Our Holiday Photos

our first Christmas as husband & wife.




a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
L-R: Adrian, Me, Kuya Dave, Mom and Dad.




Can't eat too much fat, kaya apple na lang




Madaling araw na, time to go to sleep!




Roasted Castañas.. Yummy!




Pasko lang may puto bungbong, kaya...kain na tayo!




Busog na ba ang lahat?

Miracle Called "Life"

Be Lated Merry Christmas to All!

I know.. I know.. you missed me :) I apologize for being so lazy. My first trimester was not such a bed of roses after all. Morning sickness, laziness, sleepiness, heartburn (and many more) are no laughing matter. I hope you'll all understand (even though you can really never understand until you've been here and done this).

Anyway, I'm in the latter part of my first trimester. 2 weeks ago, I had my ultrasound and I saw the most beautiful baby in the world. I saw my baby gave me a high five or was it a wave? Adrian saw the baby stretch his arms. I had tears in my eyes the first time I saw him or her. The gender cannot be identified yet. They said that it will be visible in my 7th month. I also heard my baby's heartbeat (160 beats/minute). Its such a great feeling... witnessing the very beginning of a miracle called "life".

ultrasound photo at 13 weeks.

Me during my 3rd month of pregnancy.

movie time

I'm glad that our movie date has not been diminished after our wedding. Some couples says that after marriage, movie dates are no longer done as frequent as it used to be. Good thing that my Adrian is a moviegoer as much as I am. Thus, we make it a point to watch all the good movies for this week. And if there aren't any, we'll wait for the next attraction and schedule it. This week we watched Flight Plan (Jodie Foster) at Glorietta. I heard reviews from friends that the movie is a so-so, but since there wasn't any other movie that seems interesting to watch we decided to go for this movie.

Midway in the story (this is when Jodie realized that her kid was nowhere to be found and that the Captain stopped the search), I can feel my heart beating vigorously. It was the first movie (as far as my brain can remember) that I felt so into the movie I'm watching (like I’m in Jodie's shoes). Was it a motherly instinct when she lost her child or been kidnapped? I'd be a hysterical mom, I think. Anyway, over-all it was a good movie, though they could have ended the movie with a bang :)Jodie's acting is very impressive (as usual).

I'm already looking forward for next weeks Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. And the week after is the movie Prime (Meryl Streep/ Uma Thurman).

Have a break watch a movie!

Retrospect and Fast forward

Haven’t blogged for a while due to my morning (till evening) sickness. I can’t wait for this to be over. I was just not in the mood of writing anything. But now since its been a slow day at the office... all our big boss are in Singapore and Malaysia, I can squeeze in some time for blogging before leaving the office.

In retrospec...

Well anyway, last weekend we were in Fairview to visit my parents and brother. Our original plans was to visit an OBGyne in the hospital near our place but opted not to and just wait until we get hold of the OBGyne that Adrian’s cousin referred (who we heard is very good and does public seminars on Osteoporosis). My mom cooked a lot of food... Thought we were in a fiesta due to the amount of food that she served when we arrived. She said she does not want to starve her grand child (hehehe!).. I terribly miss my mom’s cooking. How I wish I could be as good as her in the kitchen department. I ate like there’s no tomorrow… you will too if you were served sumptuous foods like Ginataang Alimango, inihaw na isda, inihaw na liempo, Sinigang na Hipon. Sigh, it was like heaven afterwards. My baby and I are so happy with the meal we slept the whole afternoon.

Fast forward to ...

Today ... I was able to contact the OBGyne’s clinic and I was informed that her clinic hours during Saturdays is from 10am-12nn only. So this weekend will be my first visit to my soon to be OBGyne. I’m excite and anxious, I hope everything is fine and that I don’t have any problems in my pregnancy. I have been reading articles from babycenter.com and they said that the first visit to the doctor will be the longest due to the tests that they make, pelvic exam, blood test, pap smear, Will keep you posted on my test results.

BTW, what do you think about the name, Ashley Sabrina? Just a thought :D

due date

So it has been settled: if its a girl, it will be Ashley. If boy, it will be Andre. But I'm still thinking if I should give him or her a second name. I have 2 names while Adrian is simply "Adrian". Anyway, I'll deal with it when the time comes. So when will baby Ashley or baby Andre arrive? As per the due date calculator from the site that I discoverd, the baby center, which is very informative to new mummies like me, my baby will be born on June 20,2006.

Changes and Baby Names

Everything seems normal and busy (at work that is). But physically, everything is changing little by little. I can feel (and see) my belly is getting bigger (slowly), from a booby size of 34B, I’m now a 38B. Now I can say that pregnancy is the best way to escape a breast enlargement surgery (hehehe!) Nowadays, I’m so lazy and so sleepy during mornings, which Adrian hates because he is always late for work almost everyday for the past 2 weeks. But the good thing is that I have yet to experience morning sickness (oh no! not that I’m wishing for it). I’m also not craving for any particular food yet. So thank God! Though I have yet to visit an OBGYN. But we’ll have to schedule it after this long weekend since we are going to Batangas this coming All Soul’s and All Saint’s Day. For now, I’m watching what I eat ... more folic acid as advised by some bloggers and friends to help prevent birth defects called NTDs (neural tube defects).

