Ryan and I have been engaged for about a month and a half now. Woot! Despite school and work obligations, we have managed to get some details worked out. It always helps me to have lists to see how far I've come and how far I have to go!
1. Centerpieces chosen - 1/2 the materials gathered (we're slowly gathering the pieces as we get the 50% coupons at Michael's - hooray for wedding on a budget!)
2. Wedding favors chosen - my mom's doing some serious baking the week of the wedding
3. Favor boxes ordered
4. Stationary purchased: Invitations, programs and thank you cards
5. Bridesmaids chosen
6. 1/2 the Groomsmen chosen
7. Colors picked (yellow for Ryan, pink for me)
8. Guest List finalized (I hope! We haven't added anyone in over a week, good sign)
9. Gift registries set up - www.thehoneymoon.com and www.target.com
--Please feel free to use these as gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays to come.... =)
--That was a fun day at Target. Ryan didn't let me use the gun at all! He said if he had to shop for this stuff, he got to be the gun holder. The second time we went, he let me use the gun because he's fair like that.
10. Wedding website in progress (stay tuned for links) - We just have to add some pictures and little bit of Ryan's flare to the website and it'll be up and running.
We're still workling out the wedding venue choices. We've seen some places that have pieces of what we want, but no one place has it all. There are a few more choices we're looking into, but I think I know which we'll choose if the last places come in over budget. We mostly just want a place where no one will feel cramped. We found place that has all the space we need at a good price, but all the decorations will have to be brought in ($$$). We found a place that has all the beauty for a bit over budget, but the room is sort of divided and some tables might feel separated from the party (no good).
And now it's time to do homework. Blah. The semester is over Dec 4 and that's right about the time Christmas shopping will be in full swing at work. No rest. But it's all worth it.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Weekend Away
This weekend will be half vacation and half wedding planning. Ryan and I will be galavanting about Jacksonville meeting with different reception location possibilities and spending time with my family.
After a very special email from Ryan's sweet mom and an attempt to put things into perspective, I have come off the cliff. I cannot control how others act, but I can control how I react to others.
We'll be traveling to Jacksonville tomorrow ready for a busy weekend of planning and hopefully a bit of relaxation.
In other news, I am buried in school work at the moment. One of the things that has always helped me to get things under control is making a list of everything that I have ahead of me. Once I finish an item on the list, I take a red pen and mark through it triumphantly. The list is quite long at this point, but I had the joy of crossing off 2 things this week. I have found my stride in this semester, at last. It helps to put the wedding stuff aside every now and then, even if it is just to do homework.
Ryan and I have decided that it might be best for me to slow down on school a bit. I'll be extending my program plan by one semester. This way, we will be able to actually take our honeymoon right after the wedding instead of 3 months later when my internship is over. Also, I won't have to take so many classes at once. We haven't had as much time together lately to really enjoy one another's company. What little time we do have is spent buying groceries, cleaning the apt and running errands. This weekend is much needed. Four whole entire days together is exactly what we need to keep the balance.
After a very special email from Ryan's sweet mom and an attempt to put things into perspective, I have come off the cliff. I cannot control how others act, but I can control how I react to others.
We'll be traveling to Jacksonville tomorrow ready for a busy weekend of planning and hopefully a bit of relaxation.
In other news, I am buried in school work at the moment. One of the things that has always helped me to get things under control is making a list of everything that I have ahead of me. Once I finish an item on the list, I take a red pen and mark through it triumphantly. The list is quite long at this point, but I had the joy of crossing off 2 things this week. I have found my stride in this semester, at last. It helps to put the wedding stuff aside every now and then, even if it is just to do homework.
Ryan and I have decided that it might be best for me to slow down on school a bit. I'll be extending my program plan by one semester. This way, we will be able to actually take our honeymoon right after the wedding instead of 3 months later when my internship is over. Also, I won't have to take so many classes at once. We haven't had as much time together lately to really enjoy one another's company. What little time we do have is spent buying groceries, cleaning the apt and running errands. This weekend is much needed. Four whole entire days together is exactly what we need to keep the balance.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Expectations, Obligations and Entitlement
I have always thought that wedding drama was overrated. In my pre-engaged mind, I could not for the life of me figure out what could be so dramatic or stressful. Sure, there are several hundred details that could be hashed out in making your "Big Day" the most special day possible. I just couldn't see how picking out colors or menu items could be stressful. Didn't the idea of marrying the man you love with all your heart oblilterate any possibilities to have stress in planning how to make the marriage happen?
Budgeting is just about the only detail that I could see as a stressful matter. But Ryan and I are so close in thought when it comes to budgeting, I figured we'd skate past that detail easily.
I never once realized that the number of family members you have is exponentially related to the amount of stress and drama you experience. I am Philippino with Catholic roots. Basically that means in this equation I am screwed. My father has 7 brothers and sisters. My mother has 6 brothers and sisters. Each of those aunts and uncles of mine has children and some of those children have children of their own. While there are several family members that still live in the Philippines (Thank you Jesus!), there are quite a few who live in the States.
I have an aunt who feels that simply because she is my aunt and I am getting married, she is entitled to be a sponsor in the wedding. I have a cousin who has a daughter who feels that I should be obligated to have said daughter be the flower girl, possibly because I was in her wedding. I have a parent who is getting hoity-toity about whose side of the family is more represented in the wedding, my mom's side vs. my dad's side. I am expected to have my sister as my maid of honor. This is the only detail that my family has imposed on this wedding that I feel is appropriate and appreciated.
When I think of all of the things that my family wants and compare it to what Ryan and I want, I just want to scream or hide under the covers and wait until September 26, 2010 comes around. There are people in my extended family who have declared that they are not coming to the wedding because of a tactless Facebook comment made by another family member. I am suspicious of the full reasoning behind this declaration. It may be because I have not chosen my cousin's daughter as a Flower Girl and because I have not asked my aunt to be a sponsor. Either way, they are trying to make this declaration of non-attendance as a statement of anger and to make a strong point of how hurt their feelings are.
In all selfishness on my part, I do not care. It doesn't hurt my feelings in any way, shape or form that they are choosing not to come. I see their absence as 4 less people that I have to supply dinner for.
These people that I call family are being ridiculous, plain and simple. If it comes down to it, we won't have any bridesmaids or groomsmen or sponsors or flower girls or ring bearers. Ryan, using his best manager voice, will just have to tell them all too SUCK IT! (Hi, my name is Bridezilla...)
In the grand scheme of things, does the flower girl or ring bearer or sponsor or bridesmaid or groomsmen or usher have any impact on whether or not Ryan and I are married at the end of the day? In a word, NO!
And that's not even mentioning the fact that Ryan has family members as well. He has sisters, and nieces, and nephews and parents and cousins and aunts and uncles just the same minus about 100. It may be that he is protecting me from drama on his side, but I'm thinking it's more along the lines of the idea that there is no drama coming from his side. My cousin doesn't stop to think that maybe Ryan has a niece that would look lovely carrying a basket full of rose petals down the aisle. Which he does and she would, by the way. All she sees is that her daughter is not included and that must mean I hate their family. Obviously. On that subject, however, it is a well known fact in my family that this cousin and I have not always been BFF. She was probably the last person to be told, and that wasn't a coincidence. Knowing this, why would she feel I would want her bad attitude in the wedding party at all?
All I have left to say is, don't be surprised when instead of getting an invitation to the wedding, you get an announcement of our marriage with pictures of me in a huge Princess ball gown standing in the front of a courthouse with Ryan. Just don't be surprised.
Budgeting is just about the only detail that I could see as a stressful matter. But Ryan and I are so close in thought when it comes to budgeting, I figured we'd skate past that detail easily.
I never once realized that the number of family members you have is exponentially related to the amount of stress and drama you experience. I am Philippino with Catholic roots. Basically that means in this equation I am screwed. My father has 7 brothers and sisters. My mother has 6 brothers and sisters. Each of those aunts and uncles of mine has children and some of those children have children of their own. While there are several family members that still live in the Philippines (Thank you Jesus!), there are quite a few who live in the States.
