July 22, 2006 - Michelle & Andrew's Wedding Day

The day we've been waiting for. This will be short coz the pictures (I'm sure by now, you've seen them) will say it all and how wonderful the whole day event was.

- 330am early morning start
- Thanks to Aileen and Teresa (Michelle's mom-in-law and sister-in-law) for doing our hairs, not to mention, getting up early to do our hairs. They were all great!

- around 830am, the two Rolls Royce arrive to pick us up. Nice, my first time!
- a little sprinkle/shower in the morning but considering its been raining the past week, we were lucky the sun came out this day and dry the rest of the day. It started raining again on Sunday.
- 9am ceremony. TWO hour Latin Mass. It was beautiful!!! Too long though...and freezing inside the church. The ceremony went smoothly. The bride was on time!












- in the Rolls Royce to Sydney Uni for wedding pictures. I wasn't able to take pictures of the bride and groom. Only us, the bridal party (Natasha, LJ, Esther, Celestine, Stephen)

- Reception at L'Aqua, Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour. We missed out on hors d' oeuvres and wine as the guests were waiting for us by the veranda. Nice view of Darling Harbour.






- I had shrimp/smoked salmon for entree and kingfish for main






- some guests


















- speeches from the two dads, the best man, and the groom. Thank goodness I didn't have to make any speeches. Not the tradition.
- cutting of the cake: carrot cake (yum yum!!!)






- first dance: Sting's "My one and only Love"

- throwing of the bouquet. As I always do, I stand all the way at the back coz it never reaches me. Bouquet was caught by Mai (Chris Byrne's gf). Pressure on you now, Chris, to get married next! Haha! (No garter tossing).
- the bride and groom has left the building. Checked in at the Hyatt by Circular Quay and flying off to Hawaii the next day. Happy honeymoon!!!

July 2006 - continuation part 3

I'm so behind with my blog these days I'll try to keep this short and simple. Up to the end of July, it was soooo hectic for me. To continue:

July 20: I picked up mama and Tito Franc at the airport around 6:30am. We didn't get out until almost 8am. I was worried maybe they got stalled at the customs coz I knew they were bringing food (shhh!). What happened was they had oversized luggages (typical balikbayan boxes...if you don't know what they are, ask any filipino and they'll explain it to you). The boxes came out of a different carousel at the airport and so they were just waiting and waiting at their assigned carousel for the boxes to come out. So that made me think... when I arrived here, it happened to me, too! I waited for a while for my balikbayan box to come out. So FYI: if you come to the Sydney airport, any oversized luggage or oddly shaped luggages come out of a different carousel. Don't wait for it to come out of your plane's assigned carousel.

Today is also Basti's 2nd bday, my godson. Wow, Basti celebrating his bday in Sydney!!! Coming all the way from the Philippines!!! I had organized a bday lunch party for him today. Pastas and pizzas at Gioia restaurant on Norton St. Not too far away from our house. By this time, all the Alviar family has arrived and it was sort of a mini reunion for the de Leon and Ortega families. Also present was Ollie Ortega-Dacanay (the bride's cousin on the father side), Mg Boy (Michelle's former boss in the Philippines), and the Lynch family (the groom's sister, husband, and three kids). So it wasn't just an adult 2yr old party, we had 4 kids and 14 adults. Hehehhee.

After we were all stuffed, we managed to go to Sydney Uni (where we're having the wedding photos) and Sydney Opera House in the rain. By the time we got to the opera house, it was pouring hard. And we didn't have enough umbrellas!!! So we were forced to buy $12 umbrellas that broke within 30min. Cheapos!!! Mama and tita Emily went back to the store to complain (I don't know the whole story of what happened in the store but knowing mama and tita emily, I could imagine them yelling at the store owner for selling us expensive cheap umbrellas). Good for them, we got a new umbrella. Hahahahhaa. And if that didn't work, Teod (Katrina's husband) is a good lawyer!!! Hehehe. Silly but they had fun doing that!













