The Engagement - The story of the much-awaited wedding of 2008 turned 2009 (Part 1)

November of 2007, the same year I told myself to start exploring different places, I convinced my younger sibling, Maricar to accompany me on a birthday trip. She knows the general manager of Pearl Farm Resort then, Mikel Villarde through their common nature of work so I grab the opportunity to ask her to join me for my birthday. Talking about opportunity, huh? Hehe!

So, October 31 of 2007, we were off to Davao with a stopover in Cebu via the Cebu Pacific. 

During that three-day stay at Pearl Farm, I got to discover the non-businesslike side of the Mikel. And on our last night at the Pearl Farm’s Parola Bar while seated on one bench having a drink , Mikel approached me for a serious talk. He told me he found the girl he wanted to marry and it’s my sister! And he’ll do everything for it to happen sooner. He said that with conviction that I knew it would come true. 

Indeed, it was very soon! March 20, 2008, four months after that serious talk , I got a text from Maricar who went back to Pearl Farm with my other two younger sisters telling me she’s engaged! I felt her happiness from her messages at that time and couldn’t wait for the details of her engagement. The pictures will tell the rest of the story. 

 

A toast after our dinner to celebrate an advance birthday. (Thinking, where's my partner on that table? Hahah!) 

 

The preparation - check on the placemats - their avatars in YM! 

 

Fetching his soon-to-be fiancee (I miss that speed boat! Hehehe) 

  

 

On the way to the E-hut (Does Maricar know what's gonna happen? I bet!) 

 

Where the proposal took place (In the middle of the sea, so to speak) 

  

 

The E-hut - especially made for the occasion (Isn't it sooooo romantic?) 

 

The E-couple – look at the ceiling with the avatars again! Sweet, huh? 

 

The toast of love! Is that champagne? 

 

The E-ring - does it have the 4 Cs? Hmm, you be the judge! (When's mine coming? LOL) 

-THE END - 

Carpe diem!

I got very busy lately and wasn't in the mood to update my blog but tonight even if I am a bit tired, I decide to write.

These days, I am in my baking mode, cake decorating to be specific. I enrolled myself in Advanced Cake Decorating course I've taken about 5 years ago. It's a refresher course so to speak. My half-day classes twice a week consume my days-off. And when I am online, I always browse sites where I'll get ideas of cake and cupcake decorations.

Anyway, that is not what I want to talk about.

After my class a while ago, I decided to go to the mall to meet my sister and watch Transformers 2. However, she called-off the movie date. Nonetheless, since my mind is set to view the film, I pushed through with the plan and watched it by myself.

It has been years since I last went to a cinema alone to see a movie and thought I would never do it again. The feeling I had was still the same as the 1st time I did it. I felt so independent though at the back of my mind I was conscious of what those who see me were thinking (as if they care and they indeed notice me, huh...LOL).

Now that my sisters and most friends are far from home, are married or in a relationship, I know I will be watching alone again as long as I fancy a movie. Chances of having them spend a few hours with me in a movie house is slim when they can watch movies with their husbands or boyfriends.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a loner, but at times, it's fun to be alone for you to tend to enjoy your own company. It's one thing I don't mind being with over and over again. And one day, my dream of traveling alone and exploring another place will happen as well for I know I'll discover more of myself in such situation.

I would just have to say then - CARPE DIEM!

My sunglasses

When I bought my first expensive pair of sunglasses last 2007 in time for an Asian trip, I told myself to start collecting these pretty lenses that protect the eyes. My first is a Calvin Klein squarish, pink-colored lenses that makes me feel cool when I wear it. I even remember my friend, Honeylette telling me at that time of deciding to buy it that the CK shades is "artistahin" (anyone wearing it will feel like a star) and it's true for I feel like a superstar of the masses when looking through those lenses. Hahaha! Just kidding!

