A wedding to remember in Caluruega...

If I were to have my wedding outside Iloilo City, I would do it in either of these churches: Caluruega Church, Batangas; Mt Zion Chapel, Pangasinan; Mangatarem Church, Pangasinan. Caluruega because of its' serenity. Mt Zion because it is the closest to Noy's farm plus we used to go there during holy weeks. Mangatarem Church because it is the first church that Noy and I entered as a couple.
Last Saturday we attended Cai and Alca's wedding in Caluruega Church. It was a very intimate wedding. Almost everyone knows everybody. Cai is Mr A's son with his first wife. Mr A is Noy's brother-in-law.Cai and Alca had their reception at Taal Vista. I was surprised because it was the first time that I attended a wedding that gave out free coupon to starbucks! It turned out that they met each other at work and became closer because they would have breakfast together at starbucks...Made me think about the first time that Noy and I met. We both met at work in April 2000. It was a Saturday. Everybody was in their casual attire. I remember Noy was wearing a white shirt over maong jeans. The girls requested Noy to buy them food from McDonalds and he did. Since they referred to him as Nonoy... I honestly thought he was our utility "manong"!It did not take one day for Noy to notice the newbie me (we have a very small office). In the afternoon of that day, Noy offered me his table after noticing that I still don't have a decent place to stay (we're transferring to CB). Of course, the rest is history... (Ask Noy, for sure he will not remember this.)Alca narrated how Cai proposed to her. He did it in Pink Sister's convent, Tagaytay. He literally made a scene out of it. Alca was a little embarrassed BUT what is embarrassing about a marriage proposal done in public?! I am sure everybody who witnessed it wanted to die in envy.

I have always dreamed of a grand wedding proposal. I wanted a very nice engagement ring, a big dramatic speech from my "knight of the shining armor", lots of flowers, jazz music being played while he is making the proposal and good food... I wanted my knight to come prepared and really make me cry out of extreme happiness. But, Noy's proposal was far from one. We were talking one night in his tree house and he said "let's get married". It was not even a question. It was a statement which I answered with a statement and a question. I told him that in terms of love, I have no doubt what so ever that he is the ONE for me. I wanted to marry him but he has to be sure that he is financially stable and that he can afford to give me a decent life. So I asked him to rethink his statement and update me before April. We were able to finalize everything by July.
No engagement ring. No grand tralala from Noy. No music, only the sound of the crickets and the toads in Noy's farm. No flowers, only katuray for dinner. BUT, I think I like my wedding proposal (if you can call it a proposal) better. Simple and VERY nonoy...

I love you Noy!!!!

Happy Birthday Lili!!!

Elle Marie just came from Lili's 2nd year birthday party this afternoon! Lili is one of Elle's closest friends. They are classmates in Toddlers Unlimited and playmates outside school. Lili is the reason why Elle is enrolled in Toddlers. I met her mom and dad in Gymboree (they used to go there also) and got to talk to them about toddler schools. They shared about Todddlers. So, I went and had a trial class for Elle... Ultimately, I enrolled Elle in Toddlers:-)

The party was a blast! Almost all of Lili's friends came and they all had a great time. Elle enjoyed the body paint! She even had two paintings on her left and right hands! One was Belle and the other is Ariel. BUT, I think she especially loved playing with Lili, Nicholas, Max, Finn, and Sean. She also enjoyed meeting Lili's friends.
I enjoyed the "Tako" (i hope i got it right) Thailand's version of Philippine's "mAja blanca" and the cat fish with ripe mango...

Happy Birthday Lili!

Bangs or no bangs?

Inspired by Baby Guess Billboard, suggested by Sharon, encouraged by Irene, approved by Noy, executed by Kid's Salon-Rustans, Makati.

It is final... Elle Marie is now sporting a full bangs!

It took me months to convince myself that Elle should change her hair style from one length bob cut to full-bangs bob cut. I even had to consult a couple of my friends and argue with Noy for his indifference! Finally, Elle Marie is now sporting a full bangs!
It happened soooo fast, we went to Sharon's place to swim. I shared with Sharon that I fear Elle's hair is slowly vanishing. I am not sure whether it is because of the shampoo that Elle is using or because of the rubber bands and clips that i am putting on her hair (i had to or else she will look like sadaku)... Sharon suggested that I give her bangs so I don't need to clip her hair. I was really thinking of giving her a hair cut after the swim but the "bangs" thing sounded better!I texted Irene, called my mom and argued with Noy. I told myself that by 4:30, I should be able to make a decision-bangs or no bangs... 4:30 came, I told Amelyn to put on Elle's shoes because I am bringing her to Kid's Salon for a haircut. Before we went to Kid's Salon, I remembered to pass by Guess Kids in Rustans and borrowed their paper bag with the korean model. I gave it to the haircutter in Kid's Salon and asked him if it would complement the shape of my daughter's face. He said yes and the rest is history...
The moment I saw the Baby Guess billboard of the korean baby girl with bangs, I told myself that my daughter would look better in that haircut. However, I hesitated fearing that in the end I might regret giving Elle bangs just like how I feel with mine. Bangs are hard to manage because you have to maintain a certain length or else it will go straight to your eyes. If only God would allow me, I would go back to the person who gave me my bangs and slap him on the face for sweet talking me to having it. I know it was my decision to have bangs but I can't help but believe haircutters because they should be experts in their field. And in my mind, I am paying them big because I know they can make me look better...
Now, I know better but to trust my own instinct. Who better know what's good for me but myself?! right?! As for my daughter's case... mama knows best:-) Thank you to my friends! Thank you for the fun argument Noy! You're right, I should do it (the bangs) for a change... Elle is very young and the rest of her life will not be ruined because of one bad haircut!

