. oh well...

this year's theme is OT's in Action: Local and Global. congress venue is at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is the largest and most technically advanced convention centre in Australia. online registration will be available from September 2005. for those interested, you can click HERE for more information on this event.

a few more updates

well, i dropped by the post office last thursday to claim joseph's documents. the envelope contained several certified true copies of his passport and certificate of citizenship, an original copy of his certificate attesting his singleness (ala-CENOMAR), some ID pictures, two booklets of the spouse visa application forms (Form 47SP) and several signed original copies of the certificate of no impediment (CNI) application form.

i plan to go on the 20th of July to get the CNI from the embassy. along with that, we need to pay them AUD$90.00 (equivalent to PhP 3880.00, according to their website). we also have to pay them in peso, in cash and in the exact amount. they won't give change daw -- a tip i got from former w@wie, trina, who's also a PBOZ egroup member.

speaking of mail, i got another surprise from joseph yesterday -- a little AVP he did in DVD format. he is such a sweetie talaga. :) this time, it presented not only pictures of us together, but he also included a short video clip of him. hay, nakakamiss tuloy.

i must say his editing skills are improving! i can see that he's been practicing real hard for the major presentation in December. he's volunteered kasi to make our AVP for the wedding as a gift to me, his future wife. awwww... see, how sweet this guy is? can't wait to see him in august... which is next month na!!!!!!

+++++
yup, tomorrow is my time to go back to Veluz to have my first fitting! i am totally excited! i mean, who wouldn't, right? anyways, Veluz told me to bring my mom with me again for tomorrow's little event. i reminded my dear mom about it early in the week and she had no objections to it. unfortunately when i reminded her again yesterday morning, she broke the news that she might not be able to accompany me because she has to go to the pier to fetch the new maid. i was utterly disappointed, but i tried my best to not show it, as i also understood the fact that she also has other commitments for tomorrow, even when it is supposed to be her rest day.

when i got back from work last night, i did not mention about it anymore. i did not want to push the issue any further. i had resigned myself to the thought that i'd just let my younger sister tag along to help me out with the criticisms and picture-taking. much to my surprise though, mama told me that she would ask my younger brother to go na lang in her place as it is naman nothing of such great importance. nothing is yet final but i'm getting a good feeling about this. i will know and confirm tonight, when she gets back from watching the UAAP opening this afternoon. it would really mean a lot to me if she could go with me.

repost from jenee

although i am almost not a single person anymore, i still insist in posting this. got this from a fellow w@wie, jenee. for all the single people out there, keep on hoping! ;)

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A Letter to the One God Has Prepared For Me

I am wondering at this very minute if you are thinking of me, if like me, you are wondering what is taking us so long to find each other, many times I thought I finally found you only to be disillusioned by the fact that my wait has not yet ended.

I get up each morning, hoping, dreaming, and longing to meet you. I am thinking of how we will meet, would it be as romantic as the ones I have seen in movies? Or is it possible that I have known you all my life but we have yet to realize that we are meant for each other? Oh how I wish you are here right now because you are the only one who has the answers to all my questions.

Sometimes I ask myself if i've really known "love". I do not have the answer to that question either but I believe, more often than not, we will never really know what love is until we find that right person... and since I haven't found you yet, then maybe I do not really know what love is! You just don't know how dream of finally knowing what it feels to be in your arms. Even at this very moment I am imagining how you will simply sweep me off my feet! Perhaps I would be drawn to you by your smile, or your eyes, or maybe even how you manage to make me laugh by your silly little ways! I don't really know for sure but I am praying that God will help me recognize you when the right time comes.

I think of all the pain that i've gone through in the past and of how much I cried since the day I began my search. I just want you to know that I find my strength in clinging onto my vision of the beautiful life ahead of me - the life I shall spend with you. In my mind and in my heart I know that you are worth all the pain and sacrifice. After all, the tears had become a part of my life and I believe that they are slowly washing away my flaws so that I would become perfect, not perfect in its truest sense, but perfect -- for you!