I have an aunt who feels that simply because she is my aunt and I am getting married, she is entitled to be a sponsor in the wedding. I have a cousin who has a daughter who feels that I should be obligated to have said daughter be the flower girl, possibly because I was in her wedding. I have a parent who is getting hoity-toity about whose side of the family is more represented in the wedding, my mom's side vs. my dad's side. I am expected to have my sister as my maid of honor. This is the only detail that my family has imposed on this wedding that I feel is appropriate and appreciated.
When I think of all of the things that my family wants and compare it to what Ryan and I want, I just want to scream or hide under the covers and wait until September 26, 2010 comes around. There are people in my extended family who have declared that they are not coming to the wedding because of a tactless Facebook comment made by another family member. I am suspicious of the full reasoning behind this declaration. It may be because I have not chosen my cousin's daughter as a Flower Girl and because I have not asked my aunt to be a sponsor. Either way, they are trying to make this declaration of non-attendance as a statement of anger and to make a strong point of how hurt their feelings are.
In all selfishness on my part, I do not care. It doesn't hurt my feelings in any way, shape or form that they are choosing not to come. I see their absence as 4 less people that I have to supply dinner for.
These people that I call family are being ridiculous, plain and simple. If it comes down to it, we won't have any bridesmaids or groomsmen or sponsors or flower girls or ring bearers. Ryan, using his best manager voice, will just have to tell them all too SUCK IT! (Hi, my name is Bridezilla...)
In the grand scheme of things, does the flower girl or ring bearer or sponsor or bridesmaid or groomsmen or usher have any impact on whether or not Ryan and I are married at the end of the day? In a word, NO!
And that's not even mentioning the fact that Ryan has family members as well. He has sisters, and nieces, and nephews and parents and cousins and aunts and uncles just the same minus about 100. It may be that he is protecting me from drama on his side, but I'm thinking it's more along the lines of the idea that there is no drama coming from his side. My cousin doesn't stop to think that maybe Ryan has a niece that would look lovely carrying a basket full of rose petals down the aisle. Which he does and she would, by the way. All she sees is that her daughter is not included and that must mean I hate their family. Obviously. On that subject, however, it is a well known fact in my family that this cousin and I have not always been BFF. She was probably the last person to be told, and that wasn't a coincidence. Knowing this, why would she feel I would want her bad attitude in the wedding party at all?
All I have left to say is, don't be surprised when instead of getting an invitation to the wedding, you get an announcement of our marriage with pictures of me in a huge Princess ball gown standing in the front of a courthouse with Ryan. Just don't be surprised.
Friday, October 30, 2009
who knew?
I feel like I just stepped into the new age of technology (about 5 years late). I have been thinking for awhile that I would like to have a new laptop. After about 2 months of thinking and thinking about it, I finally went out and bought one. I found a laptop for half the price of the last laptop I purchased 5 or 6 years ago.
I am actually sitting in Panera, sipping coffee. So I guess now would be an appropriate time to crack open the 10lb book about teaching little kids to read. Oh yeah, and study for the science extra credit quiz to make up for the one I bombed last week!
This laptop has a built-in webcam. I didn't even know that was an option. It was pretty reasonably priced, and since the wedding costs are pretty much taken care of, I don't feel too bad about buying one. My major reasoning for buying one now was that I need a reliable, fast-working portable means of studying. I get very distracted in the apartment, so I very rarely get more than 30 minutes of studying done at any one time. I envisioned myself studying in the library for hours at a time or sipping coffee at panera while typing up lesson plans and other projects that require some serious planning.
So far, I have used my new technology to take a picture of my new haircut. See?
I am actually sitting in Panera, sipping coffee. So I guess now would be an appropriate time to crack open the 10lb book about teaching little kids to read. Oh yeah, and study for the science extra credit quiz to make up for the one I bombed last week!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mid semester
This past week I had 2 midterms. One midterm went beautifully and the other felt like a scary disaster. Taking 3 classes in my undergrad felt like a breeze, midterms were never particularly hard and life was so much different. Taking 3 classes in Grad school is a bigger undertaking than I ever expected!
