International weekend: CYMA

Our International Weekend: CYMA
*My problem with blogging, is that I always forget to take pictures!*
What a weekend! Food trip kung food trip!
And so we celebrated our first year anniversary. At first we wanted to dine in a fancy restaurant, but then I realized Bordok (our baby boy) will just make a fuss and get bored. When we eat out, it has to be in a mall, so Bordok can go outside the restaurant anytime, and be entertained with the people passing by.
So we settled on Cyma. It's something new for us; Gegs hasn't tried it before, and the last time I ate here was 4 years ago! It also has good reviews from the blogs I stumbled upon while searching for a place to celebrate. Plus, it's not THAT expensive.. From what I read, it gives value for money.
Since we were on our way to Paranaque, we opted to try Cyma at Eastwood Mall. For starters (we were starving! Lunch at 4pm!), we ordered the Tzatziki mezedes (P120), which is served with pita bread. It was refreshing! I think it was Greek yoghurt with cucumber. We even ordered extra pita bread (P50/4pcs). But ate Tata, our kasambahay and sometimes yaya to Bordy, didn't like the tzatziki, since it was a bit sour. Heehee
Then we followed up with: horiatiki salad (P280/solo) and moussaka (P250). The salad was just okay, a lot of black olives and capers, which gegs loved! I ordered the moussaka since it is the national dish of Greece, and well, we want our adventure to be authentic. Hehe it had lots of meat layered with eggplant and topped with bechamel sauce (I think that's what they call it). It was savory, and the serving was good for sharing.
We also tried their Mixed meat gyro (P200), since I loove shawarmas. This is different! I would've wanted more of the garlic sauce, but it's okay, malinamnam talaga!
For our main, we ordered their lamb shoulder loin chops (P495) served with rice-stuffed peppers and the chicken acropolis pasta (P500/for sharing). I was surprised with their lamb chops, the serving was huge! There were 2 large chops, and on the side was rice-stuffed bell pepper. I love their tender chops! The acropolis pasta is not on their printed menu, but I saw it on their online menu, and the server said it can be requested from the kitchen. I chose well! the acropolis pasta had generous serving of chicken meat, and the sauce was oh so creamy! The topping of spinach went well with the sauce. But I shoud've just ordered the regular size, because we were not able to finish it. We were so full already, even before the pasta arrived! Heehee
The only downside was, their aircon was busted when we were there. And we didn't want to eat outside because the mall was doing repairs, and a guy on a scaffolding was welding something. But other than that, it was a pretty good meal. And the damage to the wallet was less than P2,200! With the feast that we had, it was definitely sulit!
Attachment includes the note and its objects
-Sent from my mobile device-

It's been a year!

...and I still haven't updated this site!

For now, I am just testing how to post via mobile. :) I want to know if I will be able to post pictures.

12 Days to Go...

How come it feels like I just started preparing for our day??

Good thing I'm not a "panicker". Hahahaha!

our pre-cana seminar

I guess I'm really not the photo-taking type. Forgot to take pictures again! :(

Well, our pre-cana seminar at Santuario del Sto Cristo was initially scheduled for October. But last week, Friday I think, I was surprised when ate Odet sent me a message, reminding me to bring a pen on  Sunday for the seminar. Turned out, they moved the seminar from October 10 to September 12! I panicked at first, 'cos I knew that Gegs had something scheduled for Sunday. I asked ate Odet if they have any seminar schedule for October, and she told me they didn't. If we can't make it Sunday, then we'll have to look for another church that conducts pre-cana seminars, and join that instead. Hassle! So I asked Gegs, and he cancelled his schedule (buti na lang!) and we joined the other Santurio del Sto Cristo couples last Sunday.

We learned a lot from the seminar. It was conducted by the local Couples for Christ. Some of the speakers were fun, injecting their own personal experiences in their talks. It would have been better if they had more interactive activities for the couples, as we didn't get to mingle with them much. At first I thought we were the youngest couple in the group, turned out I just look at ourselves as still young. When actually, we were more or less the same age. Hehehe

We were surprised food and seminar were included in the package for the church (so cheap!). Food was good! Kare-kare and chicken adobo, plus buko pandan for dessert. Since we finished early with the morning session (around 1130), and the PM session starts at 1, we sneaked out to visit Auntie Lolly and Uncle Enteng's place, hoping to see Bezalel. hehehe Too bad, they were still in Bulacan.

I'm glad we attended the pre-cana seminar. We both picked-up thoughts and ideas that we pondered on, and discussed after the seminar. It was enlightening. :)

for our guests...