Me on Calvin Klein's sunglasses on a bus ride in Macau

My second pair was just bought last February in Singapore. It's another CK, but this time it's not Calvin Klein but Charles & Keith. Hehehe! I was just looking for shoes at the time but due to fondness of this accessory if you may call them as such, my feet brought me to the stand where stacks of different pairs of shades caught my attention. On impulse, I tried every pair that I thought would fit my angular face and of course there's one that got my liking. It's another tablesquarish one w/ a bit rounded on the sides and it's plastic.

At Paris Deli in Vietnam with my Charles & Keith's sunglasses on the table

Now, I am not sure if I can still collect them for I don't have one to wear as of this time. Why? One is lost this morning, the Charles & Keith on a dermatology clinic - Macarayo's where I left it on the counter after buying sunblock from her secretary. After going back to the clinic in less than an hour to ask for the forgotten sunglasses, her secretary told me she hasn't observed seeing one left on her desk! Had I known this would happen, I would have returned the soonest.

The CK is still with me though, however, it's no longer useful because one of the lenses popped out and can't be aligned by some optical shops I've been to.

I can't survive the sun without the glasses! So now, either I buy a new one (I've actually window-shopped on two brands - Versace & Burberry a while ago but none fits my face) or have the CK fixed hopefully. I do intend to do the latter for my budget won't allow me to buy a new one for now.

Nonetheless, I will still buy and collect these but I may go for cheaper brands to get the most of fashion as well. Mango or Zara maybe. ;-)

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) aka Saigon

When I informed my colleagues and some friends that I will be going on a short trip in Vietnam last February, most were surprised and thought on what the hell am I thinking. They told me it's not a safe place to visit and Vietnamese are not nice people to deal with. Maybe, they still have in their minds the wars that left that country. Hehehe! 

 

On one site I read, it says that it's better to visit Vietnam now before it becomes very industrialized. And it's indeed true. Seeing Ho Chi Minh's very laid back atmosphere is like being in the Philippines years back which I actually miss. Although this city has de luxe hotels and expensive shops, most of its streets display the unhurried lives of Vietnamese people.

 

Here are some pictures of Ho Chi Minh taken last February 2009.

 

Vietnam Dong - value was 1 peso is about 367 dongs w/c made me and my friend feel crazy getting our Peso value when we had to eat and shop. I became a millionaire in this country!

 

Notre Dame Cathedral

 

Vietnam's famous bags and shoes in Ben Thanh market

 

 

cute Vietnamese girl and her father

 

Eels and frogs (like our version of poison frogs) are famous among hawker's display of live food to be ordered for cooking.

 

enticing food inside the Ben Thanh market

 

mamang sorbetero (dirty ice cream)

 

Motorcycle craziness - even those on formal dresses are up to be on back seats of this vehicle. We witnessed them attending functions in some hotels.

 

Hawkers at night in Ben Thanh market - taken on Valentine's day where a number of couples were out to celebrate the event

 

Other side of Ho Chi Minh where the deluxe hotels and expensive boutiques are located

 

They have LV! ;-)

 

 

Vietnamese Food

When I travel, I know I will gain pounds for I don't limit myself on the food I eat during the trip.

Prior to going to Vietnam, my experience of Vietnamese food was only in a restaurant in Glorietta where I sampled a dish of fresh salad years back.

Imagine my excitement when I laid foot in Ben Thanh market. I saw a number of hawkers inside the market which reminded me of our own San Nicholas market in Angeles City before it was reconstucted. I had difficulty choosing which among the hawkers my tummy will approve of. Unfortunately, my excitement eventually gave me disappointment on the meal I chose and the money I paid for it. Overall though, the other foods I sampled enticed me to go back to Vietnam.

Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls.

Vietnamese coffee that is sweetened with condensed milk. I love it! I tried the coffee in Pho 24 at Powerplant and it doesn't taste an inch of the one in Vietnam.


Phở with cilantro,basil, lime and bean sprouts

Coffee Ice Cream in coffee sauce. Redundant, huh? Coffee is one of their most sought after products.

Vietnamese vendor selling waffles. So far, her waffles are the best ones I have ever tasted. I guess it's one of the good things they got from French colonization.

