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Our Wedding Day — Sept 29, 2005
Originally uploaded by sunnyphotos.

We’re married!!!

We arrived at ROM at around 3 pm, around 20 minutes before our appointed time. When we got there, my family and a couple of my friends were already there. We headed inside to see the Indian lady guard who we met last Monday in order to register our arrival for the ceremonies.

Shortly after (and quick photosessions later!), we were told to enter the Registry of Marriages and wait for our turn outside the Registry Office.

Outside the office, a wide panel plasma TV flashed our names, as well as other couples’ names with instructions that we should either a) go inside the registry office or b) standby outside the registry office.

Four couples later, it was finally our turn! We stepped inside the small office with our family and friends, and sat by the officiator’s desk. He gave us the disclaimers: it’s serious, blah blah blah..do we understand?

He asked my husband and me the usual vows, we said, “Yes, I do.”

A few minutes later, we were pronounced husband and wife.

Well, this is it! I’m in Singapore. I didn’t have any trouble with my flight, although it was a bit turbulent, even my baggages were miraculously ok, and didn’t exceed the baggage allowance. I’ve already unpacked and pretty much settled in. I’ve been here for almost 24 hours now, and so far, things seem to be going well.

We’ve already gone to ROM and gave our statutory declaration that we want to get married, our documents have been verified, and all that’s left now to do is wait until Thursday. Woopie!

I got to reminisce a bit last night as I sorted through my photo box, which contained pictures ranging from vacations, birthday parties, trips here and there, graduation, high school reunions, chat EBs, and even pictures taken just to finish off a roll of film.

It’s amazing how many memories get stirred when looking at pictures, and I feel sad I won’t get to bring ‘em all. At least I know I’ll always have that, along with all my other stuff, belongings, and memories to return to whenever I come back home!

It’s raining once again, and it feels just like my birthday last month, when it was also raining as hard as this. I hope the weather will be better tomorrow when I fly off!

I think I’ve done pretty much everything I can and want to do before I go. I’ve eaten the food I’ll miss, seen the friends that have been so good to me through all these years, watched TV shows I want to see, gone to places I enjoy going to, hung out with my family, relaxed and enjoyed my time alone, and prepared for what is to come. It may not be enough, but at least I’ve done a lot! And duh, not like I’ll never come back. But I do know it will never be the same again, both good and bad.

I only have the rest of today to spend in the Philippines; staying at the airport early in the morning doesn’t count! And I’m glad I already got to spend this morning with my mom when we had our nails done, and the rest of the day with the rest of my family. And that’s the best way I know how to spend it.

Gah. Drama. :Þ

So should I break out into that Chantal Kreviazuk (sp?) song now? Since, well, my bags are packed and I am ready to go. Well..maybe a little bit of ready, a little bit of not. I’ve had two months to prepare, and while I sooo want this, there’s still that part of me that knows I will miss my family, my room, my house..everything I’m used to!

And at the same time, I’m also so excited at being with The Boy, at getting married..living in a new place, seeing and doing new things..all with him! I guess this is pretty normal though, huh?

I only have a few bits and pieces left to settle here, a few odds and ends to pack, then it’ll be me, up bright and early on Sunday, on to a brand new life.

I started with one of my dreaded tasks today — packing. Dreaded because it just seems so overwhelming to try to pack everything I would need from here to there. It involved a lot of me trying on clothes to make sure they still fit right, sorting through clothes that I have that I could possibly wear, and dropping the ones I don’t want anymore into a box.

It’s…unsettling, to say the least. One, I just put the ones I’ve sorted into the suitcase I’ll be bringing. I’m not even done yet, and the suitcase is starting to get frighteningly full. One reassuring thing, though, is that if all the stuff I want to bring will be unable to fit into the space allotted to me, my folks can still bring them when they go a few days later. But still, right?

I’ve still got more sorting to do and more clothes filtering to accomplish before I can even claim to be done with packing. I want to be done with it asap!!! I reaaaally think that’s the only time I can breathe easy and relax before I go.

