My fiance's pasalubong for me...

...chocolates!

I stayed home again today. Still sick. =( Gian probably knows how bad I feel about my being sick so he got a sweet little surprise for me. Thanks Ggboy!

Fog City News Chocolates

Dark and Milk Chocs

Milk Chocolate

Dark Chocolate

Hmmm.. Lovely! Yum!

I have one more yummy thing to share. I will save that for my next post. :)

Picking a gift for myself. Hehe

Here's a quick post before I start doing my project again... I'm feeling feverish. I just want to sleep the whole day. =(

I saw this necklace in Chuvaness' blog. I want one! Isn't it so lovely?

Now I'm thinking of returning the birthday gift I got for myself (which I am still yet to receive since I ordered it online) and get this one instead. I shouldn't get both. I shouldn't be spoiling myself or else we won't have enough money for our wedding. Hehe.

Anyway, I'll stop day dreaming now and get back to work. Please pray I get well soon. I don't want to be sick while my family's here. Thanks.

Bubble Necklace from Moma

Thank you...

I'm taking a quick break from doing my projects... It's tiring... =(

Anyway, I never got the chance to post this earlier but it's never too late. I went home to the Philippines (well, more than once this year. hehe) and visited Figaro Magsaysay. This was delivered to my table:

My favorite cup of coffee so far =)

To the new staff of Figaro Magsaysay, I know I never really got the chance to work with you guys but I really and truly appreciate such warm welcome from all of you. I can't help but smile every time I see this picture. Too bad I was back only for a while. To Tin and Kathy, I miss Figaro so much but I definitely miss you guys more. Hugs!

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is really so much to be thankful for. Sometimes I just get too busy or too unsatisfied with a lot of things to realize that. 

To add to that, I'm actually looking forward to a shopping spree (yey!) - for myself (thanks daddy and gg) and for Christmas gifts as well. This year however, I'm gonna try my best to spend less. Here's why:

Advent Conspiracy Video  - Please watch it. It's so moving. 

So, if you're planning to give me a gift for Christmas, please try to spend less too. I know I want a lot of stuff from Pinas and I'd love to receive them for sure. Nonetheless, there's nothing more meaningful than giving me a bit of one's self - time - than any other tangible gift there is. 

After I watched that video, I realized, I am indeed blessed. 

I'm sad...

...and tired. I've been working on my project all day!

It's my sister's birthday today (Philippine time) and I'm not there to celebrate it with her. I miss my family. =(

I'm trying to make myself laugh.. so here she is:

The Birthday Girl...

Lei, wearing my eye glasses and immitating my taray look. Hehe.

She made a major mistake of waxing her "bigote" yesterday. I don't know why she wanted to get rid of it. It suits her naman. Parang Lei isn't Lei without it; just like daddy isn't daddy without his. Hehe! Oh, they look very alike by the way. Anyway, she went to "Let's Face It"; and her skin got irritated because of the wax that they used. I wonder why they didn't test it first on a small spot on her skin. She got depressed tuloy yesterday but I think she's ok already. 

She's really pretty with or without it. Take a look at her:

She's "modeling her Fino bag here. Hehe. This is Micah's shot. (Oh, Micah's so pretty too. take a look here)

Lei and moi. ;)

HaBerDay Lei! Guard your heart always. Love you. 

I want this...

...it's probably out of stock tomorrow already though. =(

Comme des Garcons for H&M

Ok, back to work. study-mode again.

Message Last Sunday...

Last Sunday, after church, Gian and I were discussing Pastor Art's message and how it relates to us. He left us with a question: What is one thing in your life that God is telling you "Go for it!"?

Mine's life after graduation. I have to admit I'm kinda scared. I'm really looking forward to my OPT (Optional Practical Training) here. I don't want to go back home without any experience because I've never had any in retail yet (Well, except for my 2 internships this quarter and a few volunteer opportunities, but still, I think those aren't enough). But given the economic condition right now, it's getting even more scarier. My colleagues who are looking for jobs - since they're not International Students and can already work - are having a really hard time finding one. I would always tell Gian those stories. I guess he realized he's already like a broken vinyl because he encourages me over and over again that I'm gonna get a job after I graduate. He always says, "Iba naman situation nila sayo." I have to admit, after hearing the message last Sunday, I was really assured and encouraged. God brought me here with little, in fact almost no effort on my part. He'll surely finish whatever good work He has started in me.

Gian's, is his proposal. That was so clear to him, he said. Well, he actually had a different plan. I think he didn't really want to propose yet. He wanted to prepare further for the proposal and for our life together, of course. He even said, he wanted to give me a Tiffany engagement ring instead (Isn't he always spoiling me?). I was really touched hearing him say things like that because I realized how much he always wants to give me the best... And I mean, always. But this I also have to say, I'll never take anything in exchange for God's perfect time. I knew, when He said to him, "Gian, go for it!", Gian gave me the best by responding to that voice. Isn't it just so wonderful?

