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Whew. Took a day off work today and did some marathon preps. Mom went along for moral / mortal support hahah!
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First. Final Dermatologist Visit
I stupidly put off going to the derma for the months of November and December. This omission, together with days spent making babad at site (3 constructions were set to complete in December!) caused havoc on my skin. I’m still trying to recover, and this is my last doctor visit till after ze big day as I don’t want to have scars on my face during the wedding.
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Second. Hairpiece from Ciara
We went to Ciara’s house to pick up the hairpiece and 2 pairs of earrings I had made. Mom found out that Ciara’s grandmother is from Batangas so the two of them spent the time chatting about tamales, tawilis, and tablea (all Batangas goodies!)

I love my hairpiece. It’s a pearl, glass crystal and gold wire ponytail / bun wrap with the tiniest pink swarovski accents. It looks really delicate Now all I need is the hair to place in the hairpiece hahaha!

Mom wants a larger hairpiece though, and has offered to call Ciara to ask her to add some extensions that will sort of “radiate” from the bun. Hmmmmm, I’ll humor her since she’s offered to pay.

I also got a pair of matching earrings but I think I’ll save these for another occasion, and wear simpler pearl earrings instead.

Siempre may extra purchase ako…red earrings. I’m thinking of giving this to Claudine, our AE at the Pen…as she’s been extremely nice, efficient, and helpful.

Booty

Hairpiece with pearls, glass crystals, swarovski crystals, gold wire

Oh. and I ordered 3 pairs of earrings that I will give to the MOH and the BM’s as a thankyou gift.
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Third. Invites for Joel’s ex-officemates
Dropped them off at Philam Tower. I don’t really like the receptionist. But she isn’t invited so I don’t give that much of a fuck.
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Fourth. Visit Alex to show him my hairpiece
Alex likes the hairpiece and wants the number of Ciara. Must remember to give it to him.

Alex agrees that I should use simpler, daintier earrings. With my extensive jewelry collection that consists of (1) a goldplated necklace I bought for 500 bucks, and (2) my engagement ring, I believe this will be my “something borrowed”.

I love Alex!!! I think he was supposed to be out of the country during my wedding but put it off by a week so he could fix my hair (which so badly needs his magic) and makeup. The bad part is I won’t be able to have my hair cut until he returns on the 1st week of March.

I swear I hate long hair! Konting sakripisyo na lang and I’ll have my short, manageable hair back.
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Fifth. Betty’s Bodyform to get Corset
This I loved. Betty took my measurements, got a corset in my size, made some adjustments, cut the back lower, and in 15 minutes (!) I had a custom-fitted corset that made my waist about 2 inches smaller…and made my posture 100% better!

A Silly / Gross Side Kwento.
When I entered the dressing room one of Betty’s assistants asked me to take off my clothes so she could fit the corset on me. I wasn’t wearing socks (I know…gross…but I was lazy today) and when I took off my sneakers I smelled a horrible wet rag / dead rat smell. Holy fuck I thought, my feet stink like shit. I was mortified.

Anyway I glanced surreptitiously at her. No reaction. So deadma lang ako.

I tried the corset. She marked it for adjustments and left.

I fanned my sneakers and rubbed my feet on the carpet hoping to get the smell off. No luck. The dressing room reeked.

I slinked out and waited in shame.

When she came back it was back to the dressing room for us. It still smelled. Shee I thought, what the hell is with my feet???

Then she says

Betty’s Assistant: “Doesn’t the room smell???”

Mai: (dies of embarassment) “yes….sorry.”

Betty’s Assistant: “Sorry. It’s been smelling like this for days. We should have the carpet laundered.”

Buti nalang. I thought I had stress-induced kachichas.
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Sixth. Cinema Secrets to buy tattoo cover-up
See photo below to view my problem. I love my tattoo and originally intended to have my entire back done Yakuza-style. But really, I think it’s too much for a wedding.

I searched the net and found out that they sold Cinema Secrets in Quezon City. We visited them today and met the 2 stupidest salespersons EVER.

Gaddd!! I knew more about the application from reading the instructions from their website. I was so annoyed I almost BIT the saleslady (insert sound of gnashing teeth here)

Despite my annoyance, I bought the makeup. No choice na eh. I think I’ll do a trial run one of these days to figure out how to best cover the tattoo.

And its not cheap ha! The 2 shades (I need to mix because I’m an in-between color), the powder, and the moisture spray set me back almost 5,000 bucks! And it only cost me about 700 to get this tattoo. Heeh!
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Seventh. Tieline for Entourage ties
Mom and I bought some greenish-gold silk shantung last week (1/4 meter per tie). I had 3 adult ties and 2 kids ties made today. We will be able to pick up the finished items next Friday.
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Eighth. Rustans for underwear
Found some on sale. Benetton is 50% to 70% off on everything. They must be closing. Bad for them. Good for me.
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I’m pooped. So is mom. But we’ve got a meeting on site tomorrow, another Friday morning - potential client in the Port Area (!), and a material board to submit.

No rest for the wicked.

Finally got most of my church papers yesterday. After I get the last one today Jo’s mom will forward to the officiating minister.

Jo’s had the marriage license signed by the consulate in SF as well. I should be getting it anytime now. Then I’m off to QC Hall to file and beg that we be allowed to skip the Family Planning Seminar (If I say I am baog / barren do you think they will allow us to skip it??? I mean, what would be the point then, right?)

These are all we really need to get married

Aba! I am actually getting somewhere with the wedding planning (and so I should….with less than a month to go heeh)
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I’ve actually been a bunch of nerves these last 2 weeks. We were shortlisted for a really nice job and I spent the week worrying about it. We’ve got our own office and winning a project isn’t just an ego trip, a portfolio add-on, or a challenge …. it’s a business survival issue.

Short version of the story: We pitched. I lost a few pounds from lack of sleep and stress. We won. (Thank you God) I feel so much better.
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I finally got to speak with one of our sponsors re the flowers for the wedding (he owns a farm that produces what Tita Boots (the florist) says are the best locally grown roses). I asked if I could purchase flowers from him at wholesale costs and he gave the farm manager a call, advised him of our requirements and so now Tita Boots has got 165 dozen roses in different colors to work with. They’ll deliver to her shop on the 18th of Feb. Thank you, Mr. A I am so very grateful.
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I got to pick up the tickets for Boracay today. We leave at 5:45 on the 21st and take the last return flight on the 25th
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I decided to buy mom a little present as well, and got her a shawl from Firma. It’s a soft chartreuse color with pink and beige flower applique’s and beads….really beautiful. I’ve been eyeing it since December, and was so pleased to find that there was 1 piece left (Thank you Dennis). Mom really likes it and I think she’s going to use it for the wedding. I’m glad.

My mom has been so helpful and supportive with both my work and the wedding preps. I wouldn’t have managed without her.

Pa’s been so patient as well…picking up the rings, invitations, etc. Generally doing the running around for me.
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I’m beginning to get a lump in my throat when I think about getting married….and eventually leaving for the US.

But Jo will be there, and he says we will visit Manila naman as often as we can.