I wonder if you've gone through so much pain as well, I wonder if you've been hurt so many times along the journey. But my dearest one, please don't ever give up because I am right here, patiently waiting for you. I assure you when we finally find each other I would slowly heal those wounds with my love, at night, I would look out my window and stare at the beautiful sky, hoping that somehow you are also looking up and wondering about me. I utter a silent prayer and send all my cries to heaven s above thinking that in time they would reach you. When I feel impatient, I just close my eyes and believe that you are on your way and you are longing to see me as well. It is funny when I finally fall asleep; it is still you that I think of, for you are always in my dreams. It seems that for now, it is the only place where I can hold on to you, long enough to tell you how much I love you. In my dreams you would kiss away my fears and wrap me with your arms of love, and this, all the more, makes me want t wake up and face the new day ahead of me with the hope that soon enough, you will no longer be a dream but a reality and once again I am assured that you are worth the wait. And when that time comes, everything will fall into its place, just as I had imagined, just as I had thought and dreamed, just as I had believed it would be! By then I would simply look back at all that i've been through, in spite of all the pain and amidst the simple joys of life-I would be very thankful because they all led me to you. In the meantime, take care of yourself for me. Hold on to your dream and don't even think of letting go. Believe in your heart that we will find each other no matter what happens. God has planned the course and it is up to us to follow the directions. Don't worry, don't be afraid about getting lost, God saw to it that all the roads, no matter which one you chose to follow, leads to Jesus.

my trip to divisoria

yup, i went to Divisoria today. i am quite thankful that the weather cooperated with us so it wasn't so difficult commuting from our place to the treasure trove that is divi. it was a looong ride alright but we got there safe and sound.

our first mission was to find some probable items for souvenirs. we got off i think at m. de santos street and just asked directions so we could get to tabora, where most people go to purchase their knick-knacks. we entered the NDDC bldg. on the corner of Tabora and Sta. Elena. grabe! ang daming laruan pala dun, also mga things that you'd need for a party (e.g., poppers and balloons).

next, we went to Divisoria Mall, which was nearly adjacent to the NDDC bldg. mas nahilo ako! here you can buy almost anything (bags, shoes, clothes, cellphones, cellphone accessories, fashion accessories, figurines, etc... i can go on and on.)

after lunch, we headed off to Yangco Market along Ylaya Street to canvass some cloths. i learned that the reversible satin that Veluz suggested costs P120/yard at 60" width. same with two-tone shantung. RTW Piña-Jusi Barongs for kids cost P500 for sizes 2 to 12 and P550 for sizes 14 to 20. as for Jusi Barong naman (for kids), it's P450 (2 to 12) and P500 (14 to 20). they also accept made-to-order jobs.

we also checked out some sinamay bags for the give-aways. you can get the ordinary 5" square bags for P10/piece if you buy them in bulk. you can also request that they be dyed according to your color motif. i'm inclined to get the sinamay with gold threads interwoven and have it dyed to a deep wine red color. very elegant! :)

just a word of caution when going to divisoria, don't wear any jewelry so you don't attract any snatchers! believe me, pati fancy, pinapatulan na rin nila. well, actually they can't really tell from afar if it's fancy or not so don't take any chances. if possible, use a belt bag or body bag to put in your stuff. just bring cash, ATM cards (just in case you need more cash for the shopping!), hand sanitizer and tissue. that's about it. you don't need to bring other things because your hands will definitely be full after all that shopping. ;)

On La Herminia
speaking of cloths, I emailed Arlyne of La Herminia to ask for directions on how to get to their place in Muntinlupa. I am due to purchase from them my piña silk some time after my first fitting with Veluz (which is this Sunday na pala). She replied that i go instead to the Philippine Trade and Trading Center (along Roxas Blvd., near the World Trade Center). They will be one of the exhibitors there as it is National Science and Technology Week on July 14 to 18, 2005 (9AM to 5PM).

CENOMAR/Documents Update
I still haven't paid the fee at Union Bank. due to the bad weather last Tuesday, i had to postpone the errand. i have instead requested my mom to do it for me tomorrow because i will be busy at the clinic and have no time to do it myself. i have already prepared the authorization letter that our helper will present to the courier as i am sure that i won't be at home when it is delivered.

i was informed today that joseph's documents have already been received at the central post office of Parañaque. but since it was sent as registered mail, i have to pick it up personally. these documents, by the way, include the Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) application form, filled up and signed by Joseph. This we have to submit to the Australian Embassy in Makati, together with the processing fee. the certificate is then issued after around 15 minutes.

since i have been granted a Special Power of Attorney by Joseph, i can claim this certificate in his behalf. i intend to do this probably next week. once the CNI is obtained, we will submit it to the municipal hall of Parañaque for our marriage license application. i hope to finish all these civil wedding requirements within the month so we will be issued the marriage license on the first week of August at the latest.

singing mood

I was listening to david benoit's ultimate collection CD which got me in a singing mood na rin. here is one of my favorites from that album:

You Never Loved Me The Same Way Twice
(David Benoit - Arnold McCullen - Monica Riordan)

just when i think i have you all figured out
you do something to surprise me
and when i'm sure i know what love's all about
some new feeling mystifies me
i used to be afraid
someday my dreams would fade
into lives all familiar routines
you changed that for me

you never loved me the same way twice
or run out of ways to show me you need me
you never loved me the same way twice
you just don't go through the motions
the way that i want you to
i can see straight to the heart of you

sometimes i wish i could predict all your moves
like a forecast of the weather
but sunny days are a season of the blues
don't change the fact that we're together
you care for all my hurts
not using yesterday's words
but being there when i needed you
standing beside me

haaayyyy.. nakakamiss tuloy. *sigh*

the saga of our invites

gold stamping on the envelope flap

joseph and i have decided to have the entourage cards reprinted na lang. we also thought the typographical error was, in a way, a blessing in disguise. when my brother saw the invites and found that his name was not part of the entourage, medyo nagtampo sya. i have to give it to him because he did not in any way make any spoiled-brat demands. that actually did it for me. it was way too much for my conscience.

so, in the new entourage card, we plan to finally correct the misspelled surname of joseph's uncle, include my brother and another female attendant on the list and probably fix the alignment. at least, we have now more reasons to change the ento card. this makes it is so much easier to accept the blunder i made.

call me paranoid ha, but i think these guys at QP don't really care and look at what their typing, even if you already give them the correct information. take for example my name on the main invitation card, LESLI daw. didn't it occur to them that they placed LEAH on the envelope and LESLI on the card? plus, joseph and his uncle has the same surname so why misspell it? di ba sya nagtaka?!? it seems to me that if they could get away with it, they would. then you'll have no other choice but to have them reprinted. easy money for them.

*sigh* as a consumer, it really pays to be very careful in all your transactions. i admit it was something i had overlooked but they don't really care much about it because they won't point it out to you, even if they saw it. their only concern is to seal the deal and make money, that is, whether you got it printed right or not.

CENOMAR
Thanks to Jane and Mai (fellow w@wies), i don't have to go to NSO in Quezon City anymore for my CENOMAR. the E-census website is truly a big help! i have already requested for 2 copies of my CENOMAR and 1 copy of my birth certificate. i will be paying the fee at a Union Bank branch near our village. i hope to get them within the month. yipee! :)

Proposed Trip to Divisoria
my mom and i are planning to go to Divisoria tomorrow, to look for possible wedding give-aways, possibly in the Tabora area. i hope it won't be raining hard tomorrow as it is today. that'll mean mud and muck for sure. i might have to bring out my rubber boots then so i don't get infected with whatever bacteria that might be thriving there. geez, the things we do to save money! :P


cool map swiped from google

wedding checklist update

july's here and as expected, i'm posting our monthly updated checklist:

12 months before (december 2004)
Plan the Pamamanhikan and announce the engagement.
Choose a wedding date and time.
Draw up a budget with your fiancé. Consult your parents if necessary.
Determine the number of guests you are able to invite.
Look for ceremony and reception sites.
Reserve chosen ceremony and reception sites.
Compile your guest list from the list you and your fiancé will make. (still ongoing)
Notify out-of-town guests so they can make early confirmation of attendance.
Decide on your new home after the wedding. (still ongoing)

11 months before (january 2005)
Select your ceremony officiant and check his availability. (still clueless)
Select primary sponsors Check their availability and personally invite them.
Choose members of the wedding entourage. Check their availability and personally invite them.
Obtain a sample copy of a sample missalette from your officiant.

10 months before (february 2005)
Decide on the color scheme (wine red, forest green and matte gold) and wedding theme.
Finalize your guest list. (still ongoing, almost done)
Consult a Travel Agent regarding Honeymoon Plans especially if you will be traveling to countries that require entry visas. (still clueless)

9 months before (march 2005)
Start and canvass for caterers, if necessary.
Secure birth certificates from NSO.

8 months before (april 2005)
Select the style of your wedding gown and your entourage’s attire. (ongoing)
Ask your mother and your fiance’s mother to choose their attire.
Canvass and select a reliable couturier and/or dressmaker.
Schedule measurements and fittings for your bridal gown as well as entourage’s attire.
Schedule your trial make-ups. (with clamar and anne castano)
Schedule Pre-nup pictorials with Mimi Abesamis.

7 months before (may 2005)
Canvass and select a reliable florist for the church & reception.
Canvass and select a reliable photographer/videographer.
Canvass and select musicians.

6 months before (june 2005)
Select and order wedding souvenirs, and decide on packaging so you can order this as well. Ensure timely delivery of it. (still canvassing)
Shop for wedding rings.
Canvass and select gifts for the Principal Sponsors.
Book a hotel room for your wedding day.
Measurement taking with Veluz. Get also swatches for the entourage's gowns.
Submit final draft/mock invites to printer.

