Fast Forwarding 2017 :)

It's Black Saturday 2018 and I'm alone. Not that I dread it but I planned this me-time to write something in here.... Been thinking about putting up a post for a week now and I finally and literally helped myself to make my fingers type. Today, we planned to have some out-of-town picnic and celebration for my friends in the current company; that is to celebrate Jeff's birthday and sorta farewell for Alvin. We had fun playing in the waters of Sungai Sedim, a river somewhere in Kulim, Malaysia.While all of us are enjoying the nature, I was particularly kinda meditating while gazing at the strong current of flowing waters and the rocks in between. The scenery gave me a revelation of Psalms 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

So much for the present and lemme begin what's related to the title of this entry :P Thought I'd give a quick run through of my 2017 so that I have something to read in the future when I turn on my "reminiscin'" mode...

2017 - A year that I will never forget. A year full of blessings, fulfillment of dreams, and lotsa prayers answered by God. I'm in awe and more than thankful.

Tomorrow will commence the 1st year of my "best April Fool's day" ever. Last year April 1 was when my dear "now-husband" finally popped the question asking me to marry him. I already had the idea back then when he was still planning it all because I recognized some clues, nevertheless, I played along and planned to act "surprised". Don't say I'm a "kill-joy" but in fairness, we have been discussing about "it" for quite some time so I'd say the element of surprise wasn't there anymore. Somehow, it turned out to be as surprising as it can be. While I knew it's gonna happen and knew who were the people involved, there was a twist in the situation that totally made me real surprised instead. He made a very touching AVP of me and of us and invited my long old friends into the rented venue. That truly gave me a real surprise that I ended up crying like a baby. Cries of genuine happiness. I consider his proposal as a milestone and one of the many important moments of my life and I wanted to have with me all my closest friends and love ones. Well, it just so happen that my family is back home, hence they couldn't be in the celebration. And so I said yes! :)

Obviously the next step would be the planning, which is I'd say "challenging" for anyone who'd do especially for people like me, like us, who are very sentimental. Within April, we've decided on a date, hence, the planning started abruptly. It's gonna be in September! What makes it extra-interesting is guess what? In May, I had to travel to US for a business trip and I'd be away for about 3 weeks! Well it's basically more of attending a conference in Florida in which I am going to receive an award from my current company. I'm thankful for the award and I deserve it. It's fascinating as well that I get to bring 1 guest with me for the trip, all expense paid! Isn't that awesome? I brought my dear sister with me and that US trip gave us some time to bond, love and hate each other...lol... you know sisters or siblings would have some cats and dogs fight mode on. Nevertheless, I treasured the moments. Cecelia and I had the chance to meet up and spend some time with our Uncle in Jacksonville; she had the chance to meet up with her friend Ana. I made a side trip to our Englewood Colorado office while Ces took the opportunity to rest. We also both had the chance to spend quality time with Tito Eddie, Tita Claire and cousins Kristel & her boyfriend Mark and some time with Kate before she got married.We also met up with Ryan Potpot and Kuya JunJun & family. Our trip to US was really in a good timing and we were able to meet up many relatives and somehow joined special celebrations like Tita Claire's birthday, Kate's bridal shower and some baby shower of their family friend. It was unforgettable and I'm more than thankful to God for the awesome wonderful blessings and opportunity.

June, July, August passed by so swiftly and occupied my time to the max! Most of the days were spent wisely ofcourse you know where right? Planning our wedding. We wanted our wedding to be in the Philippines since our respective families are there and we are from there. Discussions about the place, the entourage list, managing the black and white requirements for a marriage certificate, and what not were done. We invited very close friends here in Penang and we are so grateful that most of them said "yes, we are coming"; and then they booked their own flights and hotels in which we are glad to know! :) In fact, they even booked their flights earlier than us, talk about being too excited for us huh! :P Well, just to let you know, I did hire a wedding planner but I am telling you, even though you do so, as the "bride", I would say you'll end up making sure everything is perfectly planned. I'm thankful to have my sisters, Tin & Ces and bestfriend Lorna to help me coordinate, etc. from Manila. On the sides, we were going through the Pre-marital counselling with Pastor GP and we finished it by end of June. At the same time, we were practicing some dance, which we want to perform as a surprise for our guests, to the tune of "Footloose" :P

September 2nd was the wedding day! We went back to Manila a week earlier to do what other preparations that we needed to do. Our guests from Penang arrived on the "Thursday" of that week, the wedding was on a Saturday. It was held in Tagaytay. We checked in a very nice "small- homey" hotel and that's where we have requested our Penang Guests to check in also. It was in Carmelence Lodge and Carmelence View. There's a nice view of the Taal Lake, the rooms are wonderful. Just google it and you'll be able to browser their website. The usual "wedding" escapades were done, video shoot, photoshoot, etc.

We planned a garden wedding but the weather was having its tantrums so we ended up making it indoor. The indoor venue was a rustic-type and my wedding gown was like a victorian style so I thought that's a match. Well, we did all the things that a couple would usually do on their wedding - Philippines style ya.... However, we have prepared something extra-ordinary and special for that night. The special final dance and fireworks as finale. We requested all married couples to go out of the garden and to join us in our last dance for the night to the tune of "Love moves in a mysterious ways", Nina version. In the end, we surprised everyone with fireworks. We wanted to share our "cloud 9" moment with all married couples present and wished to re-spark their love with each other through the dance and the fireworks! The wives were soo happy that some of them uttered that they've been married for 20 years or more but were never danced by their husbands ever! And so all of us "wives" were smiling away! It was magical, not just for us but for all the couples! Mission accomplished.

Here's the link to our SDE that you wanna check out: https://vimeo.com/232420728

Well, October, November and December were more of things that a new couple would do. I'll leave this an open-ended area to let you think; besides, this entry is too long already. I have to cut it and write my ending paragraph! :P

Now, it's 2018. Lots of things still. But I wanna end with having the Lord Jesus Christ in mind. I couldn't be more than thankful for what he did on the cross to save me, all of us from our sins! In one and a half hours time, it's gonna be Easter!

Have a blessed Easter 2018!

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