Anyway, I already told my mom that we’re having a baby when she visited us last Sunday at our home. She was so thrilled and hugged me tightly and of course here comes the tons of advises and the do’s and don’ts. I can see in her eyes that she’s very excited for her first grandchild.

On the side of my in-laws... Mama Ems already got a name for our baby. If it’s a girl, she wants the name to be Ashley. No name yet if it’s a boy. Since my mother in law had 3 boys, she wanted all her first-born grandchildren to be girls. Adrian’s elder brother and younger brother both had girls as their first-born ... lets see if mine will follow the trend. But personally, I want my baby girl named Arwen and my baby boy Andre. Adrian wants Andre too and Andrea if it’s a girl.

Well, whatever the gender is... I just want a healthy and happy baby.

Positive!

After being delayed for 8 days, I decided to buy a pregnancy test. As you can see in the picture, double purple lines means positive. I’m happy to announce that we’re havin’ a baby! Yes, it’s confirmed! In 9 months time we are going to have our little bundle of joy.

A lot of thoughts came rushing to my head as reality of being a mother soon sinks in. It’s like I’m getting married again... anxiety and excitement came rushing in again. A lot of friends and officemates were congratulating me... and already calling me "mommy". Those who already have kids in the office (Winnie and Charles specifically) were very supportive and giving me tips and the do’s and don’ts.

I haven’t told my mom yet. I want to say it to her in person so I can see her reaction. This is going to be the first grandchild in my family and I so excited to share to them this good news.

I just pray that I’ll get through this (the nine months and the labor and all)... no out of this world requests, no outrageous stuff during my "paglilihi". I need all the prayers I can get.

discovery of a great meal

Hoisin Pork and Veggies

We tried another meal from our new Good Housekeeping recipe booklet. And we have discovered an easy to cook meal which is by the way very delicious. This time it tasted great! Coz we didn't experiment on it :) hehehe! So we decided to try more meals from this recipe booklet. I can't wait to cook that herbed chicken fingers soon. Oh before I forget, Adrian was the one who cooked this meal, I just help in the prep ... I knew it! He is a better cook than me. I think I may be able to persuade him to cook the herbed chichen for me [*evil grin*]

Anyway, here's how we or I should say he did it. And follow the instructions, ok? :) hehe!

PREP Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes. Yield 4-6 Servings.

Marinate 1/2 kilo sliced pork in 1/2 cup oyster sauce. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a skillet and brown the pork. Add water and cook until tender. Add 1/2 cup sliced baby corn, 1 small can sliced button mushrooms, 1 cubed carrot, 1/2 cup sitsaro and 1/2 cup hoisin sause. Add more water, if needed. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons sesame oil.

Enjoy your meal.. I know I did.

*The sesame oil adds more flavor and gives a very delicious smell to this meal so don't use any substitute.

my cookin' experience

Honestly, I am no cook. I'm so jealous of those who can naturally cook without the help of a cook book. Though cooking is not a my favorite pastime (eating actually is a hard habit to break)I wanted to really learn how to do different kinds of meals. But since I have yet to acquire a cooking skill, I would need some help from Mr. Cook Book.

While I was with Baet at Robinson's department store last Wednesday, I saw this compilation of easy everyday meals from Good Housekeeping. And I told her that I want to have that so I can cook for Adrian this coming weekend. And we I arrived at the office the next day. I saw the cook book in my table with a post-it which reads "as promised, Baet". I was so thrilled and thankful for the gift. So I decided that this weekend, I'll cook something from this book. As I browsed through it, I saw a lot of meals that I want to try my hands on... Gambas, herbed chicken fingers, hoisin pork and vegetables, chicken aloha, beef with oyster... ang dami talaga. But of course, I have to make these one at a time.

I was so excited to head to the grocery to buy the ingredients that I need and also our food supply for the rest of the week. I met with Adrian at SM Supermarket in Makati after work. I've always imagined myself, at the grocery with a shopping list, a push cart and a husband beside me, choosing the things that we'll buy together, discussing if we really need to buy it of not... its kinda fun actually. Convincing him to buy something that I want or craving for that is not necessarily important. And what a triumphant feeling it is if he finally gives in to me. Yup, my husband look so cute if he thinks he has no choice but to say yes to my plea (of course I used my tender loving convincing power).

Anyway, so it’s Saturday. Woke up late up late again (10am). After breakfast we headed to the wet market to buy some seafood and meat and veggies too. I was planning to do Gambas, but no shrimp was for sale at the market so what we bought was blue marlin, my ever favorite tilapia, pork and some veggies. So what happened to my gambas? It became a Blue Marlin with oyster sauce. I marinated the fish in salt, pepper, some Italian seasoning and lemon. Which in the end, I regret that I agreed with Adrian on adding the lemon in the marinade because it overpowers the taste of the oyster sauce. But it was edible enough to be eaten by both of us. We even ate everything... or maybe we are just too hungry to notice the taste. haha!

morning sickness

I woke up today, feeling not in the mood of getting out of bed. I'm even too sleepy to bring myself to open my eyes. Does that made any sense? I'm awake (mentally) but my body is not cooperating. I decided to call in sick. After a call from a phone banker of HSBC, friends sending text messages to me which I reply with one eye open and semi-consciously. I can no longer bring myself to sleep. I grab Nicolas Sparks’ novel (True Believer) and finished the last two chapters before getting up.