5 months before (july 2005)
Finalize the members of the wedding entourage.
Select the mass readers and program hosts. Check their availability.
Double check full names (including middle initials) of your wedding sponsors, members of the entourage, mass readers and program hosts.
Canvass and select wedding stationery printers and calligrapher.
Start making draft for the missalettes.
Canvass and select make-up artist/hairdresser.
Canvass and select cake maker.
Canvass and book a florist for the the bridal entourage flowers.
Draft your ceremony program.
Start printing of invites.
Come up with solutions for typographical error on entourage card. Explore all possible options.
Start working on your vows, if you are saying your own.
Start printing map inserts on parchment paper.
First fitting with Veluz. Pay second installment(25%).
Buy cloths for gown lining.
Second fitting with Veluz (shantung).
Secure Certificate of No Impediment from the Australian Embassy and statutory declarations for spouse visa application.
Secure original or certified true copies of your and your fiance’s baptismal, confirmation and residence certificates.
Obtain marriage license from your city/municipal hall. Be sure to have all needed documents.
Groom: Secure certificate of freedom to marry from your parish in Canberra.
Bride: Request CENOMAR from NSO, to be submitted to Australian Embassy, as part of spouse visa application. Apply thru e-census.
Third fitting with Veluz (shantung).
Begin planning out your honeymoon. (still clueless)

4 months before (august 2005)
Decide on and finalize wedding details/contracts/agreements with your florist, musicians, photographer, caterer, couturier, make-up artist, and other suppliers of your choice.
Have missalette draft approved by your officiating priest and the church or ceremony venue.
Complete honeymoon plans and book your itinerary.
Book a calligrapher or a social printer for addressing of invitations. If invitations and guest list are ready, go ahead with the calligraphy/printing.
Reserve the Church for a wedding rehearsal.
Joseph's fitting with Veluz (21st of August).
Buy piña silk for bridal gown and for groom's barong. Have piña silk embroidered in Lumban, Laguna.
Confirm fitting schedules with your couturier and provide those concerned with a copy of these dates. (for the entourage)
Trial HMUs with Clamar and Anne Castano.
Prenup pictorials with Mimi (August 24).
Attend pre-cana seminar (20th of August). Upgrade to aircon and pay balance.
Finalize on the menu with Anne of The Palms. Food tasting (August 19).
Order the bridal accessories and paraphernalia.
Get a complete medical check-up.
Get NBI clearance.
Work part-time na lang.
Civil wedding (26th of August).
Personally deliver invitations to your primary sponsors.
Meet with mother butler of St James to decide on floral arrangements for the ceremony.

3 months before (september 2005)
Set an appointment with your wedding officiant for pre-marital counseling.
Submit marriage certificate to officiant or his assistant. Be sure to give all needed documents.
Have missalettes printed. This should give you ample time for corrections.
Shop for your undergarments.
Order and finalize design for wedding cake.
Complete gifts for the sponsors (if needed).
Finalize décor details with the florist, if needed arrange for a mock set-up.
Re-confirm with the musicians and choose songs for the ceremony and the reception.
Start working on your reception program.
Invite participants for your reception program and check their availability like a friend who will sing.
Pay the Palms (50%).
Prepare your AVP if desired.
Organize your calendar to accommodate all pre-wedding affairs (shower parties, etc).
Finalize your arrangement with your make-up artist/hairdresser of your choice.
Arrange for purchase of liquor or bar requirements with the reception venue.
Have passport and other IDs amended. Then, apply for a spouse visa.

2 months before (october 2005)
Address and send out invitations to guests.
Request respective parishes to have your wedding announced for three weeks. Obtain a wedding ban certificate.
Finalize your ceremony plans and reception program.
Canvass and book for a bridal car service (if it is not provided by the venue). Arrange for your florist to decorate the bridal car.
Make other necessary transportation arrangements to and from the ceremony and reception sites.
Have wedding rings engraved.
Double check favors, accessories and paraphernalia.
Designate at least two people to handle RSVP and prepare a list for monitoring acceptances.
Pay photographer 50%.
Final fitting (piña) with Veluz. Pay 25%.
Shop for a new home.

