Favor Idea

Here's another favor idea that I am mulling to use. I saw this in a Martha Stewart craft website. It's called “Fabric Scrap Favor Pack”. Obviously, it just needs a fabric scrap. :) We have many of those at home since my aunt is a seamstress. If you go to our house, there are lots of items made from fabric scraps such as pillow/throw pillow cases, table covers, pot holders, etc. So, I do not need to buy a thing for this project.

Problem is, I don't know how to sew, but my Inay does. :)

Pictures from the Garden Resort

Catering Service

Months ago, Inay said I can contact a catering service from our barangay (community) that provides the food for their school functions. I said OK since I want our wedding to be community-centered. Why hire services outside your community when there are people available to do that for you in your neighborhood? Since that caterer is from our community, they will hire people from our community also. Income for people who are otherwise jobless (and we have many of them).

During my visit to the possible reception venue, I told you that there was a caterer setting up the place. It turned out that it was the same caterer that Inay was talking to me about before. After talking with Ms. Malou, we went back to the reception area to talk with the caterer, Ms. Amy.

I gave her an idea of what I wanted in our reception and informed her that what I want is not the usual type. I wanted long tables instead of round ones. No presidential table since I don't want our guests watch us eat. And I feel uncomfortable in the idea of us being in the pedestal while guests are having fun away from us. :) I want a breakfast buffet (she confessed it would be their first). Those were just the tip of the iceberg.

Ms. Amy said she would research about Filipino breakfast menu that they could serve before we talk about the cost. Since she's a church-goer also, I can just talk to her after mass.

Garden Resort

My Inay (Mom) and I went to the reception venue that I was eyeing for the longest time. I knew the place holds parties and gatherings so we went there early in the morning so as not to intervene if ever there was an event that day. We met with Ms. Malou (who incidentally was a batchmate of my brother in high school, therefore, she was also my schoolmate). She toured us around the garden resort. And I love the place!

Upon entering, there are plants and big rocks decorating the beautiful landscape. Ms. Malou first showed us the reception area. A caterer is setting up the place for a baptismal party happening later that day so I had a view on how the place would look like with all the tables and chairs. The area is near a kiddie and adult pool (7 ft) and more tables and chairs are arranged beside the pool. She said we could scatter flowers or have a floating cake in the kiddie pool if we want. :) There is a comfort room which is important for me in parties. Guests need not go very far to use the toilet.

Next, she showed us the lounge area. I could also rent the lounge area complete with a toilet, room with 2 double-decks and an attic (where mattresses are available and could be laid out for people to sleep, just in case). The spiral staircase going to the attic is narrow only one person at a time can climb, though.

There is a small grotto at the corner of a manicured lawn. A basketball area/parking area can also be used if there are more guests at the party. These are also included when renting the place. Electricity and amenities, all in. Wonderful!

Inay and I were very happy in our visit. The place was beyond what I expected. Since it is in the province I thought it would just be some ordinary looking resort, but no.

Before leaving, Ms. Malou gave me a folder with pictures of the place. She showed me the sample contract and I was kinda surprised that it was all in one page only. Very simple. I thought contracts are composed of a lot of clauses and whatnot.

Hopefully the Cook and I can finalize the time of our wedding so we could finally book the place.

Pictures will be posted soon since I'm having problems uploading them.

How to be a Great Daughter-in Law

I found an article about being a “great” daughter-in-law here. At this point in time, I'm not sure if I can follow the article's do's and don't's in having a wonderful relationship with the mother-in-law. I still have issues that are not yet resolved and are still buried in my heart but I believe that in the future (hopefully) I can be at least a good daughter-in-law. Let's not push for being “great”. It's asking too much. :)

I highlighted this statement:

Show respect and compassion to your husband's mother even when you don't feel like it.

(runs to the nearest EXIT. Screaming!!!) :)

DIY by Martha

I'm kinda hooked to the Martha Stewart Weddings website. I especially like the DIY and Inspiration sections since I get lots of information on what unique things that I can do at the wedding. But, whenever I see a DIY project that I like, I always ask myself, "Can I do at least 50 of these (insert favors, seating cards, paper flower, etc.)?" If I can't or won't slave myself doing such project, I just click on to the next page. :)

Pre-marriage checklist

I cannot do any tangible stuff related to the wedding yet since I'm waiting for The Cook to return from overseas work to really, really start doing things and planning for the wedding. Right now, I am occupying myself with searching the Internet for articles on how to have a wonderful marriage relationship.