So why am I home? Alone. Feeling so lazy and sleepy. Erwin say’s its morning sickness; Emmy says I might be pregnant. And same comment came from Baet. She was so sure that I am. She even sent me the name of her sister’s OBGYN and her consultation fees. But the question is ... am I? We’ll I’m already 2 days delayed. I’ve never been delayed. I’m as regular as the morning paper... well maybe 99% regular. Sometimes there are months that I’m a day or two delayed. But I was not sexually active then. Now since I’m married that’s another story...

I’m both excited and anxious. But I need to know for sure right? They say that I should buy a pregnancy test kit first to be sure. Winnie, who has been here and done that, said I should wait for 10 days before doing the test, just to be sure that I’m not just delay and no in between menstruation. I've decided to wait. Let’s see on the 21st if I’m preggy or not. For now, I’m watching what I eat... just in case. No more coffee and sodas for me now, no more alcohol (I’ll surely miss my doze of vodka ice), no more junk foods. I should be eating healthy greens and fruits. And what I really must do is to go back to the gym so I won’t add more extra pounds to what I'm gaining right now.. with or with out pregnancy.

The Corrs' HOME

My beloved Irish band, The Corrs has released their new album "HOME" last September 26. And yesterday, I asked my hubby to get me a copy. I miss hearing and watching them sing (live). I wish they’d have another tour and this time include my country in their itinerary.

The album composes of traditional Irish songs but were given new arrangements. Two of the tracks in the album were sung by Andrea in Gaelic language ("Buachaill On Eirne" & "Brid Og Ni Mhaille") and 3 instrumentals ("Old Hag", "Haste To The Wedding", "Return To Fingall"). Home is compiled through a songbook of the late Jean Corr (their mother). And as a trivia, this album was released exactly 10 years after their very first ablum "Forgiven not Forgotten" was released.

The album has a big difference from other albums that they already released … no pop-rock like songs here. I’d say a mixture of traditional and contemporary is the overall sound of the album. Slow but with nice beat and rythmn. A great background music while on a comfy drive on the country side. Also the instrumentals are great! Of corrs its a must have for all fans. But if you are not into Irish songs, you might want to pass on this one first.

My favorite songs on this album are Heart Like A Wheel, Buachaill On Eirne (Boy of Ireland) and Haste To The Wedding.

Lottery Winner

What will be the first thing you'll spend or buy if you won the lottery? Doesn't matter where...I guess most countries do have lotteries. Have you ever thought of that? I came about thinking this while I was in line to place my bet. I don't regularly bet on lotto but whenever the pot money goes as high as 30M, now its 70M (1.25M$), Adrian and I bet on it. Just to see how lucky we are..

I know I asked Adrian this question before and he said, he’d visit his parents in the States. Money on the bank is a very big factor if you want to get a travel visa to the US. And a lot of luck too if you are applying on your own efforts.

So how about me? We'll sorry to say that it will not be on a shopping spree... but I'll spend on traveling the world. Maybe not all at once (that will be expensive and I’ll be living in a rot when I get back), but will definitely save some percentage of my winning money to do this. I recall, a friend told me that learning through books can sometimes be boring but learning through traveling is the most exciting classroom a person could ever experience.

It's true, I've been to a few Asian neighboring countries and it really is a great way to learn about different cultures, and their people and experiencing it first hand is an incredible experience. An experience that will always be with me forever.

What about you?

the shower turban

Ever since we got married, Adrian and I always shower together in the morning. Not only because we want to but also its more convenient and saves us time since we are always on a rush to go to work. Yesterday morning, I couldn't stop laughing and had to take this picture while getting ready for work. With my medium length hair, I always cover my wet hair with a towel so that I won't get soaked while putting on body butter, facial sun block etc. Then, all of a sudden, Adrian asks me, how do you do that? covering your hair with a towel like a turban. I was laughing so hard because he cannot do it the way it should be done. So I took his towel and twisted the towel on his head.Hahahah! he look so cute!

The evening afterwards, we decided to have a movie marathon. We watched the Transporter 2 (with handsome Rob, as he was called in the movie Italian Job) and the 40 Year Old Virgin. Both are very good movies to watch. An action film with great unbelievable stunts and fantastic fight scenes. I personally love Frank's new Audi. And what better movie to end a stressful day at the office but with a comedy about a 40 year old virgin. No bigtime movie actors here but it sure was a great film to watch if you want to have a good laugh.

See the Obvious?

Have you noticed the obvious? Yup, I’ve once again changed my blog template. The old one seems boring already with the clean white background… so now, I decided to go polka dots :) green is not really my favorite color (I know it’s Claude’s) but green is so refreshing and relaxing in the eyes and there aren’t that many cutie design at blogger.com. And I’m also too lazy to check out some free blogskins on the net. So let’s just say I’ll settle for this one at the moment.

