Marriage and Beyond

posted by Jennie on Jun 24

Marriage and Beyond has always been my primary blog. With at least four updates a week, the number has gone down to two. As soon as we came back from Boracay a week ago, we all went right back to business. We officially started homeschooling last week and as we were on it, I was also posting articles across our web pages and beating deadlines in between. The housework and everything else are always part of the package, as usual. I really am just thankful for a healthier me this year that I am able to do what I am now doing and some.

Some? I have been pretty distracted with some applications over at this particular social network. That’s just on the side whenever I get to do the “alt-tab” exercise, which can become frequent if I do not watch it. I might be speaking jibberish but I know a lot of my friends (online and otherwise) who are into these online games can so relate.

Undeniably a distraction, which I also consider a pretty silly diversion. But truth to tell, it has this certain way of destressing me of sorts. Now that I’m back to regular programming, I have been pretty busy with online assignments and looking into articles I could write to post in my niched blogs. It occurred to me that it has been a while since I last wrote about TULA handbags over at my beauty and fashion blog, Kikay Corner. I love that the designs of tula accessories give a fresh and equally fashionable alternative to the public. Other pricier brands are not exactly the most practically things especially in this time of economic crisis. Tula has been around for over 30 years, keeping to the philosophy of designing fab leather handbags at prices that are definitely affordable. I love providing regular readers of my beauty blog alternatives to branded stuff that are simply overrated.

Aside from the updates in my beauty blog, I am also constantly adding up articles in my healthy blog and brand new personal blog. I know I have not posted my photo essays on our Boracay vacation. That will be next in line, due next week.

posted by Jennie on Jun 22

SBC-Makati, the church that the hubby pastors, is located right smack in the country’s business district. When you are in Makati, it almost always follows that everything around the vicinity is expensive. This is the primary reason the church was not able to move addresses as previously planned.

Everything is expensive and for a small church that we have, it was not the wisest to commit to a monthly payment that we cannot afford. We did not have much of a choice but to stay put and prayerfully wait. There should be a good reason for this delay. While it is true that almost everything in Makati is expensive, there is a high quality, within the budget and good accommodation that I found in Jupiter Suites. At least now I know where to stay in any event that we have to stay within the vicinity of Makati. Jupiter Suites - a budget hotel in Makati City. Even a place that we could recommend of.

For updates you might want to be a Facebook fan of Jupiter Suites. This budget hotel in Makati City has recently been upgraded. Now, fully loaded and equipped with internet access. Which has become a non-negotiable feature for us, especially now that I have to be virtually online twenty four by seven. This is what we make sure of whenever our family checks in a hotel. The last time being (aside from last week’s vacation in Boracay) was when our village had a power outage and power interruption that lasted almost twenty four hours. It can be the next most convenient thing to staying at home.

posted by Jennie on Jun 9

Saizen, the P85 store got me into this whimsical shopping journey last week. Who would have thought anything so affordable could count for anything anymore. Sure, I have heard a handful of happy people stepping out of Saizen. But like every other thing, you have to get into it to actually experience its “cheap thrill.” Everyone could make use of a bargain in this time of economic crisis, right? It is almost certain that majority of the population’s spending habits has adjusted a great deal since the era of recession stepped in.

As a practical person, a mom at that, Saizen, the P85 store is the “it” store for me. You will find functional things that are hardly available in your regular store and the amazing finds are countless! Saizen’s Group General Manager, Mr. Bobby Go told us about Saizen’s the store which was launched here in the Philippines last April 29, 2009- pioneering with the present sole branch in Robinson’s Galleria.  Here’s hoping for more branches across the metro.

No sub standard items in here, especially so that nearly everything were developed by Daiso-Sangyo, Inc. in Japan especially for Saizen. The hubby got a handful of great finds for the church office and the ministry. He also got hold of a couple of magic tricks packet at P85 a pop! He recently incorporated magic tricks during youth service. Me? I got stuck in rows upon rows of children’s toys, household stuff and fashion accessories.

If there is anything that you might need in the house or for just about anything, you might want to swing by and see for yourself tons of choices you have for such affordable price. It will actually make you feel good that you spent less than you would have in your regular store.

It’s practically a one stop shop. From practical and functional household goods, hobby materials, school and office supplies, toys, lifestyle, quality fashion and apparel, home decors, Japanese interiors and ceramics, kitchenware and supplies, home improvement, gardening tools and pet accessories. What’s more fun is they come up with over a hundred of new items every month. Visit Saizen for authentic Daiso products located at the 3rd level, East Lane of Robinson’s Galleria.

posted by Jennie on Jun 5

Turning down another wedding event is not exactly an exciting thing for me. Lately, I have once again turned down another event that is set for next year. As much as I would love to attend to its preparations, my upcoming schedule with my little kid as we home school has to come first and foremost.

In the last couple of years, I gladly offered free consultation in lieu of my committed service. Mainly because my schedule cannot accommodate wedding planning anymore and I feel awful having to turn down one of the things that I love doing and I should say I am very good at. I do not withhold my list of wedding suppliers - of trade show displays that can be used for wedding events, the banner stands that are now the norm of modern wedding events and even canvas printing services to those I cannot accommodate. I know I have a pretty good list and everyone deserves to have the best wedding ever.

Keeping to a priority, especially now that my son and I will formally start with the home school program in two weeks, is non-negotiable. The bride to be needed an answer soon and I cannot risk saying yes, if I will not be able to deliver. The most that I could do for now is to give out a list and files of my suppliers, from trade show displays provider, invites to makeup artists. I even give out program samples that soon to be married couples can use for their wedding.  

Hopefully, by next year I can get back to coordinating weddings again, even if it will just be “on the day coordination”. By that time, I should have mastered juggling all the things that I do.

posted by Jennie on Jun 2

After having recently bought another domain for myself, I pretty much have put more time on it than I did here on my main blog, this past week. Please forgive the less frequent updates on MarriageandBeyond.com. Aside from the blog updates that I had to do across my blogs (a couple of which still undisclosed), my sweet hubby gifted me with another website. I did not have to ask twice. Thanks, Jeff! It just occurred to me that this is a validation to my doubts that the web bug has bitten us.  If it were some years back, I would have found it queer to be gifted by my beloved spouse a blog. Of all things, who would have appreciated a website! Well, I do now. I would probably make a promotion of it in the coming days but I will have to let you in some bits about it, for now. It’s a wordpress blog, no less. A domain of its own and with a title that has been SEO-ed (if you know what I mean). Now I’m kinda stuck what I want more for a gift, Belgian chocolates or a website (good and well thought of one).

One of the more updated blogs that I have is my beauty blog. Dear readers must have noticed my inclination towards all natural products when it comes to beauty treatments. One reader contacted me and confessed of her varicose veins issues. My tendency was to refer her to VARICOSE VEINS PITTSBURGH. If you know me, you will easily figure out why. The team behind varicose veins pittsburgh use minimally invasive treatment alternative for patients who suffer from superficial venous reflux. This is usually where varicose veins often start.

As much as I would love to give my reader an all natural treatment for her superficial venous reflux issues, this is the most natural that she could really go to – spider veins pittsburgh. The truth of the matter is there is this estimated 20% of the adult population in America alone that is afflicted with this problem. Varicose problems aren’t just about the aesthetics. The pain that goes with it is reason enough to get it taken cared of.

Between homeschooling, house chores, web content writing, church and occasional blog events, it is just nice to be able to juggle things and enjoy life.  When it comes with my time with the hubs, I have an ever faithful alarm clock seated inside by rib cage that goes off the moment I don’t get to spend quality time with him (which, thank God is not very often).   I totally get disoriented when that happens, out of sorts, frazzled even.  That’s the time when I bug him right back to our “us” time.  I have the most wonderful husband and I thank God for him everyday and that’s not just because of the website gift.

posted by Jennie on May 17

It is exactly two years and one month since our brand new house was turned over to the hubby and me by our awesome contractor, Tita Eliza Bautista. It was more like a labor of love for her, more than business. She was hands on from start to finish. This collage was made shortly after the turn over. We were more than happy with the finished product, to say the least. I did not get the marble kitchen counter that I want, all right, but it was still more than what we have bargained for.

We never thought it was ever possible for us to be homeowners, if it was not for the kind of home loan deal we got. It was really a blessing. No mortgage was needed to be done, not even down payment. The lot was a gift from my folks, so all we really have to figure out is the damage for the house construction itself. During that time we did not have access to extra income just yet. After a whole bunch of inquiries and visits to Pag-Ibig, trying to figure home loans out, we were given an offer that we could not resist. At the same rate of interest with Pag-Ibig, no down payment, we were on our way to building our very own home on the first month of 2007.

To date, we have less than twelve years until we pay our loan in full. We love that we are able to maintain our home that is not rented anymore.  So if there’d be anything we decide to have done, improvements and all, will be all up to us. Even as the second law of thermodynamics (Law of Entropy) slowly eats up our home, we are still thrilled to maintain it.  It was God’s tangible way of letting us know that “we will not want” during the peak of what we could consider,  the most trying time of our lives. We celebrate and are thankful for God’s faithfulness through the years.

posted by Jennie on May 1

As a wedding planner/organizer, I sometimes cannot help but be nitpicky on the smallest of details of a program’s logistics. I have had it with events places with administrators who care less and even those who call themselves seasoned wedding organizers who do not put their jobs to heart.

