Tagaytay (Dec.29-31,2004)

Tagaytay
Originally uploaded by Pinipi.

Obviously, there wouldn't be a detailed account of our time in Tagaytay :0)

Just bits and pieces of memories that are not too private to share.

Like the king sized bed strewn with red rose petals in the shape of a heart.

The marvelous view of Taal volcano right outside our balcony.

The warm, relaxing soak in the bath.

Unlimited Mango juice, yummy karekare and a cold clubhouse sandwich.

Sour wine with calamares, gambas and chocolates; calling the uwak after :0p

Sleeping the day away.

Visiting Tagaytay Picnic Grove after dark.

Looking for the Nurture Spa in the dark.

Sharing dessert and having coffee and conversation.

Chilling out in front of the fireplace in the lobby of the Taal Vista Lodge.

Driving back to Manila while travelling down memory lane.

NEWSFLASH!!

I've been remiss in updating this, but not to worry, our love story continues :0)

Will soon be posting about:

> our first trip abroad
> our engagement
> our civil wedding
> our Boracay trip
> our prenuptial pictorial
> and our church wedding

If I get to finish all of that, then I would have brought you guys up to date :0)

the little details that count.

the invitation



Front cover:

Two hearts, one promise. Two lives, one decision. United in friendship and love. Forever.

Inside is just the basic invitation and RSVP. No inserts. No entourage list. Just simple contemporary elegance.

Better yet, I got it for free (including the souvenir inserts) because my sister-in-law has connections with a printer :0)

the souvenir



The CD souvenirs (except the inserts) were DIY projects. The tracks include:

Panunumpa. Til There Was You. Unforgettable. The Way You Look Tonight. Moon River. I've Finally Found Someone. How Did You Know. Because of You. Through the Years. Harana. You. Lady in Red. Wonderful Tonight. I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing.

the rings



Mr. A saw this pair on sale and bought it as soon as he got my approval. With white bands of gold and discreet stone settings, they were perfect for us. (Not to mention perfect with my engagement ring!).

the arrhae



We used the one my mom and dad used when they got married :0)

The pillows for the rings and arrhae were made of fabric scraps from my wedding gown.

the tiara



This was Mr. A's surprise gift at my bridal shower. You'll find the whole story here.

Our Story

(An excerpt from 'Going the Distance', our love story as published in B-Next, the youth-oriented e-zine of Business World)

We were classmates in grade school (grades 5 to 6 and no, we were not childhood sweethearts). But our lives took separate paths upon entering high school. Twelve years later, we met again through our common school’s e-group. He was living in California by then and I was still here in Manila.

We developed a comfortable friendship through chat and e-mail. It started as a group thing, with most of our other classmates included. But soon, we found ourselves chatting even without the others. Our conversations revolved around past experiences and personal beliefs. He told me about the problems he was having with his girlfriend then and I told him about the heartbreaks I’ve been through.

The friendship we have turned into attraction when he went home to Manila for a visit. His two-week visit turned into a flurry of group dates and marathon phone conversations. Even then, he was already telling me how special I am to him. But I knew enough not to expect more than what we had. After all, he had a girlfriend back in the States and he was not staying for keeps. That, for me, may spell F-U-N but certainly not, F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

When he went back to California, I realized that I felt more for him than what I was willing to admit. I was very fortunate that he felt the same way even after all the “we-could-never-make-it-work” talks I kept giving him when he was here. He broke up with his girlfriend and proposed love to me. After we became a couple, he told me that he knew I was his --- and he was mine --- the first time he held my hand (and I was just too stubborn to admit it!).

Mrs. A

(50 things about the girl)

College instructor. Bookworm. Lady in red. Fashion mag collector. Crybaby. Hello Kitty junkie. Hyperactive. Kikay to the bones. Sarcastic. Techie girl. Pointy shoe lover. Intellectual snob. Iskolar ng bayan. Telenovela watcher. CSI fanatic. Cosmo girl. Love of Mr. A's life. Little girl inside. Drama queen. Non-smoker. Frustrated writer. iPAQ user. Sexy. Can't carry a tune. Physical Therapy graduate. Catholic school girl. Elder sister. Corny sometimes. Fashionista. Smart-ass. Ob-C. Tactless. Chronic list-writer. Patiently waiting. Impulsive shopper. Bag lady. Interior designer wannabe. Counselor. Fashion consultant. Ukay-ukay browser. Tickle monster. Has a way with words. Loyal friend. Divisoria regular. Green-minded. Hopeless romantic. Loves teaching. Bargain hunter. Pig-out partner. Cowboy.

Mr. A

(50 things about the boy)

Chemist. Pharmacy graduate. Doggie lover. Only son. Pinoy at heart. Guitarist. Gerry's fanatic. Hates naggers. Sweet husband. Juice monster. Has an album of pen pals. Self-taught pianist. Ticklish all-over. Tatooed left arm. Generous brother. Does not like spicy food. Frustrated drummer. Moody when hungry. Lola's (Grandma's) boy. Love of Mrs. A's life. Prefers white chocolate. Karaoke singer. Funny man. Has a big... heart. Loyal friend. Can speak (a little) Nihonggo. Honda-CRV owner. Neat freak. Corny sometimes. Infrequent texter. Responsible adult. Transformers collector. FRIENDS addict. Closet shyguy. Buys books for the pictures. Loves Zagu. Sleepy head. Wears eyeglasses. Snores loudly. Tough dude. Drives fast. Wants to meet Kristin Kreuk and Beyonce Knowles. Hardheaded. Competitive air hockey player. Late riser. Pierced ear. Window shopper. Stocks mocha almond fudge ice cream. slow story teller. Silent when pissed.