So why changed my blog title as well? Obviously again, as a true fan of the Corrs, I’ve again used one of their song title... Borrowed Heaven form the album of the same title. So why Borrowed Heaven? It’s because I am in Heaven. My new role as a wife to the love of my life, is heaven everyday. Every time I wake up and see him sleeping soundly beside me, that’s heaven for me. Every time we eat, cook, laugh and shower together (heheheh!) all of these and more makes me feel in heaven. But then why Borrowed? It’s because of Kimchi’s "makes you think" email that says:

"Everything in life is temporary so if things are good, enjoy it because it won't last forever. If things are bad, don't worry because it won't last forever either" –Mr. Ube.

It made me realize that ... yes, the heaven that I’m experiencing right now is just temporary and everything has its end. And so now I live each day as my last borrowed heaven.

my couch potato season now begins

It’s the season of new seasons. WHAT?! Yup, it’s the time of the year when new seasons of my favorite TV series are back after their summer hiatus on the tube. I’m so glad that www.tvtorrent.info is available on line because I’m updated on my favorite TV shows in the States. It usually takes 6 months or more after the new season started for the local TV stations to show the new season. And I can’t surely wait that long.

So for those fanatics of my favorite shows on earth, Charmed and Alias, here is a peek of what the premier episode was all about...

Charmed and Still Kicking

Their last season ender showed that the charmed ones orchestrated their own (fake) death so that the FBI would stop following them. Now the 8th season starts with a funeral for the sisters where they have altered their appearances. At first even they themselves are confused who’s who. So when Wyatt doesn’t recognized the new look of Piper, Phoebe decided to make a spell that will give them permanent new identities to the outside world but will still look the same to those within the family.

Together with new identities comes with new names, the sisters are now the cousins of the presumed dead charmed ones. Paige is Joe Benette, Piper is Jenny Bennett and Julie Bennette is Phoebe, while Leo is Louis.

New life means new love for Phoebe, this time she is paired with Dex Lawson (Jason Lewis of Sex and the City). She first noticed her at the funeral and also had a premonition that she will marry him. While, Piper, being the eldest, remains paranoid that the demons will find out the sisters are still alive. Paige on the other hand can't escape her Whitelighter instincts and answers a call of a new charge - a young witch named Billie that will soon be doing all the witch-vanquishing demon stuff for the charmed ones.

Exciting?! Yes! New people new roles are always welcome to spice up the lives of these three gorgeous witches. Though I have read that they’ll be reducing the airtime of Leo to cut costs so that they can get more guests. The cost cutting is also the reason why Dorian Gregory who plays Darryl is no longer on the show. I just hope that the storylines will be more exciting than ever so that this series will still be on air for another 5 or more years... I want to see if Wyatt stays good or turns evil.

Photos courtesy of WB.

ALIAS: Twisted.Death.Pregnancy

Ever since the report came out of Jennifer Garner’s pregnancy, I have been wondering what will happened to the series. How will she do her stunts, will she be in hiatus while pregnant? If she’ll be in hiatus who will replace her? But all these were answered on the premier episode of the new 5th season.

Season 4 finale left us hanging and glued on our seats. Syd and Vaughn are planning to elope. Vaughn confesses that he’s not what Syd think he is. Then, a car accident. Will Vaughn survive? After watching the season premier, I felt some kind of a deja vu when Vaughn survived the accident (just like what they did with Syd’s character in season 2 finale) but not for long. But this is television and JJ Abrams -- the mighty producer can resurrect a character from the dead if they want to. I really do hope they will. I love Vaughn’s character and now since a new twist was born, which was him being a double agent. Vaughn’s real name is Andre Michaux. Just makes you wonder if life truly repeats itself... (Jack and Irina remember?) And a little Sydney is now in the picture since Syd is having Vaughn’s child. This means that they’ll be showing more of her tummy-bearing child in future episodes. For the premier episode camera is always focused on her face and her back. Never on the side and if they show her side angel, its covered with either a bag or a shawl. I also missed Nadia on the premier since she was comatose at the season ender due to the exposure to Rambaldi’s device. I hope she’ll return for this season.. I love to see her and Weiss’ relationship blossom.

Speaking of Rambaldi...I’m glad that their hunt for these devices are now over.. but now they have a new mission... to recover The Prophet five documents.

Photos courtesy of ABC

Celebrating the First Monthsary

We are 1 month old! Yes, we are celebrating our first month as husband and wife. And so far so good… we haven’t fought or throw things at each other yet… (not that I’m wishing for it.. oh gosh please no!) . It has been a fulfilling and nourishing married life for the past month. And to celebrate we had dinner at Friday’s. And since we are both gaining weight (again!) we just ordered a French onion soup, a grilled chicken cesar salad and a cajun chicken fillet fingers.

We passed by powerbooks afterwards and I saw the book that Maya has been looking for, (P.S. I Love You by: Cecelia Ahern) so I bought it for her and after lurking for a while at tower records, I saw this DVD copy of The Notebook – one of my favorite movies that made me cry a bucket of tears. A good deal for just P299. So I asked Adrian if I could buy it, and told him that this can be his gift to me for our monthsary. So as soon as he said yes, I walk to the cashier and flashed my credit card ready for a swipe. I can’t wait to watch it.. now I have 2 DVD from Nicholas Sparks’ novel, A Walk to Remember and The Notebook... every girl loves a great love story.