I found an article entitled "A Pre-Marriage Checklist" that couples should read before tying the knot. It is a checklist of important things to consider before marrying. It includes different scenarios of married people who are having smooth relationships and those who are having problems.

The Eight Areas to Discuss with your partner:

1. Personality Adjustment
2. Life Goals
3. Intellectual and Cultural Interests
4. Education
5. Vocation
6. Family Involvement
7. Friends
8. Spiritual Interests

It's true that you can never know a person unless you've lived with that person. That's why there are pre-marriage counseling sessions to allow couples understand more about their partners before marrying. So, you might want to check the article here.

Pink and brown favors

Pink and brown, an elegant combination, according to Martha Stewart Weddings. For favor ideas using the pink and brown combo like me, check this out.

Photo from MSW

Pre-Marriage Counseling

I want The Cook and I to attend counseling before our wedding. I think it is important for us to be prepared in all aspects (physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc.) before embarking on a lifelong journey called marriage. People are different. Even siblings who come from the same parents are different from each other, how much more for two people who came from different families who will now spend their lives together? For me, marriage is more important than the wedding itself so I have to find ways for us to be our best selves before entering into marriage.

I found in the Internet a handbook for engaged couples. It provides great insights on various topics tackled in pre-marriage counseling. But, I can't seem to find where I got it. :(

Reception activities

One of the things I'm thinking about is how to keep our guests entertained at the reception. In the Philippines, guests do the eat-and-run. What's eat-and-run? After eating their fill at the buffet and getting the favors, guests head out of the door even if the party is not yet finished. Rude, yes but it is not uncommon.

I would like to have dancing at our reception but I'm not sure if our guests (mostly elders) are up to it. :)

I found a list from the 2000 Dollar Wedding blog on how to have fun during a wedding reception. I like the hiring of palm readers and playing Bingo. :)

Martha Stewart Weddings

I registered in the Martha Stewart Weddings website. As I browse websites upon websites about weddings, MSW always comes up. It has lots of ideas and inspirations so why not sign up right? I truly enjoy reading articles on DIY projects and lots of new ideas that I can incorporate in our wedding.

Yoga class

I enrolled for 10 classes in Yoga Manila's Ashtanga Yoga Mysore. This is my first time to try this type of yoga and I have no idea what to expect. :)

Going to the yoga studio was a bit tricky for me. The studio is located in a gated compound. Once inside, I asked the guard for directions to the studio. I had some difficulty locating the studio proper since there are no signs in the building. Elevators are hidden and there are no people around to ask directions from. I felt like I was isolated in that wonderful and luxurious place.

Finally, I was able to get to the studio. Yes! The floor is wooden and the studio overlooks into two swimming pools. An incense was burning while a soft chanting music was playing in the background. Relaxation indeed. I rolled out my mat and tried to calm my nerves since this is my first time in this class. The yoga teacher, Jon, immediately noticed that I'm new and gave me some instructions on what to do, especially how to breathe properly in class.

How to breathe?
Inhale through the nose.
Exhale through the nose with vibrating sound in the throat. Like Darth Vader.

The class starts with chanting with Jon in the lead. It was followed by a series of poses called Surya Namaskar. We were asked to repeat the series 5 times. My mat neighbor, Beth, is new in class also so Jon gave us the same series of poses to practice. We repeated the series a few times so we could memorize it.

At the end of the class, my hands were slightly shaking. I feel some slight aches in my arms and side abs. I think my muscles were shocked to have been doing yoga poses again after a long time. :)

DIY Wedding Ideas

I enjoyed browsing lots of DIY projects for weddings. For a list, check this wonderful website of Stylish Events.



Have fun!

First Day of Yoga Class

Today is my first day of yoga class. I'm excited and a bit nervous. After much deliberation, I finally decided to go to the yoga studio near the office (Yoga Studio A), contrary to my previous post. I made a test commute to my preferred yoga studio and the commute time is more than an hour from my apartment(!) Going to the studio near the office is a better choice since there is no more commute time and the class fee is ok by me. :)

I am a little bit (a teeny bit) nervous. I feel like I might be intimidated since, browsing through the yoga studio's website, the studio caters to Class A and B students. I'm neither. :) But, who cares, right? I don't know them and they don't know me. We're there for the same purpose.

Wish me luck!