Pictures

We did it!

The party was a big success! Everyone had fun and it was organized. It wasn't perfect which I didn't mind but the point is, everyone had a blast. My lola was grateful and she really enjoyed her party. There were no major glitches, no dramas, we were on schedule and we were within budget. People it seems didn't want to leave. I even had to tell the staff at the venue to turn on the lights because people were still dancing long after the end of our time. Guests liked the venue, the food, the music, the flowers. We had some technical difficulties but we timed dinner in such a way that even if we had gaps in the program no one would be bored because they will be busy eating.

My cousins prepared 4 dance numbers: modern, maglalatik, pandanggo sa ilaw and tinikling which brought the house down. Bear in mind that no professional teacher was hired to teach my cousins. My aunt had a dvd of Philippine.Dances and they just watched it and taught themselves. The tinikling was such a hit that it warranted an encore which my cousins did. The modern dance was first danced back in 1999 thus its music is still in a tape. It has been a tradition to dance it at every family party and it never gets old. K.Miles and I were the ones who taught them the dance back then and now the older cousins are the ones teaching the younger ones.

I am tired and I am still recovering but it brings smile to my face when my relatives and the guests would tell me how much they enjoyed the party and commended me for a job well done. I couldn't have done it by myself. All of my cousins pitched in and stepped up and they share the accolades too. It has been 4 days since the party and people are still talking about it and that makes me glad.

My full account of the party is to follow when my brain is already back to its fully functioning mode. Right now, its still on a sleepy mode.

I am stressed coz I am not stressing

HUH?? Yup, I am weird that way.

Its 3 days before my Lola's birthday. Its 3 days to the event that my cousins and I planned, prepared for the past few months. Its 3 days to the event that will or will not prove that we, the younger generation is capable to coming up with something with as little help as possible from the older generation. We still have things to do. I have not crossed out much from the list in my previous post especially the script part. I don't even have as much as an intro written. I have all the reasons to panic and to be stressed. But the thing is... I AM NOT! Which is scaring me a whole lot.

I really should be raking my brains out right now to write something sensible. I really should have given the script already to the hosts so they can practice. I really should have the seating arrangement done by now (its just halfway done.) I should have already started with the gift box but until now its still a folded piece of carton waiting to be assembled, shaped into a treasure chest and put the trimmings. We should have the guestbook done by now but its only now that we have decided on what we are going to have. Its not really a hard task to do but still a task added to the already enormous one we have.

We can do this! We did not come this far to fail. I don't think that we will. I have faith in myself and in my cousins that we will be able to pull this through. I guess the reason why I am not stressing is because I am not doing everything as some people think. I have disseminated the tasks to my other cousins and the mere fact that they are all stepping up is the reason why I am not at all stressing that much. Besides, nothing will be accomplished if I am going to allow myself be overwhelmed by the enormous responsibility and task on hand. I already know that there is a lot of pressure and expectations, I don't need to constantly remind myself of it because if I will it will just take all the sanity out of me.

Ask me again on Friday if I am still not stressing. Who knows if my story would have changed by then.

To-do list

• Finalize guests count and give to caterer (guests are still giving their RSVP, one week after the date I set) Geez!
• Make seating arrangement (its tough coz we have to be sensitive to those who cant stand to be near each other)
• Make and decorate box for the gifts for Saturday
• Buy 5 lighters (it will take 5 people to light all 85 candles in my Lola's cake or cupcakes)
• Coordinate with the 4 hosts on what they need to do on Saturday (they better not be lame)
• Buy flowers at 5 AM Saturday (rolling out of bed *sigh*)
• Make centerpieces (25 vases) Kaya namin ito!
• Set up venue for party (2 hours prior - 430PM)
• Coordinate with cousins pertaining to their parts in the program
• Write the script for the program, give it to the hosts and oversee their practice AAHHHHHHHHHHHH
• Make sure finances are in order and enough to cover all expenses
• Do Lola's make-up (maybe, just be prepared)
• Have the strength to face problems on the day itself, especially comments from people and have the sensibility to make quick decisions when needed.
• Have the strength for the after-party
• Have fun regardless!!

*SIGH*

Dark polish

I must really be stressed because I have been blogging daily this whole week. That and I have so many things in my mind that I need to release from my system. At least my blog wont take offense to whatever it is that I have to say. *sigh*

I think my nail polish is reflective of what my emotions have been for the past few weeks. When I would venture into the nail polish section of the drugstore, I find myself focused on the dark tint ones. In fact my last 3 purchases have been really dark ones. I had my nails done and I picked the darkest one of all. I went to the salon today not only because it was the only free time I have until the party but also to perk myself up and it did. I so needed that time alone when negativity was so far away from me. For that brief moment no one else mattered but myself. It was nice. It may have not erased "the _____ state" that I mentioned in my previous post but at least it gave me time to reflect a bit. I used to associate dark polish with melancholy but weird thing is right at this point I am associating my dark polish with freedom. For once, I picked a color not because it was cute or what people would expect but I picked one that I wanted regardless of what people will say. I think I will keep it for as long as I feel like it. It's making me feel good, maybe not happy but at least good.

A __________ state

A cousin told me something yesterday that made me think. She said that when she looks at me she feels that I have this sense of sadness within me. She cant explain to me how or why she feels that way but she does. I do feel sometimes that I am not happy but I also feel that I am not unhappy. I am in that state of something I cannot find the words to describe or explain. Its like feeling alone in the midst of a crowd. I believe that this is just a phase that I am going through. For how long? I wish I have the answers but I don't. But one thing is clear to me, I know I will come out of this state, I just have to search for the answer. I just have to find it within me.

Just enough

I apologize for the downer that my past posts have been. Just needed to vent. So after venting, I felt I need a bit of a sugar rush. So it was such a relief that I found myself in B.everly H.ills yesterday to oversee the installation of the new system in the store. My boss owns a small pizza place in B.everly H.ills called F*rankie & J*ohnnies. Being that it is situated in the main street going towards R.odeo drive, the store has its share of VIP customers. Yesterday was no exception. It was this Scott guy who is P.aris H.ilton's music producer who came with two big bodyguards one of whom was responsible in carrying his LV attache case. They are regulars at the store.

But that wasn't the highlight of my almost 7 hour stay at the store but this...

S.prinkles Cupcakes!

I have always wanted to try it after hearing so many good words about it. But since I don't usually venture into that part of town, I haven't had a chance to until yesterday. The store is just half a block away from the pizza place. So I went there before they closed at 7, fell in line. I was told lines are a usual sight in front of the store. But today I guess it wasn't so bad since though I was in line at least inside the store and not in the sidewalk. The actress who played Claudia, L.acey C.habert in the tv show P.arty of F.ive was also in line in front of me. She is pretty but I didn't recognize her right away. She was practically a kid when she was in that show. She was nice. She smiled at me. No air at all. After some time I finally got hold of this...

with my 4 cupcakes: vanilla, red velvet, black and white and lemon coconut. It was pretty pricey for a cupcake but for a full experience at least just not get one cupcake. I went back to the store happy as I passed by M.onique L.huillier's shop along the way. It was also in the same block but it was closed. Save that for another day.

I didn't eat all 4 cupcakes by myself. I gave two to my nieces and brought the rest with me to work. I ate the vanilla one and I like it. But I would have liked it more had the frosting wasn't too thick but the sprinkles on top was a nice touch. I am saving the red velvet one for later. I think the cupcakes are good enough size to have one's fill of sugar for the day. It was just enough to fill my craving for now at least. I will save tasting of the other flavors for next time.

Another highlight was the last minute meet-up with C.hrissie. Its been awhile since we had a get together so this impromptu one was such a treat. Maybe next time she and I can explore the other restaurants in the area because there's a lot.

Ignorance is NOT bliss

We worked on the favors last night and once again, an aunt said that an explanation must be given/read why these are treasure boxes. This isn't the first time I heard about it but maybe my aunt was thinking more on the basis that guests may not get why the favors are such. But as she is repeatedly asking, it seems she herself and who knows who else DON'T get it either.

Okay, what is it about the treasure box as a theme for a person's 85th birthday they don't get. Sometimes, I wonder if they even know their mother at all. A treasure chest is typically made of wood, the sturdy kind. It has a simple exterior to mask the gems inside. It is made to survive good and bad weather. My Lola is just like that. To anyone who has seen her, it would be such a shock to know that she had 15 kids, all natural birth. She is a small lady and yet underneath all that is a wealth of memories, experiences and history. We put anything that we hold dear, what we hold important, things that we have accumulated over the years in a treasure box and once we open it, stories come surging. That is Lola.

I guess they got so used to just having colors as theme like last year for Lola's 84th, we all wore red. All the decorations were red and that's it. But this time, we, the cousins decided to go with a different approach. We decided on a theme that will best capture who Lola is, what she is, what means to us, her travels and travails. It was not easy coming up with a theme because we wanted to encapsulate anything and everything about her, thus a treasure box. Our centerpieces are more towards the rustic side, which is being met with apprehension right now. And what have they seen so far? Oh just empty frosted flower vases and matte gold candle holders with star cut-outs. By the day of the event, we plan to fill the vase with fresh flowers, put tealight candles inside the candle holders and put them on top of the table.

If they don't get it, ask me. Not that I am hearing snide comments when I don't need to. If they have questions, direct them to me and not me hearing it from people. I swear its such a coward thing to do. I don't like it at all. Here we are cousins doing the best that we can given the limited resources and money that we have, is it too much to ask if they could be more considerate and positive? They are bringing my younger cousins' morale down and I am trying to rally them up. I need a long vacation after this.

Rollercoaster

I am an adrenaline junkie. I love rollercoasters. The bigger, the better. The faster it is, the more I love it. However, when it comes to emotions I hate it. These past few days have been a rollercoaster of sorts for me. A whole myriad of emotions has filled me. From upset to disappointed to frustrated to happy to excited. Just about every possible emotion in the spectrum I think I have been through.

I was upset a few days ago with that relative who is pushing it that she was asked by my Lola to be the host. Knowing Lola it could be true or it could not be. I have to double check that. But most definitely, I will make sure that this relative will never go near any microphone on my Lola's birthday especially after finding out that she may have volunteered herself to say something during the party of her brother-in-law's father in-law. Magulo ba? A person she barely even know. Well ganun siya ka-atribida! I have heard her talk and not that shes a bad speaker but she has the tendency to say comments that she's not supposed to and I find it inappropriate. I leave the room when she starts talking because I know I wont like whatever she is going to say. Good if she wants to help but her interference no one really appreciates and taking potshots at people in a public place and what is supposed to be a happy event is not only rude but tacky and in poor taste.

I was disheartened with some of my family members because instead of helping are bringing everyone's morale down. I don't think they believe that the 3rd generation will be able to pull something as being at the helm of the planning for Lola's birthday. Like the favors for instance, we still have 2 weeks to finish them. This is the only thing left for us to do that is large in scale. They haven't even seen the finished product, me comment na na di kanais-nais! Rather than saying negative things, they should at least offer suggestions. Reklamo na nga walang pang suggestions! Labo! But I have came up with something as a counter-attack. I am psyching my cousins, challenging them that this is what the 2nd generation feels and they don't like it one bit which is making them step up. I think some family members think like this because it looks like we are not doing much but just because they don't see it, it doesn't mean its not happening. So we are going to show them and make them eat their words.

I am so happy and proud of my cousins for stepping up when I ask them to. Just this morning I didn't have anyone to host, now I have three and willing ones at that. Not coerced by their parents nor bribed by me. I am happy that my parents taught me to take the high road when faced with such things. I am happy that I got a call this morning from the Philippines at that. Thanks Kuya Miles and Ate Joelle for the suggestions, ideas and encouragement. I am happy that things are falling into place and its us cousins who are doing it and that we can do anything as long as we put our minds together. I love my parents! I love my siblings and I love my cousins.

I am excited for the party. I know and I believe we can pull this off. There's still 12 days before the party and I am sure I will be on many more rollercoaster rides prior to it and who knows after. Its fine as long as I am not riding it alone. I think I am in pretty good company.

Control

When I started writing this blog, this became my avenue where I can pour out all of my thoughts and feelings. I used to be able to say what I wanted to say. However, recently I have noticed that I have been holding back a little bit. I have filtered my own self. I guess it was my way to shield myself, to keep a part of me hidden. At first it was fine but as time passes, it has started to feel like a noose tightening around my neck. I am unable to breathe. I may have wanted to have some control over what certain people will know but I know that when I put myself out there, it meant letting go of that control. Its not saying I will be over the place but I will only concentrate on things I can control and not anymore on the things that I know try as I may I cannot ever control. Its actually freeing to have been able to just throw caution to the wind and not worry about other things.

****

I know its tough for some of my relatives to not have anything to do with preparations for my Lola's birthday. I know its tough to just take a backseat to us cousins who in their mind are just a bunch of kids. Its hard letting go of that control over the details that they have always had until now. To a stranger looking in, it may seem like my cousins and I are not on the same page. But we are. We have been for a long time. We have our own little group going on where things are discussed and decided upon pretty much openly and democratically. This is how we get things done. Its our own little world. I think this is why now that we are pretty much in homestretch to the party, everyone it seems are coming out of whatever cave or rock they came from and are making their presence felt. I am fine with some because I know "ayaw nila mapahiya" like as if my cousins and I are going to allow that. But with some, I am very adamant in controlling some things because I know, I can already see the repercussions and frankly its not a pretty picture. In these instances that I still have full control I will use it. This is not something that is out of my hands, this is something that I know if I stick with it would be more beneficial for everyone involved. I also do not like the fact that my cousins and I will be stripped off of the credit that is due us. This is not about being recognized. We don't need to be. We are not doing this because we are going to gain something but we are doing so out of our love and respect for her. I don't know if I can say the same for some other people out there. There is one person who is the LAST person I want to be visible and for her to call me that supposedly she is being asked to be the host is just upsetting. Ano yun kami ang nagtanim at naghirap tapos siya ang aani? She is in the dark because not only is it the way I want it to be but because it is what it is supposed to be. This is must be a happy event even if some needs to check their egos at the door and for her to be front and center is just going to upset the majority and make my cousins and I look bad. NO WAY!! Even if supposedly she was asked by Lola to be the host, (which I doubt is what really happened) I think since I was at the helm from the beginning, it should be my call on who I will put as host. I have to sit down with Lola about this. The initial plan was for the cousins to be the one who will plan everything with the assistance of the aunts and uncles. On the day itself, they will just come as guests. I don't know what part of "guests" that some people don't get that they are trying to interfere now. If I sound like I am bit harsh, I have to be, I need to be. This party is for Lola and no one else and if making sure that it will be a happy event entails hurting some egos along the way so be it. I am sure my cousins share the same sentiments.

Hope floats

HOPE
Author Unknown

If you can look at the sunset and smile,
then you still have hope.

If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower,
then you still have hope.

If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly,
then you still have hope.

If the smile of a child can still warm your heart,
then you still have hope.

If you can see the good in other people,
then you still have hope.

If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep,
then you still have hope.

If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder,
then you still have hope.

If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips,
then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism,
then you still have hope.

If you give people the benefit of a doubt,
then you still have hope.

If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life,
then you still have hope.

If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise,
then you still have hope.

If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration,
then you still have hope.

If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end,
then you still have hope.

If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection,
then you still have hope.

If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey,
then you still have hope.

If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy,
then you still have hope.

If you can look to the past and smile,
then you still have hope.

If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up
and end the conversation with the phrase..."yeah....BUT.."
then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides,
but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can.

It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead,
when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in.

Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.

Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.

Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.

Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured,
and something that will refresh us in return.

And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.

Never lose hope.

PRAYER
"Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me joy in seeking you
more closely. Increase my faith in all your promises, my hope in the
joys of heaven, and my love for You as my All."

**********
My cousin has been sharing with us inspirational passages like these, just wanted to share.