I got up so early today so I could head on to church by 8 am so I could be home in time to watch the 9 am elimination show of Rock Star: INXS. Who would’ve thought that offices start so late? I was there by 8 and no one was there. I went to the plaza to have my papers photocopied, but practically every shop was still closed. I mean, come on! Does no one need to get things done early around here? I mean, yeah, I know I usually wake up late, but when I was still working, I would open our ofice by 7 in the morning! Anyhoo, left my stuff at the office and I’ll just come by later to pick it up.

And yay to me, I didn’t miss the show! Got to come home while Oprah was still on, and watched the entire show. It was sooo nervewracking (like my mom said, do we get a bonus if they win, that’s why we’re so affected? heh.) MiG finally made it to the bottom three and sang “What You Need.” Like one of the INXS guys said, he delivered! The other two, JD and Suzie, who sang By My Side and Suicide Blonde, also did a great job, so it really must’ve been such a difficult decision to make.

Marty, being the top vote getter, was guaranteed a slot in next week’s finale, as well as a 2006 Honda Civic, which the top three finalists will get! JD was let off the hook first, with INXS telling him that they’ll see him in the finale next week. So it was down to MiG and Suzie…and Suzie, we’re sorry, but you’re just not right for our band, INXS.

Woot to MiG! Suzie really became such a great performer over the course of the season, but it just wasn’t meant to be. MiG and Marty, I wish you the best of luck. And JD..well, you’ve become less cocky, but I still prefer MiG or Marty to win. Aaahhh! Can’t wait for next week!

I’m such a fan, can you tell?

Oh boy. Just when I thought I could cross off one thing in my to do list, that one thing has given birth to another thing I have to do.

I picked up my baptismal certificate at the Holy Family Parish before I headed to Pilar to get my confirmation certificate. As it turns out, when I checked the confirmation one, it reflected the wrong baptismal date! Argh. The secretary said that the error was from whoever filled out my confirmation application form, as the date they typed is consistent with the date reflected in their book.

So now, I have to get an affidavit stating my correct baptismal date, then head over to PCJ to have it corrected at the bishop’s chancery office or something. Just when I have so much to do!

On the bright side though, I got to buy a nice dress that I’ll get to wear for the dinner after our wedding. I also got to buy a nice pair of shoes for everyday wear, but still no wedding shoes. Boo. I also got to buy some nice nighties, yeah baby! And some medicine that I need to bring there. Spent sooo much money; lately it seems like money’s been flowing out of me like water. But I guess saving up when I was still working has really paid off for me, because I can afford a lot of the stuff that I want and need to get now without really asking for more money from my folks.

Good golly, just 11 more days after tonight!

Meanwhile, here’s something interesting! To get your “true” musical era, go to musicoutfitters.com, type in the year you graduated from high school in the search box, click on the Top 100 Hits of that year and post it in your blog. Type in what you remember and don’t remember about these songs too! As for me, will just comment on the ones I remember.

Mine goes:

1. Gangsta’s Paradise, Coolio — wasn’t this the song from Dangerous Minds
   with Michelle Pfeiffer? As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I take a look at my life and realize what’s left..!
2. Waterfalls, TLC — Oh my, I looooved this song. Don’t go chasin’ waterfalls..
3. Creep, TLC — Ok, for an instant, Creep by Radiohead was what came to mind, probably because Marty just sang it in Rock Star: INXS’s performance show today.
4. Kiss From A Rose, Seal — Batman! And yeah, this one was really sung at
   Rock Star: INXS by MiG today.
5. On Bended Knee, Boyz II Men — I distinctly remember hearing this while
   walking from the Holiday Inn Manila (I think) back to the World Youth Day
   grounds when it was held here in Manila.
6. Another Night, Real McCoy
7. Fantasy, Mariah Carey — sweet, sweet Fantasyyy. A nice Mariah song,
   definitely!
8. Take A Bow, Madonna — this is nice. Didn’t it come from a movie too?
9. Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days), Monica — nice beat, catchy
   lyrics!
10. This Is How We Do It, Montell Jordan — ooh dancy!
11. I Know, Dionne Farris
12. Water Runs Dry, Boyz II Men — I love the intro for this! One of the best
    Boyz II Men songs, I think..perfect for a love affair about to well, run dry.
    It’s so sad. The lyrics are just so beautiful.
13. Freak Like Me, Adina Howard — one of those songs you can imagine being
    covered by local bands, and everyone will join in the chorus..1-I want to
    freak in the morning, A freak in the evening just like me
14. Run-Around, Blues Traveler — nah nah nah nah nah nah nah! Soooo nice! And
    it was in The Truth About Cats and Dogs too!
15. I Can Love You Like That, All-4-One — heh. Nice.
16. Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?, Bryan Adams — was this the one from
    Don Juan de Marco?
17. Always, Bon Jovi — and I-i-i-i will love you baby..always! And I’ll be
    there forever and a day – Always! Yeah, classic Bon Jovi. He used to be so hot.
18. Boombastic / In The Summertime, Shaggy — hehe, classic Shaggy. Mr
    Boombastic, tell me fantastic!
19. Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Nicki French — I actually remember the original
    version more
20. You Gotta Be, Des’ree — oh my, this has got to be one of THE anthems back
    then. And even until now, play it anywhere in the Metro, and practically
    everyone should know the lyrics. After all, you gotta be, right!
21. You Are Not Alone, Michael Jackson — this is soo cheesy!
22. Hold My Hand, Hootie and The Blowfish — Hootie! Hootie! Yeahhh! One of the
    best bands when I was in high school. I love this song!
23. One More Chance-Stay With Me, Notorious B.I.G.
24. Here Comes The Hotstepper, Ini Kamoze — am not sure if I’m remembering the
    right song hehe
25. Candy Rain, Soul For Real
26. Let Her, w Hootie and The Blowfish — why can’t I remember?
27. I Believe, Blessid Union Of Souls — I remember hearing this on the radio
    with the lights out, late at night, and it was just so nice.
28. Red Light Special, TLC — I love singing this song at karaoke bars..so
    sensual!
29. Runaway, Janet Jackson — niiice.
30. Strong Enough, Sheryl Crow — are you strong enough to be my man? Are you?
    Are you? Heh. I remember buying a bookmark with the lyrics of this song at
    Expressions when Robinson’s Place was just plain Robinson’s (Gallerita for UP
    Manila students before!)
31. Colors Of The Wind, Vanessa Williams — Pocahontas!
32. Someone To Love, Jon B. — hmm not sure if I remember this
33. Only Wanna Be With You, Hootie and The Blowfish — I used to have a Hootie
    album, and this was one of the tracks that was always on repeat. Heh.
34. If You Love Me, Brownstone
35. In The House Of Stone And Light, Martin Page
36. I Got 5 On It, Luniz
37. Baby, Brandy
38. Run Away, Real McCoy
39. As I Lay Me Down, Sophie B. Hawkins — it felt like springtime on this
    february morning, in the courtyards the birds were singing your praise.. I
    love this song!
40. He’s Mine, Mokenstef
41. December, Collective Soul
42. I’ll Be There For You-You’re All I Need To Get By, Method Man-Mary J. Blige
43. Shy Guy, Diana King — another one of those songs that will make people
    stand up, sing, and dance to if covered by local bands. So cool!
44. I’m The Only One, Melissa Etheridge — oh this is a nice one from Melissa
    Etheridge. She has such a great singing style. Another song of hers that I like
    is Come Through My Window, the song featured in Boys on the Side. Although the
    more popular song from that movie is of course, one of the played out songs here
    in the Philippines of all time — Power of Two by the Indigo Girls.
45. Every Little Thing I Do, Soul For Real
46. Before I Let You Go, BLACKstreet
47. Big Poppa / Warning, Notorious B.I.G.
48. Sukiyaki, 4 P.M. — yes, who can forget Sukiyaki. This song was SO
    overplayed it became exceedingly cheesy. Although I must admit that hearing it
    now makes me feel a bit nostalgic! It’s all because of you, I’m feeling sad
    and blue You went away, Now my life is just a rainy day and I love you so, how much you’ll never know..you took your love away from me-e-e-e-e
49. I Wanna Be Down, Brandy
50. I’ll Make Love To You, Boyz II Men — so many Boyz II Men songs!
51. Dear Mama / Old School, 2Pac
52. Hold On, Jamie Walters
53. Keep Their Heads Ringin’, Dr. Dre
54. The Rhythm Of The Night, Corona
55. Roll To Me, Del Amitri
56. Scream / Childhood, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson
57. Freek’n You, Jodeci
58. I Wish, Skee-lo
59. Believe, Elton John
60. Carnival, Natalie Merchant
61. You Don’t Know How It Feels, Tom Petty
62. Back For Good, Take That — one of the nice mushy songs
63. Tootsee Roll, 69 Boyz — heh, I remember the dance step!
64. You Want This-70’s Love Groove, Janet Jackson
65. Tell Me, Groove Theory
66. Can’t You See, Total
67. All I Wanna Do, Sheryl Crow — ooh this is such a fuuuun song! And the first
    Sheryl Crow song I know! All I wanna do is have a little fun before I die,
    says the man next to me out of nowhere. Apropos of nothing, he says his name is
    William, I’m sure it must be Bill, Billy or Mac or Buddy..
68. This Lil’ Game We Play, Subway
69. Come And Get Your Love, Real McCoy
70. This Ain’t A Love Song, Bon Jovi
71. Secret, Madonna — I vaguely remember this as playing in the tape deck
    while on the way home from ATC
72. Player’s Anthem, Junior M.A.F.I.A.
73. Feel Me Flow, Naughty By Nature
74. Every Day Of The Week, Jade
75. The Sweetest Days, Vanessa Williams — so mushy!
76. Short Dick Man, 20 Fingers Featuring Gillette — haha! And that’s all I’ll
    have to say about that! LOL.
77. Brokenhearted, Brandy
78. No More "I Love You’s", Annie Lennox — I think this was one of the songs playing on an airplane radio station during one of my trips
79. You Used To Love Me, Faith Evans
80. Constantly, Immature — heh, not the Constantly by Vanessa Williams.
81. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me, U2 — wasn’t this in Batman too?
82. 100% Pure Love, Crystal Waters — yeahhh 100% pure love! so dance-y! One of
    the songs in a dance compilation CD (original, mind you) that we had before.
    Pirated wasn’t too uso back then.
83. Ask Of You, Raphael Saadiq
84. Sugar Hill, Az
85. Good, Better Than Ezra
86. Brown Sugar, D’angelo
87. Turn The Beat Around, Gloria Estefan — it was okay..one of the nice dance
    tunes, I suppose
88. ‘Til You Do Me Right, After 7
89. 1st Of Tha Month, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
90. Like The Way I Do If I Wanted To, Melissa Etheridge
91. I Live My Life For You, Firehouse
92. Dream About You-Funky Melody, Stevie B
93. Cotton Eye Joe, Rednex
94. Thank You, Boyz II Men
95. I’ll Stand By You, Pretenders
96. I Miss You, N II U
97. Give It 2 You, Da Brat
98. Best Friend, Brandy
99. Misery, Soul Asylum
100. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You, Van Halen

