NOW: gratitude challenge d17

I am still working on the gratitude challenge despite the fact that i'm extremely behind and in the middle of holiday still..  so, for day 17 of the gratitude challenge, i have to perform random acts of kindness through the day..  since i'm at the end of the day, i'm going to carry it through to the next full day..  i guess i have to be super nice to my fiance!!

i will continue to massage his lower back for him since he's had a bad back to the point where he can barely walk for the past two weeks...  he keeps reminding me that he took care of me making me honey lemon water every few hours when i was sick last week.. so, w/ that guilt trip, i've been massaging his back.. but this challenge is reminding me to not do it out of obligation, but really b/c i care..  ;p

i just want his bad back to get better, so i will keep taking care of him until he gets better.. afterall, in a few months, it'll be for better or for worse right?!..  ;p

NOW: gratitude challenge d16

For day 16 of The Gratitude Challenge, i have to stand in front of a mirror for 5 minutes and focus on 5 things that i luv abt myself.. yiiiiiiiiikes, this is not going to be easy.. i may have some self-esteem issues since i've been told most of my high school years that i m fat.. and i had tons of pimples and i am def. not prom queen by any means!  so, i told my fiance about this.. and he said "i'm a good person".. hopefully so.. ok, i guess i will have to go to the mirror and attempt this.. ;p

NOW: gratitude challenge d15

I have been a bit behind in the gratitude challenge, but have not forgotten and is still continuing on the challenge for day 15..  so for day 15 of the gratitude challenge, i am to focus on myself & appreciate for the unique personality, skills and talents.. hmmmm..  man this one is a tough one, but actually does come at a perfect time since i've had no time for myself lately b/c of this work event..  amidst all of my stressful nature, i do appreciate how god gave me the ability to really get things done.. i guess it's been said that i will do whatever it takes to get something done; whether it's packing, carrying and shipping 15 (30-60lb) boxes till my knees are bruised and arms are sore.. or running around trying to get invitations printed, cut and scored.. or figuring out how to get over 1k of ty notes packed in a week..  i guess i am grateful for this "nothing is beneath me" mentality and do whatever i need to do to get things done.. for sure i care about everything i do.. hopefully one day it'll pay off..  ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d14

So, for day 14 of the gratitude challenge, i have to take pic/video of something/person/place that makes me feel grateful.. i guess i can say my condo.. first of all, not only is a place that i live in and own, it's a place that many people in my life have helped me get..

such as my cousin, jas - if it weren't for him, either i wouldn't have a place to live and own or i'd be living with termite at my aunt's home for the rest of however long..

or my brother - if it weren't for him, we wouldn't qualify to get this place

or my work - if it weren't for not only having a job to pay the mortgage, but with the help of some people our loan passed through

or my fiance - who helped me move furniture and furnish this place

or my mom - who actually came to the place and pushed me to get the place otherwise it would've been taken..

or my aunt y - who let me live in her place many years to save up to put a down payment for my own condo..

and i'm sure many more people involved..  but for sure a picture of my condo invokes many feelings of gratitude towards the people around me that i care a lot about..

grateful u r ok M!

A few days ago i received shocking news that one of my coworkers was in a very serious accident on her way down to SD..  since work has been quite stressful, I haven't had the time to just let her know that her and her family are in my prayers and i just wish the best for them... to my huge surprise today found out that the accident was something that would happen in a movie stunt.. car catching on fire, setting off thousands of acres of land and flipped on a highway?!? omg, i'm more then grateful that she is ok..  will have to contact her tomorrow..

M, if ur reading this.. we all miss u darely, am grateful to hear that u are in good spirits and am glad to hear that  u are now safe and sound...

