Kitchen-spiration

So, my wedding theme will kind of be based on...

Taken from domino, December/January 2009 (one of my fave foreign magazines, which, incidentally, is folding. Sigh)

A kitchen, of all things! Inspiration comes from the weirdest places. I've come up with an inspiration board, but I'd rather not post it. Let's just say it's kind of urban chic, inspired by my beloved domino mag. (Oh, it will be missed!)

As of last count, five people at my office are engaged. Two of us--M and I--had lunch together and started talking about weddings. I kind of try to avoid the subject when I'm with a non-bride, because I feel that it's not exactly an exciting topic for them, and I don't wanna put 'em through the misery of having to listen to me. There are other things going on in the world!

It was great talking to M coz, well, she's a whole different level of wedding-averse! It was refreshing talking to someone who could care less about the wedding video, and who wrinkled her nose at the thought of a pre-nup photo shoot. (No offense to brides who fall into that other category... It's just...not my style.) We complained about ballooning guest lists and how this whole wedding thing has become so commercial and, sometimes, cheesy. We chuckled over how mothers, bless them, really can't help but get involved. We also kind of compared notes about wedding gowns. (I still have no idea who's doing mine. Although the two of us did spend one morning trying on wedding gowns that were stored in the prop room! Haha.)

So yeah, I'm saying no to starry-eyed pre-nup pics, that pricey on-site video, the ubiquitous photo booth. But M? She's doing me one better and flying to Tuscany to get hitched! Sigh.

Another year, another league

Kung hei fat choi! Dragon dance by new teammate Gali and two of his friends (photo from Kring)

The first PUA league of the year has officially started! We won our first game, 11-4 versus Marcelo Ultimate. We lost our second game versus K3 on universal point, 5-6. Sayang! But considering this team used to totally whoop our asses, a universal point is a marked improvement on our part! Woohoo!

Sweet talkin'

For the second year in a row, I was invited to give a career talk at my old high school. I was a bit nervous about it right before I started because I felt so unprepared--I rehashed last year's talk, and had just redone my presentation hours before. I was scheduled to speak for an hour and was concerned about the amount of time I was given--did I have enough content? But oh well, it was the last class of the day, and I figured the girls would thank me if they were dismissed early!

I started by giving an overview of my course--the pros and cons, the possible careers you could have after graduation. Then I focused on the career that I chose, and talked about misconceptions that people have about the job (that it's a glamorous job, for one. Seriously, a lot of days, it just so...isn't). During the first part of my talk, I mentioned electives, saying something like, "You could take up video production. That's how I met my fiance!" which elicited a reaction from the girls. Later on, as I was showing magazine covers, they all gasped at the teen magazine which bannered "PROM" on the cover. (Their prom is two weeks away. Oh, the excitement!)

At the end of my talk, I asked if they had any questions. And while a few asked about internships and all that, most of the questions were stuff like, "How did you meet your fiance?" "How did he propose?" I was unsure about indulging them since it was supposed to be a career talk, but their teacher kind of nodded her assent. Luckily, I had kilig stories to tell, perfect for starry-eyed, hopeless-romantic high school juniors. I got a collective "Awwww!" a couple of times as I told them about my--our--love story. (Thank you, H, for a Campus Romance-worthy story!)

Then they asked about prom. "Be good. And have fun!" I told them. The teacher asked me what "have fun" meant exactly. "Spend time with your girls," I said. "I know it's prom, and I know it's supposed to be a romantic, magical night. But don't let it be all about your date. Your high school friends are gonna be your friends 'til you're older, so it'd be nice to have this memory of prom with them. Spend time with your girls," I urged them. "Boys come and go," I started saying.

"...but friends are forever," they finished.

At the end of it, I sort of apologized to the teacher. "They were more interested in my love life than my career," I chuckled. The teacher told me that the girls said, "Miss, she was fun!" Now I don't know if she was just saying that, or if the girls really thought that. But whether it was a bit of career guidance or a little nugget about the importance of girl friends, I do hope that they took away even a little something from my talk.

A childhood fave

It started with us singing along to a song from Disney's Little Mermaid. It led to us looking for old-school Little Mermaid, circa 1975. Which in turn reminded me of...



I couldn't believe they had the entire Swan Lake on YouTube! I used to drive my family nuts by watching this over and over and over when I was in kindergarten (or first grade...I'm pretty sure it was before second grade because we still lived in Makati). I was so obsessed that I even drew a comic book version.

Watching it as a grownup, I could still feel the excitement I used to feel as I heard the first haunting strains of Tchaikovsky's classic. Images of Odette's big, melancholic eyes, and Odille's eerie pale skin and blue tresses all came flooding back. I remembered the heartbreak I felt for Odette as she was locked in Rothbart's castle, and Odille attempted to trick the prince into picking her as his bride.

There were a few differences in the viewing experience, however, not the least of which was that the prince looks so much younger! As a kid, I always thought he was so grown up--he was about to get married, after all. Another thing I noticed: The animation is very Voltron. (Man, I miss two-dimensional animated movies.) And lastly, there's something creepy about Prince Siegfried declaring that he had fallen in love with Odette even before he discovered she was more than just a swan. Animal love? Oh-kay, whatever floats your boat.

Despite all these, and despite the fact that the animation is a bit crude by today's standards, it still remains to be one of my all-time favorite animated films. The story is poignant (though the storytelling is simplistic), the characters memorable, the emotions raw and intense. It's the kind of fairy tale that really makes a little girl want to be a princess. And it's a precious connection to my childhood that has the ability to bring on a bittersweet wave of nostalgia. I used to watch this on Betamax! Kasi..."wala pa nung MYX, wala pa nung MTV, wala pa nung Internet, wala pa nung iPod at mp3..."