1 month before (november 2005)
Confirm attendance of guests, make follow-up calls to those who do not respond to R.S.V.P. Give the final count of guests to your caterer/hotel/restaurant.
Have the final meeting with the caterer/hotel/restaurant to confirm details of decors, arrangements, lay-out, etc.
Arrange for final fitting for your entourage. Set delivery time.
Pick up missalettes.
Finalize all food and beverage arrangements.
Delegate duties and responsibilities to the participants/entourage involved.
Set final dates for wedding gown delivery, and call times for florists, photographers, and other deliveries/services on your wedding day.
Finalize instructions for your photographer/videographer.
Discuss reception program with your emcee.
Inform parents, sponsors, friends who will give speeches and toast.
Attend wedding rehearsals, bridal showers and bachelor’s party.

2 weeks before (08 december 2005)
Delivery/pick-up bridal gown. Pay last 25%.
Pay The Palms and String Minstrels in full.
Attend wedding rehearsals and last minute showers.
Confirm honeymoon arrangements and transportation arrangement.
Pack for your honeymoon and migration to Australia.
Confirm check-in time and date in the hotel for prepration.
Go to the dentist.
Brides: Practice walking in your shoes.
Confirm final payments to your wedding suppliers.
Start to sleep early and do away with smoking environments.

1 week before (15 december 2005)
Organize accessories/paraphernalia according to category.
Make a phone call to your entourage re: call time to the church or preparation area and inform them of specific tasks assigned to them.
Make a phone call to your mass readers, offerors, emcee, ushers re: call time and inform them of specific tasks assigned to them.
Assign an authorized person to receive all turn-over items of the coordinator.
Rehearse your speeches.
Remind parents, sponsors, and friends who will give speeches to prepare already.
Head to the Spa! Get a massage, scrub, Javanese bath. The works!
Go to confession.
Spend quality time with your family especially with your parents.

1 day before (21 december 2005)
Get your final manicure and pedicure.
Pack for the things that you have to bring in the hotel or preparation venue.

the big day (22 december 2005)
Relax.
Give yourself enough time for hair and make-up.
Remember to wear a robe or button-down shirt so you don’t ruin your hair-do and make-up when you undress.
Savour and enjoy special moment of your big day.
Take pleasure in being the most beautiful bride ever.
Pay videographer 60%.

i realize it's already august na pala next month. that means i'll be seeing joseph real soon and we're finally getting married (through civil rites). now, this is more like it. ;)

CENOMAR
i called the NSO hotline this afternoon ro request for my Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), a requirement for my spouse visa application. i learned from their customer service representative that they do not issue this document via phone request. you have to personally request it at their East Avenue office in Quezon City. it takes around 22 working days before they can finally issue it to you.

had i known, i should have applied for it last june pa so that i can surely get it within this month. now i have to set aside a weekday for this errand and travel all the way to Quezon City to apply for it. i am hoping to get it before Joseph arrives in August.

my big boo-boo

just when i thought everything was going as planned, something comes along to burst our little bubble.

i'm talking about our invitations. Sheryl of QP Glorietta called this morning to inform us that our invites were now ready for pick-up. it's finished! that was fast, considering that i only approved the proofs and confirmed printing last week and they said that i would be able to get it by the second week of July pa. so since we were also planning to go to the makati area this afternoon, i decided to drop by and finally get them. all was well when i picked it up. in fact, while i was scanning the sample in the car, i thought it to be so surreal as this was, in a way, real proof that we are truly tying the knot soon.

when we met up with my mom at the fort, i proudly showed her the sample invitation on our way home, only to hear her say that one of our ninongs (who also happened to be my future father-in-law's brother) had his surname misspelled. what the?!!! i immediately panicked as i could already foresee joseph's reaction on this. so i called sheryl once again just to confirm if i was really the one at fault. i asked her to check the proofs that i signed last week if the misspelt name was truly there. much to my dismay, she said that they printed exactly what i approved -- that is, including the error i overlooked. now, it would cost us P15 per entourage card to have it printed again for a minimum of 100 pieces per order.

now, that made me a bit hysterical, knowing that we'd have to spend again to remediate this blunder. i was actually about to burst into tears when my brother and mom kept suggesting solutions for the problem. it helped a lot to know that they reassured me that it was not a lapse of judgement but more like, it was just something i missed. plainly human error.

i know it's too late now for pointing fingers, but i can't help but feel so bad about what had happened. funny, because at the time that i was checking the proofs over several times, i really do not remember seeing that typographical error. probably, in all my excitement and giddiness at that time, i somehow skipped that detail. everything was a blur, come to think of it.

oh well, time to move on. no use crying over spilled milk. while i am in no state to sleep and disregard this dilemma, i now must think of ways to fix it as soon as possible.

moral of the story? recheck every detail, whether major or otherwise, a zillion times. also, don't be too harsh on yourself. we're just humans and we do make mistakes at some point in our lives.