happy new year!

2008 went by in a blur. We were just in a holiday inn suite exactly a year ago with all my feng shui bracelets in tow. I’ve always been more excited with New Year’s Eve. The anticipation is always the best part. But tonight, I’m more introspective than all my other new years’. Somehow, I feel like a giant who just woke up from a looong hibernation. I’ve always said 2008 was my year. Indeed it was. I got engaged, I got mind-blowing life realizations and more but I’m more excited than ever. Last year was a year of preparation…2009 is the culmination. I’m graduating, in more ways than one. ;) HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!

jamming jamming

I’ve been with Paolo for the last five years and still we discover things from each other. Yesterday I went with him to hang-out with his college friends from dLSU. I’m surprised that Pao knows how to play the drums and guitar really well. Although, less is to be said (arguably) about his vocals. ha-ha. He was the lead vocals yesterday and I was a very willing groupie. ;) I couldn’t help but develop a girly crush on my fiancé all over again. =)

We had breakfast one morning after jogging in our lanai, for the first time. Wished we've done it sooner. IT was a pleasant quiet time with my parents...I'm sure going to miss.

I love, love my Belle de Jour Planner! Paolo surprised me one when I got home last November since he knows all too well that I have collected all the BDJ planners since its conception last 2006 for a 2007 planner. Good thing he pre-ordered my copy for this year and saved me from scouring through powerbooks (One of the many, many reason why i love the man). We had a hard time finding a copy last year since they are printed in limited quantities because of the discount coupons which by the way is one of my absolute faves. The coupons in all actually offsets the price. Its the only journal and planner for me. I don't even bother OD'ing myself with Starbucks anymore for their planner since I'm more of a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf girl. So it's a major bonus for me that the BDJ planner has discount coupons in CBTL! I LOVE IT!

http://belledejourpowerplanner.com/

Pao & I had a very pleasant dinner at Terry's selections in Podium with my bro-in-law, Kuya EJ and his family. Our principal sponsors' line-up is almost complete. =) pee-heew!

I was in a great search for a good frozen yogurt since I'm seriously craving for my good old Yogen fruz in downers. My quest brought me to Podium for a Yogurbud's...It was a good enough alternative, but no ho! its NO yogen fruz. *hay*.

I didn't know how much I missed these dates. Its nice to finally have someone to hold hands with. =)

We went to Calumpit for My Grandpa, Tatay's 76th birthday. Though his Alzheimer's is progressing and he kept on insisting, it's his 72nd birthday, it was so funny an endearing that he still knows a good Lacoste shirt (Pao's gift) inspite of it all. Pao was his favorite for that day. Figures. ;)

Love it, I presume...

One of my pet peeves is reading romantic historical novels with modern dialogues. I can't stand for the life of me reading "You are such a jerk!" line (Johanna Lindsey) set in Regency England. That's one reason why I never really like this genre generally, except for Amanda Quick.

Since I had to take a 17 our flight back to Manila, I decided to bring books that will be a no-brainer and won't require as much mental (and occasionally, emotional) exertion. As much as I would like to look intellectual and bring "smart" books, I opted for my sisters' so-called brain junkfood since I was sad enough as it was. I chose the least evil (Translate: least cheesy) Julia Quinn. I finished reading Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. Lo an Behold, I was pleasantly surprised! I'm beginning to be quite a fan. Ms. Quinn's books are delightful and well-researched in terms of the setting and time. I love the witty dialogues (Although I think Amanda Quick's is still sharper, lucid an more fluid). I'm on to my next one and I hope it'll be as charming. As my Ate honey tells me, the best way to enjoy this kind of books is just to suspend disbelief and just go with the fairytale ride.

wedding updates

Paolo and I met up with our entourage florist the other day. Ms. Jo of Love in Bloom is such a darling. I’m excited with her designs and more so with my bridal bouquet! I realized I wanted something romantic and classic and I’m sure that’s what I’m going to get. I’ve been really OC with my suppliers that’s why when I found out about Love in Bloom and saw their past works; we just had to get them. Paolo was really funny and adorable being clueless and lost in the meeting and all. After all we were talking about peonies, ranunculus, lily of the valley, Ecuadorian roses, and nosegays, (definitely NO gerberas leaves and mums please!) Etc.etc. Something that I’m quite sure he just heard for the first time in his life.
I’m slowly getting back into the wedding groove. It’s been a week today since I got back and so far we have accomplished a lot. We were able to meet up with our photographer and we are presently coming up with our Pre-nup photo shoot concept. Pao and I are really hoping to have the shoot in our Beloved Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. It will be really meaningful and memorable for us and for our family (not to mention, fun) but it is proving to be logistically impossible and way expensive to have whole crew and camera equipments shipped all the way to the southern parts of Mindoro considering it isn’t part of our budget. Although It would mean a lot to his tatay especially since we wanted to have a tribute for him in this wedding as well as my papa who are both true-blue Roxas kids and “magkababata’s.” We are looking at other alternatives and I’m trying not to be a spoiled brat and feel all dire about it. We have also chosen the French wine we will be serving in the wedding. Although I wouldn’t know how to tell the tastes, this area is definitely Pao’s: French, since Paolo loves all things French (for some reason) and wine of course, since he proposed to me on a wine cellar, so it only makes sense. =)
I’m trying to finish everything so I can have the last month as my “fun month” before the wedding. My sisters are coming home as well as my nieces and my would-be nephew. I’m so excited. I feel like I’m in a perpetual state of excitement and I’ll be this way probably for the next few years. =)