Be Happy, Be Lucky!

Photo Credit: http://www.scenicreflections.com

Hubby always tells me to stay away from the unlucky and the unhappy. Today, I’ve realized that he’s actually right. All that unhappy people talk about are negative things and most of the time, probably because of your desire to contribute to the conversation, you end-up sharing something sad as well. Also, when the mood is sad, it’s difficult to say something happy or just change the topic of the conversation because you’re afraid to appear apathetic or insensitive.

It’s also odd how unhappy people find a way to make a good news sound like a bad news. Here’s an example –
You: Hey, I got an A in my writing assignment!
The Unlucky & The Unhappy: Really? I thought that wasn’t achievable! I worked really hard on mine, but I was only given a B.
See? I bet after that negative reaction, you end-up feeling undeserving of an A. Either that, or you try to be “sensitive” and you put your happiness aside as you try to also feel bad for the other person.

You’re not being fair to yourself when you put yourself in these kind of situations. So, how do you deal with the unlucky and the unhappy? Filter-out the negativity. Choose who and what you listen to. Don’t let other people’s feeling of being unworthy to be happy affect you. Know yourself better. Remember all the hard work and passion that you put in what you do. You deserve the things that you are getting. More importantly, you’re not being apathetic or insensitive when you try to change a sad conversation to a happy one. You’re actually being a positive influence. Happy thoughts make the world a better place. Yes, they really do, so be happy and be lucky!

As for me, I guess I should try listening to hubby more. Hubby knows best, I guess?!? =P

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Seven Dresses

Kevin (James Marsden): All right. So what's your favorite part of a wedding?
Jane (Katherine Heigl): Oh, that's easy. You know when the music starts and the bride makes her big entrance and everybody turns to look at her? That's when I look at the groom. ‘Cause his face says it all. You know, the pure love there.

- From the Movie "27 Dresses" (2008)

***

After about a hundred times of surfing the net and going through some magazines, we were able to select the designs for the dresses for our wedding. Yes, “we”, because Erwin did have a say on them. I showed him several designs and we agreed on which ones to pick.

***

The Bridal Gown

It’s going to be my first time to wear a ball gown cut. When I’m required to wear a gown for special events, I’d usually pick the A-line or sheath type. I originally picked a simpler one, but I ended-up picking this because as what my designer said, it would make me look like I’m the bride and not just one of the bridesmaids. Erwin wanted it to be made mainly from silk because he thinks it would look classier than a lace gown. Lots of bead works is also something that he doesn’t like. I guess he just didn’t want the flashy-type. As for me, I just didn’t want the tube type ones because as I always say – “Wala kasing pagkakapitan. Baka malaglag.” Kidding aside, Erwin and I (and the designer and also my sister) were happy about the dress that’s why we picked it. I just hope the designer and I give justice to the design. I’ve been hitting the gym lately, so hopefully, everything looks good on the wedding day. By the way, I’ve never went on a diet my entire life, so the next 4+ months would definitely be a test of discipline. Wish me luck!

***

The Bridesmaid Dresses

I got lucky when I came across these two-toned dresses because I feel like, they would perfectly go with our brown and turquoise motif (more brown than turquoise). Also, I think that if the designer executes the designs well, the girls (Weng, Diane, Cors, Noreen and Vene) could still wear the dress assigned to them for other occasions. Erwin preferred knee-length dresses over long gowns, so he was also okay with this set. I think most of the girls are also on a serious diet now, so I’m not alone in my so called “battle for weight loss”.

***

The Flower Girl Dress

When I saw this design, I didn’t have to look further. It already carries our motif, so this one was a no-brainer. I’m sure Danielle, Rhoda and Fran would all look adorable on the wedding day.

***

I’m quite excited to see the actual dresses. I wonder how they would look on us when we’re already all made-up. Nevertheless, I know that when “the” day comes, it would be the natural glow from wearing a genuine smile, the sign of pure happiness, that would make everyone look stunning. That means that everyone, even the guests, would look just as lovely as the entourage! Why? Because the event will be strictly for happy people only.

RSVP! ;-)

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Dreams

Browsing the net, I came across these pictures that remind me of my dreams. I'm quite a realistic person and I guess my dreams pretty much reflect that. I mean, my dreams… They may be big, but they're not impossible to achieve. Yes, in this lifetime.

My Dream House

I've always wanted something big, spacious, pastel-colored and really homey. Actually, I have a list of "must haves" in my dream house --

• A big living room / sala with a huge comfy sofa and probably, a bar for hanging-out with family and friends
• Two rooms designed to match my two kids' personalities
• Big master's bedroom with a king-sized bed for hubby and me
• Two guest rooms for visiting friends and relatives
• One small room for the helpers
• One movie/entertainment room
• One karaoke/videoke and billiards hall
• A big kitchen furnished like a professional chef is going to use it
• A walk-in closet and lots of storage space
• A swimming pool beside a garden full of colorful flowers (roses, daisies, etc.)
• An outdoor barbeque kiosk
• An indoor McDonald's like that of Richie Rich's (Nah! I'm just kidding about this one!)

