Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Happy & Fun... with a mark of Sadness...

Christmas is over... we did enjoy the holidays... i applied 2 days leave from work, it means i have 4 days off (cool)... but those days were not enough, actually i am looking forward for a good rest, but as the time requires, i have to stay up late and be up early... do the last minute Christmas Shopping... of course wrapping of gifts, cooking and blahhh blahhh... anyways, it's not a big deal for i am doing all of this for my loving hubby... he took only 1 day off which is the Christmas day itself... it was a busy holiday but it's really worth it...
HAPPY....
.....'coz Jesus Christ is born, always remember he's the reason for this season
.....'coz my hubby & i enjoyed a Marvelous Christmas together
.....'coz we did have a great time with our families and friends here in Dubai
.....'coz we both received the most excellent GIFT ever
.....'coz we are able to share the TRUE meaning of Christmas
FUN....
......to be with the people close to your HEART
......to be with your OLD and NEW friends during this season
......to be with my BETTER HALF
SADNESS....
......for we have to celebrate Christmas miles from home
......for we truly miss spending Christmas with our beloved families way back home
......for we don't know when we will be home for Christmas
Another Christmas passed, Another Christmas will come...
See how time flies so fast, it's like a blink of an eye...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Wedding Kwento (Part 2 - Our Big Day!!!)

Hiyaaaahhh!!! This is the second part of our wedding kwento... after the tiring and pressured preparations, we are now starting packing our things, getting ready to go back to Manila... we're booked on 13th January 2006 (scary friday the 13th), A straight 8 hrs. direct flight, Dubai - Manila (wo-oohh, pretty tiring), we arrived in manila around 4:30 PM, my family fetch us at NAIA, it was a rainy afternoon... we drove directly to Baclaran (at kuya boy's house) where the whole family of my hubby is waiting, they've prepared a small merienda for us (wow, dinuguan with matching puto, atbp.) of course konting tsismisan while enjoying our food... wow, iba pala ang pakiramdam if both of your families get along... it was a exhausting but a happy day!!! everybody was so glad that we're back, actually they can't stop smiling on us (kakatuwa talaga!!!)... to go on with the story, past 6:00 pm we decided to go home, so my hubby drove us to Pasig, he will not stay with me over the night, we agreed that it's better for him to spend the night with his family... it's good to be home...

Woke up early morning of January 14, 2006 --- i have to fix myself before my hubby comes... we have to attend the Seminar at the Church at 9:00 AM... no rush at all since the Church is quite close, but the thing is i still feel sleepy, gosh i have to keep myself awake... at 8:30 AM we're ready to go... the seminar makes me more sleepy though, but to be fair, it's really informative... after few breaks in between, after 2 different group discussions finally we received our certificate... :-) 5:00 PM we have a scheduled appointment with Tita Ella, since we don't have much time to travel from Pasig to Taytay to fit my gown, we requested her to meet us at our house in Pasig, she was so kind that she agreed to carry my gown with her together with the other gowns (parents and entourage gowns)... when we reached home, she's already there waiting for us, my hubby's mom & auntie was there too and the rest of the members of the entire entourage are coming by batch... well, it's my turn to fit my gown, yup i did fit it... actually i did ask them before doing it so, they told us that it's OK since we're already married (Civil)... my gown was simple and i am satisfied with it... at last we're finish with only few adjustments on my gown... but the day didn't end yet... my cousins really missed us, they're pushing us to go out for a gimmik >>> ok fine, we can go<<<... we also invited 2 cousins of my hubby who are very close to us (girlie & dada --- ate glady's hope you can make it next time)... at first they want to go to Bay Walk, we tried but the place was too crowded and there's no place to park our car... then we went to Pier One, it's a cozy place... so we end up eating their delicious Crispy Pata and Calamares and of course with over flowing San Miguel Light!!! While all of us are enjoying and I am busy eating and chatting with Girlie, the group began to sing a Happy Birthday Song... Oh my, i almost forgot it's already my birthday... Now i know why they keep on pushing me to go out!!! Thanks to you guys, we did enjoy that night!!!

January 15, 2006 (Happy Birthday to me!!!) yup, it's my 28th Birthday!!! No excuses, still have plenty of things to catch up... in the morning we did finalize the flowers that we'll be using... in the afternoon, we place the deposit for the butterflies then we went to Queensland for the the final food tasting... it was raining that afternoon and traffic was so horrible, we need to be home by 6:00PM, my relatives are already waiting for us... my mom decided to at least have a small celebration on my B-day!!! we reached home by 7:00 PM, have few chit-chats with everybody >>> uhhhh, i'm really tired and i want to sleep...