July 21: The eve of the wedding. It was still raining and we were all praying that the sun will come out on Saturday. Today was rest/easy day. Finalizing any errands. Michelle gave her last confession before she gets married. Tito Franc, mama, and I had dinner at Tita Terry's house at the Rocks. We couldn't stay any longer coz we had to get up at 330am to do make-ups and hair. We needed our beauty rest!

"I came, I saw, I conquered - iPod". I stole this idea from my brother Mike's blog. Thought it was cool so I had to make one for myself. Make your own iPod billboard here.

July 2006 - continuation part deux

July 15: Wedding rehearsal. It was raining. The church was freezing...as usual. Steven, the best man, was absent again. Absent during the engagement party. Couldn't make it to the food tasting. Steven, just make sure you show up on the wedding day!!! We only did one round of rehearsing and I don't even think the coordinator and the priest knew what they were doing. They didn't even have chairs for the bride and groom to sit on during the mass. I think they kindda just made up the whole rehearsing as we went along. Well, this church doesn't really celebrate weddings all the time...probably like once a year (maybe because its freezing in there or to be serious, the masses there are in latin so normal mass takes about 1.5hrs. This wedding will take about 2hrs). We got LJ to maybe bring a heater and place it near where we sit. Shhh!!! Don't tell Michelle. We got LJ to maybe bring some stash of food and drinks to when we go for picture taking at Sydney Uni. Coz food probably won't get served until 12:30pm to 1pm at the reception and we'll be starving then.

July 16: I met up with my friend, JC, to have lunch at Bondi Junction Mall. I was picking up some sheets and comforter to borrow from him to use for my mom and uncle. Luckily, he was needing more sheets for himself so he bought new ones for me to borrow. Thanks, JC!!! By the way, the Bondi Junction mall is sort of like a high end mall. Michelle, I think you'll like this mall...I know you'll look for it when you visit here some time. Its on the way to Bondi beach, too! First timer but I didn't have a chance to walk around. I had more errands and cleaning up to do before mama arrives...you know mama!!!

July 18: The maid of honor met up with the bride in the city to pick up the wedding dress during my lunch time. Everything is set. Had lunch with the bride after then picked up the missals at FedEx Kinko's. (By the way, is that what it's called now in the US...FedEx Kinko's?) Got a taxi cab and sent her off while I went back to work...two hours later. Oh heck! The boss is in the US anyway. ;-)

July 19: My last day of work before I go on vacation. Yippeeee!!! I went to pick up the rental car at nobirds (http://nobirds.com.au/ - cheap rental cars located at Kings Cross). My first time driving since I moved here...not to mention driving on the other side of the road. I was actually more excited than scared. My only fear was driving on the wrong side of the road. I can't believe how much I miss driving. Oh yea. The signal lights were located on the right side and the wipers on the left. It was raining today so I kept messing up my signal lights and wipers. That was fun!!! I only got a couple of honks so I think I did well. Hahahhaa. Most importantly, I got home safe without any scratches.

July 2006 - continuation

July 10: We got our dresses back from being steamed this weekend. Problem!!! The sash/ribbon for my dress was missing! Oh no! The dress is gonna look so plain without the sash around it. What happened??? I double checked my room...it wasn't there. I swear I placed the sash in the plastic bag along with the dresses. The next day, I went to the dry cleaners and they said they didn't see it. I even called the actual dry cleaning place and they don't remember seeing it. Argghhh!!!! What to do, what to do!!! I called Katrina up in the Philippines where we got our dresses made. Good thing she took back all the extra cloth from the dress and had an extra sash made for me. Thank goodness! Thank you, Kats!!!