This is her post about her incident.. http://celebrateholiday.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/grateful-to-be-alive-pacheco-pass-fir/

NOW: gratidute challenge d12

 

 For day 12 of the gratitude challenge, we have to live life with a pos outlook, basically practice acts of kindness with the people around me..  so, i guess refrain from telling my fiance that his belly is starting to bulge and he needs to hit the gym would be the first step?!  hahaha.. ;p

will try that for a day.. so, i guess whoever tries to annoy me, i will just walk away..  ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d11

 

For the gratitude challenge day 11 we have to see the world through the eyes of a child.. and be grateful for the things we take for granted everyday.. 

just watching my boyfriend's nephew grow before my eyes from a newborn to age 2 years..  from learning how to eat, crawl, walk, talk, bathe, play, ride a bike, sing, read, play baseball..  all these basic things we learned through our childhood and to this day are just part of our daily life..  as an adult, we never think for a second how it would be if we had missed one step.. if we missed how to eat or how to walk or how to talk..

it reminds me of a time when i studied psychology in college and had a part time job at a private dorm for children with emotional, developmental, educational, and cognitive disabilities..  i worked with a group of teenage girls who couldn't eat on their own, walk on their own, go to the bathroom or even bathe on their own.. it was extremely sad and emotionally draining to see this and experience this.. at the same time though reminded me how grateful i should be for the ability to do all these basic daily functions in life.. what was also sad was that these girls were left there with barely any family support.. the only love, care and support they received were from the people who worked there closely with the children..

so, i will never forget those days and will always cherish the life that i am given and never take for granted the basic functions we're given..  ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d9

 

So for day 9 of the gratitude challenge i have to take a moment to appreciate and enjoy the people around me.. i guess i jumped ahead of the challenge w/o even knowing it from my blog posts from the start.. oops..

after having to deal with a rude person over the past few days, it makes me appreciate even more the positive ppl around me that have been very supportive..  and those i haven't forgotten, that have left great memories or been a huge part of my life..

-my dad, again for just being the calm, level headed reasonable dad.. someone who actually listens and doesn't make assumptions.. i'm glad i finally got through and was able to tell u first hand how much i appreciate you (which was one of the actions for day 7 in the gratitude challenge)
-my fiance who has been nothing but a huge support and putting up with the ups and the downs..

-my bridesmaid, s. for just listening and always reaching out to show that she really cares..
-my good friend, y. for putting up with kraziness and just being there.. thanks for coming to check out linens w/ me the other day..  thanks for organizin my bachelorette.. i can't wait!!
-my friend t. in hkg, for sending me those notes we used to pass around in 8th grade and high school, it has brought back great memories!!! i have to still dig up mine in hkg and send those to u!  ;p
-my coworkers who have given me great advice when dealing w/ unwanted stresses from their wedding plannings and experiences..
-curlz for reaching out and sharing her experiences w/ her wedding experience, was just what i needed to hear..
-my friend n, for those great memories on the dance floor..and ur funny stories that i will never forget..
-my aunt d. and uncle m. in LA who took me in thru college and really made me feel like part of their family..  i appreciate all the great advice u gave during my college years.. and i truly miss u all..
-my ahmama, she may not read this, but i will always remember my childhood days when she shared stories with me, sang to me and was just a true loving grandmother to me..
-my cousin jas and y for really being there for me when my fiance and i had our disagreement..if it weren't for u guys, not sure if we would've talked and got over that disagreement..
-my fiance's mom, for always cooking and having my fiance bring me food even when she's busy.. always asking how everyone in my family is doing.. showing that she genuinely cares..
-one of my aunts who passed away last year; i know she is watching over us, she really has an amazing heart and to know that her last words were of kind words left on my voicemail.. i truly appreciate having someone like her in my life..

just all the ppl around me, which there are many more; without all of you, this world would be a very lonely place.. building friendships and relationships, going through ups and downs, are all part of life and what makes me who i am today and i can say that i have been extremely grateful.. ok, i know it all sounds cheezy, but it's true.. again, i'm happily grateful for the ppl around me..  ;p

blogging?!?

so, lately this "squabble" w/ a family member as my brother puts it, was posted below on my blog.. some of my family members are very distraught by it.. thinking i shouldn't be posting things at all about my family, etc.. but quite honestly, i have not voiced my opinion in a looooooong time.. u can say that i may be still mad at myself about certain things from my childhood.. not that i came from a horrible family or what not, my family is great and all, but i can just say that i never really expressed myself when i was younger.. i used to just keep it all in and not say anything at all.. however, as i was growing into my young adult years, i found some anger  and sadness built up inside of me.. and some sees it as i have a "bad temper" which i admit i do.. or some sees it as i'm emotional, which i am..  but i think it's all coming from never really saying the things i really wanted to say.. so, it comes out in a bad way or as "uncontrolled" as some would see..