The days goes on and on... thanks to Gerlie, she did booked the hotel for us, and it was a good choice, we picked Astoria Plaza at Ortigas Center... >>>we went to Batangas to personally hand the invitations to our guest as well as to meet our Principal Sponsors from my husby's side >>>After staying for 2 days with my in laws, we went back to manila to finish our invitation distribution and there's a whole lot more of pending things which requires our attention...


January 27, 2006, we did check-in at the hotel at 2:00 PM, we brought most of the stuffs with us... we booked a 2 bedroom Suite at Astoria 'coz my mother in law and her sister will occupy the other room... flowers and butterflies arrived at 12 midnight (thanks to you bro!!!), we did find time to rest at 1:00 AM, we badly needed sleep...

January 28, 2006 (Our Big Day!!!) The make-up artist will be coming by 4:00 AM, they have to start early since they have to do the make-ups of the entire entourage... 8:00 AM, the photographer and videographer arrived... by 9:00 AM we left the hotel, by 9:30 AM we are already at the church... The solemn mass started at exactly 10:00 AM, it was officiated by Rev. Father Alfred Ramos (family friend) he's so fantastic, he directed us to give each other our personal vows (as in impromptu), thank god it went well... after few pictorials and chit-chats, everybody proceeded to Villa Monica Club House, to enjoy the tasty meals... we're glad that most of our guests loved the foods that we chose... after the brilliant program, again another pictorial (feeling celebrity)... @ 3:30 PM we reached home... our house was a bit crowded, some of our guests decided to drop by and for some who were not able to make it at the reception, they manage to personally convey their warm wishes to us... After a while, it's time to refresh ourselves and change our clothes for our next stop we will be at Tagaytay City... we have to stay over night in a hotel in tagaytay for the next day there will be a post wedding celebration in Tuy Batangas which is the home town of my hubby...

It was really tiring but that was the happiest moment of our lives... In front of God and our loving families we're finally and officially united as one...

Monday, December 11, 2006

Wedding Kwento (Part 1 - The Preparations)

WoW, it's almost a year since we got married... I feel like reminiscing our wedding day, starting from the preparations and stuffs... well, let me take this opportunity to share with you our few kwento's...
To start with, we've been engaged on February 2005 (obvious b, can't give the exact date - the proposal will be another kwento), since we are both working abroad, we're kinda excited to tell our parents about it... we did a quick long distance call to our families and told them about our plans... As planned, we'll be having our Civil Wedding here (it happened last August 24, 2005 at the Philippine Consulate - Dubai)... then both our families arrange the pamamanhikan, it feels quite odd since we can't be there to officially be part of it... as what they've promise, there's nothing to worry for they can handle it, so we're counting on it... but for us we did miss this part, it's quite sad, 'coz we missed the nervous part of how it will flow (ummm, still puzzled what will happen if we're both there!!!) anyhow, this will be the first acquaintance of both our families (thank god everything went well), first, they did the head count, how many will join the pamamanhikan from both sides and of course the date and venue, they've agreed to meet up at Max's Restaurant at Pasig, since my family is from Pasig they have given the priority to have it in my home town...
Finally, the pamamanhikan day (yaiikkks, nakaka-kaba)... It was a lunch, as per their kwento everything went well, 'coz everybody gave their fair share, like giving suggestions and comments for the planned wedding... they keep us posted by emails and few phone calls (thanks to the advance technology)... Originally we have agreed to have the wedding on December 8, 2005 but due to non-availability of the date (we thought that booking 10 months ahead will be hassle free but crap, the church we wanted was fully booked for the month of December) so we decided to move it on January, and finally we were able to settle it on January 28, 2006...
Then the reception, we first did our booking at Makati Park Function Hall, down payment was already been made, but, should i say unfortunately, what the heck, October 2005, Makati City Hall contacted my mom telling her that the venue that we reserved will be use by the City Mayor (hellah, why they want to have it... we did book it in advance as in we made the booking on March 2006) for some purpose --- the wedding of her niece or who so ever--- just in a snap that City Mayor snatch that day from us (d--m it!!!)... anyways, we are all tense, we only have two months to settle the venue, good thing that the invitations and other stuffs are not yet printed, it means we still have the chance to change it in any case... From our side, we're doing all our effort to find at least a good reception for our wedding... We did various calls to our friends in manila, friends who just got married seeking for advices and suggestions what we are going to do... we're trapped, our families are so busy searching... finally we found one (honestly, that place was not on our list as in that was an option from no where)... I frankly told them that i really don't like that place, anyhow they just reserved it in case we fall for nothing... They did ask us if we want to move the wedding to another date if we really can't find the reception that we're eyeing for... What the heck, our wedding was been moved from December to January?!? Not this time, we want to push thru... Villa Monica Club House in Pateros, Pasig City wins... it's like take it or leave it!!! From there, the reception venue was set...
My gown... i really wanted it to be made from here, but the fact that it is expensive... so, again, searching for some connections who can help us on this... luckily, my friend Gesselle (thanks to you!) recommend one of her church colleagues to do my gown together with the gowns of the entourage... we did exchange ideas and thoughts thru emails & phone calls (another credit for the advance technology)... May 2005, we gave her the down payment, July she bought the materials, August we agreed what will be the design of my gown and for the entourage, September I did send my measurements, October we recapped everything, my gown, parents gowns, and the entourage gowns... Good thing it was a package deal...
God Gracious, it is in deed some kinda difficult to manage arranging your wedding if you are miles away... We should give credit to our Wedding Coordinators, they may not be professional though, but it doesn't matter, that's what they call "Labor of Love"...
'till the next part of the story...