July 11: I was already stressing about my dress' sash this day. This was the day Mitch and I were going to see her wedding dress and have her fitting. I had her shoes in my office to bring to the fitting that afternoon. With all the stress I've been having and work, when I got to the bridal shop, first thing Mitch asked me was, "Where's the shoes?" Aaaghhh!!! I forgot it in the office. So I had to walk/run fast and get back there. Ay yay yay!!! My work out for the week!!! The dress was beautiful though (I'll post some pictures after the wedding). A little long and a little bit tight. Yikes! Two more weeks, Michelle, and you'll be a Cinderella bride.

July 12: I got an email from my mom telling me that United Airlines was asking for her visa to come to Australia. Big Huh??? I thought with a blue passport, its easy to get in most countries. I got worried because they are leaving in a few days without a visa. Fortunately, UA can process it for just $20. So BEWARE! You've been warned.

July 13: I went to get my facial before the wedding. My face is stressed from work and all the errands I have to do for the wedding prep and the family coming. Facial wasn't enough. Maybe I should go get a massage next time.

July 14: The Ortegas arrive from the Philippines. Their cousin Ollie was supposed to fly with them. She was so excited and happy. First time to come to Australia. When she got to the airport to check in, they looked at her visa and it says that she can't fly after July 1, 2006. Ay yay yay!!! Didn't she look and read her visa before then? Well, the embassy made a mistake, too, coz she was coming here for a wedding in mid July and they gave her up to July 1, 2006. So almost breaking down, she didn't make the flight. She had to find her way to the embassy back in the Philippines. Later on, the embassy admitted they made a mistake...what a costly mistake coz she missed her flight, she has to pay a portion of her hotel here, missed a couple of days of touring Sydney, and a big waste of time. I think the embassy should pay for all this. What a disappointing and frustrating experience. Next time, always read the fine prints on your visa. My visa that was issued to me says my first entry has to be on or before Oct 25, 2005 (I arrived Oct 12) and not to marry before then.

Moving On!

July will be a busy month.

July 1: Michelle's last day at the house. She's moved to a new apartment in Ashfield and has moved 99% of her stuff to the new place. At the same time, Natasha and I signed our new lease for the house on Saturday morning while Michelle was taking the last of her stuff. Today was the day of moving. The plumber came during lunch time to check the leaks. Peta, our new roomie, started moving her stuff in that afternoon but not officially moving in until August (I'm claiming Michelle's room for all of July so my mom and uncle will have a place to stay when they arrive this month). Tash and I started preparing dinner for the friends who helped moved. Our new washer and dryer came at 5pm. And it was time for dinner with Tash, Peta, JC, Paul, Stephen, and Joe (by the way, I call Joe 'Superman' coz he has a very very tiny bit of a role in the new 'Superman Returns' movie. He was one of the paramedics that brought Superman to the hospital. I had to see the movie for many reasons including making sure Joe wasn't lying. His role was so fast I actually didn't see that it was really him, the paramedic. But there was a scene when they showed the people by the glass door looking in to see Superman in the ER. And all of a sudden, Joe's head popped out - I think that was him! Another reason I wanted to see this movie was because parts of it was filmed in Sydney particularly on the street where I work. And I did see the corner of Hunter St and O'Connell St and the Radisson Hotel next to our building. I noticed the logo (ACE) of one of the cafes at the corner. But it was really quick.

July 2: Everybody seems to be moving on. We picked up LJ at the airport flying in from the Philippines to permanently move here. Now, LJ has to look for a job in audit. Anyone out there who can help him find a job with the big 4? Contact me and I'll let LJ know. It was good to see LJ and had fun talking to him. With him, he brought the bridesmaid dresses we had gotten made in the Philippines. Measurements from about three months ago. Thank goodness they still fit! I have to make sure now that I don't lose or gain any weight...I've been eating a lot this past few days. Maybe because the weather's been cold. And I don't even exercise anymore. Uh oh! Hope my face won't be too round in the wedding pictures. Oh well! I'm not the center of attention anyway, Michelle is! Yay!!!!! That afternoon, I still had some time to go watch a movie. Guess which one it is? "Superman Returns"

