Coming back from a two-week vacation, I feel a bit displaced. I barely went online during my two weeks off since I was busy with the wedding and also because we were away at a beautiful resort where I’d rather be outside then on the internet. Work seems a bit foreign (although like that Celine Dion song, - it’s all coming back to me now) and I have a lot of blog reading to do since I haven’t been able to follow the blogs I usually follow. I’m out of the loop with all the celeb gossip (hahaha!) and I can’t believe I am still reading the same book for almost three weeks now (I usually go through a book in a matter of days or even hours).
There were some changes that occurred at work while we were away (I don’t know why or how so many things can happen in such a short period of time) and we’re still playing catch-up. I’ve been going to bed late because there’s always something to do at night – either going somewhere to check out furniture, assembling furniture we bought, making dinner, having dinner with friends or organizing things in the apartment. My stuff is a mess, everything is everywhere since I just moved in and we’re still in the process of getting our apartment sorted out. We need to clean, organize, put things away and put things together. I’m not complaining though... it’s nice being able to share all of it with Steve.
One of the things I am still trying to figure out is how to do our laundry efficiently. Our first attempt at doing laundry together was a bit chaotic. Since we had a ton of laundry to do after the trip, we thought it would be best to go to a Laundromat so that we could do several loads at once. We figured that with several washing machines running at the same time, we’d be done quicker. First, we had to figure out how to use the machines. Next, how to properly sort our clothes (Steve was concerned we’d end up shrinking most of my wardrobe) and then we had to figure out where to put the bleach (do we mix it in with the detergent or is there a special slot just for bleach?). The result? We got our clothes washed alright but we did end up turning one of my towels blue and turning one item that was supposed to be white to a shade of yellow. I think we both agreed that next time, we’ll just the laundry at home.
Assembling furniture together is another fun but tiring task. We put together two pieces of furniture the other night – a dresser for me and a TV stand. Steve put the dresser together mostly by himself and he said it took him almost three hours to put it together. There were some hammering involved and a lot of noise. But we assembled the TV stand together which looked easy but the instructions were not as easy to understand as the IKEA dresser. We had made a few booboos in the beginning but we eventually figured it out.
So yes, we’ve been busy but what can you expect for a first week back right?
Friday, May 08, 2009
The details.
Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m married.
Both Steve and I were very happy with how everything turned out. So much better than how we imagined it would be.
In the beginning we both didn’t know where to start. We knew we wanted to be married within a year of being engaged but as where to start with the planning? We had no idea. I remember feeling both excited and really overwhelmed. Where to have the wedding? How many people to invite? Where do I get the invitations? The wedding dress? Where to hold the wedding and the reception? So many things to consider, so many things to look for. We both wanted a small wedding... intimate but nice... and most importantly within our means. As much as possible we wanted to have a wedding that didn’t put us into so much debt.
Looking back at it now, all our efforts were worth it. Both the civil ceremony and the beach wedding went by smoothly. A lot of people ask us why we had two weddings. It was because we didn’t want to have to deal with the legal requirements of a destination wedding just so it would be considered legal in both the country we were going to get married at and Canada. So we decided it would be best to have the civil ceremony locally which would be legally binding and to have a “symbolic ceremony” in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic which means we would go through the normal wedding vows but that it would be more symbolic rather than legally binding. Of course the next question people ask us is when we’ll celebrate our anniversary. We will be celebrating our anniversary on the day we had our civil ceremony because it is the one that actually binds us together as husband and wife.
We held our civil ceremony on April 21st at eleven-thirty in the morning followed by a lunch reception at a Greek restaurant. We had 22 guests, comprised of family and relatives. I barely slept the night before the wedding because I was too anxious – worried that we would forget or overlook something important. By eight in the morning we were up and proceeded to get ready for the ceremony. We were at City Hall by eleven and started the ceremony on time. We decided not to hire a professional photographer for the civil ceremony because we wanted to keep it is a minimal as possible. The problem (which we later discovered) was that all our guests had cameras and all of them were pointed at us at the same time so we could never figure out where to look! In every picture, someone was blinking or caught in mid-sentence or we were never looking at the same camera. The civil ceremony was conducted by a judge who was both very warm and friendly. Everyone loved him and everyone kept telling us that our judge was wonderful.
The civil ceremony took about half an hour (not counting the time we spent posing for pictures). After everyone’s appetite for pictures has been met, we proceeded to our reception which was about a twenty—minute car ride from downtown. We were supposed to pick out a menu prior to the wedding but with all the things we needed to do, we had forgotten to call. We were worried that without a menu picked out, they might not be able to roll out food as fast as we hoped. Fortunately, the restaurant was very efficient. Not only did they take our orders right away but they were also able to roll out the food quickly. There’s nothing worse than sitting at a reception and waiting eons for the food to be served when you’re already about to pass out from starvation! The reception finished at about two thirty in the afternoon then we all went home. I was dying to take a shower because I’m a little uncomfortable having so much make-up and hairspray on me.
Two days later, we left for Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with our wedding party and immediate families in tow for our beach wedding. Our flight was late in the afternoon so by the time we landed in Punta Cana, it was already past nine in the evening. I fell in-love with the Punta Cana airport because it was kinda old-school where you get off the plane by going down those portable stairs... not like the tunnels we have here in Canada. I always love the feeling of being in a tropical country... the scent, the various sounds and the warm breeze. I also liked how they designed the airport – with roofs made out of what looked like palm leaves. They also had some huge ceiling fans aptly called “Big Ass Fans” (I swear I’m not kidding!). Upon arrival, we were greeted by a Mariarchi band and they took a picture of us with some women dressed in their native costume. I couldn’t help but feel happy and excited at the same time (yes, being in a tropical country does make me really, unbelievable giddy). Believe it or not, I packed my wedding dress inside the suitcase and checked it in. So if, for some reason, our suitcases had gotten lost, the wedding wouldn’t have taken place. You have no idea how anxious I was to see both our suitcases come out of that plane. I breathed a big sigh of relief as soon as I saw them.
Outside the airport was a van waiting to take us to our resort which was an hour away. The roads were reminiscent of some roads in the Philippines – narrow, winding and with no lamp posts. I could tell the driver knew these roads well because he was driving really fast even though he could only see as far as his headlights could reach. I was looking outside the window the entire ride, trying to see what was out there but it was too dark. I could only see some plants on the side of the road and nothing else beyond that. When I did see a banana tree, I excitedly pointed it out to Steve since he’s never seen one. He didn’t see the first one I pointed out to him since we practically zoomed past it but luckily we passed by a row of them and he was able to see a few. He said he didn’t think they would be that small and that the leaves were that big.
After an hour, we finally arrived at the resort and were greeted with glasses of champagne. I think everyone was tired, hungry and excited at the same time. After checking in, they brought our luggage to our rooms and afterwards we went to one of the resort restaurants and had pizza. Once we were all full, we went back to our rooms and slept. The following morning, Steve and I met with the wedding coordinator who then helped us finalize our wedding plans and also took us around the resort to see various options where we could have the wedding and the reception. It was quite easy and we were surprisingly done within an hour.
We spent the next few days enjoying our vacation – eating, sleeping, swimming, going dancing and taking loads of pictures. I loved the service at the resort we stayed in. All the staff were friendly and efficient and they really made sure that they gave you the best service they could. Our rooms were always clean and we had no problems getting into restaurants even though we had such a huge group.
We had our beach wedding on April 28th at sunset (six in the evening) with twelve guests - again comprised of our immediate families and a few relatives. It had rained some days during the morning or sometimes at night but on our wedding day, the weather was absolutely perfect. Even the photographer mentioned how finicky Dominican weather can be so we were quite blessed. Steve and I actually saw each other already before the wedding to have our pictures taken. We took some pictures at the spa where I had gotten ready and dressed, at the gardens, then on the beach. After the pictures were taken, it was time for the ceremony which took about forty-five minutes (including the pictures we took with our guests after). Our resort was facing the Atlantic Ocean so it was really windy. There were originally four flowers in my hair but I had lost one to the wind. One of my brothers took a video of the ceremony but you couldn’t hear anything other than the sound of wind. I was so concerned that may hair wouldn’t stay in place but I was surprised it managed to hold on during the entire night despite all that wind.
We had our cocktails and dinner in front of the cascade pool which had been closed off for others so that we could have it to ourselves. We were so grateful to our wedding coordinator who was thoughtful enough to add some nice, little touches to our reception. We had our own full bar and our bartender even mixed a special drink for our wedding which he lovingly dubbed the “sweetheart”, a section for the appetizers (the beef flautas were amazing!) and a long table right in front of the water for our sit-down dinner. Although Steve and I had chosen our menu, we honestly couldn’t remember what we had picked so every course was a surprise. They served salad first, followed by lobster soup, then a champagne sorbet, then beef tenderloin for the main course and finally a chocolate mousse for dessert. We noticed that our chef was standing in the far corner together with our wedding coordinator, observing everything carefully. I whispered to Steve that I was embarrassed because I couldn’t finish any of my food and that I was probably insulting the chef in the process.
Dancing followed dinner. We had opted not to hire a DJ because it was too expensive and there were only fourteen of us! We couldn’t justify the cost so we decided to just create our own playlists using my iPod. We had a playlist just for my march down the aisle, another playlist for cocktail and dinner, another for dancing with Steve and our parents and one for disco. By the end of the evening, I had lost a button (my brother had accidentally stepped on my train and took out a button – no damage on the dress thankfully! Just the button came off), my feet were so black from dancing barefoot, and we were ready to pass out from exhaustion.
It’s true what they say, that you spend so much time planning a wedding and it goes by in such a blur. Steve and I look back at both weddings and we couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. We had great company, great food, great weather and really great pictures. To top it all off, it cost a little less than what we had originally thought.
A lot of people ask me how it feels to be married. It feels the same actually. Except that we go home together. But just the same, I love being married to him.
Both Steve and I were very happy with how everything turned out. So much better than how we imagined it would be.
In the beginning we both didn’t know where to start. We knew we wanted to be married within a year of being engaged but as where to start with the planning? We had no idea. I remember feeling both excited and really overwhelmed. Where to have the wedding? How many people to invite? Where do I get the invitations? The wedding dress? Where to hold the wedding and the reception? So many things to consider, so many things to look for. We both wanted a small wedding... intimate but nice... and most importantly within our means. As much as possible we wanted to have a wedding that didn’t put us into so much debt.
Looking back at it now, all our efforts were worth it. Both the civil ceremony and the beach wedding went by smoothly. A lot of people ask us why we had two weddings. It was because we didn’t want to have to deal with the legal requirements of a destination wedding just so it would be considered legal in both the country we were going to get married at and Canada. So we decided it would be best to have the civil ceremony locally which would be legally binding and to have a “symbolic ceremony” in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic which means we would go through the normal wedding vows but that it would be more symbolic rather than legally binding. Of course the next question people ask us is when we’ll celebrate our anniversary. We will be celebrating our anniversary on the day we had our civil ceremony because it is the one that actually binds us together as husband and wife.
We held our civil ceremony on April 21st at eleven-thirty in the morning followed by a lunch reception at a Greek restaurant. We had 22 guests, comprised of family and relatives. I barely slept the night before the wedding because I was too anxious – worried that we would forget or overlook something important. By eight in the morning we were up and proceeded to get ready for the ceremony. We were at City Hall by eleven and started the ceremony on time. We decided not to hire a professional photographer for the civil ceremony because we wanted to keep it is a minimal as possible. The problem (which we later discovered) was that all our guests had cameras and all of them were pointed at us at the same time so we could never figure out where to look! In every picture, someone was blinking or caught in mid-sentence or we were never looking at the same camera. The civil ceremony was conducted by a judge who was both very warm and friendly. Everyone loved him and everyone kept telling us that our judge was wonderful.
The civil ceremony took about half an hour (not counting the time we spent posing for pictures). After everyone’s appetite for pictures has been met, we proceeded to our reception which was about a twenty—minute car ride from downtown. We were supposed to pick out a menu prior to the wedding but with all the things we needed to do, we had forgotten to call. We were worried that without a menu picked out, they might not be able to roll out food as fast as we hoped. Fortunately, the restaurant was very efficient. Not only did they take our orders right away but they were also able to roll out the food quickly. There’s nothing worse than sitting at a reception and waiting eons for the food to be served when you’re already about to pass out from starvation! The reception finished at about two thirty in the afternoon then we all went home. I was dying to take a shower because I’m a little uncomfortable having so much make-up and hairspray on me.
Two days later, we left for Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with our wedding party and immediate families in tow for our beach wedding. Our flight was late in the afternoon so by the time we landed in Punta Cana, it was already past nine in the evening. I fell in-love with the Punta Cana airport because it was kinda old-school where you get off the plane by going down those portable stairs... not like the tunnels we have here in Canada. I always love the feeling of being in a tropical country... the scent, the various sounds and the warm breeze. I also liked how they designed the airport – with roofs made out of what looked like palm leaves. They also had some huge ceiling fans aptly called “Big Ass Fans” (I swear I’m not kidding!). Upon arrival, we were greeted by a Mariarchi band and they took a picture of us with some women dressed in their native costume. I couldn’t help but feel happy and excited at the same time (yes, being in a tropical country does make me really, unbelievable giddy). Believe it or not, I packed my wedding dress inside the suitcase and checked it in. So if, for some reason, our suitcases had gotten lost, the wedding wouldn’t have taken place. You have no idea how anxious I was to see both our suitcases come out of that plane. I breathed a big sigh of relief as soon as I saw them.
Outside the airport was a van waiting to take us to our resort which was an hour away. The roads were reminiscent of some roads in the Philippines – narrow, winding and with no lamp posts. I could tell the driver knew these roads well because he was driving really fast even though he could only see as far as his headlights could reach. I was looking outside the window the entire ride, trying to see what was out there but it was too dark. I could only see some plants on the side of the road and nothing else beyond that. When I did see a banana tree, I excitedly pointed it out to Steve since he’s never seen one. He didn’t see the first one I pointed out to him since we practically zoomed past it but luckily we passed by a row of them and he was able to see a few. He said he didn’t think they would be that small and that the leaves were that big.
After an hour, we finally arrived at the resort and were greeted with glasses of champagne. I think everyone was tired, hungry and excited at the same time. After checking in, they brought our luggage to our rooms and afterwards we went to one of the resort restaurants and had pizza. Once we were all full, we went back to our rooms and slept. The following morning, Steve and I met with the wedding coordinator who then helped us finalize our wedding plans and also took us around the resort to see various options where we could have the wedding and the reception. It was quite easy and we were surprisingly done within an hour.
We spent the next few days enjoying our vacation – eating, sleeping, swimming, going dancing and taking loads of pictures. I loved the service at the resort we stayed in. All the staff were friendly and efficient and they really made sure that they gave you the best service they could. Our rooms were always clean and we had no problems getting into restaurants even though we had such a huge group.
We had our beach wedding on April 28th at sunset (six in the evening) with twelve guests - again comprised of our immediate families and a few relatives. It had rained some days during the morning or sometimes at night but on our wedding day, the weather was absolutely perfect. Even the photographer mentioned how finicky Dominican weather can be so we were quite blessed. Steve and I actually saw each other already before the wedding to have our pictures taken. We took some pictures at the spa where I had gotten ready and dressed, at the gardens, then on the beach. After the pictures were taken, it was time for the ceremony which took about forty-five minutes (including the pictures we took with our guests after). Our resort was facing the Atlantic Ocean so it was really windy. There were originally four flowers in my hair but I had lost one to the wind. One of my brothers took a video of the ceremony but you couldn’t hear anything other than the sound of wind. I was so concerned that may hair wouldn’t stay in place but I was surprised it managed to hold on during the entire night despite all that wind.
We had our cocktails and dinner in front of the cascade pool which had been closed off for others so that we could have it to ourselves. We were so grateful to our wedding coordinator who was thoughtful enough to add some nice, little touches to our reception. We had our own full bar and our bartender even mixed a special drink for our wedding which he lovingly dubbed the “sweetheart”, a section for the appetizers (the beef flautas were amazing!) and a long table right in front of the water for our sit-down dinner. Although Steve and I had chosen our menu, we honestly couldn’t remember what we had picked so every course was a surprise. They served salad first, followed by lobster soup, then a champagne sorbet, then beef tenderloin for the main course and finally a chocolate mousse for dessert. We noticed that our chef was standing in the far corner together with our wedding coordinator, observing everything carefully. I whispered to Steve that I was embarrassed because I couldn’t finish any of my food and that I was probably insulting the chef in the process.