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Rainy Days in UAE?!?

(my hubby - - - - - calling for HeLppppp!!!!)

(picure taken from the open parking of City Centre Mall - Sharjah)

(picture taken outside our building)

YUP, YUP, it's true, the rain poured so hard last Saturday and it really sucks... Flood is every where... Good Thing that it was Holiday, it's UAE National Day!!! but what the Heck, rain sucks the holiday plans... Our car was almost stuck in the flood in the parking lot, we never knew that the rain will be that bad... luckily, we are about to go out to do some grocery and stuff... when we saw the flood, we're stunned by the scenery, it's like oh my "Durian / Reming" just visited us all the way from philippines...

The flood is quite high, if not mistaken the water level was knee-high... then my hubby realized that his car must be in a swamp, without even thinking twice he rushed to the parking lot to check the car... at first the car get started, but with the water that high the engine suddenly stopped, the muffler may probably sip some water from the flood... My hubby have no other options, gotta push the car somewhere high, thank god he managed to do it alone...

While the rain is still heavily pouring, and the flood is still over flowing, while having a look on the entire area, we felt pity for those people who's cars were stuck and was not able to pluck it out from swamp roads... commuters are also stranded, oh my it feels like i'm back in manila...

At last after 2 days, it's finally over, we're back on the track...

UAE seldom experience this kind of downpour, no forecast was made before hand, so everybody was surprise... Last year it did rain once but not as hard as the recent one... Now the sun shines so brightly, but it's damn cold... the wind was so cold, it's similar to a blowing air that slowly melts an ice... got the feeling how cold it is?!? For others it may not be cold as what we think it is... but the fact that this country have the extreme climate... during summer it's unbearably hot, as in 45 degress up... this time it's 14 degrees outside...

the result >>>> colds & cough (nyaahhahahaha)!!!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Christmas is in the Air!!!!

(picture taken at City Centre Mall - Deira Dubai)

BuzzZzzzz!!!

there's nothing much to do here in the office today (actually as in nothin'). I feel so bored and damn sleepy.... I can't find anything else to do, that's why here i am updating my blog...

it's already winter here in Dubai... Coldness starts to fill the air... OhHhhh, Christmas is really fast approaching... Oh my, this is my 3rd Christmas away from home (soooo sad)... still wondering when we'll be home for Christmas... I do missed the fancy lanterns along the streets, the Christmas tree that i personally decorate, the colorful lights that you will see anywhere you go and of course the notche buena of our family... oh, that makes me miss home... not to forget the simbang gabi with matching puto bumbong... hayyyyy... ang sarap magpasko sa pinas... there's no place like home...

on the other hand, I am merely happy, since I will be spending Christmas with my Hubby........ the fact that we are both far from home, we'll make it sure to enjoy our Christmas together... but how to make it more exciting and surprising for my dearest hubby?!? well, i have to do a lot of thinking... nevertheless, i am sure he will be happy simply by spending it together...

Christmas in this country simply pass as an ordinary day... wHy?!? coz.....

no Christmas off/holiday (dahhh!)
no Christmas lanterns & lights along the streets (so dry)
no puto bumbong on the sidewalks (so kaka!!!)
no caroling's (so dull)
no Christmas songs (unless you played it at home)
no office annual Christmas party (boring)

see how lifeless we spend Christmas here!?! to be fair, you may find Christmas Trees inside the malls and sometimes be lucky to find Santa sitting right next to it...
still, in a little way there's the spirit of Christmas...