July 7-9: I stayed over at Michelle's apartment on Friday and Saturday night to spend time with the Ortega cousins. Lots of reminiscing, laughing, helping LJ look for a job, cleaning up at the apartment. On Sunday, LJ wanted to do the ferries so we went to Circular Quay and took advantage of our weekly Red ticket. LJ, you asked for it! So we took the ferry to Luna Park (a little amusement park just below the Harbour bridge). It was actually my first time going there. The rides were mostly for kids. But the place reminds me of a version of the Santa Cruz boardwalk...at a very small scale. After that, we took the ferry to Watson's Bay and had coffee there. Came back to Circular Quay and caught the ferry to Darling Harbour for dinner. Now, that was a lot of ferrying to do, LJ. That was fun though with a nice view at night.

More to come:
July 11: Michelle and I will be going to see the dress...the wedding dress...for her fitting.
July 14: The Ortegas arrive from the Philippines
July 15: Church rehearsal with the bridal party
July 19: Picking up the rental car. Will be my first time driving since I moved here. Not to mention, driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
July 20: Picking up mama and tito Franc
July 20: Basti's 2nd bday party
July 22: Michelle & Andrew's Wedding Day!!! Yipppeeee!!!

Michelle's Bridal Shower

Mitch wasn't into the typical hen's night/bachelorette's party. No strippers, no drinking, no staying up late. As bridesmaids, Natasha and I organized Michelle's bridal shower...more appropriately, we had afternoon tea at the 'Tea Room' in Queen Victoria Bldg (QVB).


http://www.thetearoom.com.au/

There were 16 of us girls for the afternoon kitchen tea (FYI: most appropriate gifts to bring for a kitchen tea party are kitchen items... that makes sense). We had a few games. One of them was answering a few questions about the bride and groom. One question asks if it was Michelle or Andrew that wanted to get into a religious vocation. All but one person answered it correctly. It was Michelle who wanted to be a nun at one point. Another question asked when the wedding date was. I guess if this person didn't play the game, she would have showed up at the wedding a weekend before the actual date. And not a lot of people knew Michelle was born in Australia.

The other game we played - we asked each guests to write any advice on a piece of paper and we would read out a situation Michelle and Andrew would be in, pick any of the advice from a fish bowl, and basically, see if those advices would work. Here's some examples:

1. Michelle's ready for a night of hot romance. She's prepared a candlelit dinner and has her sexiest nightgown on. Andrew says he's got a headache. What does Michelle do?
- The Advice that was picked from the fish bowl: SAY THE "OUR FATHER"

2. The in laws pay a surprise visit. What should they do?
- The Advice that was picked from the fish bowl: WAIT A MINUTE, HONEY. I'M IN THE SHOWER!

3. Michelle and Andrew are driving around. They are lost. Michelle tells Andrew to stop and ask for directions. Andrew says no. What do you advice?
- The Advice that was picked from the fish bowl: PUT YOUR HEAD BETWEEN YOUR LEGS AND START COUNTING

4. They have their first fight. What do you advice?
- The Advice that was picked from the fish bowl: DRINK SOME TEA AND EAT SOME SCONES


Anyway, that was just a sample. I can't remember all the advices that were picked from the fishbowl but everyone seem to have enjoyed that game.

When we went home, Michelle opened her gifts and I tallied them all. There is one gift that didn't have a name and there were three people to choose from (that means there were two that didn't give a gift ;-) - I won't tell. And I won't tell which gift didn't have a name tag...just in case that person reads this and would think we didn't even keep track.

Next up - Michelle's wedding on July 22nd!

Go Soccerroos!

The World Cup in Germany!

The Australian team, otherwise known as the Socceroos (as in kangaroos...get it?), has finally made it into the World Cup after 32 years. And boy were they put in one of the toughest groups in the first round. Group F - Brazil (the best of them all), Japan (supposedly the best team in Asia), and Croatia (you can't underestimate).

