What's Next

For the nth time, I found myself rushing to the ladies' room to retch. Nothing comes out but bitter saliva, and I could feel the wave of nausea building yet again.

After a while, I come out of the stall. A colleague asks.."Buntis ka na?"

"Yup", I answer...Actually, I am now, as of today, 7 weeks pregnant...or so the ultrasound said.

And so the daily routine. For two weeks now the morning sickness has been a constant, wretched companion. From the time I wake up until I retire at night. What's surprising is that I am still gaining weight (golly, I have gained 10 lbs since March 15) despite my seeming lack of appetite. And the stuffed nose has suddenly cleared and I can now smell like a dog...adding to the causes of my retching.

But all these, I gladly bear for the little me or little Jam that's currentlt taking residence inside my tummy.

So now, it's goodbye to a lot of things and hello to...fruits, vegetables and Anmun...and yeah, those big orange and pink capsules that are my vitamins. Hello, too, to unbuttoned blouses (yay! I'm now a boobsie!) and unhooked pants. Goodbye to my tight denims and high-heeled shoes (bhuhuhu) and hello to mightnight snacks.

Monthsary

It's been a month since Jam and I tied the knot..and up to now, we're still pretty shaken about the whole wedding thing.

whenever I'd meet old friends and acquaintances who knows that I got married, they start asking me all these questions...

1. How's married life?

Well...what can I say? I always answer, "Same as the single life."

Jam and I decided to live in with my parents in our "ancestral" (funny how that sounded...so rich and so high society) home. Not only is it very practical for both us and my parents, it was also my parents' request. Jam told me that on our wedding eve, dad talked to him about the reasons why we should live with them.

Of course, we're still thinking about buying our own house. Given that married life is considerably more expensive (dinner out, movies, shopping...) than being single, it would take some years before we can afford to pay downpayment for a small unit. Also, I'm adamant about the location. No to Cavite, Rizal, Faraway Fairview etc. If possible, I want to stay near my parents. The location is convenient for both Jam and I as he works in Ortigas and I in Malate.

Probably the only thing that has changed now that I'm married is the ehem...I have someone to go home to everynight..Someone who holds me in his arms, kisses me, hugs me...okay, 'nuf of that.

2. Are you pregnant? May baby na ba?

None. Wala pa. Not that we're not trying.

3. When are you going to have a baby?

Soon as God wills it. Wish I know when that will be. Soon I hope.

The Wedding - The Morning Preparation

March 15, 2008
10 AM
Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Homes, Q.C.

After two and a half months of preparations, stress and anxiety, Jam and I tied the knot. It was a simple wedding, with a simple mass in a quaint church inside a peaceful subdivision. As the wedding was set at 10:00 am, I was a sleep-less bride. My sister-coordinator Ate Wheng showed up at the hotel at 10 pm on March 14, Eone, Kuya Jing and Nanay Nita in tow...only to go back to far away Taytay since they forgot to pack Kuya Jing's pants and undershirt. Kuya Jing is designated proxy Ninong (in place of Ninong Mike) and Bridal Car Driver.



Leo - or Lea - my HMUA showed up at 5 am, ever prompt. As I took my bath, they set-up the make-up and their thingies. I've already prepared my gown the previous night, putting it on the body form I bought from Divi. My arrhaes, pillows, cords, veils, shoes are all laid out on the bed, ready for the photographer.



Jam was on the way to the hotel at around 6, having come from MY house. He's driving the family car, with dad, mom, my youngest sis and maid aboard. They alsso pickep-up the flowers from Ninang Soc's shop.

Jaime Dolera and the rest of Pixelmix, our P/V arrived at 7. By that time, I was already fully made-up and harrassed. Sister Coordinator Wheng has just taken her bath, and Younger Sister Maid of Honor Gie and Mom and Maid are just about to. Imagine!



I dressed myself as the rest of my entourage was having their make-up done. Pixelmix went up to Groom's room, took pictures and was back to snap more shots of me. I was finding it hard to really smile for the camera as my mom kept on looking for her wallet...



We were able to leave Garden Heights at about 9:45...Mom and I had to carry the bog box of souvenirs and wedding stuff down...What a sight I was, in my gown, train over one arm and one hand carrying the box...stuffing myself inside a cramped elevator. It was turning out to be a nightmare wedding.

More Wedding Updates

With dad confined in an (alternative medicine) cancer clinic in Tarlac, the wedding preparations seem to be harder to focus on. Mom, who's in charge of my documents, is with dad in Tarlac, while Jam and I can't afford to go on leave from work.

Still, God is good. Being both practical, Jam and I are focused on the essentials...and have decided to meet only those we intend to book. No sense in meeting all these suppliers when we know we can't afford them anyways.

Last Sunday, after going to Tondo Church for the annual Viva Sto. Nino (of which we are both devotees), we shopped for souvenirs and stuff in Divisoria. I was getting tired of surfing the internet for wedding favors, some of which are really way beyond my resources (both monetary and time) so Jam and I decided to order shotglass souvenirs. It saved us the hassle of printing stickers to label the favors, plus it will be ready within the week. It will be wrapped in green tulle with green ribbon. However, I asked them to just give me the pre-cut tulle so I can still put in some chocolates and what-have-yous in the glasses as an added touch.

With favors out of the worry-list, we shopped for entourage gifts. The day before, big sister texted and said she's shopping for teas in Sri Lanka. Last March 2007, Chitrani, a Sri Lankan who I met during the BIS seminar in Hong Kong, gave me two bags of teas as gifts. They were wonderful! So I asked my sister (after consulting with Jam, of course!) to buy 20 bags of assorted teas for the PS. We'd just buy tea pots to put them it, and viola, practival gifts for the PS. For the entourage, we found these manicure/pedicure sets that came in a box with reversible green and blue ribbons!

We also bought ribbons for the flower baskets, and additional satin cloth for Alanis and Nina, our flower girls.

In the afternoon, we braved a two-hour traffic, courtesy of the Bambini (Sto. Nino) parade in Pasig to meet with our caterer, Anj, so she could escort us to the bakeshop where we ordered our Cathedral style cake. Sorted out the colors and details, and we're done. Another item off the list.
Jam is still single-mindedly decided on wax seals, faux though it may be, so we decided to check out The Wedding Library. However, the only stocks left are not in our initials. The staff referred us to The Paper *something* two floors below, and we got our "R" wax stamp. Jam was literally ecstatic with his loot!

I've also semi-completed our invites, with the monograms cut and ready to stick, and the main invites/envelope cut and folded already. We have the rsvp ready as well. We need to finalize the entourage this week so by end of next week, the invitations will be ready to go! Yey! Still within schedule.

I've contacted three hair and make-up artists and need only to decide who to book. I need a trial HMU, so the Cavite-based artist may have to go, even if he is affordable.

I've compared packages (apple to apple) of Photo-Video suppliers and need only to meet the one we intend to book so we could discuss details, pay the DP, and ask for freebies. Hehe. Jam is much better in haggling than I am. Put in tandem with mom, they could probably ask for a free wedding...hahaha.

So what else...Just the misalette, which is semi-done. I've asked Jane whether we could include a Unity candle ceremony and she said it was all right with Sta. Rita. I've asked my aunt Ate Maris if she could be our first reader/psalmist and she was okay with that. I need only now to finalize who to get for the offertory.

Plus, need to assign family members some duties such as Emcee-ing (have in mind my ever ham of a big sister..she's a show stealer even if you put her in a box), coordinator for the reception, coordinator for the wedding preps, ushers, and so on.

Plus, still have no Hotel booked for the wedding preparations.

And need to list down the songs for the program.

Haven't gotten enough nerves yet to ask our sponsors Tito Danny if they could rent us a small van for Jam's family. Haven't talked with our sponsor Ate Tet if we could borrow their Mazda for the bridal car. Haven't spoken yet with our sponsor Tita Soc if she could do the flowers for a discounted price.

Sigh...so much to do...so little time...with mom missing-in-action pa.

So Far...So Good

Well, it's a little less than 2 months before the BIG DAY. And thank God (really!) we've managed to book a church, a function hall, and caterer...Which are the essentials.

Here's my checklist:

1. Bridal Gown - check. Measurements taken first Saturday of January...Will be able to have the first fitting on Feb 9. Crossing my fingers it will be the way I wanted.
2. Birth Certificates - check. Uh-oh. Jam's BC is okay. Mine is not. As I have foreseen, the way my first name was spelled in my BC would be a complication to deal with....Now, Church needs a lot of affidavits and legal documents...
3. CENOMA - check. We are both single (as I knew I would be, and hoped he would be)
4. Certificate of Confirmation - check. Uh oh again. Mine is missing my "second" first name...Sigh...Have to obtain legal documents and submit affidavits again!
5. Marriage License - check. Applied last 14 January. hehe. Was able to attend the required Pre-Marriage Counselling. Will get the license on the 25th. Yahoo!
6. Entourage Attire - semi-done. Green satin cloth and matching lining purchased. Have to distribute to entourage.
7. Flower baskets - semi-done. Need apple green satin ribbons.
8. Unity Candle - still have to call Jane of the Church to ask if Unity Candle Ceremony allowed.
9. Invitations - purchased paper/board already from Star Paper. Production underway. Jam is adamant on the wax seal. Heaven forbit we don't put wax seal on the invites.
10. Cake - Cathedral style, 4-layer cake c/o Anj, our caterer.
11. Favors - big big big question mark.
12. Photo/Video - will set up meeting with Jam's colleague's husband. Should be booked before Feb.
13. HMUA - still need to find someone cheaper. Managed to contact someone from Cavite but I still need a Trial HMU and that means going to Cavite. In fairness, he's cheap.
14. Program - I'm okay with not having entertainment. Jam and I want it simple and quiet. Will have to discuss with Sound System people about music (from CD which I have to burn SOON). Maybe a few close friends can render songs...Ces certainly is volunteering to do an interpretative dance number...err...can I take a rain check?
15. Cord - A last minute whim...I want the current trend of a rosary/bead cord instead of the usual "included in the bridal package" cord....
16. Hotel for the Preps - thinking of Imperial Palace Suites or Great Eastern Hotel...need to know their rates ASAP.
17. Chuch Music - need to coordinate ASAP. ..I at least want to have "The Prayer" and "You Raise Me Up" and "Panunumpa" on the list.

What else...hmm. I'm so full of ideas but I keep forgetting them...It's good that I am cramming. At least it's just 3 months of rushing instead of 9 months of dilly-dallying.