Home Needs Improvement

You might be wondering why I have not been blogging about my so-called married life. It’s not that I don’t want you to know about it, but I'm just really busy with work and when I come home, we have to have dinner and do the dishes. By the time I’m done, no energy left to blog. Oh, an also the fact that my husbands plays Khan and Guild Wars in the computer so I can't use the other computer to blog. I think we really need to get DSL at home. Right 'Be?

Our apartment is still a mess. I just hope one day I’ll be able to put everything in place so I can already display the different candles and little jars that were given to us as wedding presents. I’m already itching to put my creativity in our apartment...it badly needs a touch of a woman, hahaha! I also can’t wait to bring Maya to Regalong Pambahay and pick out some native storage boxes (which can work both as a storage of magazines, all my hand bags and other small stuffs as well as center table if put together). I have been collecting Real Living magazines to keep me updated with styles and designs.

Anyway, life of a Mrs. is all that and more. Lately I have been too lazy to get up early in the morning to cook breakfast for us. I think it will be awhile before I can really get out of my sleeping addiction. Other than the breakfast cooking challenge, I’m quite at easy with everything else. We just need to sort out who’s-who going to do the washing–rinsing-hanging of the clothes and cleaning the bathroom. The rest, we do it together --- the grocery, marketing, cleaning the house, showering (opps.. that’s not suppose to be in the category of chores ...hehehe!).

We are fast approaching our first monthsary (wow! how time flies these days!) and I can’t wait for October 3. Am I going to cook him dinner this time? Are we gonna eat out and watch a movie? Or is he gonna have a surprise for me? Well I don’t know ... comeback here on the 4th so you’ll know.

all work and no fun?

I think its the other way around :0 All fun and no work at the recent job fair at the mega.

The JS peps with friends from Phil. Star and MTV VJ Cindy Korleto (3rd from left-standing)and MTV VJ Mark Abaya (far left-sitting).

Fun! Fun! Fun! at the JS Jobfair Booth. Strike a pose people!
(L-R)Claude, me, Joel, Chari, Bianca, Charles
(L-R semi-sitting)Kim, Gel and Raffy.

challenges, good byes and a new hairdo!

my new hairdo...for my new life as a wife.. thanks to Aureo of Propaganda

Another JS Alumnus,Paula Bianca Santiago. my Bongkers! I'll miss u girl! Alabshoo!
(at the Philstar Jobstreet Classifinder JobFair)

Crazy Claudness and I, on day 1 of our no-smoking challenge

first dinner at home

We were excited to have our first dinner at the apartment, after work, Adrian went to the talipapa (small wet market) to buy some pork chops and tilapia (my favorite fish). The meal was not lavish but it was enough that my husband cooked it for me to be as special as a candlelit dinner at a fancy resto. So sweet it is to be loved...I admit that I'm no cook (at all!) but that will be my goal for the next 2 months to be able to cook for him. Ha! Good luck.. I need those cook books fast :)

Of course we used our new Corelle Dinner Set (thanks to Dom and Kim for this wedding gift.. so nice!), Adrian cooked in our new Meyer cookware (thanks to Richard and Ellen for this very useful gift) and our new 72 piece Oneida flatware (given by Lolo Ben and Lola Inay), but of course we didn't use all 72..hehehehe! we just took 4 pieces of each spoon, fork, teaspoon, knife and serving spoon and fork. It made our dining more enjoyable even though we were surrounded by boxes and litters of my things and luggage.

I'm a Mrs. now

I’ve been wanting to blog my first week as a wife for the longest time and now the opportunity is here. I miss this place, this piece of me. When I was still single, I always make it a point to write about an interesting event in my life in a day.. But now that I am married.. there are so many things to write about but no time to do it. What the heck.. I have this lunch break to do this so here I am in my cubicle doing what I do best on the net...blogging : )

So what have I been up to lately? Since we are still in the honeymoon stage, we often have censored, censored and more censored. Hehehehe! Kidding aside, It hasn’t really changed that much, I still feel like we are still in our boyfriend-girlfriend stage but this time living in together. I like calling Adrian my HUSBAND. It’s like winning the Nobel Peace Price. I’m just so happy being married to him and waking up in the morning to see him beside me. I love giving him pecker kisses all over his face to wake him up. He’s so cute, kissing back eyes closed and still half asleep.

Of course I do the wifely things already like cooking breakfast and washing dishes and clothes. Though he’s the one cooking dinner because I usually arrived from work around 8:30-9:00pm and he’ll be starved to death by the time I finish cooking dinner if he waits for me to get home. But we have so much cleaning to do before I can say that I have settled in already. We have yet to clean his closet and arrange our clothes. Some of my clothes are still in my luggage because there’s no space yet for them. Other gifts (mostly kitchen appliances) are still in their boxes and are yet to be used. We still have to clean the bathroom, the living room and the bedroom before I can start decorating the apartment, which I am looking forward to so much.

Honeymooning in Singapore

I got a messsage from my friend who is requesting for an update here on my blog.. so thanks to wi-fi.. I'm pleased to share with you our pictures from our honeymoon and trip to Singapore... such a nice place to visit and live in too :) hehehe.. I can see me and adrian living here soon :D sino gusto sumama?

at the entrace of Jurong Bird Park

Click here for more photos. Enjoy!

Here comes the (crying) Bride

Finally my most awaited day has come...