So who am I supposed to root for? Of course, there's team USA but they seem to suck. And there seem to be not much support in the good old land of US of A. Maybe because the team isn't winning and getting to the semis or finals. Or from what I've read, its a low scoring game, or there are other sports more interesting to watch on TV, or there isn't that much action besides kicking the ball, etc. Unfortunately, team USA didn't make it into the 2nd round.

Then of course, there's the socceroos. Australia is known for being the underdogs.

My friend, Amin, did the pilgrimage to Germany to watch some of the games, to see his home country, Iran, fight it off with Mexico, Portugal, and Angola. Sorry, Amin! Sorry you didn't come back home to the US with a win. Maybe in the next four years.

First game was against Japan. Natasha and I went bar hopping on a Monday night to look for a bar where we can watch the game. Since our place is near tons of bars and restaurants, we just stayed within the neighborhood. Norton St was closed for any Australian games so bars and restaurants can open all night and all morning to show the games. And since its also the Italian community, the street was closed for Italian games. First half, we went to the Royal Hotel, just a block away from our house. Second half, we moved to the Vanilla Room. Nobody expected the aussies to win against Japan but what'd you know. They beat them 3-1!!!

Aussies vs Brazil - I didn't stay up for this. Most of the games are played at 11pm, 2am, 5am here so its hard to stay up or get up. Brazil was expected to win anyway...and they did.

Finally, the third and deciding game. Australia has to beat Croatia or at least get a draw (with Japan losing to Brazil) to get into the second round. I woke up at 6am to catch the 2nd half of the game. At this point, the game against Croatia was tied. And when Croatia scored another goal, the yellow and green (that's the aussie team color) crowd at the stadium was silent. It was nerve racking. The game was getting intense. Fouls here and there, right and left. Penalties. One guy from the Croatian team got two yellow cards but I guess the referee wasn't keeping track and should have given him the red card (after two yellow cards, you get a red card and out of the game). But the socceroos was able to get in one more score to tie the game. In the last few minutes, that same guy got a third yellow card and finally got the boot. The socceroos has made it into the 2nd round. Even if Japan wins over Brazil, they would have to score a lot of points to beat Australia getting into the 2nd round. If you win a game within your group, you get 3pts. A draw gives you 1pt. At the end of 3 matches within your group, the top two teams that has the most points get into the second round. If there's a tie, whoever scored the most goals gets in.

That morning when the aussies got into the second round (I believe first time ever), it was traffic all over the city. People were out celebrating, honking their cars, people getting to work late. They were all excited.

Next game: Italy vs Australia. Leichhardt, where we live, is the Italian community of Sydney. Norton St, just five houses from our home is the place to be. Natasha and her friend went out at around 10pm to check out the crowd. The pubs were packed. There were a lot of people on the streets. So they decided to come home and watch the game indoors. The game didn't start until 1am so in the meantime, I took a nap and got up at 1:30 am. The game was pretty much decided until the last 8 seconds of the game when Australia was penalized. Italy got a spot kick (penalty kick infront of the goal) and made it in. And that was the end of Australia's run for the cup...although that would be very unlikely. The game ended at 3am...I had to be in the office at an 8am training (set by the people in the US!!!! aghhh!!!)

Well now we can all go back to our normal sleeping patterns. Thank goodness! I don't think I ever got into soccer until now. Goodnight!

Diabetes Walk

I registered to participate in the Asics Walk for Wellbeing 2006 for Diabetes on Sunday, June 18th, at the Leichhardt Park. This event will raise funds needed for Diabetes Awareness, Research, Education and Advocacy programs. I have decided to participate in this event to raise funds for a good cause particularly for a disease that has inflicted my family. It is hereditary but can be prevented by having a proper diet and good exercise.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot convert food into energy because of a lack of insulin, or because of an inability to use insulin. Diabetes is a serious condition that can cause complications ranging from numbness, kidney failure, blindness and coma. It also significantly raises the risk for other problems, such as stroke and heart disease.