Please visit our other site, for useful information on the wedding. :)


MyWedding/JongandTippy

updates: gown, shakey's, gym, and what-have-yous

I've been a bit busy lately. With what exactly, I can't seem to put my finger on. Haha

Gown. I'm done with my first fitting with Sir Paul (can't make myself to call him tito.. got used to sir), and I must say, it was quite an experience. I can't seem to describe it... "ang gara ng feeling". Bongga! I feel rich. Hehe
I lost half an inch on my waist (yay for me!). I also bought my wedding shoes last Saturday! Yay again! I'm happy with the shoes, except for the heels.. It's quite high. I wonder if I can properly on them... Good luck! But they're really very sexy on the feet. *grins*

Shakey's. I love them. I love their greek salad and chicken with mojos. I can eat here everyday (but alas, it will put a dent on our wedding budget!). They have excellent customer service, other restaurants should learn a thing or two from this restaurant. And the greatest thing about 'em? They're consistent! Well, at least in ALL the branches I've already tried - SM North, Festival Mall Alabang, Congressional, Ever Gotesco.. (forgot the others). Kudos!

I started going to the gym last week, but stopped again 'cos Gegs is so busy and he won't let me go alone. Good luck to us! Goal: not to gain back the half inch I lost.

Marriage license and seminar. DONE! Yay again! We're going to get our license on 13 September, and after that, just have to attend the Pre-Cana seminar at the Church in October, to complete our requirements. There's no turning back now... :) The family planning seminar at the City Hall was so funny. Because we were so sleepy! And before that, we didn't know we lined up for the VD-STD-HIV seminar, which was also being conducted at the same time and venue! Haha! Good thing a manong saw our seminar slip, and directed us to the correct queue.

Invitations. Done! Finally! Decided on a simple design, done with half of the envelopes, will just have to label and deliver them. Good luck! Can I get a messenger for this? hehehe HSBC days... Gegs is so busy, but he won't let me go alone.

Cake. Confirmed order with Vence and Vida, finalised design as well. We are going to get a simple fondant for a very low cost. Yummy chocolate and marble cake, too! Check them out: Tummish Cakes.

Hotel for preps. Booked! Thanks to mom's credit card, was able to book thru Agoda.com -- they have cheaper rates!

TO DO: souvenirs - gegs didn't approve of the supplier I found. I gave him until next week to find a new one. If he's too busy, then we'll stick with my supplier. :)
Set meeting with Ysabel - will do this when I get a hold of our down payment for the reception.

My very disappointing red kimono dinner

Gegs and I have always been fond of Japanese food. And if you offer us an eat-all-you-can bargain, we would not decline.

Tonight was date night, and Gegs and I even dressed-up to eat out. We decided on Japanese food, and since he hasn't tried Red Kimono yet, we decided we'd visit their branch at Ayala Land techno hub.

I was excited, I remember I liked their modern-Japanese makis. But lo and behold, not all of them are included in the eat-all-you-can menu. Its okay, we understand. It was perfectly understandable that not all their regular items can be ordered ''bottomless''. When they told us that we'd need to order at least a cup of rice, we obliged even if we were not eating rice anymore.

What we don't understand is why the cup of fried rice they served us was packed full, and over the brim. It was obviously not how they served rice for the other clients ordering a-la carte. We felt that it was a tactic they use, so the costumer would feel full immediately. We felt we were cheated of a good, healthy dinner. Instead, we endured the torture of trying to finish the cup (it was more of 2 cups) of fried rice. We left with full stomachs, alright. But also with dampened spirits and a vow never to eat at Red Kimono again.

less than 3 months to go!

Yesss... Less than 3 months. But still a lot of things to accomplish!

a) Marriage License! and my NSO birth certificate. Being the kuripot that I am, I refuse to simply call-in and wait for the delivery of my birth certificate... It's P315! But how much will it cost me, anyway, to go to NSO and get it myself? 'Cos if I'm not going to save much anyway, I'd rather save myself the trouble of red tape.

b) Souvenirs for guests - I am having second thoughts on the photobooth. Ate Glady said that if we are going to have one, then it has to be placed outside. So either risk the rain, or rent a tent.

c) Cakes! This one I am excited about. I'm thinking vanilla cake? Marble cake would be yummy, too. Can't wait for the cake-tasting!

d) Invitations! Ack!! This has got to be prioritised!

e) Other wedding paraphernalia -- like, deciding if we'll have traditional flower girls, ring and arrhae bearer? And if yes, what are the kiddos going to wear?


A lot more stuff to do, but these are on the top of my list. Boy, oh, boy. Sure hope we can finish everything on time!

interviews and measurements

2 things, as I said in the Subject Line.

First, the Canonical Interview. We were so delighted to get to know the priest who will soon marry us. Fr. Jesus Pol, OP. We're trying to guess at his nationality-- I was thinking Polish? Apparently he's been here for a long time. He taught at the Aquinas School, and was Parish Priest for a while in the 1980s. He's a very good Tagalog speaker, and we didn't have a difficult time warming up to him. Good thing we passed the interview! Apparently, this particular priest declines if he feels the couple is not yet ready for the married life. Whew!