Dancing followed dinner. We had opted not to hire a DJ because it was too expensive and there were only fourteen of us! We couldn’t justify the cost so we decided to just create our own playlists using my iPod. We had a playlist just for my march down the aisle, another playlist for cocktail and dinner, another for dancing with Steve and our parents and one for disco. By the end of the evening, I had lost a button (my brother had accidentally stepped on my train and took out a button – no damage on the dress thankfully! Just the button came off), my feet were so black from dancing barefoot, and we were ready to pass out from exhaustion.
It’s true what they say, that you spend so much time planning a wedding and it goes by in such a blur. Steve and I look back at both weddings and we couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. We had great company, great food, great weather and really great pictures. To top it all off, it cost a little less than what we had originally thought.
A lot of people ask me how it feels to be married. It feels the same actually. Except that we go home together. But just the same, I love being married to him.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
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Monday, April 13, 2009
10 Common Dreams
Life may be just a dream, but how do we interpret it? What we dream at night can give us clues about what is important to us in waking life. Dreams help us to process our conscious thoughts and can give us new and important insights into the problems and challenges we face in the world. Although we may have strange and unusual dreams, there are a number of common dreams that many of us experience over and over again. Read the interpretations below for an explanation of symbols that seem to appear frequently in dreams.
1. Faulty or lost items: your phone won't work, your car breaks down, or you can't find your husband.
This dream is alerting you to areas of your life that need repair or extra care right now. You may want to slow down and pay more attention to the realm of life indicated. For example, if you dream of your phone not working, notice how you are communicating to others now. Are you doing everything you can to get your message across in a positive way? If not, you may want to tune up this area of your life.
2. Money: you received a windfall, or you lost your savings in the stock market.
Money in dreams symbolizes what you value or find important in life. If you dream of suddenly receiving a sum of money, this indicates that you are at a time in your life when your values are becoming very clear to you. If you have dreams of losing money, you may be experiencing a time of feeling separated from your sense of meaning in life. Try to explore what has been important to you in the past to see if your values have changed or altered over time.
3. You find yourself back in the classroom, or you've failed a test.This dream indicates that there is a challenge in your life and you fear failing. It also can mean that you may feel that you have regressed in some way and are not up to the task currently at hand. You may also feel judged or tested by an authority figure or someone who is in charge of you in some way.
4. You or a loved one is ill or dying.You may be approaching a time of great change when some parts of your life are falling away and disappearing. This dream is helping you to practice the feelings of loss that you may be having as the elements of your life or your relationships with others change and evolve. It is rare that this dream forecasts an actual death or illness, but it still might be a good idea to get a checkup or pay extra attention to your health now.
5. Being chased.Being chased in a dream indicates that you may be feeling you have a lot of responsibilities that you are having a hard time keeping up with. This dream is often known as a "stress dream," indicating that its presence is a sign to try to relax and slow down.
6. Teeth: you're smiling with nice, clean teeth, or your teeth are breaking off or forming cavities.
Teeth represent time, stability, and maturity. The state of the teeth in your dream will give important clues as to what your relationships and feelings are related to these important life themes.
7. Nudity.
Dreams where you or someone else appears nude relate to feelings of being exposed or vulnerable in waking life. You may currently be having an experience where everyone else seems to know about your problems and issues, and you are having a hard time processing your situation privately.
8. Falling, flying, or sinking.
Changing direction, either going up or down in a dream, indicates where your awareness is in waking life. Dreams of falling or sinking symbolize a time of being more aware of your unconscious mind and deepest innermost thoughts, feelings, and memories. Dreams of flying indicate that you are exploring your conscious mind at this time or connecting to the realm of spirits, angels, and other energetic beings.
9. Water
Water in dreams is a sign that a certain emotional situation or experience is of importance in your life. Now is a good time to pay particular attention to your feelings and the realm of the imagination, dreams, and fantasies. The condition or state of the water will give clues as to the exact nature of your experience. Hurricanes and storms can indicate more challenging emotional situations, and on the opposite side, gentle streams and lakes indicate a more calm and peaceful emotional state or even a love or romantic connection.
10. Missing a boat, plane, bus, etc.
Transportation vehicles in dreams symbolize the ability to move and act in the world. They represent our will, desire, and skill at accomplishing and manifesting our dreams and goals. When one of these vehicles is missing, it can mean that we are having a hard time finding the motivation to act and move in the world. We may need to reconnect with what drives or propels us into creatively manifesting our dreams.
(Above Article courtesy of MSN.com)
Although not always, I often remember my dreams. I don't know how or why I do but there are those that I remember only for a few minutes and then there are those that I remember even until today. I used to have this recurring dream and I would dream it so often that I am able to tell you every single detail from it. What's so weird is that I stopped dreaming it as soon as we moved to Canada. Anyhow, I dream of water a LOT. Don't ask me why... I just do. I've also had dreams where a loved one had a died, I was being chased, car won't run properly, falling, missing an event, nudity, failing an exam (I dream this a lot too!) and I think I've dreamt of my teeth once. Mostly, it's water and me showing up for an exam completely unprepared that I dream of.
1. Faulty or lost items: your phone won't work, your car breaks down, or you can't find your husband.
This dream is alerting you to areas of your life that need repair or extra care right now. You may want to slow down and pay more attention to the realm of life indicated. For example, if you dream of your phone not working, notice how you are communicating to others now. Are you doing everything you can to get your message across in a positive way? If not, you may want to tune up this area of your life.
2. Money: you received a windfall, or you lost your savings in the stock market.
Money in dreams symbolizes what you value or find important in life. If you dream of suddenly receiving a sum of money, this indicates that you are at a time in your life when your values are becoming very clear to you. If you have dreams of losing money, you may be experiencing a time of feeling separated from your sense of meaning in life. Try to explore what has been important to you in the past to see if your values have changed or altered over time.
3. You find yourself back in the classroom, or you've failed a test.This dream indicates that there is a challenge in your life and you fear failing. It also can mean that you may feel that you have regressed in some way and are not up to the task currently at hand. You may also feel judged or tested by an authority figure or someone who is in charge of you in some way.
4. You or a loved one is ill or dying.You may be approaching a time of great change when some parts of your life are falling away and disappearing. This dream is helping you to practice the feelings of loss that you may be having as the elements of your life or your relationships with others change and evolve. It is rare that this dream forecasts an actual death or illness, but it still might be a good idea to get a checkup or pay extra attention to your health now.
5. Being chased.Being chased in a dream indicates that you may be feeling you have a lot of responsibilities that you are having a hard time keeping up with. This dream is often known as a "stress dream," indicating that its presence is a sign to try to relax and slow down.
6. Teeth: you're smiling with nice, clean teeth, or your teeth are breaking off or forming cavities.
Teeth represent time, stability, and maturity. The state of the teeth in your dream will give important clues as to what your relationships and feelings are related to these important life themes.
7. Nudity.
Dreams where you or someone else appears nude relate to feelings of being exposed or vulnerable in waking life. You may currently be having an experience where everyone else seems to know about your problems and issues, and you are having a hard time processing your situation privately.
8. Falling, flying, or sinking.
Changing direction, either going up or down in a dream, indicates where your awareness is in waking life. Dreams of falling or sinking symbolize a time of being more aware of your unconscious mind and deepest innermost thoughts, feelings, and memories. Dreams of flying indicate that you are exploring your conscious mind at this time or connecting to the realm of spirits, angels, and other energetic beings.
9. Water
Water in dreams is a sign that a certain emotional situation or experience is of importance in your life. Now is a good time to pay particular attention to your feelings and the realm of the imagination, dreams, and fantasies. The condition or state of the water will give clues as to the exact nature of your experience. Hurricanes and storms can indicate more challenging emotional situations, and on the opposite side, gentle streams and lakes indicate a more calm and peaceful emotional state or even a love or romantic connection.
10. Missing a boat, plane, bus, etc.
Transportation vehicles in dreams symbolize the ability to move and act in the world. They represent our will, desire, and skill at accomplishing and manifesting our dreams and goals. When one of these vehicles is missing, it can mean that we are having a hard time finding the motivation to act and move in the world. We may need to reconnect with what drives or propels us into creatively manifesting our dreams.