Here Comes The (Crying)Bride


The Newlywed, Mr. & Mrs. Adrian Dimaunahan


Our Principal Sponsors


with Varian (Best Man), Ellie (Matron of Honor) and Nancy (Maid of Honor)


Our Secondary Sponsors: Jakikay, Janess, Maya, Fritz, Dominique and Kimchi


The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: Baet & Kim, Eric & Dave


our Friendsters at the Wedding

The stormy weather last Sept 3 was not given a chance to ruin our beautiful wedding.. Thank you very much to all those who made this day possible... our parents, our entourage, our relatives, our friends, and most especially my wedding coordinator, Ezra and her husband Butch who made our wedding day possible. Our heartfelt gratitude to both of you. I can't Thank You enough. Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you as well to all our guest who made it through the rain..(literally..hehhehe)A special thank you to Ellie who flown from San Jose, CA., Papa Jun for coming all the way from LA and Ninong Cris who flown in from Singapore. Your presence were deeply appreciated.

To those who were not able to make it..here are some photos from the wedding for you to enjoy (Thanks winnie and dave for these pics.) click here to view photos.

Compliments to our official Photographer, June Seculles of Practical Photography, +639175028310

click here for some edited photos courtesy of my brother..

ever after

This song keeps playing on my head so i played it in my media player for 2 hours (non-stop) while I wrote my updates on my wedding blog... this song is incredibly addicting :D...

Three years ago my journey began

Chasing down this cure, no plan in hand

Just your pulse, my racing guide in the dark

Just knowing with conviction from the start

The moment your eyes made an introduction

I felt my second violent breath of life

Flawless to the point of being godly

Yet I fell hard for your imperfections

And now we’re slightly weathered, we’re slightly worn

Our hands grip together eye to eye through the storm yet

I still believe in ever after with you, yeah

Coz life is a pleasure with you by my side

And there ain’t no current in this river we can’t ride

I still believe in ever after with you

Nothing compares to the good times

Feels like we’re floating when the rest have to climb

You made me believe in love and not the perfect kind

A real messy beautiful twisted sunshine

Emotions volcanic eruptions

We both still care so we’re still alive

Tunnel vision, determination

I want you I want to make it right

You are my twisted sunshine

You are my twisted sunshine

Happy Birthday Bianca.. this song is dedicated to you my PERFECT Paula Bonkers!

Thanks Claude :) Happy Thoughts!

nice deal from Schu

This week has been such a stressful week for me. Both in the office and in the wedding preps.. my solution.. what else but shopping! Last Thursday, me and Baet went to MegaMall to find our shoes for the wedding. We went inside almost all shoe store in there but to no avail... and our last stop was a store named Schu.

They have a buy one take one promo.. and i saw this irrisistable suede slip on in black with cute ribbon on top of it.. its black.. I love black shoes.. 80% of my shoes are in black. I don't know why, but black is classic to me.

I was hesitant to buy it at first since i know I should be buying a bridal shoes instead. But the shoppaholic in me prevailed. I need a new shoes for office use.. the last time I bought an office shoes was last February at Naturalizer in Bangkok. (yup that long.) And when I asked Baet if she like to buy anything.. she did like this brown leather slip on. And after asking for our size and fitted it.. it was perfect! Unfortunately, their last stock for my shoes is on display.. I never buy anything that is on display so i asked the sales lady to call the other branch if they still have my size.. but to no avail.. But I really want this shoes. I wont be able to sleep if i dont buy this.. and so I did even if its on display.. but it was all worth it. I'm happy and satisfied :) for a moment I forgot that I still need to buy my wedding shoes.. but its okie.. i still have 2 weeks before the panic botton is turned on.

my bebe's got a laptop

yup.. he got his most awaited laptop today. His friend, Varian (the best man) arrived from his vacation in the US with his laptop. Adrian asked me to drop by his house before going home so I can get my pasalubong from Varian and Erwin (chocolate with macadamia nuts and walkers shortbread cookies) but I know deep inside, what he really want me to see is his new Dell Latitude D610.

Its very beautiful.. and very handy compared to our laptop at the office..hehhehe.. I can't wait to blog using his laptop.. :) i can just imagine writing my blog and surfing the net in bed with my back on the headboard and a computer on my lap. :D what a very nice thought!

What a wonderful Saturday it was..

It’s my second shower party courtesy of my friends from work. But the party starts after dark so I made plans for the morning to finish our distribution of invitation.

We found at last our ninang

The rain and cold wind did not hinder us to accomplish our plans for the day. We have one more ninang (godparent) whom we haven't delivered the invitation yet. I call her Ma'm Bhabes because she was my supervisor from my previous work. We had a hard time contacting her because her mobile phone got disconnected which was the only way we knew how to contact her. Good thing that Ate Normie (one of her staff before) told us how to get to her store in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. It was a one-hour road trip from our house. Adrian and I are both new to the place and don't know where we are going ... We just rode the bus and a jeepney and took our chance in finding the right place ... I was actually praying that we’ll be on the right track. And luckily we were. We disembark when we reach Road 2 and asked a woman which of the store is owned by Bhabes and she pointed at the third store then I heard someone saying "hay, anong ginagawa ninyo ditto?" "kakasal na kayo?" (What are you doing here? Are you getting married?) ... with her identifiable laughter and voice ... I know we were on the right place. Thank God!

