The Ongpin Experience

Although most of the Saturdays that my honey and I see each other is spent Manila (either in Quiapo or Sampaloc-where he lives or mall hopping) we have never visited Ongpin together before. The last time I visited was... I don't know, it was too long ago to remember. Anyways, Wednesday, Charlie said he wanted to buy a necklace chain in Ongpin and asked if we could go there on the weekend. Hesitantly, I said ok. Friday, the weather was gloomy and it looked like it was going to be rainy for the rest of the weekend so I was begging off the Ongpin trip but Charlie was too excited so I relented. Saturday morning proved to be even more rainy than the past couple of days so I was trying to call off the trip but hearing the excitement in my honey's voice (I've never heard him so set on doing a shopping trip this much!) kept me from disheartening him... So we agreed to meet up in front of Mercury Drugstore near Plaza Miranda. I got there first and had to wait about 5 minutes before he arrived, I of course, told him I waited 30 minutes for him (because it was the first time I had to wait and he always scolds me for not sticking to the time we agreed on) and then we proceeded to walk our way to Ongpin. But both of us hasn't been there in a long time (me particularly!) and we got lost! We asked a guard somewhere and he pointed us to the wrong direction! Anyhow, we asked a pedicab driver and he said we passed our turnoff already but he offered to bring us there (for a fee of course) and tired from walking we agreed. Guess what? We would have not been that lost had we sticked to our blurry memory and not asked the guard... When we got there I told my honey to choose quickly as I'm getting hungry already so he first bought me something to drink and proceeded to choose a necklace... then after booth-hopping and haggling with several salespeople he suddenly said... "honey tingin ka ng gusto mong ring" So shocked, I just looked at him and said "Di ba magpapagawa na tayo ng rings?" but he smiled and said "hindi yon, engagement ring." I was ecstatic! but he continued by adding "pero pili ka pa lang ha? kulang pa budget ko ngayon, sa birthday mo pa makukuha yan" so I proceeded to choose... I picked 3 different designs and left it to him to make the final choice (I'm crossing my fingers it's my favorite) kasi mejo mahal yung mga napili ko. But whatever his choice is... basta I'm very, very happy kasi unexpected naman! I can't wait for my August 20 to come!

Progress at Last!

1. My mom gave the design of the rings (she lost the first one) to her jeweler and asked for an updated price quote but I also e-mailed Matus last Monday regarding the possibility of them making our rings and they replied the other day... hmmm, note to self: must make an appointment with them soon and then decide later who we would hire to do the job.

2. Talked to ate Emma (my long standing dressmaker) about our trip to Divisoria on the 12th to look at possible textiles and accessories.

3. Made payment/deposit to Metrobank (Aug. 3) for the W@W tags.

4. Made a couple of inquiries on possible Reception Venues (will probably close a deal with one of them by September... YEY!!!

5. Saw possible Caterer at an office function (Aug. 2) and she was offering so many freebies... he! he! Syempre I have to talk to other caterers para I could make an educated choice (huh?) but I really like her na.

Haaay! Finally meron na ding nangyayari sa wedding preps namin, hopefully I could report more developments in the weeks to come.

Bow and Arrow

I was blog hopping and checking out the sites of the people who visited my site also and came upon a sort-of personality quiz... I got this cool result. You should try it also... 'la lang konting entertainment amidst a busy day! Besides, it sort-of rings true (ngek! syempre maganda yung result e!) pero no kidding, its just a few questions tapos you get the result quickly naman so ok lang.

RESULT:
"Your easy-going personality is best represented by the bow and arrow. You probably dont like the spotlight too much, and would much rather be backstage making sure everything is working right. You have a cool, level head and a broad perspective on life. This combination makes you an excellent advice-giver."

O di ba... COOL? He, he, he! sabi ko nga kay Meng, I wouldnt have probably been so please with the result had it been negative... Anyways, if you want to try the quiz for yourself just visit Meng's website through the link found in the "LINKS" named... guess what? Syempre MENG!

