mailing addresses and names??

instead of a complete vent, i am going to start off on a grateful note.. i am so grateful for my aunt e., my dad and my mom for gathering all 80+ names and addresses within less then a couple weeks...

ok, now i m gna vent.. my fiance's mom on the other hand.. as much as i respect her and usually get along with her, it is extremely frustrating since i can't even get names let alone addresses and she's only inviting what, 40 ppl or so?!?! wth.. i guess she thinks it's real easy to just print the invitations..

however, 40 ppl could mean = 20 invitations? 25 invitations?.. since they could be families, could be couples, singles... which she doesn't know.. she doesn't even know the ppl's names.. so, she said she wants 30 invitations and she'll hand deliver and get the names then.. however, does 30 invitations mean 60 ppl or 75? if so, then she needs to let me know so i can cut down more on my own personal list and send less invitations.. errr..

eventho, everything else i don't care a lot about, but the invitations is the most important to me, esp. since i work at Wedding Paper Divas and it sets the whole theme of the event.. it ties in my menu card, my favor tags, my table cards, my placecards, my floral arrangements! for the invitations; i have to print them out, line the envelopes with japanese paper, emboss the pra, print a floral pattern on the envelopes and on the rsvp envelopes, spray the env. with clear coat so the inkjet ink won't smear, number each rsvp (per my aunt's great suggestion, in case people don't put their names or write chicken scratch) and tie a ribbon on each set... so, it's a lot more complicated then just printing invitations.. to top it off though, if she can't get the names or addresses now (which has been over a month), i have a feeling she won't be able to get the proper names later for my placecards and table chart seating.. well, i guess it'll just be chaos the day of.. at that point, i'll just make sure i have enough mojitos to not worry about it and have my fiance deal with it! so, to end on a happier note, thank god for mojitos! oh, and hopefully then thank god for my fiance! ;p

NOW: gratitude challenge d3

OMG! i am super duper truper stressed today.. so many great opportunities flooding in, but so little time!!!! so, i decided to do a minute of destressing and think gratitude, think happiness, think gratefulness, think gratitude challenge.

So, today's post is suppose to be about something we feel grateful for in life, i can certainly list a gazillion things, but i'm not going to take up more time that we all don't have, so i'm just going to list like 10 things..

1. grateful for: FAMILY - despite the fact that they can cause more stress, i know they will always be there for me.. esp. with this wedding, they def. do get things done..
2. grateful for: FRIENDS - w/o friends life would be so lonely!
3. grateful for: FIANCE - if he weren't around, i'd have no one to vent and complain to
4. grateful for: MY JOB - in this day and age, i am grateful for something that does pay my bills and put a roof over my head.. eventhough huge stress in my life, i just keep thinking it all pays off
5. grateful for: TV - helps take my mind away from things.. need i say more?
6. grateful for: TKB - when i think of a destresser, this is the best way to just let all frustrations come out
7. grateful for: INTERNET - so we can stay connected with everyone all over the world
8. grateful for: NICE WEATHER - the weather is just perfect today, with some sun out..
9. grateful for: COMPUTER - without a computer, i'd be lost!!
10. grateful for: GRATITUDE CHALLENGE - feel better already!

a gratitude post a day keeps stress away! ;p

NOW: gratitude challenge d2 - alphabet challenge

The alphabet gratitude challenge.. listing everything we're grateful for in the alphabet.. wow, this may take me all week long to do this challenge, so i figure i'd just jump right in and do this..

= abdc - america's best dance crew.. title says itself..
= brothers and sisters - i can't wait for the next season!!!!
= csi:miami - hot hot hot!!
= dirty sexy money - i absolutely LUV this show.. glad they brought it back for now
= e! news - where else do i catch up on all my celeb gossip
= fringe - it's better then x-files!
= gossip girl - i heart gossip girl and chace crawford!
= heroes - best show to watch w/ my fiance
= is she really going out w/ him? - makes me grateful that i don't waste my time watching this
= jetsons - i really miss my jetsons cartoons every morning before school
= keepin up w/ the kardashians - makes my family look normal
= laguna beach - forever my fave mtv show
= melrose place - i miss this show
= niptuck - is my fiance's fave
= o.c. - another show i miss and wish would come back
= priveleged - the guy in there is hot!
= quantum leap - my fiance's fave old show
= rob & big - this was absolutely hilarious!
= sunset tan - there really are bimbos in this world!
= true blood - sexy vampires, what more do you want?
= ugly betty - forever the best show
= viva la bam - makes me grateful for a normal family
= weeds - my fave at the moment
= x-files - i'm scared of this show, but my fiance watches this w/o me..
= young & the restless - a classic soap opera
= zoobilee zoo - my manager's fave when she was 5

