Ever since we got engaged, the itineraries of all the trips we booked and planned before have to be modified to accommodate the wedding preparations. Instead of the usual touring around, we are planning to have prenuptial pictorials in Hong Kong, Macau and Australia while we're there. We also plan to buy some Chinese stuff and jewelries in Hong Kong for the Chinese engagement ceremony. And this includes our upcoming trip to Manila and Clark in Angeles City in mid-February.
This trip is scheduled for my oathtaking in Manila as a professional real estate practitioner. But since we'll already be there, we decided to go back to Binondo (see previous blog). Not for the food trip, but to buy stuff for the Chinese engagement ceremony (teng hun). We've also learned that the trip falls on the same weekend as the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Airfields in Angeles City, Pampanga, so we've also decided to include it as one of our many prenuptial pictorial location.
So instead of the usual trip preparation of searching for the cheapest (but modest) hotels and sites to see in the locality, we need to find a wedding photographer and also figure out where to buy the things we need. I'd expect to do more of these again in our succeeding trips until the wedding is over.
And since our trip falls on Valentine's Day weekend, I tried searching for shows and events where we could celebrate. One I found was that of Jose Mari Chan's, one of the most romantic Filipino singers. But the concert would be in Kawit (a city in Cavite province) and not in Manila. So we decided to add Cavite in our itinerary since we haven't been there together yet.
I know it's supposed to be her saying this, but I am kinda excited for our first engagement photo shoot. Can't wait for this trip!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Her Thoughts - Manila, Clark, Cavite
The US trip won't push through.
But it's alright. Me and my better half have trips of our own this year. Trips I am more excited about. Aside from the 11 cities this year, we've added another trip before all that.
We'll be in Manila on February 10, for his real estate broker's oathtaking. While we're there, we've also decided to scout Binondo for the teng hun* items. There are tons of things to prepare, but we're trying to make it as simple as possible. Simple in the sense that we'll only include things that would be of use to us.
This trip coincidentally falls on the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. We're planning to have one of our prenup photoshoots there with hopefully a gazillion, colorful, hot air balloons as the backdrop. One can even ride the balloons for a jaw-dropping rate of 150 USD! Flying a 2-seater plane also comes with the event, at an even higher price!
We'll be busy on this trip. Aside from the oathtaking, Binondo shopping and Clark photo shoot, it'll be Valentine's Day weekend! Star-struck lovers such as us, still celebrate that. It'll be our first and last Valentine's before the big day. We plan to catch A Night with Jose Mari Chan concert at the Island Cove Hotel in Kawit, Cavite.
Despite the hectic schedule, I'm looking forward to this trip. Though I'm hoping we won't get too caught up with our plans that we forget to relax and enjoy.
* traditional Chinese engagement ceremony. There's the Little Khan Chui Book for the guide of the things to prepare. Request for a copy in the comments section so I can email you a copy.
But it's alright. Me and my better half have trips of our own this year. Trips I am more excited about. Aside from the 11 cities this year, we've added another trip before all that.
We'll be in Manila on February 10, for his real estate broker's oathtaking. While we're there, we've also decided to scout Binondo for the teng hun* items. There are tons of things to prepare, but we're trying to make it as simple as possible. Simple in the sense that we'll only include things that would be of use to us.
This trip coincidentally falls on the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. We're planning to have one of our prenup photoshoots there with hopefully a gazillion, colorful, hot air balloons as the backdrop. One can even ride the balloons for a jaw-dropping rate of 150 USD! Flying a 2-seater plane also comes with the event, at an even higher price!
We'll be busy on this trip. Aside from the oathtaking, Binondo shopping and Clark photo shoot, it'll be Valentine's Day weekend! Star-struck lovers such as us, still celebrate that. It'll be our first and last Valentine's before the big day. We plan to catch A Night with Jose Mari Chan concert at the Island Cove Hotel in Kawit, Cavite.
Despite the hectic schedule, I'm looking forward to this trip. Though I'm hoping we won't get too caught up with our plans that we forget to relax and enjoy.
* traditional Chinese engagement ceremony. There's the Little Khan Chui Book for the guide of the things to prepare. Request for a copy in the comments section so I can email you a copy.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Different Journey
All throughout 2010, we booked trips left and right for the upcoming year. Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, India, Korea, and just around the Philippines, traveling was the highlight of the new year. Until a week ago.
My better half was in town unexpectedly. This was fueled by the still-tentative plan of my going to the US early January because of work. We did the usual - ran errands during the day, then dinner to cap the night. Except that it wasn't any ordinary day. It was exactly a year and a day from our first date.
We had dinner in the exact same restaurant, took a stroll along the beach, then settled on the boardwalk, just like the previous year. We then had our usual conversation. I had no idea that he was up to something, until he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. And it was just at that moment that I realized he was proposing.
Though he had originally planned a more dramatic proposal on our upcoming trip to Australia, the still-tentative US trip moved things earlier. But despite not having too much drama, it was perfect. On our favorite little spot, on that cold, windy night, it just needed the two of us. No one and nothing else. And with the sound of the crashing waves beneath us, and his arms around me, I said yes* for the second time. The same spot where I said yes 9 months ago.
It was the perfect end to the previous year. The start of a new year would be the perfect time to start planning for our future. The wedding specifically, but most importantly, our marriage.
The trips we've previously booked will no longer be the highlight this year, though we'd still push through with them. The tons of preparations will be. It will be a crazy year, I'm sure. But it will also be exciting. I know that there will be times when we'd want to wring each others' necks, and there will be surprises lurking in every corner. But in the end, I know love with prevail.
Our trips will diminish considerably after this year. But then we will be embarking on a different journey, the most important trip of our lives. We will be starting a new life together. Unlike traveling for a holiday, this will be a longer journey. It won't always be as fun, but it will be more fulfilling.
Since the early proposal was because of the upcoming trip, I had to ask one question.
* I actually said 'of course'!
My better half was in town unexpectedly. This was fueled by the still-tentative plan of my going to the US early January because of work. We did the usual - ran errands during the day, then dinner to cap the night. Except that it wasn't any ordinary day. It was exactly a year and a day from our first date.
We had dinner in the exact same restaurant, took a stroll along the beach, then settled on the boardwalk, just like the previous year. We then had our usual conversation. I had no idea that he was up to something, until he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. And it was just at that moment that I realized he was proposing.
Though he had originally planned a more dramatic proposal on our upcoming trip to Australia, the still-tentative US trip moved things earlier. But despite not having too much drama, it was perfect. On our favorite little spot, on that cold, windy night, it just needed the two of us. No one and nothing else. And with the sound of the crashing waves beneath us, and his arms around me, I said yes* for the second time. The same spot where I said yes 9 months ago.
It was the perfect end to the previous year. The start of a new year would be the perfect time to start planning for our future. The wedding specifically, but most importantly, our marriage.
The trips we've previously booked will no longer be the highlight this year, though we'd still push through with them. The tons of preparations will be. It will be a crazy year, I'm sure. But it will also be exciting. I know that there will be times when we'd want to wring each others' necks, and there will be surprises lurking in every corner. But in the end, I know love with prevail.
Our trips will diminish considerably after this year. But then we will be embarking on a different journey, the most important trip of our lives. We will be starting a new life together. Unlike traveling for a holiday, this will be a longer journey. It won't always be as fun, but it will be more fulfilling.
Since the early proposal was because of the upcoming trip, I had to ask one question.
Me: So what happens if the trip won't push through?And I was showered with a million kisses..
A: I'll take it back.
Me: You are so mean.
* I actually said 'of course'!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)