Last night before the shift we celebrated the first year anniversary of our company, WINSOURCE. Celebration pero work pa din hehehe! Walang lusot. =p There's games, awardings and siyempre lots of food. Nagulat nga ako because it's Josiah's ang nag-cater! O diba? Anyways, sarap ng food. What can I say? I've been to weddings na Josiah's ang caterer and I say sarap. Nag-enjoy lahat lalo na sa chocolate fountain! Dinumog! hahaha =p Parang nainggit tuloy ako and sana meron akong chocolate fountain sa wedding namin. hehehe! I called Rain right away after nya me ihatid sa office while having dinner, (around 12midnight na un) na sana meron kami chocolate fountain. Pero lambing lang un. Lam ko naman hindi papayag e. Kahit anong lambing na gawin ko! Wag na daw. Dami na daw gastos, dami na namin daw desserts sa reception (e we have 7 desserts for the buffet), tapos meron pang cake na i-serve sa guest na cake! Baka magka-diabetes lahat ng guest namin sa mga desserts hahaha! Try lang naman e.. baka mapapayag! Love you Lab!

*****

I'm on the process of completing all my souvenirs. Pati nga sa office, gumagawa ako. hehehe! And some of my friends also volunteered to help. How sweet diba? =p Kaya after work, continuation naman sa bahay ule... I don't know kung ilan pa basta gawa lang... hehehe!

Finally, I was able to received a text message from the insurance company that my car is ready for pick-up on tuesday, Oct 31. Huh? Next week pa?! Hindi ba pedeng within this week. E diba holiday na un? Sa katagalan mag-reply, I called them na kung pede this week nalang. Dapat nga daw within this week sana. But nagkaron ng problem sa painting. Hindi daw nag-match kaya inulit. Kaya after work, instead na bumaba sa Buendia station ng MRT, sa Edsa Station nalang then, I'll just take a jeep or bus siguro going to Toyota Manila Bay! Yey! Buti nalang at sakto lang before Nov 1 coz we have to go to Manila Memorial Park in Pque for my father, lolo & lola. I'll file a leave na rin siguro that day! Nyay! November na... tapos ilang weeks nalang... we'll be counting the days! =p

I was so fickle-minded! I don't know what's with me. Parang bigla akong nagsawa sa look ng souvenirs namin. Hay! Kaya I did a little change lang naman. Instead of parang may buntot, I don't know what you call it basta ganito...

Time flies so fast and I think I still have a lot of things to do. Now I realize na we have only few time. Ang dami pa namin hindi natatapos. Hay! =p As in panic na talaga ako!

Saturday - After my friday shift Rain & I went to Divisoria to buy boxes, wrappers, ribbons, accessories, gifts for flowergirls, bridesmaids & secondary sponsors. I won't discuss the details muna kase baka makita nila para surprise! =p It was a tiring day. Grabe, ang daming tao and to think we just take a jeepney going to Divisoria. Though hindi naman masyado madaming sakay because its only 2 ride from our place kaya keri lang. Ang hirap lang because we left around 11am. So, sobrang init! And then, it's a saturday! Pag saturday pala dun sobrang dami ng tao. I wasn't really not expecting na ganon ka-dami ang tao. Rain was even wondering, what more kung christmas na diba?! Wala na siguro madaanan. Anyways, its our first time to go to Divisoria without someone. Kaya dapat hindi kami mukhang aanga-anga dun. Kaya kunwari kami na may alam but end up asking for shops like Morning Glory, Wellmanson. Buti nalang at hindi naman ganon kahirap. May na-witness pa kami na nagsaksakan! Whew! Halos itulak ko si Rain papalayo dun, meron pang duguan! My God! Before pala leaving the house, Rain told me not to bring my big wallet (madami kase akong abubot e). Kaya I only brought my coin purse. I was asking him kung how much ba dadalhin naten? Kahit mga 2K lang daw pede na. Ako naman daw ang nakakaalam kung magkano yun at mag-budget. But still dala pa din ako ng 3K just in case and he have 500 naman daw para sa food. Then, after lahat na mabili namin ung boxes, wrappers, ribbons, accessories, gifts for ento and flowergirls, I was shocked kase I only left 200pesos. I told Rain agad na I only have 200 left. Hala nagulat siya, naka-3K na pala kami nun? What?! Both of us have plastic bags on both hands kaya halos hindi na din kami magkandaugaga sa mga bitbit. And still I have to purchase party poppers & bubbles. Sabi nya balikan nalang namin. But I insist, since nandito na kami I told him let's check kung how much baka kaya pa ng pera nya. Hahaha! Pera nya talaga noh? Buti nalang at medyo kasya sa 500! And then, inaya na nya ako uwi na kase baka umuwi kami na wlang pera. hahaha! From Juan Luna, Ilaya, Tabora & 168 Mall naikot namin. O diba? Wala daw kaming "K" mag-taxi dahil we have only 100 bucks! hahaha! Kaya no choice at nag-jeep lang kami considering ang dami namin bitbitin. Buti nalang at wala masyadong sumasakay! Whew. With all the sweat! It's worth it! Lesson learned: "Bring more money!" Wala nga kaming nabili for ourselves =(