Bridal Shower

What: Shakey’s Bridal Shower
When: August 13,2005 at 7pm
Where: Rm 1202, Holiday Inn Galleria

Coming from Bulacan, Adrian and I went back to my place to get my overnight bag and then we headed to Holiday Inn. Its already 1:20 pm in my watch and I thought we’ll not make it on time for the 2pm check in. We took the MRT and cab to get there and guess what? We were just in time. After registration, I was given a card key to Room 1202. Adrian and I waited for Claude (who was the organizer of the successful shower) and Louie to arrive. Afterwards, Adrian and I went to Galleria Mall to have our lunch (that was around 3pm already). I was craving for a mango crepe so after our delicious meal at Sushiya, We headed to Fuzion smoothie café which was just in front of the Japanese restaurant.

After stuffing ourselves with food, we then went to burn our calories by shopping ... not for ourselves though. Since the bridal party is a pajama/lingerie party, I was assigned to pick the sexiest and foxiest girlfriend. So we went to Beauty Bar and I got some Canus Goat’s milk soap and body butter and a sponge as a prize. I also went to find some items as a giveaway to all of my guest… first I thought of giving them a bead bracelet but there are only 7 pieces of it left, thus I have to pass. I thought of giving a feathered ballpen but I thought it might not write anymore after a few hours of usage. What I end up with was a hand sanitizer from Zen.

I wasn’t allowed to be in the room until they have already fixed the place up. So I decided to have a manicure and pedicure while I wait for 7pm to come. While Febie was finishing the polish on my 3 remaining toes, my fone rang. It was Kim, asking me where I am. They are ready for me. I can go back to the room now. As I reached for the botton up of the elevator, my stomach was starting to feel butterflies all around. I reached the 12th floor with a throbbing chest. Knocked twice and I could hear Baet’s voice and laughter coming from the room. Claude open the door with a purple balloon on hand and they welcomed me with flashing of cameras… They are all already in their sleepwears, pajamas and lingerie. Since I was still in jeans and shirt, I headed to the bathroom and changed into my pj.

Party started with a buffet of bake mac, chicken lollipop, cheese sticks, chips and salsa (all courtesy of Patz). Then... the party started with a game... 5 teams was all give their own clay and they have to shape it into a penis. I get to choose who the winner is :) The second game was "How well do you know Adrian?" The consequence? For every wrong answer I have to take one shot of Tanduay straight up! Oh no! I’ll be drunk in no time. First question, wrong answer, after my first shot, I requested for just a gulp of Mindoro Sling so I can still enjoy my party and not vomit all night long. I know I was tipsy after 5 wrong questions because I started to laugh out of the blue and tears coming out of my eyes while laughing. I’m talking and laughing non-stop. No longer following instructions. Apparently, I only answered 5 right out of 20 questions. The game should have been entitled "How well you don’ t know Adrian?" But the questions are so damn hard!

Before another game began, they took out the cake that they bought for me... from Kink Cakes ... a brown bald man with a big tummy and a very large penis... And it looked so real in the pictures ...heheheh! It says "Make a Wish Bebe and Blow Me" hahaha! Who’s words are those Claude?

Everybody gathered around the penis cake.

The third game was pop the balloon and do the consequence ... got 3 actually ... How will I seduce Adrian through a belly dance, associate my sexual fantasy with a yoga pose ( I did a shoulder stand ... see photos) and my sexual advise... hahaha! Too censored to discuss here :-) Afterwards, it was time to open my gifts!!! I got a lot of panties (seductively sexy ones), a pair of Calvin Kline bra, a purse from china with a very revealing thong and bra, a matching tankini lingerie and panty, a kama sutra video and a silk robe which I’ll be wearing during the bridal pictorial. I also got a Precious Moments book for my Wedding.

The party just went on with more dancing, eating and singing. As one by one bid their goodbyes, those who stayed for a sleepover (Claude, Baet, Me, Abi, Maya and Emmy) just shared some girl talk and enjoyed the night in our pajamas. It was truly a fun party! I was surrounded by good friends and left behind happy memories. Thanks everyone! And special mention to Claude who organized it all. Muwah!

Shower for the Bride

I'm still searching for the right adjective to justifiably describe the bridal shower con bachelorette party last Saturday, which was organized by my barkada (exclusive group of friends) from college.

As I mentioned, I was waiting for their text where the party will be held. They told me that they’ll meet me at Weng's place and Mimaw and Jacq will pick us up and bring us to the party. Obviously, I'm (again) late because I fell as sleep while reading wei hui's book (it's the rainy weather's fault). I arrived at Weng’s place and it was dark and the gate was locked. Called her in her mobile and she said she'd come get me. When I finally saw her, she said: "Khor wanted us to drop by their house before we leave" and so we headed to Khor’s place. When we arrived at the apartment, everyone was there already. Even our friend January who I thought was still in the US. Khor, Jacq, Mimaw, Red, Edith and Rhona are all there. And they said that we are actually having the party there. After some chit chat, we had dinner and they gave me my gifts: ) I thought it was just that, and they have been blabbing about having a stripper. I was expecting it to be someone we know… a friend that has agreed to do a sexy dance for me.