Toddlers Unlimited Anecdotal Reports

Can't believe how fast time flies. School will end in March 26 and Elle Marie has few days left with her classmates and teachers. I kept on saying that i will document Elle's progress in Toddlers Unlimited but did not have time to actually do it. Would not want the school to end without documenting and reviewing Elle's progress. Hence, I dedicate this entry just for Toddlers Unlimited Anecdotal Reports on Elle...

September 16, 2008

Elle is independent in the classroom. As soon as she enters, she chooses what she wants to play with. She usually goes to the manipulatives area first. She likes to play with the pegboard and animal puzzles

*Yes, Elle Marie is so independent that the moment she enters the room she totally forgets about me. It is like she wants her space from me and the yellow room is her own personal space away from me. I like the idea that Elle has developed to be an independent girl. She needs it in order to survive life's challenges. Noy and I will not be here for her forever. I am so proud of my daughter.


November 18, 2008

Elle Marie is starting to do puzzles on her own. She chooses a puzzle from the manipulatives shelf and brings it to the table. She then removes each piece. She still needs encouraging in returning the pieces to its right place.

*I recently bought Elle a number puzzle and she loves playing with it. She would remove each piece and she make her own puzzle at the back of the board!! Funny but as they say, let them be. Kids at times have their own way of playing that adults can never understand. For now, what is important for me is that Elle knows how to count.


November 25, 2008

Elle Marie seemed to enjoy the activities we presented her on the colors - red and orange! She tried everything from tasting apple sauce, pasting different shades of orange paper, washing apples during apple play and mixing red and yellow food coloring to make orange.

*Just this morning while taking a bath, I asked Elle about the colors of her balls. She said yellow, orange, red, blue! to the green ball and green to the blue ball! Haha but it's a good start to learn the colors.


December 5, 2008

Elle Marie still needs some encouragement from teacher to say what she wants. Although she is starting to say some words already, teacher still has to remind her to use her words instead of hand gestures.

*I am just so proud of my daughter. After this anecdotal report, I saw to it that I stimulate her to talk at home and now she is improving.

Weddings make me cry...

Weddings make me cry. Last Saturday, we went to Donna and Dexter's wedding in The Greeneries, Bulacan and I cried while they were exchanging vows. Funny, but it seems I always end up crying every time I go to weddings. Don't get me wrong but although, my marriage is nothing near perfect... I am perfectly happy where I am right now - in Noy's good hands;-)

Maybe going to weddings make me reminisce my own wedding day. It has been three years now but everything is still vivid in my mind. I remember I was walking down the aisle... I tried to take a glimpse of Noy but I couldn't see him because of the flowers in front of him. And just like what every bride shared, i felt a number of weird feelings while walking down the aisle. It was like all my single life memory was coming back to me and at the same time, i was being overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I was happy because almost all of my close friends were there and they all flew from Manila to Iloilo just for my wedding. I was nervous because it was the bravest decision I ever made so far in my life and i don't know what to expect. I almost cried but, the moment i saw noy, all the weird feelings flew away.My first three thoughts when I saw Noy were: First, "o my what a very handsome husband. the barong we bought complements him perfectly". Yes, it was me who chose Noy's barong. It was not your ordinary pina barong. It has chinese collar and simple embroidery. It complements Noy's body and complexion. And during our wedding day, Noy carries with him this aura of a very happy and fulfilled man. Makes him stand out among the crowd.
Second, "i am so lucky that i can finally, officially have Noy all for myself. i have so long waited for this moment and this is it!" Yes, I have long been waiting for Noy. (period) The moment I noticed Noy, I had difficulty resisting him. It's like I am always being hypnotized by his smile. Yes that smile! The smile that made me do things I normally would not do... like get married?

Third, (this made my tears retreat back to my eyes) "why is he crying? i have to comfort him..." Yes, noy was crying so right there and then, I went to him and hugged him!!! (told you, i could not resist him) My father whispered to me "Di ka pa nga namin binibigay anjan ka na". I thought this melodramatic scene can only happen in movies but it did in my wedding.

Weddings make me cry. It makes me want to marry Noy again BUT he does not want to! because of financial reasons and he doesn't want to go through the stress of organizing a wedding again! hehe..

Hot Air Balloon... finally, it flew!

Last year, we woke up as early as 2:30a.m. and waited until 8:30a.m. just to see this much await February event in Clark but it failed us. The weather was too windy for the hot air balloons to fly...

The idea of going to Clark again and watch the hot air balloon show came after Noy announced that his friend is giving away free tickets to the show. Of course, the first person I texted was Irene and she immediately said yes! Soon after, Irene told me that they were able to get a villa in Fontana for us!
Seems like everything is coming to its places... our grand plan: go to Fontana Saturday afternoon; swim at water fun; spend the night in Fontana; go and watch the show early Sunday morning! the good thing about this? we don't have to wake up very early in the morning just to get there... 5;00a.m. would be sufficient
The weather was just perfect. Everybody was excited. The show started 5;30a.m. and it took few minutes before one hot air balloon finally flew!

Thank God they flew this year!!! Elle and Sean were VERY happy...