Recently, a friend asked me, "How do you know when the person that you're with is The One?"

All I could answer at that moment was, "You just know." And I mentioned something about remembering that exact moment when I knew. And, because we had just had a discussion about the metaphysical and the freedom of choice, I added, "Again, it's a choice."

Said friend most likely will not read this, but I think the question deserves a better answer.

I "just know" because seeing him is the best part of my day.

I know because being with him--even just having him napping on the sofa as I type away on my laptop--gives me immense comfort.

I know because he brings out the best in me, and sees the best in me. ("You look good," he told me earlier, while I sat there, confused--I was wearing sweatpants, my hair was in my pambahay banana clip, and my freshly scrubbed face was completely makeup-free.)

I know because the thought of "forever" doesn't scare me anymore.

I know because everything is better with him around.

I know because, even after eight years, I still can't wait to see him.

I know because it feels right. In fact, it's the right-est it could feel!

I know because...well, just because.

Copycat

So I copied this from my namesake (who in turn copied it from someone else. Haha)...

DRINKING BUDDIES OF THE YEAR?
The Warriors, definitely! Although medyo mature drinking na this year. And I mostly just watched. Haha.

LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD - LONGEST FRIEND

I got to see Bridel again after two years, and I finally met her boyfriend! She technically isn't the longest friend I've had, but she's the best friend I've had since Grade 2.

NEWCOMER AWARD - COOLEST NEW FRIEND

Lawee Boy. I used to see him around my old office, and never thought we'd actually become friends 'til we became teammates. It was hard saying bye to him, but awesome hanging out with him in NY! And he drove me to Long Island all the way from Connecticut! Haha.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR?

See 2008 highlights.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR?

Getting super stressed before I left the country for extended leave. For a whole week, I woke up every morning with an upset stomach and a puffed-up left eye. And my hair was falling out!

BEST HOLIDAY

Thanksgiving. Although we ended up eating at a Chinese resto. Hahaha.

VALENTINE’S DAY DATE

I arranged for a private chef to whip up an awesome meal for me and H.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Turning Point in Hoboken, db Bistro Moderne in Manhattan, and of course In-Yo, for giving me my last meal as an un-engaged woman!

BEST DECISION MADE IN 2008

Saying "yes" with all my heart.

PLANS FOR 2009

Get my goal body. Join Bora Open. Become better at my job. Dance my last dance onstage before officially retiring. Get married!!!:)

MOST STUPID IDEA WHEN DRUNK

Drinking was a stupid idea to begin with, given that I'm allergic to alcohol...

MOST MEMORABLE FIRSTS

Traveling abroad with H. Joining an international tourney. Walking the streets of New York by myself. Seeing snow!

BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR

I am now someone's fiancee!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

Chillax. Focus. Bring on the good juju!

GENERAL FEELING FOR 2009

Change is afoot, and it's all good!

Top 10 for 2008

10. Weddings galore!

Click to enlarge

The usual reason I had to miss disc practice? Weddings! "May kasal ka nanaman?" probably ranks as the second most-asked question of the year. (The first would be, "Kelan kayo?") I attended a total of nine weddings, as far as I could remember...there's one that I skipped. While I exhibited wedding fatigue by the fourth wedding, I was still really happy for my friends who got hitched and started new lives. Marriage is a beautiful thing, after all.

9. Hiring a private chef.

This soup was to die for!

For that cheesiest of all days, V Day, I hired a private chef to whip up a gourmet meal for me and H. After a few logistical glitches, we finally sat and partook of what was probably one of the best meals of my life. Read about it here.

8. Dancing again.

With Motts outside BDC after a challenging dance class

I danced at the annual CADs concert, found fellow lovers of dance at the office, and even attended a jazz funk class in NYC!

7. Everything ultimate.

Click away, if you so desire to see our faces up close. Haha

Leagues, pick-up games, hats, parties, and, of course, my beloved team. The year 2008 saw my disc addiction reach unparalleled heights. How bad was it? One Saturday, I went to the church ceremony of a friend's wedding, rushed to disc practice, then changed back to my wedding clothes and re-did my makeup and hair to go to the reception!

6. New friends.

First row: MC2 Warriors (Ian shown with a player from Team Japan); second row: Superstar Xtian, lead hound Czar, Lawee Boy; third row: Fafa Fel, Gali Ramsay, D (and old friend Atik!)

Mostly from disc. We welcomed new people to the team, most notably the MC2 hounds who used to be our bitter rivals. Haha.

5. Family time.

I just had to put this picture in! That's my 14-month-old niece. Isn't she darling?

I think 2008 was the year I realized just how much I love my family. You know how when you're younger, spending time with the fam could feel like a chore? I don't feel that now. I like it when I get to meet up with everyone. And it was great seeing my NY relatives again. Heartwarming. You could have all the friends in the world but, as Kuya Vic said, "Family's different."

4. Ilocos.

Food tripping. Going on an Amazing Race-esque trip to Pagudpud. Eating bagnet, over and over. Perhaps the highlight of the trip was seeing the Windmills of Bangui up close. Those things are jumongous! Awe-inspiring.

3. Bangkok.

Nagpapanggap na monk with monklets!

I just realized that I never finished blogging about this trip! Oh well. The food and the shopping were great. Seeing my relatives was great. But, by far, the best thing about the whole Bangkok experience was sharing it with the love of my life!

2. New York.

Turista shot in Times Square

Sigh. I still miss it, every single day.

1. Getting engaged!

Teary-eyed and incredibly happy!

About damn time!:)