Love you fiance.. :)

We went to Napa Twice last Summer...

This post is actually the first one. The second time was with Art and Angela which I posted earlier. See here. This blog isn't in chronological order anymore. 

We went to Robert Mondavi Winery...

at the entrance

We were late for our group tour because of this train. It blocked the entrance!

Aren't they lovely?

We had a great lunch afterwards..

Bread with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

My Strawberry Margarita

My lamb. Yum!

Gian's Kobe Burger. His fave so far.

Gian and I

Guess where we went last Saturday?

Gian and I had dinner at Tivoli in Mandarin Oriental, Manila for his birthday (Sorry, no pictures. He forgot my camera in the car). But here in U.S., we still haven't really celebrated. So we did last Saturday. It's more than a month late but it's okay. 

Moi

My date

I've seen the popover in person. hehehe! I finished it and the strawberry butter. I even ate half of Gian's strawberry butter. It's really nice and creamy. I love how it melts with the popover.

Popover and Strawberry Butter from Neiman Marcus Rotunda

Gian's Angus Beef Burger and Fries

My Tenderloin Salad. Yum!

We're supposed to go to Japan Town for dessert. I've been craving for Sophie's Crepe. Their Strawberry Crepe with Chocolate Gelato is sinfully delicious! We didn't go though. It was raining hard. Too bad the weather wasn't cooperative.

P.S.

I got sick btw... probably because of the weather. I miss summer. 

To Return or Not?!

Got this skirt on sale at H&M last week:

 

It's a high waisted heavy weight wool flannel skirt (whew! that's long. hehe). What I like most about it is the fact that it has pockets. Plus, the color is also nice - not the usual plum which is the mainstream color for fall. I really like the skirt a lot. But I'm not sure if it's practical since I can probably use it only during Fall/Winter. Yeah, it's on sale anyway... but I'm hoping I could buy a new pair of really comfortable shoes (my pinky toe bled last week because of my shoes. Poor toe!) that I can use for internship... so I'm still thinking if I should return this. Btw, I like the length too. It's something new for me. I'm feeling experimental. ;) I'll wait another week before deciding. We'll see..

EDIT: I returned it.

Dinner...

Vietnamese Resto. I forgot the name. I enjoyed a lot!

Shrimp and Garlic Noodles with Parmesan Cheese

Shaking Beef (super tender!)

What I Wore to Interviews...

It's kinda different here in the US.

In the Philippines, I remember, we had a subject in DLSU wherein we were taught how to dress up for an interview. To me, it was so uncomfortable and not weather-friendly at all. Imagine, we were supposed to wear a long sleeve shirt (with collar, of course) plus, a jacket or blazer. No sleeveless. No plunging necklines needless to say (Well, at least this one is understandable). Closed shoes are required. Preferably skirt instead of pants but mind you, we're supposed to wear pantyhose too! Imagine commuting in that outfit. I really am so glad I didn't have to commute at that time.

In the US, I believe somehow we can do away without the pantyhose. Of course it's still recommended, but for my interviews for internship in particular, I did not wear one. But I really don't think it was a problem. But even then, if we choose to wear such, it would be a lot easier since it isn't humid here anyway. I didn't wear long sleeve shirt either and I wore my jacket only when I was feeling cold. I think that's more logical instead of trying to dress up without considering the weather. I mean, we have to be comfortable during the interview. Being there per se is stressful enough because you don't know how it would turn out... so I really don't see the logic behind making us wear uncomfortable clothes.

Printed Silk Chiffon Top from BR - gift from Tito Bong, Skirt from Ukay-ukay (I got it for like Php 10), Shoes from Kenneth Cole, Bag from Fino

Top from Topshop, Cardigan from Gap, Wool Skirt -gift from Che, Shoes from Kenneth Cole, Bag from Fino

Withoug the Cardigan

I went to 4 interviews. The rest of my outfits, I wasn't able to "document". Got accepted in 3 companies. Had to choose two because I'm still studying. Besides, it's non-paid. I don't have much money for Bart (train) and lunch. The one I didn't choose doesn't allow interns to work with another retail company while with them. Too bad. The interviewer is so nice pa naman. But they're all nice, really. 

We will save up for this:

Afternoon tea at...

Neiman Marcus Rotunda

Desserts, sandwiches, etc.!

Tea

This will be our "reward" for ourselves once we finish our Professional Designation Program in FIDM. Or, maybe we could go there after our volunteer event for FIDM's Open House Fashion Show in Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium. We'll see! =) It's your fault Marian! Hehe. Kidding! I'm excited!