There are more than 1.4 million Australians with Diabetes and the World Health Organization estimates that 150 million people had diabetes worldwide in 2002. This number is projected to double by the year 2025.

This Sunday, I did the 8km walk and was able to raise a little over $150. Not that much but it contributes to the cause. Maybe next year, will do better. Hey, if you join next year, maybe you'll get free socks from Asics.

Hard Rock Cafe - Sydney

I went to Hard Rock Cafe - Sydney this Saturday and as I walked in, half of the people in there started singing Happy Birthday. Moa?!?!?! No thanks. I actually walked in with another girl who didn't have a clue they were giving a surprise bday party for her.

It was nice having lunch there and listening to some old tunes. And as a tourist would do, I bought some souvenirs. One more pin to add to my Hard Rock Cafe guitar pin collection (this one has the Sydney Opera House). And one for you, Michelle, to add to your shot glass collection.

Australian Football League

Sydney Swans vs St Kilda

Time to watch some footy. The AFL (Australian Football League) is similar to rugby except that when you score, you have to kick the ball through a post...I think. You score 6 points if you get it through the middle goal posts and score 1 point if you kick the ball on the left or right goal posts (if that makes sense). You run through the field, pass or kick the ball to your teammates and run to the end and kick a score...at least that's from my observation. It didn't look complicated and there were no tackling just like American football. Anyway, for more info:

http://afl.com.au/
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=history

The VeriSign Australia Sydney office decided to do a "team building" activity outside of work so some people came on a rainy and cold Saturday night to watch the Sydney Swans lose to St Kilda. Well, we didn't actually watch them lose to the end...we all left after the second quarter coz it started to rain real hard.

The game was held at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Grounds) next to Fox Studios. We met up first at the Fringe Bar over at Fox Studios (WARNING: the food here is sizzling spicy!!! Really, really hot. We didn't even get a warning or an option to pick. I.e. - I ordered green curry...and that's not supposed to be as spicy as red curry. Apparently, not to them. Their explanation - its Asian food. Its supposed to be spicy! Hello, not all asian food are spicy!!! Anyway, just watch out for the FRINGE BAR).

First timer at Fox Studios. Its supposed to be similar to Universal Studios. Somewhat, but in a lot smaller scale. They have the shops, restaurants, movie theatre, bowling alley, bars, and cafes. And its not as crowded as Universal Studios (maybe because it was raining on a Saturday night. Oh and take a note. Friday night at Bondi on a winter/fall season is dead. There isn't much action around this time of the year).


Oh yea! St Kilda won over the Sydney Swans - 52 to 50

Deus ex Machina

"God from the Machine"

There is a cafe next to my dance class in Camperdown where its not only a cafe, they also sell and display vintage bikes...from Yamahas to Ducatis (the Ferraris of bicycles), and from Nortons to Kawasakis. Nice cafe to sit down, relax, and listen to some Nirvana (at least that was what they were playing when I dropped by)...too bad they close 3pm too early.












http://www.deusexmachina.com.au/

From time to time, they'll feature other types of vehicles such as the Jaguar:

Sydney University

Sydney Uni is one of the main universities in New South Wales.

One Sunday afternoon during a bus ride to the city, I decided right on the bus to just get off at Sydney Uni and check out the campus.

The main attraction is the University quadrangle. It just so happen that they have free recitals of the War Memorial Carillon (carillons are the largest musical instruments which must contain at least 25 chromatically tuned bells) every Sunday from 2-3pm when I went to visit. The peaceful setting and listening to the beautiful music was perfect for a quiet Sunday afternoon.






After the recital, I got a chance to go up the tower and check out the carillon/bells:






And it just so happen that the day I was at Sydney Uni, they had a free organ recital at the Great Hall.








This place is great for wedding picture taking. In fact, there was a wedding entourage taking pictures at the quadrangle after the organ recital was finished. And this will also be where we're gonna have Michelle & Andrew's wedding pictures taken.