Their version of barbecue.

Fresh Spring Rolls with dip. Even if the herbs inside the rolls are too strong, a distinction of their cuisine, that didn't stop me to finish all three of these.

Vietnamese Halo-halo with a compliment iced tea. Just like the ones in Singapore and Thailand, they use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk.

Another Pho bought in Ben Thanh market

My first Vietnamese meal - the worst I have ever tasted. It was too oily and spent me almost 300 pesos! What a shame I was fooled and didnt' get value for my money.

Single Ladies

I have in my mind a number of writings I wanted to publish - happenings from the previous months, I promised myself to write about so those people close to my heart have something to read about on what's in and out of my life. I'll open this with how I celebrated Vday this year.

When you're single and Valentine's day is coming, what comes into your mind? I am a hopelessly romantic person and even being single would not discourage me of thinking about flowers, chocolates, love letters and men seranading those they love even at this time and age. But that's not what I'll talk about.

I am glad that I had one remaining single friend, Carel who joined me last Valentine's Day. She's now in a relationship status and I am glad that she is. I was supposedly be flying by myself to Singapore last February but she decided to join me so we went to Vietnam as well. Here are some pictures of us together.

Dinner at Pho 24 in Vietnam

 

War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh

At the Esplanade waiting for dusk to come

Infront of Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon

Blogging again?

December 11th of 2008, I decided for the nth time to blog again and as expected, I did not post regularly. This is my last try that I hope would record my experiences and feelings at the moment. Let's get started!

Btw, here's a link of my old blog - http://dimmpss.livejournal.com/

Vietnamese Food

When I travel, I know I will gain pounds for I don't limit myself on the food I eat during the trip.

Prior to going to Vietnam, my experience of Vietnamese food was only in a restaurant in Glorietta where I sampled a dish of fresh salad years back.

Imagine my excitement when I laid foot in Ben Thanh market. I saw a number of hawkers inside the market which reminded me of our own San Nicholas market in Angeles City before it was reconstucted. I had difficulty choosing which among the hawkers my tummy will approve of. Unfortunately, my excitement eventually gave me disappointment on the meal I chose and the money I paid for it. Overall though, the other foods I sampled enticed me to go back to Vietnam.

Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls.

Vietnamese coffee that is sweetened with condensed milk. I love it! I tried the coffee in Pho 24 at Powerplant and it doesn't taste an inch of the one in Vietnam.


Phở with cilantro,basil, lime and bean sprouts

Coffee Ice Cream in coffee sauce. Redundant, huh? Coffee is one of their most sought after products.

Vietnamese vendor selling waffles. So far, her waffles are the best ones I have ever tasted. I guess it's one of the good things they got from French colonization.

Their version of barbecue.

Fresh Spring Rolls with dip. Even if the herbs inside the rolls are too strong, a distinction of their cuisine, that didn't stop me to finish all three of these.

Vietnamese Halo-halo with a compliment iced tea. Just like the ones in Singapore and Thailand, they use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk.

Another Pho bought in Ben Thanh market

My first Vietnamese meal - the worst I have ever tasted. It was too oily and spent me almost 300 pesos! What a shame I was fooled and didnt' get value for my money.

Single Ladies

I have in my mind a number of writings I wanted to publish - happenings from the previous months, I promised myself to write about so those people close to my heart have something to read about on what's in and out of my life. I'll open this with how I celebrated Vday this year.

When you're single and Valentine's day is coming, what comes into your mind? I am a hopelessly romantic person and even being single would not discourage me of thinking about flowers, chocolates, love letters and men seranading those they love even at this time and age. But that's not what I'll talk about.

I am glad that I had one remaining single friend, Carel who joined me last Valentine's Day. She's now in a relationship status and I am glad that she is. I was supposedly be flying by myself to Singapore last February but she decided to join me so we went to Vietnam as well. Here are some pictures of us together.

Dinner at Pho 24 in Vietnam

War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh

At the Esplanade waiting for dusk to come

Infront of Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon