Life in Motion

I have not been very loyal to my blog lately. I have been very busy for the past few weeks that I hardly have any time for myself, specially blogging. Things are getting hectic, with the wedding just around the corner and all.

This past weekend, future hubby and I went to the marriage prep course that we were required to attend. I was very opposed to the idea at first, I thought it would be a waste of time. The course was for two and a half days! I had to literally drag my feet to go. Thinking it would be one of those boring discussions involving religion and maybe a little bit about married life, I was very hesitant and so was my future husband.

The course was attended by thirty-five soon-to-be-married couples, three married couples and two priests. And though there were topics covered which I thought were not necessary, these were overshadowed by the good stuff.

There was so much to learn. The speakers were very helpful and open to discussions, even heated at times. Topics such as what to expect in a married state, parenting, conflicts and conflict resolutions, finance and understanding behaviours of each other are only a few of the subjects discussed. It was easy listening to the speakers as they spoke without pretense and have been very accommodating even to some opposing opinions.

I may have whined and complained about this course in the beginning, but I definitely think it was all worth it in the end.

Labels: Becoming a Wife

For the past 6 months, we have gone through loads and loads of love songs trying to find the perfect wedding song which we thought would suit us well. A friend of mine (thank you M!) sent me a copy of this song and suggested that I play it on my wedding day. It brought tears to our eyes and instantly touched our hearts. Finally, we know that the search is over...we have found our wedding song.

Angels Brought Me Here
Guy Sebastian

It's been a long and winding journey, but I'm finally here tonight
Picking up the pieces, walking back into the light
Into the sunset of your glory, where my heart and future lies
There's nothing like that feeling, when i look into your eyes...

My dreams came true, when i found you
I found you, my miracle...

If you could see, what i see, that you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Standing here before you, feels like i've been born again
Every breath is your love, every heartbeat speaks your name...

My dreams came true, right here in front of you
My miracle...

If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Brought me here to be with you,
I'll be forever grateful (oh forever Faithful)
My dreams came true
When I found youMy miracle...

If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...
Yes they brought me here...
If you could feel, the tenderness I feel...
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...


So now I am curious to know what was your First Dance music?

Labels: Becoming a Wife, Songs

He has been in her life for more than 10 years; I’ve known him for about 7. They had a shaky start, well at least from what she had told me. Their relationship originated from their own needs, for comfort, for fear of aging alone. It made sense to them at that time. As the years passed, their fondness of each other grew into “love”, or at least that’s what she said. They’ve reached the point where they thought of getting married. He even bought her a ring. A token of his love to her, he said. She wears it on her left hand, a constant reminder that once upon a time they were in love. I asked her once if she was happy…with a faint smile she said yes.

I want to believe that. But somehow, I see the way she is treated. Over the years I’ve felt her tears, her frustrations and sorrow. It breaks my heart to see her trapped. Inside a relationship where only misery was her constant companion, she looks helpless. I have cried with her, begged her to run away. But she wouldn’t, she said she couldn’t. She owes him too damn much. Besides, ten years ago, she promised to take care of him. And she intends to keep her word.

Yesterday was her day. I took the time to prepare a wonderful meal for her. And because I knew it would make her happy, I asked him to join us too. I wanted to celebrate her motherhood. To pamper her just like the way she would pamper her kids. A bouquet of spring flowers was waiting for her at the dinner table. I bought wine and her favorite fruits. I played her favorite music. I invited everyone dear to her. This was her day, everybody wanted to be a part of her special day. We all wanted to tell her much we care.

He walked in the door shortly after 6PM. Came straight to the kitchen where we were all gathered, chatting cheerfully. His angry outburst rendered everyone motionless. For a few minutes no one could say anything, we just stood there, stunned by his action. He went out the front door almost as fast as he came in. I heard him lash at her as he slammed the door shut and sped away. Poor her. She just stood there. Speechless.

I thought about her all night. How lonely and miserable she must be. Today I will pray that someday, before it’s too late, she finds courage to stand up for herself. And tomorrow I will write her a letter.

Labels: Becoming a Wife, Life in General

I am a little irritated by the news I read today.

“Paris Hilton may spend far less than 45 days in county jail for violating probation…could face three weeks or less behind bars because of serious overcrowding in the California prison system”. You can read the full story here.

In my opinion, forty five days isn’t long enough to teach her a lesson…and now there is this news about the possibility of her spending even less time in there? Perhaps the gravity of her offense is nothing compared to the rest of those in jail, but I still believe she should be behind bars for the full duration of her penalty. It now appears as though she is being given a special treatment because of who she is. Being a celebrity gives her the upper hand to be a role model to those who idolize her. Driving with a suspended license and getting away with it (well sort of if they let her stay in jail for less than her sentence…) is definitely not a good example at all.

Granted that there is a problem of overcrowding at the California prison system…how about a community service in lieu of her supposed time in jail? Something that does not involve late night partying...

Labels: Life in General

Labels: Seasons, Spring

So, we’re officially three months away from the Big Day! Lots of things are going on at the same time now. We started receiving replies from the guests we’ve invited from abroad. Some of them have already declined (Don was pretty upset about that), while some gladly accepted. A friend of a friend is doing the decorations, flowers and the cake. She finally gave us the price last week (over a scrumptious dinner at her house).

Last night we met with our celebrant, we just love his sense of humor! We’re very blessed to have him solemnize the ceremony. With his bubbly attitude, I’m sure it’ll be a lively one. We’ve signed the documents needed. He is sending them to the city first thing on Monday morning he said.

But now I am in a panic-mode. I just found out that there is a ceremony before us. This means there is no way we can decorate the church the night before as we originally planned! Our color is the different shades of lilac and lavender. What if the couple is decorating the church in a totally different color? What’s a girl to do? I already have a vision of how the aisle and the pews and the altar will look like!

One of my bride’s maids sent me a text message. She says not to count her on the wedding entourage anymore as she won’t be able to make it. Just like that! She won’t even tell me why! I gave her the gown last month and she was so happy and excited about it! I don’t recall having a fight with her and now she’s bailing out on me!

Mom came by the house yesterday while I was cooking dinner. I was in my teal sweat pants and a blue tank top (totally contrasting color…not a pretty sight I tell you…but that’s beside the point). She said I’ve gained weight. She was worried that my gown will no longer fit me! I said it was my clothes. Shortly after she left, I asked Don if I was getting fat. There must have been a look in my face that says “choose your words young man” because he replied with “Is that a trick question?”

Humph! Must be all those peanut-butter cups I’ve been eating non-stop! And now, that’s one more thing I have to worry about!

Labels: Becoming a Wife

I was just coming out of the shower when he barged in our bathroom door. I opened my mouth to say the F word when I realized it was him.

“Oh, D’s wife gave birth! Yesterday, I think.” He announced while staring at me and grinning ear to ear. Never mind that the bathroom door was wide open while I stood there, left foot glued to the bath tub and right foot on the rug by the tub.

He walked out of the room and slammed the door behind him before I could even say a word. I heard him rummaging through the cupboards. Our bathroom is near the kitchen so I can hear everything from where I was. But then again, he isn’t really the tip-toeing type.

“How did you know? I yelled back without opening the bathroom door.” D is my favorite cousin, who recently got married because he knocked up one of his girlfriends (yes, he had more than one).

“Mom called, and told me to tell you.” He poked his head inside the bathroom again.

“YOU have to stop doing that!” I sneered. Sometimes I think he’s doing it on purpose to annoy me.

I found him flipping through channel while lying down in bed when I came in. I forcefully took the remote and turned off the TV as I took my place beside him.

“Was it a boy or a girl?”

“Mom didn’t say.”

“What do you think will our first born be?”

I was pretending to fluff my pillow when I brought up the subject. I was afraid I wouldn’t like his reaction. We haven’t really discussed when yet, but we’re positive that one day we’ll want to have kids too. We thought about three, in fact.

He pulled me close and kissed me in the forehead.

Our time will come, but not yet…not now. We aren’t ready. Maybe after August.
Today, I’ll just be contented to being an aunt. Loving my little nephews like my own.

Labels: Becoming a Wife, Life in General

It happened a few months ago. I have not paid attention to it much until the other day. I came home and found my answering machine furiously blinking red which indicated I have a message(s) waiting. A couple of hung ups, one wrong number, then a familiar message came on.

"C'est appelle ne pas solicitacion...blah blah blah..."

Friday, April 27, 2007 at 11:51 AM.
Delete.

"C'est appelle ne pas solicitacion..."

Friday, April 27, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Delete.

"C'est appelle ne pas solicitacion..."

Friday, April 27, 2007 at 12:23PM.
Del...no wait, this is the third message from this same number in one day!
This time I clicked on the repeat button instead of delete. I listened carefully, trying to decipher what the message was all about. And since I wasn't very good in French, I only managed to take down the toll-free number and the dossier number that the man left. I figured that was probably all I need.

I called the toll-free number, but the message said it was no longer in service. I asked a friend who's fluent in french to translate the message for me.We then came up with a conclusion that this was a collection agency call. I instantly checked my credit report at this site fearing that my credit rating has been tainted by this company. The report clearly confirmed my fears. It pointed me to a company called CBCL ONT.

With trembling hands and rage welling up inside, I tried to look up this company on google to see if I can get a phone number that I can call. I came up with nothing...no website, no phone number, no email address whatsoever. The only hit I got was this and this. I spent hours and hours reading the thread. To my astonishment, I was not the only one faced with this dilemma. I took down several information that I could find which will possibly lead me to this company.

I called another toll-free number, and this time I got through. An agent who identified himself as Blaze confirmed the company as CBCL and that it is indeed a collection agency. However, he refused to talk to me and transferred me to another agent, Shaunelly, who then transferred me to another agent who instantly identified himself as Rick. He asked that I be placed on hold once again. I waited on the phone for what felt like eternity. When he finally came back, he asked for my account #, when I told him I didn't have one, he proceeded to ask me for my social insurance number, to which I irritably said NO. I asked him what was the message on my machine all about. He went on and on telling me how I have an over due cellular phone bill amounting to $1600 CDN and that I should pay them at once if I want these phone calls to stop. I told him I own a cellular phone, but I have been using a pre-paid one for years so how can I have incurred a bill? I asked that I be sent a letter detailing what this amount was for and how he came up with this calculation. He laughed and said that I should just pay immediately instead of disputing this as I will end up paying anyway. By this time, I've been growing more and more aggravated by his insinuations. I stood by my grounds and said that if I really owed this money, I do not have a problem paying it as long as I know what it was for. I insisted that he give me more information about this "overdue bill" so I can verify it myself. The conversation went on for almost an hour. In the end, he's agreed to provide me with 2 different account numbers from a cellular company and advised that I should contact them myself to resolve the issue.

Last night, I called the cellular company's billing department to get information about these accounts that were supposedly opened under my name. I was then directed to their Fraud Dept so I can file a fraud claim. The agent I spoke to have been very helpful and have agreed to send me a claim form by mail so I can formally file a claim, he has also agreed to take care of the collection call that I keep getting until this issue is resolved.

Until then...I am crossing my fingers.

Labels: Life in General, Money Matters