Wow, nostalgia trip! There are a lot of songs here I don’t remember though, and a lot more songs that were popular here in the Philippines that probably isn’t included, but still..this list sure brought back a lot of memories!

I went to the doctor at Philamcare today, and apparently I have pharyngitis. There’s some redness at the sides of my tonsils, but no pus, and that’s always a good thing! I think it’s still pretty mild, since it only started yesterday, so at least it can be caught before it gets any worse.

So now I have to avoid cold stuff (ugh), sweet things (double ughhh), and spicy stuff (eh). I need to wake up at 6 in the morning to complete my 7-day antibiotic cycle of 6-12-6-12. Annnnd..I shouldn’t talk too much, as I need to rest my voice. Ah, the sacrifices we need to make for health. Oh well. Anything to get better.

I want an Ipod Nano!!! It’s sleek, it’s thin, it’s handy, it has 2-4GB, it’s gorgeous! I don’t particularly need it, but boy, do I want it! Man oh man.

Ugh, I’ve had such a terrible cold since last night. My nose is so stuffy, I sound so ngongo, and as a result, it’s making me feel rundown. Ughh. I don’t know why or how I got it, but it’s terrible!

Anyhoo, had a good day today..went to meet one of my best guy friends together with his girlfriend. I ate so much fries and pizza and cake..obviously, the cold didn’t affect my appetite. Blech.

[ETA]

If you have a sore throat, be thankful you’re not a giraffe.