Sunday - Afternoon, we went to Glorietta to celebrate my mom's birthday! It's suppose to be Saturday, Oct 21. But since she had to go to Tagaytay to celebrate her birthday with her officemates, kaya saturday nalang. Meron daw surprise party sa kanya. Huh? Surprise ba un?! Anyways, we had lunch at our favorite all-filipino restaurant Gerry's Grill. Sarap! We had crispy pata, inihaw na chicken, pinakbet, sisig bangus, halaan. Sarap! hmmm... Need to watch my diet. Baka hindi na mag-fit gown ko. Galit si Veluz! hahaha! =p

L-R: my mom, my nephew (joshua) & my sister KarenMy Family (nde nakita si Joshua!)
of course w/ Labidoodle (pumapayat nga siya!)

Last night, Rain & I went to attend the wake friend's father, Liezel (who's also one of my bridesmaids). First time namin attend ng wake sa Chinese. Half of my college barkada was chinese. Kaya medyo alangan kami kung anong tradition nila pagdating sa mga burol. Liselle (one of my bridesmaid also) just bought mass card nalang. Baka kase ma-wrong kami kung ano ang dadalhin.hahaha! Actually, I'm worried na rin since Liezel is included in our entourage baka magkaroon kami ng problem so I have to anticipate the death in their family na hindi kesyo hindi sila pede magsaya. But I was wrong, the whole time wala kaming pinag-usapan kundi ang kasal. Everyone was very excited about it. I already told them also that we got a room for them a night before the wedding. Para walang late. hehehe! Etong mga barkado ko kase to e laging late e. Sorry guys, ganito talaga tayo hehehe! They are already planning not to sleep pa nga the night before e. Rain just told them, "Hala kayo panget kayo sa picture pag hindi kayo natulog!". Tapos ito pa birthday din kase ni Liezel sa wedding day namin. O diba? double celebration na din! Saya! They're also planning for a bridal shower na din. I just don't know kung kelan. Rain was ok with it. But for stag party for Rain?...hmmmm... I don't know but I don't like it. Sabihin nyo ng unfair ako, kung meron man SAMA ako! Takot ako e. hehehe! =p I remember the last time my officemates were joking na gagawan daw nila si Rain ng Stag Party na hindi ko na malalaman. I just told them that Rain don't want it kase gastos lang daw un. But pag meron binigay friends nya ok lang din. Tapos inasar pa ako na alam naman daw nila number ni Rain kaya hindi ko malalaman, secret daw un. Duh?! E kwento pa sila ng kwento na meron ngang nangyayari dun na mga... (alam mo na!?). Waaaah! Grabe, napikon talaga ako at umiyak naluha na ako! Yeah right, OA kung OA! Pero I can't imagine na ganon! Basta sama ako! hahaha =p

Anyways, tomorrow's my mom's birthday and we still have no idea what to give her. For sure pag bumili na naman kami galit pa un. We have to save daw for our future. Wag na daw gift! Kaya tom na lang siguro when we have our lunch or dinner.