(Above Article courtesy of MSN.com)
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Although not always, I often remember my dreams. I don't know how or why I do but there are those that I remember only for a few minutes and then there are those that I remember even until today. I used to have this recurring dream and I would dream it so often that I am able to tell you every single detail from it. What's so weird is that I stopped dreaming it as soon as we moved to Canada. Anyhow, I dream of water a LOT. Don't ask me why... I just do. I've also had dreams where a loved one had a died, I was being chased, car won't run properly, falling, missing an event, nudity, failing an exam (I dream this a lot too!) and I think I've dreamt of my teeth once. Mostly, it's water and me showing up for an exam completely unprepared that I dream of.
Friday, April 10, 2009
An excerpt.
People disappear when they die. Their voice, their laughter, the warmth of their breath. Their flesh. Eventually their bones. All living memory of them ceases. This is both dreadful and natural. Yet for some there is an exception to this annihilation. For in the books they write they continue to exist. We can rediscover them. Their humour, their tone of voice, their moods. Through the written word they can anger you or make you happy. They can comfort you. They can perplex you. They can alter you. All this, even though they are dead. Like flies in amber, like corpses frozen in ice, that which according to the laws of nature should pass away is, by the miracle of ink on paper, preserved. It is a kind of magic.
The Thirteenth Tale
- Diane Setterfield
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Some snow, some geese and some other creatures
It rained and snowed intermittently yesterday but enough to have snow on the ground and certainly enough to cause traffic. Until now I still get surprised at how fast the weather and temperature can shift here in Canada. The past few weeks have been relatively warm... and when I say warm, I mean that it’s been mostly above zero degrees. Not really summer weather but better than being below zero. On Sunday it was so sunny outside that I almost felt bad for staying indoors. Then when I woke up on Monday morning, it was cloudy, windy and it was hailing. I remember walking to the bus stop yesterday with an umbrella and I was wondering why the rain drops felt heavy and looked like they were practically bouncing off every solid surface. As it turns out, it wasn’t water droplets... Rather, it was tiny pieces of hail. No wonder everyone was cowering in the bus shelter.
It’s sunny again today but there’s still a bit of snow on the ground. I wore my high-heeled leather boots to work today, forgetting how slippery it would be. I slid a few times while walking this morning. Thankfully, I didn’t fall. It seems I underestimated the snow.
The geese have returned from their southern migration and there are actually two geese who have decided to make a nest on the roof of our office building. Our office building is a single storey. Since we can’t get up on the roof to check, we don’t really know if they’ve laid some eggs or if they’re still n the process of building a nest. We think they’re staying to mate and lay eggs because they’ve been here for a little over a week now and they’re pretty vigilant about their territory. They’re beautiful and quite big for birds but they have this elegant look about them. Steve complains that they’re very defiant as they don’t seem to be afraid of humans. Just yesterday afternoon, while leaving work, one goose was standing in the middle of the road and we had to patiently wait for it to move to the side so we could pass. Steve drove right up to it to see if it will get scared but it didn’t. It just casually walked to the side but it wasn’t fazed at all with the car being so close. The pigeons here are the same... they don’t seem to be afraid of humans. You can literally walk up to one and it won’t budge. I tell Steve pigeons in the Philippines fly away as soon as you start moving towards them. I think it’s probably because they know Filipinos eat them.
I am not even sure if the breed of pigeons they have here in Canada are the same as the ones we have in the Philippines. For all I know they could be vastly different, hence the difference in behaviour.
Anyhow, I am assuming that the raccoons are now coming out of their hibernation as I’ve seen a few road kills. It’s pretty sad actually... seeing a crumpled baby raccoon dead on the side of the road. I think raccoons are quite cute but I hear they bite and could potentially infect you with rabies. Rabies, my friend, is NOT cute.
It still amazes me when I see the variety of animals you can come across here in Canada like squirrels, raccoons, geese, robins, blue jays, woodpeckers, skunks, foxes, coyotes... foxes and coyotes! Can you imagine walking outside your door and seeing a fox or a coyote in front of you? Unthinkable for a Filipino isn’t it? Certainly something you only see in the zoo in the Philippines. Never in my life did I think you can just see one outside your door here (but then again, Steve has never seen a Banana Tree which boggles my mind since they’re everywhere in the Philippines... I had to Google a picture of one to show him what it looks like... he said they looked weird by the way). Although I personally have not seen a coyote here in the wild neighbourhood of Toronto, I have seen a fox. I was so shocked that I blurted out the words, “IT’S A FOX!!” in an obviously amazed, somewhat scared kind of tone. Steve still reminds me of my expression when I saw one.
My co-workers tell me deer are very common and that they sometimes just cross the road especially if you’re driving north. Apparently, bears are quite common too in certain areas. I honestly think it would scare the hell out of me when I encounter one out in the wild. I wouldn’t know whether I should play dead or run or fight till the end. I hear you should only play dead if it’s a brown bear but if it’s a black bear, it will kill you if you play dead. Apparently your best shot with a black bear is to fight it. Like I would ever win that fight without any weapon! I don’t think I’d be able to outrun it either. Maybe I’ll consider climbing a tree instead? If that bear can climb, then I’m doomed.
Anyway, all this rambling and all I really wanted to say was that I was bummed out it’s snowing and cold again when it’s supposed to be sunny outside.
It’s sunny again today but there’s still a bit of snow on the ground. I wore my high-heeled leather boots to work today, forgetting how slippery it would be. I slid a few times while walking this morning. Thankfully, I didn’t fall. It seems I underestimated the snow.
The geese have returned from their southern migration and there are actually two geese who have decided to make a nest on the roof of our office building. Our office building is a single storey. Since we can’t get up on the roof to check, we don’t really know if they’ve laid some eggs or if they’re still n the process of building a nest. We think they’re staying to mate and lay eggs because they’ve been here for a little over a week now and they’re pretty vigilant about their territory. They’re beautiful and quite big for birds but they have this elegant look about them. Steve complains that they’re very defiant as they don’t seem to be afraid of humans. Just yesterday afternoon, while leaving work, one goose was standing in the middle of the road and we had to patiently wait for it to move to the side so we could pass. Steve drove right up to it to see if it will get scared but it didn’t. It just casually walked to the side but it wasn’t fazed at all with the car being so close. The pigeons here are the same... they don’t seem to be afraid of humans. You can literally walk up to one and it won’t budge. I tell Steve pigeons in the Philippines fly away as soon as you start moving towards them. I think it’s probably because they know Filipinos eat them.
I am not even sure if the breed of pigeons they have here in Canada are the same as the ones we have in the Philippines. For all I know they could be vastly different, hence the difference in behaviour.
Anyhow, I am assuming that the raccoons are now coming out of their hibernation as I’ve seen a few road kills. It’s pretty sad actually... seeing a crumpled baby raccoon dead on the side of the road. I think raccoons are quite cute but I hear they bite and could potentially infect you with rabies. Rabies, my friend, is NOT cute.
It still amazes me when I see the variety of animals you can come across here in Canada like squirrels, raccoons, geese, robins, blue jays, woodpeckers, skunks, foxes, coyotes... foxes and coyotes! Can you imagine walking outside your door and seeing a fox or a coyote in front of you? Unthinkable for a Filipino isn’t it? Certainly something you only see in the zoo in the Philippines. Never in my life did I think you can just see one outside your door here (but then again, Steve has never seen a Banana Tree which boggles my mind since they’re everywhere in the Philippines... I had to Google a picture of one to show him what it looks like... he said they looked weird by the way). Although I personally have not seen a coyote here in the wild neighbourhood of Toronto, I have seen a fox. I was so shocked that I blurted out the words, “IT’S A FOX!!” in an obviously amazed, somewhat scared kind of tone. Steve still reminds me of my expression when I saw one.
My co-workers tell me deer are very common and that they sometimes just cross the road especially if you’re driving north. Apparently, bears are quite common too in certain areas. I honestly think it would scare the hell out of me when I encounter one out in the wild. I wouldn’t know whether I should play dead or run or fight till the end. I hear you should only play dead if it’s a brown bear but if it’s a black bear, it will kill you if you play dead. Apparently your best shot with a black bear is to fight it. Like I would ever win that fight without any weapon! I don’t think I’d be able to outrun it either. Maybe I’ll consider climbing a tree instead? If that bear can climb, then I’m doomed.