*photos from Yelp

My Non-paid Internships

Verrieres and Sako

http://www.verrieres-sako.com/vs/

Amy Kuschel Bride

http://www.amykuschel.com/

I am really enjoying! It is tiring sometimes but very rewarding for some reason. =)

The Pamamanhikan Dessert

Mango Cheesecake from Cheesecake Etc. because Cuerva's Mango Torte is closed on Sundays.

We also have a group picture. The thing is, it was shot against the light. We all look like silhouettes lang tuloy. No one bothered to have a re-take shot though. Tensed perhaps? Hehe. Nah, it all went smoothly :)

We went to...

...Carmel-by-the-Sea.

I swear this is a candid shot! Nice eh? I like his porma rin; simple and manly. ;)


I was laughing at him, I can't remember why! Hehe. Wearing Collezione by Rhett Eala's My Pilipinas dress (loves it!), Pashmina from HK, Fino bag, necklace with mother-of-pearl and flower pendant - a gift from Gg.

...and Monterey


Then we went to Gilroy and then Santana Row. No pics there though.

Look! Here's what I saw in Two Seasons Boracay...

...a preggy (at least, I think so!) koi.


One of our kois at home died a few days before I left Pinas. It had a big booboo*. =( sad. Of course, I didn't take pics anymore. Kawawa e.

*booboo is wound according to my goddaughter, Chiara.

Guess where we are?

If you've been here before, most probably, your guess won't be wrong.

Gian and I in Boracay


photographer: Lei (Naks. hehe!)

Gian came home with me. His primary purpose is his pamamanhikan. We were also initially planning to get married in Boracay so a few days after his pamamanhikan, we flew off to Bora with my mom, lei and his dad. We were so excited having our wedding there. We were already imagining how it would be like. We met our prospective wedding coordinator, Ms. Amanda Tirol. We're both looking forward to working with her. I would really recommend her to anyone who wants to get married in Bora (she only does Boracay weddings). We even befriended Ate Sugar, a super nice lady in Discovery Shores Boracay and she said she's hoping to see us again next year, on our wedding day.

Gian and I love the beach so much. I, for one, am such a water baby! I learned how to swim by accident. When we were still small, my cousins and I would go swimming; and I would pretend I am swimming free style while holding the railing since I don't know yet how to swim, or float even. My hand slipped and I was so surprised that I didn't sink. Probably because I didn't panic. Before I knew it, I was already swimming freestyle (Read: Not the freestyle freestyle. Freestyle as in walang style. hehe). Then we took formal swimming lessons. Gian, on the other hand, took swimming lessons in an olympic size pool. Hehe! He's also a certified diver. Naks! He has a very nice pic in his diver's ID. Haha! I wish I could scan it and post it here but I know he won't let me. Hehe.

I've never really imagined getting married in Boracay or in any beach. Partly because at that time, I thought it's more expensive, only to find out years later that destination weddings are less expensive than traditional ones. The guests get to share with the expenses though because they pay for their airfare and accomodation. Honestly, I've only imagined that my wedding will be a very intimate and simple one. I prefer intimate gatherings. Anyone close to me would agree with me on that. I guess God has a different plan, I must say a better one; or, should I say, the best one? Yeah... Paulie once said, "God has the best thing in mind when He thinks of you."

Rewind to: a few days before we left for the Philippines... Gian and I prayed for our trip. He prayed for the pamamanhikan, for the wedding preps, etc. I can remember, he prayed na hindi yung mga plans namin yung masunod, but God's plan for us... He prayed that God would go ahead of us and lead us.

For some, I must admit, very logical and practical reasons (for the guests' comfort, first and foremost), the Boracay wedding won't push through anymore. I have to be honest... we were really sad about it at first. But then we were reminded of our prayer. I'd like to think this is God's plan for us. My heart is once again expectant... joyful... excited.

Please continue praying for our wedding. It isn't really about us, but about the Author of our love story.

Wine Tour in Napa

Ok, one more post before I sleep (Philippine time! I'm here in Pinas btw! Gg's pamamanhikan. He's back in the States na. I'll be here 'til next weekend).

Thanks to Pastor Art and Angela for inviting me and Gian to a wine tour in Napa. We went there last August 23rd. Had so much fun!

Half of our group

Grapes ready to be "pressed". Hehe

Harvest time for green grapes. The purple ones have to wait.

With Art.

Full of wine. =)

Giant strawberry. We're allowed to pick fruits and veggies from the garden. ;)


Me, Angela, Art and Gian

P.S.
Art prayed for Gg's pamamanhikan. Big thanks for that too!