We're planning to go to divisoria tomorrow to buy wrappers, boxes, and ribbons etc. for our PS gifts. Para ngayon matapos ko na. Dami ko pa din gagawin. Sobra! Hay... sarap mag-leave! Well, next kwento nalang tomorrow... kinda sleepy na! =p

Last Sunday, we had our prenup at EcoPark. Dapat nga hindi matutuloy because of my colds and flu na may kasama pang lagnat. Actually, saturday palang I was not feeling well na. Uso lang siguro ang lagnat nowadays because of the changing climate. Sa umaga iinit tapos sa gabi uulan. Hay! Anyways, saturday night masama na talaga ang pakiramdam ko and I ask Rain if he could call or text Mimi to postpone the pre-nup. Tapos medyo maulan pa that time. Kaya Rain called Mimi kung ok lang ba na ma-postpone. She just said ok lang naman. But magiging available lang sila weekdays. Kaya inisip ko na bago lang si Rain sa work nya kaya medyo mahihirapan siya magleave during weekdays. So, I ask him to call Mimi again kung if ever na maging ok ang pakiramdam ni Kaye ng Sunday morning, what time kami pede i-confirm na tuloy. Buti nlang Mimi said tuloy kung maging ok pakiramdam ko.
So, Sunday morning, I woke up around 7am. And I was feeling ok naman. Kaya I called Mimi around 9am to confirm na tuloy kami. Rain is just worried baka kase mabinat ako just in case. Inom lang ako ng medicine agad agad. Buti nalang naging ok talaga pakiramdam ko.
After lunch, we went straight to Rockwell for the bridal fair for my trial make-up with Jasmine. Sobrang madali na kami coz baka ma-late kami with our meeting with Mimi & Karl. And on the way to Philcoa, QC it's raining. Madilim at makulimlim. Hala! Rain & I were both praying na sana tumigil na ang ulan. While waiting for Mimi & Karl, we had early snack at Mcdo dahil alam namin magugutom kami sa pagod. Anyways, after 10-15mins dumating na sila. Then on the way to EcoPark, meron pa ring ulan at ambon. Buti nlang when we went out of the car, the Rain stopped. Thank God! =p

We had a great time! Kahit na halos gahol na sa oras because iniwasan na rin namin baka umulan pa and medyo madilim na. We start our pre-nup around 3:30pm. Natapos around 6pm. Though we have limited spots inside the EcoPark but I'm sure it'll be beautiful. Medyo nagkakahiyaan pa kami ni Rain magpose. Ako pa nga ung nag-iisip na baka mahiya si Rain because he's the shy type. Pero wag ka, siya pa ang makulit. Parang nawala ang lagnat ko that time. The park was beautiful. Daming nanonood. Nakakahiya! hehehe =p Since, sunday siya kaya medyo madami din tao. Wala kaming paki kahit na basa ang grass at mga bench. Basta sabing upo ni Mimi & Karl, upo kami. Kaya we end up going home with wet pants. We weren't able to change clothes na din due to limited time. But I'm sure dami nun. Nakakapagod siya I may say! But I know its worth it. Sabi nga ni Mimi, 1/3 lang daw un ng pagod namin sa wedding day mismo. Hay! Can't wait for the outcome. Sana within this week makuha na namin.... hahaha! Atat!?

Monday - Morning, I went to Toyota (Manila Bay) to bring my car for repair na. The insurance company told us that its done maximum of 2 weeks. Kaya wala akong car ngayon. Have to commute. But that's ok with me. At least exercise. Natututo na nga ako mag-MRT hahaha! =p Sa tanda kong to ngayon lang ako natuto magcommute mag-isa. Hehehe! I don't want naman to oblige Rain to fetch me every day since we have different work schedules. But that's ok. Masaya naman e. Wag lang uulan. Kung hindi mapipilitan akong mag-taxi hehehe! However, Rain's schedule is 10am to 7pm while mine is 12 midnight to 9am. Super sweet nga kase after work, he'll went straight to our house and wait for me hanggang pumasok ako. Mahiap daw kase mag-taxi ng ganon time. Ok lang kung may car. But he's just worried. E medyo shunga-shunga ako mag-commute!