Anyway, all this rambling and all I really wanted to say was that I was bummed out it’s snowing and cold again when it’s supposed to be sunny outside.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Achoo!
I think I am coming down with a cold. 2 weeks before the wedding. Unbelievable.
I’ve managed to get through the last 3 months without so much as the sniffles. Even when everyone else around me had the flu. And now... it’s not looking too good. I have a sore throat, my head feels heavy and all I want to do is crawl back into bed and sleep.
It’s a good thing I always bring a pack of Strepsils with me. It helps a lot especially if I have to do training while I have a sore throat... like today.
I ate three Clementines yesterday afternoon, hoping I can battle the cold by taking in as much vitamin C as I could. I also took some vitamin C pills last night just to make sure. All that vitamin C and yet I still have my cold symptoms.
Maybe it will go away? Maybe if I sleep enough, it will magically disappear?
I’ve managed to get through the last 3 months without so much as the sniffles. Even when everyone else around me had the flu. And now... it’s not looking too good. I have a sore throat, my head feels heavy and all I want to do is crawl back into bed and sleep.
It’s a good thing I always bring a pack of Strepsils with me. It helps a lot especially if I have to do training while I have a sore throat... like today.
I ate three Clementines yesterday afternoon, hoping I can battle the cold by taking in as much vitamin C as I could. I also took some vitamin C pills last night just to make sure. All that vitamin C and yet I still have my cold symptoms.
Maybe it will go away? Maybe if I sleep enough, it will magically disappear?
First Definitions
Swiped this from Jela.
Instructions: Go to www.urbandictionary.com and type in your answer to each question in the search box, then write the FIRST definition it gives you. I guarantee you're gonna find some pretty hilarious results.
YOUR GIVEN NAME: Karen
Karen is the perfect woman. She has no flaw. She's funny, sweet, smart as hell, and above all, she is extremely gorgeous. She doesn't let anyone push her around and she has a great personality. She has some awesome goals set and always wins my heart. Has great taste in guys. Don't listen to what the other jack-off put. Everybody loves Karen.
If you were to look up the word "amazing" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Karen.
Hahahaha! Need I say more??
AGE: 25
The age at which one can finally rent a car in the United States without being charged enormous amounts of money and without having to sign thousands of papers for that matter.
Useful for when I want to rent a car in the States I guess.
ONE OF YOUR FRIEND’S NAME: Shey
Crazy white girl that loves everyone and cant stand people to be mad at her and talks alot
Hahahaha! Whoops!
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING: Working
A term to describe the tedious and boring indentured servitude that most people are forced to endure to get money. Generally, not a pleasant experience.
So true! "boring indentured servitude"... right on!
FAVORITE COLOR: Blue
The hue of the portion of the visible spectrum lying between green and indigo, evoked in a human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of approximately 420 to 490 nanometers.
Uhuh...
FAVORITE NUMBER: 7
The fiercest digit known to man.
Watch out people! It's "FIERCE"!
MONTH OF YOUR BIRTHDAY: September
A wonderful month when the air smells sweet and the weather is perfect for the girls to wear tight little sweaters that show off their curves.
Whoever wrote this is either a romantic or a pervert
LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO: Steve
A thong that is visable above the trouser line of a girl. A useful word when spotting a thong or pointing one out without the girl knowing.
Reeeealllllyy? I am marrying a thong??
YOUR NICKNAME: Karen
Karen is the perfect woman. She has no flaw. She's funny, sweet, smart as hell, and above all, she is extremely gorgeous. She doesn't let anyone push her around and she has a great personality. She has some awesome goals set and always wins my heart. Has great taste in guys. Don't listen to what the other jack-off put. Everybody loves Karen.
If you were to look up the word "amazing" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Karen.
Everything begins and ends with perfection I guess... hahahaha
Instructions: Go to www.urbandictionary.com and type in your answer to each question in the search box, then write the FIRST definition it gives you. I guarantee you're gonna find some pretty hilarious results.
YOUR GIVEN NAME: Karen
Karen is the perfect woman. She has no flaw. She's funny, sweet, smart as hell, and above all, she is extremely gorgeous. She doesn't let anyone push her around and she has a great personality. She has some awesome goals set and always wins my heart. Has great taste in guys. Don't listen to what the other jack-off put. Everybody loves Karen.
If you were to look up the word "amazing" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Karen.
Hahahaha! Need I say more??
AGE: 25
The age at which one can finally rent a car in the United States without being charged enormous amounts of money and without having to sign thousands of papers for that matter.
Useful for when I want to rent a car in the States I guess.
ONE OF YOUR FRIEND’S NAME: Shey
Crazy white girl that loves everyone and cant stand people to be mad at her and talks alot
Hahahaha! Whoops!
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING: Working
A term to describe the tedious and boring indentured servitude that most people are forced to endure to get money. Generally, not a pleasant experience.
So true! "boring indentured servitude"... right on!
FAVORITE COLOR: Blue
The hue of the portion of the visible spectrum lying between green and indigo, evoked in a human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of approximately 420 to 490 nanometers.
Uhuh...
FAVORITE NUMBER: 7
The fiercest digit known to man.
Watch out people! It's "FIERCE"!
MONTH OF YOUR BIRTHDAY: September
A wonderful month when the air smells sweet and the weather is perfect for the girls to wear tight little sweaters that show off their curves.
Whoever wrote this is either a romantic or a pervert
LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO: Steve
A thong that is visable above the trouser line of a girl. A useful word when spotting a thong or pointing one out without the girl knowing.
Reeeealllllyy? I am marrying a thong??
YOUR NICKNAME: Karen
Karen is the perfect woman. She has no flaw. She's funny, sweet, smart as hell, and above all, she is extremely gorgeous. She doesn't let anyone push her around and she has a great personality. She has some awesome goals set and always wins my heart. Has great taste in guys. Don't listen to what the other jack-off put. Everybody loves Karen.
If you were to look up the word "amazing" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Karen.
Everything begins and ends with perfection I guess... hahahaha
Monday, March 30, 2009
Naps, anyone?
These days it seems I can never get enough sleep. I’m always so sleepy and around 8 in the evening, I am already struggling to keep my eyes open. If I make the mistake of lying down to nap, I will most likely end up sleeping through the night. Last week, after eating dinner I decided to lie down for a few minutes. It was only 8:30 pm and surely enough, I fell asleep and woke up the next day at 5 am. I was so confused the next morning because I couldn’t figure out what day or time it was (and yes, there are days when I wake up and I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what day it is which ends up scaring the crap out of me).
Do you feel the need to have a day within the week where you just sleep-in? I do. And let me tell you, I get really cranky if I don’t get to sleep-in at least one day of the week. I used to be able to sleep-in until noon without waking up but now I get a headache if I do so I just sleep-in until about 9 or 10 am and then I force myself out of bed (like that’s a big difference, right? It’s only 2 hours shy of noon after all!). But yes, I enjoy sleeping. I actually like napping during the day too.
It really surprises me when someone tells me they can’t nap. I just have to ask, “Why??” For me, it is the most natural thing to do especially during a rainy afternoon or a boring subway ride. I have no problems whatsoever napping. Even if I tried to stay awake during my hour-long subway ride to work during the morning, I will eventually end up closing my eyes. I feel better after a nap. I think the only time I actually feel bad about napping is if I end up napping during an inappropriate occasion or place. Like when I’m in church for example. Or if someone is giving a really long talk and I end up dozing off. That’s just rude.
I remember when we went to Mexico last year, Steve and I resisted napping during the afternoons because we didn’t want to waste our days sleeping. In our entire stay there, I think I only napped once or twice and only for about an hour or two during both times. I think it’s the only other time where I would have felt bad had I slept for long periods of time. I certainly didn’t want to waste my Mexican vacation in a nice resort by sleeping! I’d rather be at the beach relaxing and drinking an iced tea or a Miami Vice (yum!) or even better – swimming!
I remember not getting much sleep through College especially when we had projects to work on. I really don’t know how I was able to function with zero or very few hours of sleep and no coffee. If I attempted that now, I’d be a walking zombie (even with coffee!). Now even with 5 hours of sleep, I feel exhausted.