Next, measurements! We went to sir Paul's last week, but he was just so busy... And he had to go out of the country. Finally, Nay sent me a message, asking me to meet her at the shop, Thursday morning. There was no electricity! But he was there, so we discussed what I wanted for the dress, and he took my measurements! First fitting in August! I can't wait to see it! Well, first, I was just discussing the dress that I saw, I didn't want to show him the dress I found on the internet, 'cause: 1. I didn't want him to copy it exactly, he can give his own interpretation to it, and 2. I didn't want to offend him. But after some discussion, (and 1 design which was good, but he wasn't completely satisfied with) I felt I wasn't being articulate in describing what I wanted, so I finally showed him the picture. The print-out included some of the styles and designs which I was choosing from. He saw 2 things he liked, put two-and-two together, and voila!! My wedding gown. :) Shame that he had to put aside the 1st design, as I also liked it, but in his own words, the 2nd (and final) design, is cute. I am so excited, he is so good. I can't begin to guess how I'll look in something that is "cute". hahaha My golly my waistline is 2* and 3/4 when he measured it! Cmown. It doesn't look it, does it? Better get in shape!!

bolero, anyone?

Need one. What do you think?

aling naty's sisig and my wedding gown

Some XXX miles later, on a street somewhere in Angeles City, Pampanga (or was it Clark?), while eating the original Cabalen sisig (freshly chopped, with lotsa lotsa white onions!!), dinuguang pata, assorted chicken parts (ass, heart, etc), glass of cold pale pilsen for the boys and San Mig Light for me, and somekinda roasted and toasted peanuts --- Gegs and I finally decided on the styling of our wedding. With the help of course of none other than Tito Ga. :))

It's true, why would we be afraid to stand out from our guests, its our day! :D

So now I have the style of my gown, and we now know how we could tie-up our looks (with a little help from tito Ga). I can't wait!

for the mothers of the bride and groom...

I am actually uploading all these pictures for the sake of convenience. So I can show them my "research" anytime, anywhere (that there is internet connection, that is.).

So... imagine the tops paired with sexy jeans and heels. What say you? :D

scratch the previous post, i have a new set!

Hmmm.. What to do, what to do?

what to do... what to do...

Hmmm.. Grecian?

Hmmm... But will it look good with Scarface? :D

the Groom's attire...

Guegma found his "look" for the wedding.


Scarface, anyone?

finally! Church is officially booked!

 After months of hemming and hawing... We finally went to Sanctuario del Sto Cristo yesterday, 15 June 2010.

We accomplished the application form, submitted our Baptismal and Confirmation certificates, and paid the full amount for the church. Our Canonical Interview is scheduled for 10 July. Our Pre-Cana is on 10 October. Ü

We fell in love with the Church! I love the chandeliers and the stained glass windows.. I love the walls... The church is simple and elegant. We're just so glad our date was still free, even if it's kinda late already, and most churches are booked 'til December. Good thing our wedding date falls on a Wednesday. Ü The church is kinda big for what we initially envisioned, but it's okay. Plus, we noted that parking space is ample.

Ours is an afternoon wedding, 3:30 PM. Now we can start on the invitations! Next stop: Cafe Ysabel and meeting with designer. 

                                                                        Church facade

                            This is the view from Parish office, going back to the parking lot.

                                                                        Altar ceiling.

                                                                de guzman - fernandez Ü
                                                   

i got my baptismal and confirmation certificates!

A few weeks back, I almost freaked out when I learned from my brother that they can't find my confirmation certificate. (But then again, there was enough time to get confirmed again.)

For some reason, I can't remember my own confirmation. My 1st communion, I can recall. But my confirmation? There are no pictures, and apparently, I wasn't confirmed with my friends from high school. I checked my old diaries (good thing I wrote down almost everything), and my confirmation was mentioned in passing. I concluded I was confirmed some time between November and December of 1998. 

When my brother returned to San Vicente parish with that bit of information, they said they didn't have any record for La Consolacion (my high school) for that year. My brother sent me an SMS. I was in a meeting. I panicked. Good thing, my dad was with him. And he asked the office to check, not considering my high school. Lo and behold, they have my name!

Why did it take so long? When I gave my brother money a month ago to get my certificates? Parish offices are not computerised. They search the record books manually. Gosh. That's why they needed a precise date when you ask for your certificate. Easier and faster.

So guys, if you can't recall when you were baptized or confirmed, better search for it first before you request for your certificates. Not unless your parish is high-tech.

Ü

Save the Date girls and guys!

wedding theme

I think I mentioned several times that our theme would be red and black with a touch of gold. But for our guests, we have one other request: to come in jeans :)

To give you an idea of what we mean, check out the pictures below :))