Our Weekend

It was quite a productive weekend for us... we managed to deliver quite a number of items for our "side business" and then we were able to accomplish several personal errands also. I hope business would be smooth sailing until next year para ma-reach naman namin yung quota namin for the wedding budget. Saka sana din makahanap pa kami ng mas maraming mura and yet beautiful add-ons for the wedding.
Last Saturday, after making the pick-up and deliveries, we went to the bank for an update on our Savings plus we got our new certificate for the time deposit. Oh! And Charlie nga pala got a new haircut... I'm still thinking if I'll get a hair treatment so I just watched and left for next weekend whatever I decide to do with my hair... it's getting dry na kasi. Afterwards, Charlie had to leave early kasi he has a prior engagement with his friends for a little drinking session. While I on the other hand watched a DVD na matagal ko na gusto mapanood kaso I always dont have the time to watch.
Sunday was super relaxing day for both of us kasi he slept until afternoon (may hangover siguro!) while I on the other hand woke up at around 11am then proceeded to watch the CSI marathon after brunch! We texted each other nga gabi na e...
Wow! I cant believe August na! Malapit na naman madagdagan ang age ko... (sigh!) Anyways, I'm planning to have a simple celebration this year (as opposed to no celebration at all for the past few years) kasi last birthday ko naman as Miss Espiritu e... Question na lang where I will celebrate, sa house ba o kakain kami (with the whole family) sa labas?

New Friends

I can't believe that a stressful (however kilig and dreamy you are) undertaking like wedding preparations would make me gain new friends. But that's what I got today, "new friends". Fellow brides-to-be who like me, has their ups and downs with regards to their wedding preps. Now, at least I can say that I am not unique to the stress part when it comes to the preparations. My wedding is going to be the first in my family. Well, not in our clan... although I am the eldest "apo" on both sides. A few of my cousins has gotten married before me (talk about late bloomer! he, he!). My sisters are very excited for me and are very helpful naman with my wedding preparations but my excitement got put on hold when we started computing na the expenses plus I didn't realize that preparing for a wedding would be such a huge undertaking pala! As in! Nagkakapimples na nga ako sa kaka-isip ng maganda at kakaiba yet inexpensive things for the wedding. To think na I still have more than 8 months to prepare... ANG BILIS NG PANAHON! Last I checked, may one year pa kami kaya less stress pa, but as the date nears, we realize na wala pa naman kami actually nagagawa para mabawasan ang "things to do" checklist namin for the event. Haay! Buti na lang I have new friends who can at least lessen the stress level if not actually help with the preps! So thanks, to Mec for adding me to your friends list and thanks also and Congrats to Toni... Ganda ng pics ng wedding niya, sana my wedding could be half as "successful" and beautiful as hers was...

Orange Butterflies II

I am wearing the orange butterflies blouse my honey gave me today... Just thought I'd post it because he's always commenting on how I don't use his gifts. So I wore it today because I know we'll see each other (I wear naman the blouse, natataon lang na hindi kami nagkikita pag sinusuot ko!) later when we go to church.

21st Monthsary

1 year and 9 months ago, my honey and I became a couple... each month, we try and celebrate this event with a special dinner or a date to a place we have not been before... this month, we went to the orchidarium in Rizal Park. We heard about events like wedding receptions being held here so we scoped out the place. It's really spacious and would fit the garden reception I would like to have but it would be too far from the Church so... Anyway, after our short excursion, we had an early dinner at Tokyo Tokyo then went grocery shopping before finally concluding the day. My, my... isn't time going fast... We would soon be cramming on the preparations for the wedding!

Savings

Whew! Saving up for the big day is really tough! I know that we still have 9-10 months to save up for our wedding but boy is hard! We have to scrimp and save every last centavo if we want to bring to reality our dream wedding. And with the really hard times we are facing economically, Charlie & I decided to invest a little "sideline" business.

Entourage Draft

We have finally come up with a rough draft for the Entourage:

Principal Sponsors
Mr. Roger Q. Yadao & Miss Virginia L. Peñafuerte
Judge Edilberto Sandoval & Mrs. Pelagia Sandoval
Mr. Eleuterio Mapili & Mrs. Brenda B. Rosario

Secondary Sponsors
Candle: Mr. Ronel Reyes & Mrs. Ma. Christy Reyes
Veil:
Cord:

Best Man
Roger G. Yadao

Maid of Honor
Mae Allenith P. Espiritu

Bridesmaids
Maria Adelina P. Espiritu
Hazelle Anna P. Espiritu
Lee Bernadette P. Eusebio

Great Magazine Finds

Charlie & I usually frequent Quiapo and we often pass by printing shops that showcase different wedding invitations but I have always thought that if I want to look for wedding souvenirs or gowns I would have to go to Divisoria or maybe a couple of shops we saw in Baclaran but after reading the July-December issue of Metro Weddings(which I bought today when I went to SM Sucat with Charlie and Mae, my youngest sister), our next step would be trekking through Evangelista St., and the likes featured in that issue if we want to canvass for the different wedding paraphernalia that we would be needing... then later on we can haggle! ü