I wonder how I will be like when I have a baby and I’m not getting any sleep. I worry that I will be very cranky and mean!
Sleep and I are very good friends indeed.
Do you feel the need to have a day within the week where you just sleep-in? I do. And let me tell you, I get really cranky if I don’t get to sleep-in at least one day of the week. I used to be able to sleep-in until noon without waking up but now I get a headache if I do so I just sleep-in until about 9 or 10 am and then I force myself out of bed (like that’s a big difference, right? It’s only 2 hours shy of noon after all!). But yes, I enjoy sleeping. I actually like napping during the day too.
It really surprises me when someone tells me they can’t nap. I just have to ask, “Why??” For me, it is the most natural thing to do especially during a rainy afternoon or a boring subway ride. I have no problems whatsoever napping. Even if I tried to stay awake during my hour-long subway ride to work during the morning, I will eventually end up closing my eyes. I feel better after a nap. I think the only time I actually feel bad about napping is if I end up napping during an inappropriate occasion or place. Like when I’m in church for example. Or if someone is giving a really long talk and I end up dozing off. That’s just rude.
I remember when we went to Mexico last year, Steve and I resisted napping during the afternoons because we didn’t want to waste our days sleeping. In our entire stay there, I think I only napped once or twice and only for about an hour or two during both times. I think it’s the only other time where I would have felt bad had I slept for long periods of time. I certainly didn’t want to waste my Mexican vacation in a nice resort by sleeping! I’d rather be at the beach relaxing and drinking an iced tea or a Miami Vice (yum!) or even better – swimming!
I remember not getting much sleep through College especially when we had projects to work on. I really don’t know how I was able to function with zero or very few hours of sleep and no coffee. If I attempted that now, I’d be a walking zombie (even with coffee!). Now even with 5 hours of sleep, I feel exhausted.
I wonder how I will be like when I have a baby and I’m not getting any sleep. I worry that I will be very cranky and mean!
Sleep and I are very good friends indeed.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Beautiful
For some odd reason, I am sitting here at my desk at work and I am suddenly craving the lasagna they have at Greenwich. I don’t know why it even came to mind! I haven’t had one of those since I left the Philippines more than four years ago… they were really good!
My uncle sent me an email the other day about the possibility of having a family reunion in Bacolod sometime next year. I would REALLY LOVE to go but I don’t know how we’ll be able to afford six plane tickets to go home especially since we’ll be catching up with the expenses from the wedding and buying household items. I told the rest of the family about it and we were all bummed out because we think we might not be able to afford it.
I can’t believe it’s less than a month until the wedding. Time flies! In between tasks at work, I keep looking at the traveler photos of the resort we are going to. It always brightens me up but it also makes me so anxious. I really hope it is as great as it looks on the photos. It’s gotten so many excellent reviews but who knows right?
It looks so warm and inviting doesn't it? I can almost imagine all that sunlight on me...
My uncle sent me an email the other day about the possibility of having a family reunion in Bacolod sometime next year. I would REALLY LOVE to go but I don’t know how we’ll be able to afford six plane tickets to go home especially since we’ll be catching up with the expenses from the wedding and buying household items. I told the rest of the family about it and we were all bummed out because we think we might not be able to afford it.
I can’t believe it’s less than a month until the wedding. Time flies! In between tasks at work, I keep looking at the traveler photos of the resort we are going to. It always brightens me up but it also makes me so anxious. I really hope it is as great as it looks on the photos. It’s gotten so many excellent reviews but who knows right?
It looks so warm and inviting doesn't it? I can almost imagine all that sunlight on me...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Updates
It was time to make some more wedding-related payments so I took out all the money I had in my savings account today. It was the most amount of money I have ever saved in my entire life and having to spend it all hurt a bit. It’s hard to save and it’s equally hard to watch all that saved up money go to someone else. I’m hoping I’ll be able to save up again after all the wedding expenses and household expenses have been taken care of... but that might take a while though. I’m thinking of contributing to my RSPs at some point too. How do you get what you want without spending?
I have been going on TripAdvisor.com a lot lately to look at reviews and pictures of the resort we are going to. I am pleased with the reviews so far and I am hoping that it is as good as they say. I can’t wait to be under the sun, lying on the beach and just relaxing. I think all of us could use a vacation. There are still a few things we need to take care of but we’re crossing tasks off our list one by one.
I am looking at several places for hair and make-up for the civil ceremony and I’ve narrowed my list down to a few. I would have loved to go to the salon I usually go to for my haircut but their rates were a bit much for what I was willing to spend especially since it’s just a really simple civil ceremony that would probably only be half an hour long and then we’re having a small lunch reception after. I can understand spending that kind of money for the beach wedding or if I were having a full blown wedding here. But I just can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars for a civil ceremony. The problem is, most places downtown charge an arm and a leg and since the wedding is somewhat early, I’d have to consider distance and travelling time when it comes to selecting a place. I did find a few highly recommended places online and I am thinking of checking out one that is closer to city hall and another that is located west of Toronto. They both got great reviews but they’re prices were very affordable.
I forgot that when I went dress-shopping, my cousin and my brother took a few photos of the dresses I was trying on. I had them saved in a folder in my laptop which I just remembered again today. I took a look at them and I still love the dress I bought the most. It’s still with the seamstress for alterations but I love how it feels on me and I like its simplicity and elegance. I hope it still looks good even after the alterations have been made. I keep worrying that it will get ruined as soon as someone touches it. I would love to post photos here but I’m afraid it will ruin the surprise!
Spring is almost here and I can’t wait for warmer weather! I would love to once again be able to step out of the house without a thick jacket on and sit at a patio or go for walks. I am thinking of visiting the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) again and maybe even going to a cabin somewhere north (I’ve never been to one yet). OR maybe we can drive to the States!
I haven’t been using the Wii Fit for more than a month now (sadly). I’ve slacked off and I think my Wii trainer will reprimand me the next time I sign in. My goal to lose 5 lbs every week is out the window at this point. I read somewhere that you actually lose weight just by sleeping. So maybe I’ll do plenty of that!
Geez... I feel so busy!
I have been going on TripAdvisor.com a lot lately to look at reviews and pictures of the resort we are going to. I am pleased with the reviews so far and I am hoping that it is as good as they say. I can’t wait to be under the sun, lying on the beach and just relaxing. I think all of us could use a vacation. There are still a few things we need to take care of but we’re crossing tasks off our list one by one.
I am looking at several places for hair and make-up for the civil ceremony and I’ve narrowed my list down to a few. I would have loved to go to the salon I usually go to for my haircut but their rates were a bit much for what I was willing to spend especially since it’s just a really simple civil ceremony that would probably only be half an hour long and then we’re having a small lunch reception after. I can understand spending that kind of money for the beach wedding or if I were having a full blown wedding here. But I just can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars for a civil ceremony. The problem is, most places downtown charge an arm and a leg and since the wedding is somewhat early, I’d have to consider distance and travelling time when it comes to selecting a place. I did find a few highly recommended places online and I am thinking of checking out one that is closer to city hall and another that is located west of Toronto. They both got great reviews but they’re prices were very affordable.
I forgot that when I went dress-shopping, my cousin and my brother took a few photos of the dresses I was trying on. I had them saved in a folder in my laptop which I just remembered again today. I took a look at them and I still love the dress I bought the most. It’s still with the seamstress for alterations but I love how it feels on me and I like its simplicity and elegance. I hope it still looks good even after the alterations have been made. I keep worrying that it will get ruined as soon as someone touches it. I would love to post photos here but I’m afraid it will ruin the surprise!
Spring is almost here and I can’t wait for warmer weather! I would love to once again be able to step out of the house without a thick jacket on and sit at a patio or go for walks. I am thinking of visiting the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) again and maybe even going to a cabin somewhere north (I’ve never been to one yet). OR maybe we can drive to the States!
I haven’t been using the Wii Fit for more than a month now (sadly). I’ve slacked off and I think my Wii trainer will reprimand me the next time I sign in. My goal to lose 5 lbs every week is out the window at this point. I read somewhere that you actually lose weight just by sleeping. So maybe I’ll do plenty of that!
Geez... I feel so busy!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Johnny Rockets!