One thing I have not done yet but I hope to do someday soon is a company picnic.The Orange County company picnic featured in events solution is really an inspiration. The company behind Los Angeles event planning is a lady with a big and creative mind.  It figures in the way she handles the team behind its success in the events business for over 20 years.

With service that is as impeccable as Event Solutions’, I am so hoping to come up with something similar to how they do it. They are keen to take part in every detail, which is why maximum fun and success of an event is guaranteed. Read this: details from registration attendants, invite flyers, vouchers for parking is taken care of. Nothing is left unturned and taken for granted. Their entertainment has been said to be the best, with team building as its concept. Theme accents are even offered at no extra charge.

Looking into their web page and details of how they come up with exceptional events make me want to go back to doing weddings again.

posted by Jennie on Apr 23

It has been a stressful time for the hubs. Coming home from camp with an oozing 40 degree Celsius temp until the following day is not really the coolest. He thinks he needs to unwind and get some rest. Our dear friend Ana wants a quick Baguio getaway but talked her  out to switch it to a closer but as breezy destination, Tagaytay. There are plenty of things lined up for us to do this week and a day trip is what we can afford for now.

The first day of the week will then be our Cyber Monday and we will be off to Tagaytay early in the morning on Tuesday. We are hoping for a fun and relaxing time with our family and our dear friend Ana who will be flying back to Singapore on Thursday.

posted by Jennie on Apr 21

It really won’t stop raining these past few days. I have to confess, I am so loving it! I really love the rain more than the sun. I sometimes think that I am a Cullen. Haha! I guess what I love most about it is that we did not have to turn the air conditioning unit on for almost five days now. That is really something. Last week we almost had it on for an entire day because the heat was really crazy. Now, I’m dreading to get hold of our next electricity bill.

The downside to having rains is the internet getting ultra intermittent. I have to refresh the connection at least ten times a day and when downpour is heavy, twice as much. If only we have something like that of Hughes Net, locally, then I would not have to endure any of these. I have tons of deadlines to beat, plus a handful of web updating to do.

HUGHES.NET really gives out neat deals to their subscribers. Truth is, I am currently looking into some packages that they have, and maybe look into the same high speed feature that we might just have locally. I can really use an upgrade the moment we are done with our lock in period.  As I did my research with the ever reliable Mr. G, satellite internet apparently travels way faster than DSL. My current provider is a DSL and although this is a tad better than my previous broadband, I cannot say it is perfect and definitely nothing like Hughesnet. But with my work being internet based, I really cannot afford any down time. In as much as I love the rains, it can easily cause stress when it slows the internet down. It would really be sweet not having to be so torn anymore.

posted by Jennie on Apr 20

It has been weeks since the weather has been especially cruel. It went to a point that doing a minor chore became exhausting. To give you a better picture, the moment I step out of the bath, without the chance of wiping myself dry, is the time that sweat breaks off my pores. I swear, I could have thought I was having hot flashes!

It was especially hard for me, because juggling multiple tasks alone is not easy in itself. The past weeks, weather was incredibly humid. There was even a heat stroke incident my little guy had to go through. I still count my blessings amidst the crisis, but weather was really that crazy.

Thank God for the rains! It was what we needed. We actually did not have to turn on the air conditioning unit last night, when we almost had it on, 24/7 in the past days. We are really grateful. It would certainly make watching from amongst the extensive Dish network deals more fun. I was just chatting with a friend who works for Dish network and she raves about all this Dish network offers. Too bad we don’t have any similar local cable company like it. This is why we terminated the service of our former provider.

Meanwhile, we rely on the internet for our weekly dose of episodes of our favorite series, 24, Heroes and Prisonbreak. The weather is really conducive that I had to ask permission from the hubs if I could watch them without him. We always watch the episodes together. I am so going to tease him with spoilers. Teehee! Just kidding. This is when I sign off and sit back to watch. Till later!

posted by Jennie on Apr 19

After having realized that I average eight blog entries a day, it is actually amazing how I am still able to plurk and connect with fellow bloggers across the world. I should say it could be my way of relaxing, alongside looking into these gorgeous vessel sinks online to replace the one in our lavatory.