as i was working on this list, i ended up listing all tv shows.. migosh, i am really grateful for tv of course.. ever since i was a little kid i would watch soooo much tv, forget reading.. it's all about the fun saturday morning cartoons and dramatic soap operas.. yes i luvd days of our lives when i was a kid.. so, i'm a tv junkie, can't help it.. feel bad for all those kids out there who aren't allowed to watch tv! so, i'm very grateful for tv and having the freedom to watch as much of it as i can! ;p

NOW: a gratitude quote a day, keeps stress away

So, in the spirit of kicking off the gratitude challenge, i decided, i'm going to randomly quote from my "happily grateful" book that I received as a gift from this challenge:

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." - Oprah Winfrey

"People love and appreciate others, not just for who they are, but for how they make us feel." - Irwin Freedman

"Gratitude before me and behind me. Gratitude to the left and the right of me. Gratitude above and below me. Gratitude within and all around me." - Angeles Arrien

NOW: kick off Gratitude Challenge.. ;p

To kick off this gratitude challenge, i just signed the pledge below..

camping bliss.. ;p

I have to say that after an extremely stressful and one of "those" weeks.. being away for a whole weekend in the wilderness; NO phones, NO internet, NO wedding planning wutsoever, NO stress.. it has been truly relaxing.. just me, the wilderness, some great company and lots of food! oh and of course lots of BUGS! but to make up for all the bugs and dirt, the stars were amazing.. i wish i had a great camera to capture it all but unfortunately i don't have a tri-pod and an SLR to capture those twinkling stars..

my fiance had brought every piece of camping equipment you can think of.. making it "chuongy town".. thanks to his netted gazebo we were able to survive the millions of flies swarming around us ready to take a dip into our "city" skin of sweet blood.. thanks to his big tents we were able to sleep comfortably under the bright beautiful stars.. thanks to all the other gear we had, it was 5-star camping... it wasn't even a long drive, so it felt like camping in the backyard.. with nice hot showers.. thank GOD for nice hot showers after a long sweaty hot day of hiking under the scorching desert heat and tons of flies.. it was just perrrfect!

we had a great bonding time from kimi's yummi bento box treat to the water balloon attack that backfired after our long hike, or from gathering "sticks" for the fire to the great bonding time around the campfire - with GHan & Veronica's Pyromania & their nice fire show.. and my cousin, vina's clapping - "how maaaaaany mosquiiiiitooooooos" game.. and smores galore.. this was all what camping was about!

it was a perfect weekend w/ some friends/coworkers/cousin.. and i can't wait to go camping again! ;p

Grateful for those around me.. ;p

so, before this challenge begins next week, i just wanted to start with just saying thanks to some ppl i am grateful for in terms of my wedding plannings, after all this is not my wedding, it's everyones! ;p

-my mom: despite her "you are getting married" push for the last how many years, i will always be grateful for her after all she is the one who bore me and gave me life and she is the rock/foundation of my family.. getting married is just a small thing i can do to make her happi.. i will forever be a million times grateful for her even though many times i do not show it.. despite our arguments or fights, she always forgives me the next second.. showing me her unconditional luv.. and always worrying & caring for me across the world away regardless of how busy or tired she may be.. .. i luv you mom!

-my dad: the other half of the gene pool, which made me who i am today.. my dad has always been a very supportive person.. he definitely treats me like his little girl, always giving me advice and being the logical one, teaching me how to be reasonable and thinking things through.. despite my temper, you never ever really ever get mad at me.. you've supported me all these years through school so that i never had to worry... of course, the person who's paying the bills for this wedding! hahaha ;p j/p.. he's the one who actually wanted me to have a proper ceremony.. so, in a way thanks to him i'm sure when i look back i'll treasure the "day".. i luv you dad!

-aunt e.: despite her coming off to others as being bossy sometimes, i know she always has very good intentions.. she is one of the closest aunt to me, took me in during my "pia" high school years, took my family in when we immigrated and just has been in a way, the head of the extended family.. taking charge and making decisions and always out of her heart doing things for me, making sure i have the little details of my wedding taken care of so less things to worry about.. -like, beautiful picture frame, cake knife, late night call abt numbering my rsvp cards, helping me w/ guest list, etc.. thanks for everything!