On Saturday, while the family and I were downtown, we decided to eat at this new place that opened along Dundas and Yonge called Johnny Rockets. According to Steve, they’re a chain and quite popular in the States but I’ve never been in any of them. I’m not too crazy about burgers but since my dad really wanted to try it, I gave in.
As soon as we entered the place, I was instantly amused. It was classic! I loved the Juke Box, the old Soda machine, old-style Coke glasses, stainless counters and old-style diner decor. The servers were super friendly and they even did a dance number when the Donna Summer’s Last Dance came on the Juke Box! It was soooo CUTE!
Anyhow, here are some of the photos I took of the place... my apologies if they’re a bit fuzzy since I only used my phone camera to take these...
As soon as we entered the place, I was instantly amused. It was classic! I loved the Juke Box, the old Soda machine, old-style Coke glasses, stainless counters and old-style diner decor. The servers were super friendly and they even did a dance number when the Donna Summer’s Last Dance came on the Juke Box! It was soooo CUTE!
Anyhow, here are some of the photos I took of the place... my apologies if they’re a bit fuzzy since I only used my phone camera to take these...
Productive weekend
I had a really productive weekend and I feel better knowing that we got so much done in a span of two days.
On Saturday, my parents, brothers and I went downtown to shop for suits, shirts and ties (for the civil ceremony), khakis and slacks (for the beach wedding) and swimming clothes (for our stay in Dominican). I thought we’d have a hard time looking for suits but it turned out really well. Not only were we able to find nice suits for the boys but they were really affordable too. I was so happy that we got them on sale and ended up saving a lot of money. The boys look so sharp in suits! I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of them using my phone camera. The only complaint I had about the whole thing was how long it took. It took us about 3-4 hours just to shop for suits and shirts. Miguel was so adamant about wearing a green shirt with his suit so I had to look for a nice shade of green and a matching tie. JR was easier to shop for because he didn’t really have a preference and liked pretty much anything I handed to him.
After the boys bought clothes, Steve came by and picked me up and then we headed over to Square One in Mississauga to look at the linen suits he saw last week. His best man (also best friend and cousin) met us there and we saw three different kinds of linen suits. Out of the three kinds, the Calvin Klein ones fit them the best and they were the color we wanted so we decided to get them. They were also able to find matching shirts and ties to go with it so that was good.
There are still a few more items we need to get like dresses for my mom (one for the civil ceremony and one for the beach wedding), a bathing suit for her, sandals, etc. We also still need to check with our bank to see if we can get travel insurance from them for a lesser amount of money compared to getting it from the travel agent.
We also still need to book the reception for the civil ceremony but I’m sure it won’t be a problem since it’s just a simple lunch and there aren’t going to be a lot of guests.
It’s a lot of work but it feels good to get things done. So I am feeling pretty tired from all that walking and shopping we did over the weekend but it was all worth it.
On Saturday, my parents, brothers and I went downtown to shop for suits, shirts and ties (for the civil ceremony), khakis and slacks (for the beach wedding) and swimming clothes (for our stay in Dominican). I thought we’d have a hard time looking for suits but it turned out really well. Not only were we able to find nice suits for the boys but they were really affordable too. I was so happy that we got them on sale and ended up saving a lot of money. The boys look so sharp in suits! I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of them using my phone camera. The only complaint I had about the whole thing was how long it took. It took us about 3-4 hours just to shop for suits and shirts. Miguel was so adamant about wearing a green shirt with his suit so I had to look for a nice shade of green and a matching tie. JR was easier to shop for because he didn’t really have a preference and liked pretty much anything I handed to him.
After the boys bought clothes, Steve came by and picked me up and then we headed over to Square One in Mississauga to look at the linen suits he saw last week. His best man (also best friend and cousin) met us there and we saw three different kinds of linen suits. Out of the three kinds, the Calvin Klein ones fit them the best and they were the color we wanted so we decided to get them. They were also able to find matching shirts and ties to go with it so that was good.
There are still a few more items we need to get like dresses for my mom (one for the civil ceremony and one for the beach wedding), a bathing suit for her, sandals, etc. We also still need to check with our bank to see if we can get travel insurance from them for a lesser amount of money compared to getting it from the travel agent.
We also still need to book the reception for the civil ceremony but I’m sure it won’t be a problem since it’s just a simple lunch and there aren’t going to be a lot of guests.
It’s a lot of work but it feels good to get things done. So I am feeling pretty tired from all that walking and shopping we did over the weekend but it was all worth it.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Do You Need to Be Lucky to Find Love?
Do You Need to Be Lucky to Find Love?
by Rich Santos
Looking around at the earth's processes, I'm reminded of how lucky we are to have beautiful things in the world.
Way beneath the earth's surface, when carbon has been placed under enough pressure, diamonds are formed. It takes millions of years for this process to occur. When a parasite drills into a mollusks' shell, that mollusk performs a set of defensive actions that result in the formation of a pearl.
Okay, maybe love happens easier than diamonds or pearls happen. Or does it? Like other beautiful things in nature, a lot of things have to happen for anything to culminate. One of the main governing forces over these kinds of processes is good old-fashioned luck.
Here are four elements of falling in love that require a little bit of luck to ensure success, in my opinion:
Timing
When two people meet and start hanging out, a key to taking the next step in a relationship is where people are in their lives. Are they both in a position to be able to be close to someone? Perhaps one of the two is working on their career too much, or maybe someone has just been through a painful relationship not too long before, and can't commit.
When it all works out, people come into one another's life at just the right time. And, luck has a lot to do with it because you really can't plan it — you can only hope that it happens just right.
Circumstance
Circumstance dictates the entire process of running into a person. Are you both living in the same town? What brought you there? Every meeting you have with every person in your life is determined by a combination of personal choices and events in your life. As Back to the Future taught us, even the most minute choice/action can change the future.
If you want to go even further back, your existence is based on events and choices of ancestors before you stretching far back in time. So, not only are we all lucky to be on earth, but we are lucky that our significant other is on earth as well, and even luckier that circumstance brought us together.
First Impression
They say first impression is everything. This holds true in business and pleasure. We base so much on that first meeting with a person. There's a lot of luck involved. People like me are lucky when we can control what we say and not screw anything up right off the bat. OK, maybe there is some control over that, but what about subtle things?
Perhaps when you approach someone in a bar, a particular song happens to be on, or the lighting and atmosphere are just right to give your meeting a little more impact. Making a memorable and emotional first impression is not easy; so a little luck always helps.
Chemistry
When my high school teacher told me that everything a human does is based on chemical reactions in the brain, I was floored. From then on I walked around wondering about the chemical reactions going on in my head that made me wave to a friend, or snap my fingers along with a song. Hell, how do the chemicals in my brain even make me like a song?
With so much complex brain chemistry telling us what we like, what we do, who we are, and if we are happy or sad, we are lucky that people even exist that we can blend with. I am convinced that my brain chemistry is so scrambled that there are no possible compatible female minds. But I'll keep looking, and perhaps I will be lucky enough to meet someone who is not only compatible, but makes all my brain chemistry happy.
Article swiped from MSN Lifestyle
I saw this article on MSN this morning and I thought I'd share it here because I think it's so true. I completely agree that timing, circumstance, first impression and chemistry all play a role in what relationship we'll develop with each other. It's funny because these are things we can't control and yet they have such a huge effect on what happens next. Do I think that falling in-love involves luck? Maybe...
by Rich Santos
Looking around at the earth's processes, I'm reminded of how lucky we are to have beautiful things in the world.
Way beneath the earth's surface, when carbon has been placed under enough pressure, diamonds are formed. It takes millions of years for this process to occur. When a parasite drills into a mollusks' shell, that mollusk performs a set of defensive actions that result in the formation of a pearl.
Okay, maybe love happens easier than diamonds or pearls happen. Or does it? Like other beautiful things in nature, a lot of things have to happen for anything to culminate. One of the main governing forces over these kinds of processes is good old-fashioned luck.
Here are four elements of falling in love that require a little bit of luck to ensure success, in my opinion:
Timing
When two people meet and start hanging out, a key to taking the next step in a relationship is where people are in their lives. Are they both in a position to be able to be close to someone? Perhaps one of the two is working on their career too much, or maybe someone has just been through a painful relationship not too long before, and can't commit.
