5. Hear the humility. Hear the gratitude.
Cheers to an extraordinary life, George.
May the stars in the heavens shine down on you all the days of your life.
About Mothers-In-Law 
While I took turns simultaneously munching between sweet Japanese corn and Roasted Onigiri, we started talking about the wedding preparations and our progress. Various professionals have complimented how efficient we've been in putting things together from scratch within a short period of time, how we were able to get the suppliers we want and how the elements of the wedding are unified tastefully.
I realized it would be such a let-down and it won't do justice to my capacity as an artist to hire someone else to conceptualize and execute a design and flair that is not mine or my fiance's. I'm quite fortunate to have a fiance who has an equally discriminating taste but appreciates mine (yes!). We also work well as a team in coordinating with our suppliers and collating information while designating who calls and deals with which supplier.
As I was capping our meal with some refreshing Coffee Jelly, I remembered something my fiance said, "You are lucky you're very creative because you have your own style. You can imagine it and you know how to make it happen."
I reflected on that and realized I was given another reason to be grateful.
The rest of this evening was spent laughing about traveling to rural areas, washing underwear on top of a cold mountain, dissing the new fancy places around the city that is all form but no substance, trying to understand the stereotypical angsty artist, and how I'm going to stuff the 5-kilo iron sculpture Pete gave me in my luggage when I make my way to NY.
Soon.
It always starts to pour here by 6pm. My 2-second mad dash from the car to the front door of my office building left my body yesterday half-drenched even with an umbrella as I entered my room.
What a full and fulfilling day!
It began with a road trip for a look-see to check out our choice wedding venue, church and menu (of course!). I took a good friend and fellow foodie with me and had great company for the day! At 10:30am, our little adventure began.
More than just being a task, the day turned out better than I expected, what with this breath-taking view and relaxing climate. When I saw the options where the rituals will be held, I was more than pleased.
By 1:30pm, after doing the rounds of the property, and after discussing with my friend the yummy menu options, I began to feel my tummy grumble. We decided to be try out the food from the property itself --- a great excuse to pretend like we're doing the food-tasting (unfortunately, we were supposed to inform them 3 days ahead for this).
Taking our first bite, we both exclaimed, "Hey... this is good stuff!" We both had identical orders of Tori Teriyaki Don (a tender and tasty slab of marinated chicken fillet in a rice bowl),
plump pieces of Gyoza (steamed Japanese dumplings with gingery flavor); and
Tori Karaage (breaded fried chicken with a slightly curried taste) that was a bit too bland and was missing in that distinct Japanese flavor.
For the very first time since we began planning the wedding, I was finally beginning to feel excited.
As in cheerfully excited (sans the previous worries of getting requirements done.)
It was a day well-spent.
Good food.
Fabulous mountain-view.
Fantastic friendship and company.
And no traffic.
It's a great day to simply be.
Read more...Amidst the on-going planning (to think we haven't even gotten to the wedding logistics and bridal outfit part yet!) and procuring of all sorts of paperwork, I just need some semblance of a respite. I haven't left my desk all day, and the phone was ringing off-the-hook with random friends suddenly calling me during one of the busier days of my life.
After I let my mind wander, I began to reminisce about sharing Chinese food last July at David's Tea House with my fiance after work for the day was done. We were hungry and when we entered the resto come lunch time, the place was packed with a queue outside. Luckily, a woman was dining by herself and signaled to us to occupy the other seats at her table. We were elated at that thought of being able to sit and satisfy our growling tummies.
Simple blessings and thrills soothed me at that moment as we chatted aimlessly about our wedding and merrily feasted on a hot bowl of fresh Special Congee,
uber meaty Shrimp Dumpling (Hakaw),
steaming and fragrant Wonton Noodle Soup,
and Pork Dumpling (one of the dishes that will make me eat pork).
What I liked about their dimsum is that it was hardly starchy and they really stuff their dumplings generously with something good and tasty. Their hakaw was not caked with layers of wrapper, and the shrimp was quite juicy! I liked the fragrance of Chinese clear soups as it gave a waft of sweet scent, and their congee had all sorts of fresh meats sunk somewhere in the bowl for me to find.
It was a nice and simple day to think of --- far more relaxing that what we've been doing lately to jump start the marriage and wedding preparations (remember, those are two very different things).
It's 1:50 a.m.
If there is one thing I learned tonight. it's that one should not blog and look at pictures of glorious food when you're supposed to go to bed.
I remember enjoying this breath-taking view on a slow Sunday afternoon with my fiance.
It was a rainy day and everything looked serene from the top.
Serenity. Amidst wedding plans?
Right now, my house seeks a semblance of order. I've been wearing dresses because my slacks are all in the laundry --- one which has been taking a life of its own since the wedding plans began. I've been purchasing my salads from the Coffee Bean across my building, and sometimes forgetting to eat altogether. I've been getting my toiletries from 7-11 because I haven't got the time to go to the grocery, either.
My fiance and his discriminating judgement for epicurean treats was rather pleased with our kim bap (sushi-type stuffed with cooked ingredients),
and a hefty serving of jap chae (glass noodles that look like fat vermicelli).
We left the place feeling stuffed but happy.
We were so relaxed then.
Was that only less than a month ago? If I knew wedding plans entailed many little details to sort out --- from the technical, legal and aesthetic --- I should have planned this since birth.
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