-uncle j.: another person who has always been so giving and generous.. in a way like a second dad since i grew up in their household.. and always feeding me and exposing me to many finer things in life.. of course, the fun uncle that always shows how to be the life of the party, def. teaching me to look at life with a glass half full.. half full with wine or beer or alcohol of course! hahaha.. cheers! ;p

-aunt s.: she was also part of the "joyce u should get married" push.. despite that i didn't really feel like getting married, i am still grateful for her.. if it weren't for her, i would still be looking for a venue for my ceremony.. so, in a way it has relieved a huge chunk of stress on me and one huge thing to check off my list.. to top it off, she cooks the yummiest food in the world.. ;p

-aunt y.: she let me live in her home for free when i graduated from college.. i think without her i wouldn't have been able to save up enough money to get my own place! she's always been very generous not only with her things, but with her luv and care.. thanks to her, my whole place is furnished and well stocked.. i don't even need a registry! ;p

-all my other aunts and uncles, cousins and relatives: all who have been very supportive and have sent us well wishes.. this wedding is obviously for all of you..
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-one of my bestfriends, s.: of course she's my bridesmaid and she has been there for me when i first caught site of this hot boi at my gym.. i think if it weren't for her, i would've never seen the moment of my fiance helping his mom at the restaurant (which i guess touched my heart).. she's always been such a caring person and is always there for me as a perfect friend.. we've gone through party days and now i guess through the "wedding" days.. thanks s. for going with me for my scary makeup trial to co-organizing the "engagement party".. hopefully, u won't hate me after all this is done.. ;p

-one of my close friends, y.: what can i say, if she didn't just have a baby, i would also make her my bridesmaid.. she has done everything she can as a bridesmaid already.. from going with me to the reception venue to searching linen places for me, to co-organizing the "engagement party" to planning my bachelorette before i even broke the news.. hahaha ;p (i think she just wanted to party).. thanks for being more excited then i am!!

-all my other friends: thanks for all your friendships and having been there through the heartaches and fights and good times! i can't wait till we just party and drink, that's what the mohitos will be for! ;p
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-my manager, l.: for trying to convince me for months to get married and even giving me great advice! also, for letting me have time off during the busy season.. for listening to me rant about my family and the wedding.. most importantly, inspiring me to start this blog to vent... ;p

-our intern, a.: thanks for always helping me and keeping us sane when we have a million things to do at work.. w/o u i would have more things to stress abt..

-my friend/coworker, y.: who is like mama y., always feeding me, gosh i think i may need to go on diet now.. one of the most caring ppl that i know.. she shows me everyday how to be a giving person.. giving everything she has + more and never asking for things in return!

-my froyo/string cheez buddy, k.: thanks for always taking me out of the office for lunch and making me take a break! hahaha ;p i think i would be way more stressed if u weren't around...

-my bb/ot buddy, glee: u are seriously one of the most carefree ppl i know.. always bubbly and full of glee! hahaha ;p def. glad ur around to make things happi! ;p

-coworkers: thanks for all your great ideas from florists to center pieces and willingness to help with the invite, decor and favors..

-other coworkers/ppz: thanks for offering ideas and suggestions for the wedding, if i didn't have those, i would be lost and not even 10% there w/ the wedding plans!! ;p

-last but not least, my fiance: i would most likely have to write on forever, but i don't have the time nor space.. so i just want to say that i will always be grateful for having u in my life.. u make me laugh, cry, get mad, get happy, feel surprised, feel luvd, feeling all the emotions...

i am forever grateful for just the ppl in life.. that's why this blog is "Not Our Wedding", it's really for everybody around us..

NOW: gratitude challenge

I have taken on this gratitude challenge in the midst of all my wedding planning (in 5 months) and of course holiday campaigning for work.. most ppl may think i'm nuts?! some would think why would i bother and when would i find the time to even take on a challenge..

well, forget everything, i am committed to this and have dedicated a good portion of everyday for 21 days to take this on.. after all, all the stresses in life can never exceed all the great things in life that we are and should always be grateful for.. it may sound cliche, but it's just the straight truth.. many times we overlook the things we have and never say enough of how much appreciation we have for the people around us..

for me, i can say, it's a privilege to take on this challenge and be able to make reflections over just things in life, whether good or bad..

since, several brides have told me, they've gotten so worked up on all the little things of planing a wedding, that they don't seem to just take a deep breath and just enjoy it.. so, a little time of (r&b) reflection on life & blogging should balance out all the kraziness that's going on.. ;p