When it all works out, people come into one another's life at just the right time. And, luck has a lot to do with it because you really can't plan it — you can only hope that it happens just right.
Circumstance
Circumstance dictates the entire process of running into a person. Are you both living in the same town? What brought you there? Every meeting you have with every person in your life is determined by a combination of personal choices and events in your life. As Back to the Future taught us, even the most minute choice/action can change the future.
If you want to go even further back, your existence is based on events and choices of ancestors before you stretching far back in time. So, not only are we all lucky to be on earth, but we are lucky that our significant other is on earth as well, and even luckier that circumstance brought us together.
First Impression
They say first impression is everything. This holds true in business and pleasure. We base so much on that first meeting with a person. There's a lot of luck involved. People like me are lucky when we can control what we say and not screw anything up right off the bat. OK, maybe there is some control over that, but what about subtle things?
Perhaps when you approach someone in a bar, a particular song happens to be on, or the lighting and atmosphere are just right to give your meeting a little more impact. Making a memorable and emotional first impression is not easy; so a little luck always helps.
Chemistry
When my high school teacher told me that everything a human does is based on chemical reactions in the brain, I was floored. From then on I walked around wondering about the chemical reactions going on in my head that made me wave to a friend, or snap my fingers along with a song. Hell, how do the chemicals in my brain even make me like a song?
With so much complex brain chemistry telling us what we like, what we do, who we are, and if we are happy or sad, we are lucky that people even exist that we can blend with. I am convinced that my brain chemistry is so scrambled that there are no possible compatible female minds. But I'll keep looking, and perhaps I will be lucky enough to meet someone who is not only compatible, but makes all my brain chemistry happy.
Article swiped from MSN Lifestyle
I saw this article on MSN this morning and I thought I'd share it here because I think it's so true. I completely agree that timing, circumstance, first impression and chemistry all play a role in what relationship we'll develop with each other. It's funny because these are things we can't control and yet they have such a huge effect on what happens next. Do I think that falling in-love involves luck? Maybe...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
God Bless You!
I seek in prayerful words, dear friend
My heart’s true wish to send you,
That you may know that far or near
My prayerful thoughts attend you.
I cannot find a truer word
Nor better to address you,
Nor song nor poem have I heard
Is sweeter than God bless you!
God bless you! So I’ve wished you all
Of brightness life possesses;
For can any joy at all
Be yours unless God blesses?
And so through all the days
May shadows touch thee never
But this alone, God bless you
Then art thou safe forever.
My grandma sent this to me and Steve along with a letter to my dad. Although it is a simple poem, it really touched me and almost made me cry. I miss her everyday and I regret not being able to visit her as often as I'd like. Even though we're in Canada and she's in the Philippines, she never fails to send her love and well wishes. I hope she knows how much she means to us.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Halo - Beyonce
I'm currently listening to Beyonce's Halo and although at first I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, I eventually did develop a liking for it.
-------------------------
Halo
Beyonce Knowles
Remember those walls I built
Well, baby they're tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make up a sound
I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I got my angel now
It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm takin'
I ain't never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't forget
To pull me back to the ground again
Feels like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
The risk that I'm takin'
I'm never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Halo, halo
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
-------------------------
Halo
Beyonce Knowles
Remember those walls I built
Well, baby they're tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make up a sound
I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I got my angel now
It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm takin'
I ain't never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't forget
To pull me back to the ground again
Feels like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
The risk that I'm takin'
I'm never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Halo, halo
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Parting ways
These past few days have been an emotional rollercoaster for both Steve and I. A close couple friend of ours has filed for legal separation and the circumstances which led up to it were... to say the least – very unfavourable. As a matter of fact, it was downright shocking and hurtful. When we first heard about it, we honestly didn’t know how to react or what to say. I reacted by first thinking that it must be a joke because we were all together last weekend and everything was fine. Then after realizing that it was really happening, my second reaction was to ask the “whys” and “hows” and “what happened?” and of course the “what do we do?” and “where do we go from here”.
Steve and I were both extremely upset over the news because these are our close friends. They’re the people we practically spend most of our weekends with, the people we thought whose kids would be our kids’ friends and the people we go on vacation with. We’ve had many dinners together, seen movies together, played board games together... and this was the last thing we expected. I wish the separation were amicable because it would make it easier for everyone to just get along. But it doesn’t seem that way right now. In fact, we don’t know if we can still be friends with one party simply because of the reasons behind the separation.
It’s only been days but it’s already turning ugly. Sides are being taken, clothes are being packed, lawyers are involved, and sooner or later someone’s going to have to deal with who gets custody of the dog and who gets what assets. Thinking about all these things, I can’t help but get upset... I feel angry, hurt, shocked and sad... mostly sad.
I’m sad because it couldn’t have happened at a worst time. But then again, there is no good time for something like this. I’m sad because nothing will ever be the same again and we’ll miss all the activities we enjoyed doing together. I’m sad because the plans we had together may not ever happen. I’m sad because I don’t know if their separation will eventually lead to divorce. And I’m sad because of the circumstances that led to the separation and I’m sad because I don’t want to see such a young, lovely couple have to go through something so terrible.
Knowing what I know about what had happened, I honestly can’t say if they should stick together and try to work it out or if it would be best for them to part ways. Right now, I am leaning towards the latter. I am pro working things out but only if both parties are willing to make it work. I don’t know if this is the case. There are some things that harder to accept, forgive and forget.
The last thing you would want to see is your good friends go through a really difficult time. As much as I’d like to mend things so that everything can go back to the way they were, the best that I can do is pray and hope for the best.
Steve and I were both extremely upset over the news because these are our close friends. They’re the people we practically spend most of our weekends with, the people we thought whose kids would be our kids’ friends and the people we go on vacation with. We’ve had many dinners together, seen movies together, played board games together... and this was the last thing we expected. I wish the separation were amicable because it would make it easier for everyone to just get along. But it doesn’t seem that way right now. In fact, we don’t know if we can still be friends with one party simply because of the reasons behind the separation.
It’s only been days but it’s already turning ugly. Sides are being taken, clothes are being packed, lawyers are involved, and sooner or later someone’s going to have to deal with who gets custody of the dog and who gets what assets. Thinking about all these things, I can’t help but get upset... I feel angry, hurt, shocked and sad... mostly sad.
I’m sad because it couldn’t have happened at a worst time. But then again, there is no good time for something like this. I’m sad because nothing will ever be the same again and we’ll miss all the activities we enjoyed doing together. I’m sad because the plans we had together may not ever happen. I’m sad because I don’t know if their separation will eventually lead to divorce. And I’m sad because of the circumstances that led to the separation and I’m sad because I don’t want to see such a young, lovely couple have to go through something so terrible.
Knowing what I know about what had happened, I honestly can’t say if they should stick together and try to work it out or if it would be best for them to part ways. Right now, I am leaning towards the latter. I am pro working things out but only if both parties are willing to make it work. I don’t know if this is the case. There are some things that harder to accept, forgive and forget.
The last thing you would want to see is your good friends go through a really difficult time. As much as I’d like to mend things so that everything can go back to the way they were, the best that I can do is pray and hope for the best.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Edward
Swiped this from Clever Girl's Blog and I can't help but SWOON!
I have to be honest and say that there are times when Robert Pattinson looks so hot and there are times when I think he needs a hair cut. At times I see shots of him which remind me of the "magnum" pose from Zoolander (sorry!).
Regardless, he IS cute!
Phenomen'Eyes Mascara
Phenomen'Eyes Mascara by Givenchy (photo courtesy of Sephora)
I saw this on the internet and I really want to try it. I'm not a big make-up person and the only make-up I wear on a daily basis are foundation, pressed powder, and chapstick/lipstick. I am not particularly good at putting on make-up and I actually think I look weird with eye make-up on. But anyhow, the primary reason I don't particularly wear mascara is because I have such tiny eyelashes that make it hard for me to put on mascara especially the really little ones close to edge. I wonder if this "sphere-shaped" Givenchy mascara will do the trick.
They don't carry Givenchy at Holt Renfrew and apparently Sephora is the only store that carries it. I wonder if Sephora here in Canada has it too...?
Sad news.
I just found out (courtesy of White’s post) that Francis Magalona succumbed to leukemia. He was just 44 years old. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
Related news here.
Related news here.
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