Afternoon naman, I went to Veluz with my mom to have my Final fitting. Late nga ako e. Our meeting was 3pm. Nakarating ako ng 3:30pm na. So sorry! =( I was worried kase feeling ko tumaba ako. While everyone in the office told me that medyo pumapayat ako. I don't know if its psychological ba or what. Anyways, my gown had beadworks already. Half of it meron na. My train is already fully beaded. Galing! Wala akong masabi. My shoes don't have beadworks yet but has outline patterned to my train. By Nov 17 before her due date, I have to see her to see my gown. Then I'll just leave it there nalang para hindi na ako mahirapan magdala nun sa hotel. Hirap non ha? While dressing up also, Niko told me if what accessories I'll be using or jewelries. I just said I'm undecided but definitely, pearl earrings and cuff bracelet. Natawa ako kase Niko ask me kung meron na akong cuff bracelet coz he do that also. Galing noh?! Cge.. just send me some pegs na i-customize nya sken matching my hairpiece. I already gave him the pegs for my up-do hairdos. Can't wait again for the the details. My mom was very happy with my gown. It's all worth it! =p

Tuesday - Before going to work, Rain & I had our meeting with the famous Alex Franco. I wasn't expecting na ganon siya ka-sayang kausap! We discuss the details from flavor to design pati na rin ang cake cutting. He taught us how to slice the cake properly. Galing! pati pala un may technique din. I can't wait tuloy on our day. He advise us to have our cake cutting on the 1st part of the program, ung hindi pa nagdi-dinner para naman daw makita ng mga tao ang special na pag-cut namin. Which is very true. Unlike daw kase pag nagdinner na tapos dun palang kami mag-slicing of the cake wala ng attention ng guest kase kumakain na. Which I agree. Galing! Which gives me na kailangan ko na kausapin si Mallory regarding the program! He gave us the sample cake. Since papunta akong office, siyempre lahat sila gustong matikman at gustong ubusin. Halos 1/2 na ung naiuwi ko for my family. I left 1 slice for Rain. hehehe! =p Halos kapiranggot nlang! =p Delicious wala akong masabi!

We choose chocolate mousse fillings w/ fresh mangoes for the 1st & 2nd layer (to be served to the guests), walnut caramel cake for the 3rd, carrot cake for the 4th and chocolate mousse fillings w/ fresh mangoes again for the 5th layer (we want this again kase baka hindi na kami makatikim at maubos agad..hehehe!).

chocolate mousse fillings w/ fresh mangoes =p yummy!

Last wednesday morning, on his way to my office, Rain got into a car accident. =( As in sa street lang nila. Around 8:15am, I got a call from the reception that there's an emergency call daw. Kaya bigla akong nagulat. Isip ako ng isip kung tungkol san kaya un. Then, when I heard Rain's voice, and he said "Nabangga ako, Lab!", my first reaction was, ok lang ba siya or may nangyari ba sa kanya. And I ask kung malaki ba ang bangga? Hindi naman daw! Harap lang. Kaya since he don't know what to do, I ask him to call the insurance agency right away. Tapos tawag agad siya sa mom nya which is few blocks lang from their house. Hindi pa nga halos siya nakaka-lampas ng street nila. Habang pa-aakyat ng Ibuna St., may bigla nlang umaatras from the left house and ang natamaan ung left front. And ung natamaan sa other party was back-right of the car. Kaya kung si Rain talaga ang nakabangga, dapat una nyang tatamaan ung left na likod ng car nila. Then, when the police came, sbi daw ng pulis sa kanya, ung other car ang may kasalanan, tapos after that dumating ako (nagtaxi nalang ako). Then, biglang nagbago ang ihip ng hangin at sinabi ng pulis si Rain na daw ang may kasalanan. Duh?! Ano yun? Nalagayan na? Hmmmm... Something's wrong! Then I called, my insurance company of what should I do with it. First time kse maaksidente namin. Kaya wala talaga kaming alam with the procedures. Anyways, after that we went to the precinct to have their statements and to get the police report. However, kinabukasan pa daw makukuha ang police report. So, what we did was we went straight to Toyota Manila Bay for the estimate. And Good thing, since my car is still 2 years old, replacement lahat. And the total amount estimated was 60K++. Good thing at hindi naman na-apektuhan ung makina. And still in good running condition. =) Hindi nalang namin inintindi ung nakabangga. My mom said that "Kaya nga kayo nag-insurance para wlang hassle kung meron mang mangyari sa car". Rain was very sorry for what had happend. But for me, its not important kase car lang naman un. Ang importante siya. Sabi nga ni future MIL at ng mom ko, mag-ingat daw kaming dalawa next time dahil ikakasal na kami. Ganon daw pag malapit ng ikasal, prone to accident.

So, by Monday, ipapasok ko na sa Toyota. And they promise us that its done in a week and 2 weeks the most! Halos, ayaw makita ni Rain si Viosi (our car's name) kase sobrang love nya to. Mas maingat pa nga siya sa akin e. Malakas lang ang pagsara ko ng pinto nagagalit na yan. It's already our car na rin. That day also, I wasn't able to come to work na din to finish everything. Hay!

After two weeks at last I was able to update my blog. All because of bagyong Melenyo! =( Yesterday lang kami nakabitan ng landline. O diba? Kainis!

Anways, here's our updates as of today!

1. Church
· Paid in full
· Done with Canonical Interview (October 7)
· Pass the Birth, Confirmation Certificates, Pre-Cana Seminar, Marriage License
· Wedding Banns (got the letter from SSA already, we’ll send it to our corresponding Parishes)

2. Reception
· Paid 50% downpayment
· Had our food tasting last October 2
· Booked the 1 bedroom suite (check in: Dec 15; check out: Dec 17)
· Booked the Executive Room (for Entourage)
· Crew Meal
· 10 bottles of wine (no corkage fee)
· Bridal Car – Benz stretch (c/o Trans Abi)
· Cocktails Arrangements
Set-up 6 cocktail tables at the foyer/lobby
Assorted Sioplets, siomai, nuts and chips (set up on the saucers for all cocktail tables)
Beverage (fruit punch) – station set-up / passed around
· Already discuss the Set-up for the Garden Ballroom
Ice Carving (Vase w/ Flowers – Christmas Theme)
Flowers - Powder blue hydrangeas & whit roses w/ silver twigs
VIP Centerpiece – Champagne / crystal vase
Table Centerpiece – Martini glass w/ mirror below
Backdrop – Ecru gauze w/ Tivoli lights
Buffet stations – at the foyer (two way)
Table numbers
Cake stage pillar
Easels for the photo gallery
Dance floor (5x5m)
Stage for the band
Pictorial room

3. Photo
Paid reservation fee
Scheduled pre-nup (October 15)

4. Video
Paid reservation fee
We’ll schedule a meeting by 1st week of November

5. Entourage Florist
Paid 50% downpayment
Balance to be paid two weeks before the wedding (Dec 1)
Change some details of the flowers to match the entourage gowns
Discuss the calltime or delivery of the flowers (11am)

6. Church Florist
Paid 50% downpayment
Paid in full (balance to SSA)
Flowers (Altar: Euro Arrangement; Aisle: 10 stand w/ round austrasta & lilies & roses w/ asters w/ candle and tull)
Ask for additional candelabra for our memorial candle

7. Band / Soundsystem
Paid in full
Discuss already the songs to be played
Discuss the music ensemble to be played during cocktails (flute & strings)
Paid reservation fee for the soundsystem (c/o Edward Fermin of Altitude)

8. HMUA
Paid in full
Done with the trial make-up
Need to finalize the up-do hair

9. Bridal Gown
Paid 50% already
Final Fitting on Oct 15
Shoes & Bags (beadworks to match the train)

10. Entourage Gowns
Paid 50% downpayment
Had 1st fitting already
2nd fitting on November 4

11. Groom’s Attire
c/o Onesimus
Ready for pick-up anytime this week

12. Rings
Done!
w/ MIL for safe-keeping

13. Principal Sponsors Gifts
Done!
Need to buy materials for packaging
14. Entourage Gifts
Not yet done!
Still thinking …. Hay!

15. Souvenirs
DIY
Half done! (packaging nalang)

16. OTD Coordinator
Paid 50% downpayment
Schedule a meeting to finalize everything

17. Emcee
Paid Reservation fee
Need to finalize the flow the program (games)

18. Cake
Payment on the wedding itself
Set a schedule for tasting

19. Invites
Paid 50% downpayment
Waiting for the final layout and ready to go!

20. Others (DIY)
Missalette - For approval!
Unity Candle – Done!
Offertory Candes – wala pa!
Candles (for SS) – wala pa!
AVP – c/o future BIL

So far, wala pa din kaming honeymoon! =( We're still undecided whether out of the country or dito nalang sa Pinas. Rain got a new job and he'll be starting next week. Baka mahirapan siya makapag-leave! But I'm happy for him... baka next year nalang honeymoon hahaha! =p

When I opened my e-mail this morning. Striking! =p Want to share it with you...

1. Develop a positive attitude

It is very possible to alter your attitude by altering your mind. Saturate yourself daily with motivational literature, positive people, and inspiring music/art. By conditioning your mind to be more positive on a daily basis, you will find that winning will be a daily reward of your life.

2. Increase your Knowledge base

Great leaders are highly competent, because they are dedicated to a high level of learning, growth, and improvement. Devote at least 20 minutes each day to learning something new. Do not settle for knowing 'how' to do something. Dig deeper by asking the question 'why', 'when', 'what',' where' and then, go get the answers. Search the internet, speak to the experts, or take a day trip to find the answer to a question that is on your mind or the minds of those who follow you.

3. Accept responsibility

Great leaders never play the role of a victim. They recognise that part of being a great leader is being ultimately responsible for all successes and failures of the team. On a daily basis, analyse your current projects, and ask yourself 'Have I done all that needs to be done? What more could I have done?'Once you have analysed each project, if you find a weakness, go the extra mile by working extra hours, hiring an outside expert, or getting really creative to repair the weakness or to turn it into a success!

4. Surround yourself with great people

One of the secrets of a great leader is great people. Hire the right staff, surround yourself with a strong inner circle, and spend time daily with people who have a variety of 'gifts'. With the support of a strong circle of people around you, you will be ready for anything that comes your way.

5. Self-discipline

What do you need to develop self-discipline? Following a better diet or exercise routine? Getting up one hour earlier? Being rigorous with your spending? Learning something new every day? Eliminate excuse-making from your life, and begin to develop habits that will invite self-discipline to become the foundation of your life. Hire a coach to support you during the development of a routine of self-discipline, and remove rewards until the job is done!

6. Feel the fear & do it anyway!

By a show of courage, you will inspire others to follow and to walk in your footsteps. Spend 20 minutes each day doing something simply for the sake of developing courage; speak to an audience, make a difficult phone call, write an article or visit someone you have always been trying to avoid. As Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged: 'You gain strength, courage and confidence every time you really stop to look at fear in the face.'

7. Value Time

Great leaders show up for every appointment, and they are always on time. Each day, practice not only showing up but being ten minutes early for each and every appointment. 'The early bird gets the worm' has never been so true than when it applies to becoming a great leader that others are inspired to follow.

8. Communicate effectively

As a leader, your communication should be simple, clean, and clear as a bell. Examine both written and verbal communication for simplicity and clarity. Use as few words as possible, and eliminate jargon and 'big words' from your vocabulary. Express yourself in a way that your listeners can understand. Also, watch your body language!

9. Self Audit & Grow

Your depth of character is the key to determining your success as a leader. It is easy for us to say that we are 'in integrity,' but our actions are the real indicators of strength of our character.