For real, Christmas is the time of giving...
no matter how you celebrate it
no matter how expensive your decorations may be
no matter how much tasty food you have on the table
no matter how gorgeous your clothes are
what matters most is the love and happiness that you will share...

Keep on counting the days before Christmas... ZAppPppP... the next time you wake up it's already CHRISTMAS...

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Designers Bargain.... Shop 'till you Drop!!!

It was been a busy weekend!!! wOoooOFff!!!
Want to know wHy?!? 'coz there's hellah bunches of rip-off price on Designers items...
People are madly freaking out to catch the 2 days sale of aWeSoMe brands in the world!!!
You will only find it at J. W. Marriott Hotel
Just to spice up your minds, here are the list of few notable brands:
AND A WHOLE LOT MORE (wHeeEeW...)
It's really hard to push one's back just to grab one of those items... (dAhhHh!)
Any how it's not that horrible though, it's really crowded but the people behind this event are well organized, cheers to all of you!!!
Going back to the main stuff, it was really an excellent bargain... wHy did i say so?!?
Here are few items i bought...
Ralph Lauren Blue Perfume 75ml for 70 Bucks
Ralph Lauren V Neck Long Sleeve Shirt for 40 Bucks
Kenneth Cole Leather Watch for 200 Bucks
Police Leather Watch for 100 Bucks
Anne Klein Sling Back Sandals for 50 Bucks
Parker Pen (3 in 1) 30 Bucks
Fila Men's Sports Watch for 25 Bucks
WooUoOuHHH... am i in cloud 9?!? c",)
though i missed several stuffs, like Lacoste Watch & Rubber Shoes, etc...
I am still happy 'coz my friends were able to shop some shoes from Prada & D&G...
If you were not there, well, really am sorry for you "cry baby", better luck next time...
Use your connections to be aware when will be the next grand bargain...
So sad on your part if you're not able to grab a genuine Giorgio Armani...
It's unbelievable though, 'coz most of the luscious items are being sold in a snap...
Hey puff up, there's always next time, so better wear a smile on your face dude!!!
I also did miss one big bargain along Sheikh Zayed Road... (NaAhhHh!)
Now we have to wait another six months or so..... to have a tang on the next tempting bArGaIns...
Good Luck and Happy Shopping!!! c",)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

A Glimpse on Our Wedding!!!

Hey, as promised, have a catch on our wedding day.
Just a brief intro...
William & Marianne Nuptials
28th January 2006
Immaculate Conception Cathedral Pasig City, Philippines
9:30 AM
Solemnized by: Rev. Father Alfred Ramos
Reception at Villa Monica Club House, Pateros Pasig City,Philippines
Demure but Phenomenal though c",)
Astoria Plaza, Ortigas Pasig City, Philippines
At the Reception hall "Villa Monica Club House" Pateros, Pasig City Philippines

Our First Dance as Husband and Wife (So Sweet!!!)

Such a LoVeLy couple... i love this picture... one of the best shots...

Let me take this opportunity to thank all the people behind this occasion, though it would be difficult on our part to mention all your names one by one, we'd rather say "OUR HEART FELT THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU".
You really made this day an extra ordinary and most of all a fruitful and memorable one. And to all our guests "THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS PRECIUOS MOMENT WITH US".
And most of all, it's our great pleasure to thank our beloved PARENTS and FAMILIES who have been so keen all throughout the wedding. We dearly LOVE you... mWaaAhhhxxxx....
To All of you guys, Thank you for making this day aWeSoMe...
williamaanne

First Time Blogger!!!!

hiyaaah everyone!!! woooow, this is my first blog, i don't know what will be the first impression from veteran bloggers... yah i am a novice though, i hope my stuff will not suck your a**!?! w*nK...
to start of, i was been inspired by the blogs that i've been reading thru the net, kinda thought why not try to have my own blog site. i feel so excited, i consider this not only as a blog but an open journal to all of my friends who are outta reach!!! no need to stretch more, just hook on the net and you will be posted...
oooppps, haven't introduce myself yet!!!don't yah think it's some kinda difficult to get started on by briefing you guys?!? well fine, let's get started....i am happily married, blessed with an ideal husband, who makes my life more colorful.


hey, that's me and my hubby, what a lovely couple, don't yah think?!? (Dah!!!) well, that was taken during our wedding last winter 28th January 2006 in Manila, Philippines (I'll post more pix on my next blog)... We are currenly base in Dubai, yah you're right, we are a certified OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) We've been here way back 2004, not quite long but fairly not that short though!
oh my, i gotta go, well, that's all for now, till my next post... c yah guys... hope you've enjoyed reading our craft...lOl...
lovelots..