Featherdale Wildlife Park

Finally, a kangaroo!!! And koala, emu, dingo, wallaby, wombat, and a tasmanian devil.

But gosh, it was a mission going to this place called "Featherdale Wildlife Park" near Blacktown (the Pinoy town here in Sydney). It took me about 2hrs including waiting time using public transportation to get to this place. Geez!

But it was all worth it. I got close to a koala (as you will see in the picture below). Man, they look like they're on drugs (well, they eat eucalyptus...or other leaves, too). Koalas sleep about 20hrs a day (that's why they look like they're on drugs...sleepy heads).






I got to feed a kangaroo and some emu tried to steal away the food. Kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and other animals were free to roam around the park...so that means there was shit everywhere.






And there was a tasmanian devil. It kept sniffing something. And no, it doesn't look like the tasmanian devil cartoon, nor does it spin around like that. I notice though that it was just running around in a circle along the perimeter of the fence?!?!?!?!






And the dingo...the one that looks like a dog. The difference is a dingo doesn't bark. It howls...like a wolf. Below is also an emu.






A flying-fox and albino kangaroos






If you guys want to see a more extensive collection of animals, the Taronga Zoo would be it. I haven't been there but I hear the giraffes have prime real estate with a view of Sydney's skyline.

Dr Carlo de Leon

So are you a doctor now, Carlo? Phd in Physical Therapy...yea, right! Not until I get my free massage.

Congratulations on your graduation! I'm 1 for 3 when attending your graduation. Missed high school and this one. Made it to UC Davis.

Jodie Foster, a graduate from Harvard, was invited to be the guest speaker at rival school, Univ of Pennsylvania's graduating class of 2006. If you didn't hear about it, she rapped during her speech. I'm sure you know where these lyrics are from:

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo

--Eminem

Congratulations!!! (So you're class 1998, 2002, 2006...when's the next?)

Dear Carlo & Melinda

Or should I call you guys "Carlinda"...as in Bennifer or Brangelina. =)

Congratulations to both of you on your engagement! That was a well-planned out romantic proposal...where did you get that idea, Carlo?

I wish you both all the best in everything. May your life together bring you tons of love, endless growing friendship, joy, laughter, success in everything you do together, lots of travelling (ie. Sydney), tapioca express, free massages from Dr de Leon (can I get free samples, too?), continuous support for each other, and many many more. Cherish each day of your life together. And don't forget, you have us, your family, to give you support.

For your engagement, go out in the fields together on a warm sunny day, raise your hands together, look up the sky (or you can just lie down on the grass together and look up at the sky), and play this song as loud as you can together: "These Are The Days" by 10,000 Maniacs

These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

Enjoy and have fun planning your wedding. See you in 2007 (if not this year when you visit). I can't wait!!!

Love,
Maricel

"Kokoda" movie

I went to see the Aussie movie, "Kokoda", which tells the story of the outnumbered Australian Army reserves defeating the Japanese during World War II in some of the most rugged and isolated terrain in the world.

The Japanese's mission was eventual invasion of Australian soil. As the Japanese led down south towards Australia, their South Pacific strategy was to take over Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea (at the time, Papua New Guinea was Australia's protectorate). The Kokoda track is a single-file trail that leads to Port Moresby (these days, people visit PNG to trek Kokoda...my boss is doing it in June). The Australian Army reserves (called "chocos" - ill equipped, unfully trained soldiers OR could also mean bullets filled with chocolates as they were not "real" soldiers and didn't have "real" guns) were sent as stand by at PNG not knowing they were going to be outnumbered 10-1 by the Japanese...not to mention the harsh terrains they had to endure combined with hot and humid days, rainfall, cold nights, and tropical diseases. The Japanese invasion eventually failed and as we all know it, Australia is not Japan.

This has been a great significance to the country next to the Gallipoli Campaign during WWI as it was the first time Australians fought and died repelling an invader on Australian soil without the material presence or support of the United Kingdom.