First the blind folded me and they gave me a seat in the center of the living room facing the sofa where the rest of them were sitting. Then a song of Celine Dion was played and the next thing I knew, somebody was already dancing in front of me... in all fairness he smelled really good. In the middle of the song, he removed my blindfold and there he was, a person in a white shirt, jeans and boots was dancing in front of me. I was mouthing to my friends the words "Who is this guy?" but I only got smiles and laughter. After the first song. He went upstairs and I thought that was it. I was soooo wrong! The next time he went down (still in his clothes) this time he danced and did some acrobatic moves.. and started to take off his clothes one by one... I was shouting 'OMG!!!', 'Mommy!!!' the whole time... i was screaming and laughing. The lights were dimmed and the next thing I knew he went All The Way! I can’t believe it! OMG! OMG! OMG! I won’t go into details anymore...

The most important thing is that not only I enjoyed the party but my friends also did (not expecting their participation as well during the stripper's performance). It was truly a memorable bridal shower and bachelorette party…Thank you very much ladies... for the time, effort and thought. Love you all!

P.S. January also announced later that night that she was engaged to be married as well. She and her fiancé Dave will be married in Chicago this coming October... I'm sure we're throwing another party for her :) Congrats Jan and Dave!

P.S.2. I'm still waiting for Mimaw to email me our pictures... Mimaw, where is it?
>>>Thanks Maw for the photos :)The photos are PG13 so I won't post them here..

Just showing off one of my gift, a pink thong.


as posted in diary of a Bride to be

imaginatively sleeping with me

Tonight, my college friends are throwing me a bridal shower party. They told me that they’ll just text me where the party will be held. All I know is that it will be around 7pm. So while waiting, decided to blog while I wait.

Saturday: 8am

The ringing of the phone beside my pillow woke up. It's my fiancé Adrian on the other end of the line.

'Why did you call? You woke me up!'

He said: 'Mama Ems (his mom) called and woke me up, so I woke you up coz she woke me up.’

He said: 'Since your sleeping beside me, you too will be awaken by the phone's rings.'

I can't help but smile.

So his reason of waking me up?

I should be awake too because I was sleeping beside him (imaginatively)...'Ahhh, sweet but argh! Nakakainis di ba?!'

After telling me what they talked about (one of which was mama Ems will be paying for the musicians : D yehey!), I placed the phone down and tried to go back to sleep but to no avail ... Its impossible ... I’m already awake. Grabbed a magazine and headed to the bathroom, which I will not elaborate what I did inside.

Afterwards, I checked my email to see if my client sent his documents so I can work on it already but he hasn’t emailed it yet. So I just emailed all my friends who have pending replies in my inbox (ellie, gazel and echa). I also received an email from our priest, Father Dexter, who will be officiating our nuptial mass. Our missalette have been approved (yehey!) with some minor revisions. I just have to re-layout it and print copies so we can assemble it. Slowly but surely every finishing details are falling into place. I still need to book a musician/s for the wedding ceremony soon. Which I have to double my efforts now (since budget is not a hindrance anymore ... thanks a lot mama Ems.) Anybody you can refer?

After a lunch break and visit to friendster, I check the clock and its now 2pm. And I still haven’t received any advise where my party will take place ... Its been raining hard since yesterday I hope it pushes through… this is my first bridal shower you know.

30 days' notice to singlehood

Exactly a month from now I’ll no longer be single but will have a partner in life forever. I’ll be a wife 30 days from today. Can you feel it coming? I’m not yet in the critical stage but I’ve been dreaming for the past 2 days about me getting married but with a lot of twist.. a different church, the song in my bridal march is not the one that I chose, my principal sponsors are late, my makeup is not waterproof so I was like a walking zombie…and other disastrous things that you can think of. Every time I wake up, I feel relieved that I was just dreaming ... a very bad dream.

As the tension arises.. the excitement too envelops me.. as my friends are throwing me a bridal shower and party. My friends from college will be giving me a bridal shower this coming Saturday, which I’m so excited and so looking forward to... I’m still waiting for their text message where the party will be.. its so secret, that I myself don’t know where its going to be held.

Anyway, my colleagues in the office are also throwing me a bridal shower on the 13th of August, which will be at the Holiday Inn Galleria ... This, I heard will be a night to remember and will be a talk of the town.. even after my wedding... Seems like Claude, (my bridal shower organizer) is preparing an extremely naughty party that is making every invited guest excited. The theme.. is lingerie and stuffed toy bedroom sleepers. Errk! I don’t own lingerie...so I’ll probably stick with a pj and spaghetti top.

Oh BTW, Claude already bought me a gift... we were at Shangri-La Plaza for lunch today and we headed to Rustan’s so I can pick the things I like (and they can buy it for me..hehehe!) Claude saw this nice fuchsia lingerie and asked me to try it on...so I did and it fits! And its so nice on me...hahaha! Can’t wait till Adrian sees me in it...Hahaah! And that’s not all, it was one of the items on sale so Claude bought it right there and then. And she even had it gift wrapped and so I can open it at the shower party... I’ll just have to work on my "surprised facial expression" when I see it again.

This is going to be exciting… can’t wait!

Playful Claudette and Me / Claudie's Gift from Rustan's