lately, i discovered this outlet.. my blog.. i mean i've started one before, but never really found time for it.. but i guess this wedding planning and stresses really gave me the perfect opportunity to make time to blog.. i really think every person out there should start one.. it's a perfect way to vent all ur frustrations, share information that u really want to share and just communicate how u feel.. or what's happening.. or what ur experiencing.. now i understand why there are sooooo many millions of bloggers out there.. and i guess now i'm one of them.. and why youtube, facebook and twitter is outrageously popular.. they're all in their own way different outlets of "bloggin".. u post ur comment or u post instantly how u feel or u post videos of what ur doing.. from statuses of "i'm pooping on my toilet" to videos of flight attendants rapping they're all forms of what started as "blogging"

who knows how long i'll be blogging, but for now, it's a time i make for myself.. to blog about squabbles and cakes and rings and gratitude challenges and just things in life..

so, in the spirit of the gratitude challenge, i am happily grateful to blog.. ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d8

http://www.gratitudechallenge.com/

So, for the gratitude challenge day 8, i have to send thank you notes to five people who deserve a little recognition.. i can send way more.. but i guess i'll list out who i send the thank you notes to later..  ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d7

Since i've vented all my negative energy in the last post.. i'd like to end my day with a more positive one.. and that is for the gratitude challenge, day 7...

omg, i'm now completely mortified of the task for this day, since i do not in any way want to post a video of myself let alone hear my voice.. so, i'm going to have to figure out a creative way of doing this..  and maybe skip to day 8 for now and come back..  ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d6 cont'd

well, a person that i haven't talked to in ages and would luv to call, but honestly it's too late and i feel that it's kinda weird to just call someone after many months of not havin talked to that person.. guess it's cz we're both busy.. she's busy with her newly married life in SLO and i m busy plannin mine up here..

so, it's kinda awkward to just call her and tell her that i'm grateful to have her in my life..she may think i'm going krazy or somethin!  so, i'm going to post it and just let her know..  it's my galfrd m!  i truly miss her and i just found out she's able to go to vegas.. woohoo!  she's def. someone that i've learned a lot from.. she has one of the hugest heart.. she just brings on a ray of sunshine with her big smile..she genuinely is the sweetest person in the world and i am grateful to have a wonderful friend like her..  i miss those days when she used to take me to the beach and just bond and talk about boiz and rel... or when we went up to tahoe on our snowboardin trip or went on our trip to brazil.. or even just our old party days.. migosh those days felt like ages ago..  can't wait to bring it back when we're in vegas! hopefully one day u'll move back up here.. miss u much.. and eventho i don't talk to u often..  i'm just not a phone person i guess..  but i truly am grateful to have met a wonderful friend like u!.. ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d6

So, for day 6 I need to call someone i haven't talked to in ages..  tell them how much i appreciate them.. uuuh, this is definitely challenging... whoever i call may think like something's happened or i'm krazy..  i'm at work right now so i def. will have to wait to call whoever it is later..  maybe my gramma in hkg on my dad's side or a while could mean a month, so maybe just my dad!  hehehe..  ;p

NOW: gratidute challenge d5

So, it's day 5 of the gratitude project and i have to take note of all the great things that i already have in my life.. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... that's a lot of things..

-my job that lets me buy lots of THINGS..
-my TV
-my TV shows (as u've seen in the abc's list)
-my ipod nan
-my cell phone
-my cameras
-my clean condo
-my nice chandelier that my fiance installed
-my clothes
-my closet & dressers that fits all my clothes
-my luvly shoe cabinet that my fiance built, which is awesome btw as you can see below!

-my shoes
-my printer
-my embosser
-my pictures
-my car
-my bed!!!!!!! there's a ton more, but i would be listing forever.. and i of course am too sleepi to keep typing.. so, what tops the list right now is my bed since i'm laying in it..

however, obviously these are just things.. things that can come and go.. so, no matter what, i'm always and forever going to be grateful for having the luv from my fiance & family, the friendships i cherish, the people that are in my life.. and most importantly all the things that god put in my life.. think that covers it all.. time for me to dream away in my cozy bed.. ;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

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..
-----------
-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
----------
-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