Today we rejoice even as the little guys is doing pretty well. I know it does not help that it is extra humid today, but we’re happy enough that his temperature is no longer hitting the fever mark. With that said, I am set to enjoy a good night’s sleep tonight, to catch up on the previous nights lack of.

posted by Jennie on Apr 18

It has been a while since I last planned a wedding. It is one of the favorite things that I love doing. Turning down a couple of projects these previous months was not really the easiest thing for me. Priorities have got to take their places and doing weddings can really take a lot of time, which I honestly do not have much of.

Maybe when the time is right I could get back to doing weddings again and maybe choose with the bride to be her wedding invites and even cook up a bridal shower with her maid of honor. I could even make use of BridalShowerInvitations.bz to help me with that.  They really have pretty and fun designs, detailed and sweet. 

Meanwhile, all I can give friends are wedding tips. I even share with them files that could help them decide on the details of their big day.

posted by Jennie on Apr 18

Sauna day, everyday. This is one of the updates in my timeline in Plurk last week. Working from home is not the most glamorous, I know. I have come in terms with that. But the heat has become so unbearable, that if it was not for the distraction of caring for my cutie pie, who has been with fever since Thursday – I could have gone crazy because of the heat. How I wish we bought a portable air conditioning unit, rather than the window type that we have in our room.  

The original plan last year was to install another unit here in the parlor, where I hold my office. But there were other things we prioritized – most of them gadgets (essential ones, if I may emphasize). Plus the fact that we actually start paying for our little guy’s tuition fee this coming school year. So there, the a/c unit plan obviously has to be on a standstill. And I am really leaning towards the portable a/c. So we could bring it whichever part of the tiny house we are in.

Meanwhile, with this heat unfailing to remind us that global warming is on, we are so looking foward to our upcoming getaway  in less than a couple of months. We have actually started filling in our checklist- some beach essentials and pool floats lounges.  June may not be the ideal time to go to Boracay. But come to think of it with the weather being so unpredictable (remember those chilly Dec and January nights we had a few months back?) that is caused by global warming, we refuse to be dictated by the weather forecasters. I know December and January are the coolest months here in the tropics. But I have not once worn a sweater during any natural weathered December or January night in my whole 32 years of existence, except for December 2008 and January 2009.

posted by Jennie on Apr 13

If there is anything true about marriage, it is the fact that when you enter such ceremony, you should not expect to see any exit sign anywhere within its bounds. This is true especially in the Philippines, where there is no divorce. This is the reason why a couple should not just consider marriage just because. On the contrary, it should be thought through a hundred times, or even more.

Marrying for the wrong reasons usually ends up in a miserable life. Even though my dear husband would often tease that it was I who first liked him, I am not ashamed to admit that at eleven years old, I was already praying for him. The Lord must have put him into my heart to pray for me. The fact that he has reserved himself for me should be proof enough.

Even as all this is said, I should admit that the first few years of our marriage were not the easiest. Two different personalities coming from two different family of origins with different sets of values – it could even spell disaster to say the least. But because we entered into marriage with commitment, with the guidance of our spiritual parents, exit signs are not options for this marriage.  This marriage is even getting better by the year.  We see that we are not the same persons we married eight years ago.  We have become a better wife and husband to each other through the years and we can only give credit to God for his overflowing grace.  

posted by Jennie on Apr 5

While the hubby is so ready to go off to Tagaytay this coming Thursday, I cannot help but feel the need of just staying in the Metro and enjoy the easy traffic and non crowded malls. But then again, the humidity and rising temperature scream out for us to go enjoy the cool weather of Tagaytay. Baguio would have been a neat choice, except that it is a little too far. It is just nice that there is this closer alternative to Baguio. It is easier to be spontaneous and go there when time permits.

Whatever it is we decide to do on Thursday, we had to make sure all bank transactions are done. Wednesday is going to be the last banking day for this week.   Social security payments are done, the same with utility bills. Congestion is going to be inevitable, as expected.

As much as I do not want to burst the hubby’s bubble of having a quick getaway to Tagaytay, I hope to gently remind him of the pending things we need to do in the house. We still have not decided on which corner to use for our homeschooling base and how to go about its present state. I hope to be able to get all this settled before having our Bora getaway this coming June. I know it is still two months away, but I have always been prudent especially with things like these. It is hard for me to just sit down and do nothing. Cramming is not really my kind of thing. 

We’ll see, we’ll see. I will lovingly say my thoughts out loud tonight and if the hubby still wants to pursue Tagaytay, then it will be it.  Truth to tell, I so understand his need to relax and enjoy the holidays.  He has been so busy and really tired these past weeks because of the youth camp preparations.  And I also can make use of a better weather in Tagaytay.