My Dream Business

It would be great if I would have my own dress shop, restaurant and salon-spa. I love clothes, food, massages and all sorts of pampering! And I guess, more than doing what I love to do, it would be really nice to earn from letting others experience the things that I love.

My Dream Family

I'd like to have two kids, a girl and a boy. If they are twins, that would be a bonus! I'll be very hands-on in taking care of them. I'll read them stories, help them with their school homework and play with them. Basically, I'll raise them in the same way my parents raised me. They'll grow-up as beautiful people -- God-fearing, confident, self-sufficient, smart, loving and very family-oriented. Hubby and me will give them the best education, the best life, the best home, the best experiences and of course, the best parents.

My Dream Life

I'll always go for a life of balance. Balance between career and personal life. Balance of being a good provider and at the same time, an excellent teacher of the value of being self-sufficient. Balance of having both material/physical and spiritual fulfillment. Balance between having abundance in life and yet, still having things to work hard for and look forward to achieving and experiencing.

See? My dreams are indeed big, but again, they're not impossible to achieve. Not at all. I'm a believer of dreaming big and living it, so in time, these dreams will all turn into a reality. Yes, I'm a dreamer. I dream big and I dream awake.

What are your dreams?

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Three Years

Last anniversary as MR. and MS. --

Will be MR. and MRS. in the next years to come. ;-)

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Sisters

As I am writing this, the doctors at Saint Luke’s Medical Center are assessing my sister’s condition. She has been feeling severe abdominal pain since yesterday and they are suspecting that it’s either appendicitis or it’s her ovarian cyst that’s causing the pain. The doctors said that, either way, she needs to go through surgery once the findings are finalized. Nanay said that my sister is in so much pain that she couldn’t get-up from bed and she turns really pale when trying to sit down. Unfortunately, since the doctors are still trying to figure-out her case, they cannot give her any pain reliever as it would mask the pain and make the examinations difficult to do.

It’s news like this that people like us, who are away from our families, dread of hearing. It’s bad enough that your family is going through tough times, it’s even worse because you’re not by their side. It probably just has one very minor advantage for me because I really don’t know if I’m strong enough to see my loved ones go through such difficult physical torture. I remember, I was still too young to realize the gravity of the situation when my sister had her scoliosis surgery. When she gave birth, she was in labor for about eight hours and was almost brought to the C-Section because my nephew’s umbilical cord was coiled around his neck. I was clueless about what’s happening the whole time because Nanay only gave me a call after my sister already gave birth. She said she didn’t want to get me worried. So, all the time that my sister was going through these kinds of stuff, I was always wasn’t there to personally witness things. Maybe it’s also better this way because honestly, just “imagining” how much pain she’s going through now, makes me feel like vomiting already. I don’t know, but hopefully, these scenarios don’t make me lesser of a good family member or sister.

Like all siblings, my sister and I also went through that stage where we feel like “killing” each other. That would be over very small things though like over borrowed clothes and stuff. But we’ve grown past that now. We’re not very close like we’re the best of friends, but I know that we have a mutual understanding that sisters should stick with each other. Blood is always thicker than water. And financial matters? They are not worth cutting family ties. Yeah, I have to point that last one out because I’ve heard of so many stories about relatives fighting because of money. I hope I’m not speaking to soon, but I’m sure glad we’re not the type who would value money over family.

Anyways, since I’m so far away, I can only pray that my sister is relieved from pain soon. And also, that whatever process she goes through doesn’t affect her and her husband’s plan to have kids. I sincerely feel that her husband is such a good person and that more than any man out there, he’ll make such a really good father.

I hope to get some good news soon.

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Quick One!

It's been ages since I wrote something for this blog! I don't think I even know how to do this anymore, so apologies if this entry ends-up not having any coherence at all.

UPDATES, UPDATES!!!

I’ve been working again since last March (for almost nine months now). I’m now with a healthcare IT company and so far, it’s been okay. Yeah, just okay. Is it my dream job? Well, not really. I feel that I can still do more. I want to do more, but probably, not now. Not yet. I have to lay low for a while. Think. Prioritize. Put things in perspective. No rush.

Yes, that's an engagement ring that you're seeing on my finger. I’m getting married in about seven months! Huge step, huh? Yeah, but I’m ready for it. Or should I say, I have “decided” to be ready for it? If you know me well enough, you’d know everything for me is a decision. Happiness is a choice. Life is what we make it. And yes, love is a decision. Am I happy? Yes. Why? Because I am marrying a good man, someone who I love and trust. You see, I can never imagine ending-up with someone who I don’t love. And more than that, I will never choose to spend the rest of my life with someone who I cannot trust. I must say, I am indeed in very good hands. And yeah, so is he! *wink* Anyways, to learn more about our upcoming wedding, go to http://www.sharedweddings.com/leahanderwin.

We’re going home for the holidays! I can imagine, it’s going to be sooo hectic. We’ll be doing tons of prenup stuff and also, lots of catching-up with family and friends. We only have two weeks. *sigh* It’s gonna be B-U-S-Y. And it’s gonna be F-U-N! Can’t wait!

Gotta go for dinner now... Until then! Oh, in case I don't get to blog again before Christmas -- HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! :)

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