Following midterms, the bulk of my major assignments are due. We have a lesson plan to write, present to a group of students, record on video said presentation and write a report on the lesson plan experience as a whole. On top of that, we had to conduct an extensive reading assessment on an emergent reader and write a report on that interview. Aside from these assignments, we have to write weekly journals based on the readings (100+ pages sometimes) each week. The journals take about 5 hours to complete, no exageration. These are just for one class!
For my other classes, I have to write 3 more lesson plans and take 2 finals. The other classes are less intense, but still need attention.
There was a time when I was really feeling spread too thin. I was subsitute teaching and working at Target, pulling doubles across the 2 jobs. Studying for midterms and preparing for papers. Taking piano lessons. Trying to plan a wedding. Trying to spend time with my fiance. Trying to fall asleep at night after long, mentally and physically exhausting days and feeling unsure as to whether I would be able to keep my head above the water.
Things have calmed down quite a bit, mostly because I was about to break. I bought a planner and got organized, cut back on substitute teaching only on days when I don't also have to work at Target, my last piano lesson is on Tuesday (sad), and I'm taking the wedding planning in manageable chunks. A little organization goes a long way! Of course, I am always behind on the laundry and the apartment is in a constant state of disarry. We always have clean underwear and food to eat, so something must be going right!
Mid semester means I am running down the homstretch. I can't allow the homework and busy schedule become a mountain that I am afraid to climb. One week at a time, keeping a weather eye on what's coming up, but celebrating the little gains. I can do this without losing it.
Following midterms, the bulk of my major assignments are due. We have a lesson plan to write, present to a group of students, record on video said presentation and write a report on the lesson plan experience as a whole. On top of that, we had to conduct an extensive reading assessment on an emergent reader and write a report on that interview. Aside from these assignments, we have to write weekly journals based on the readings (100+ pages sometimes) each week. The journals take about 5 hours to complete, no exageration. These are just for one class!
For my other classes, I have to write 3 more lesson plans and take 2 finals. The other classes are less intense, but still need attention.
There was a time when I was really feeling spread too thin. I was subsitute teaching and working at Target, pulling doubles across the 2 jobs. Studying for midterms and preparing for papers. Taking piano lessons. Trying to plan a wedding. Trying to spend time with my fiance. Trying to fall asleep at night after long, mentally and physically exhausting days and feeling unsure as to whether I would be able to keep my head above the water.
Things have calmed down quite a bit, mostly because I was about to break. I bought a planner and got organized, cut back on substitute teaching only on days when I don't also have to work at Target, my last piano lesson is on Tuesday (sad), and I'm taking the wedding planning in manageable chunks. A little organization goes a long way! Of course, I am always behind on the laundry and the apartment is in a constant state of disarry. We always have clean underwear and food to eat, so something must be going right!
Mid semester means I am running down the homstretch. I can't allow the homework and busy schedule become a mountain that I am afraid to climb. One week at a time, keeping a weather eye on what's coming up, but celebrating the little gains. I can do this without losing it.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Planning a Wedding
The initial "ohmygodisthisreallyhappeningtome" is slowly starting to become "ohmygodthisreallyishappening!" I had no idea there would be so much that goes into a wedding.
We have a LOT of details to figure out. Fortunately, Ryan is very patient and easy-going. He lets me talk my through my thoughts out loud and isn't set on anything in particular.
We have yet to decide if we are going to have the wedding in Jacksonville (where my big family is) or Gainesville (where lots of Ryan's family is and where we have spent the majority of our relationship). I always thought that a wedding was supposed to happen in the girl's hometown, but I guess that's a detail that's changed over time. I have found 3 or 4 locations in each place that are serious possibilities. We are planning to make some phone calls and schedule some tours within the next month or so. Picking the location seems to be a good starting point. We'll let the rest of the details flow after the location is settled on.
There are some details that I am set on, but so many more that I don't even know where to begin.
1. Should we get a videographer?
2. What should the centerpieces be?
3. Where/when will we go on a honeymoon?
4. How much can we do ourselves and how much do we pay to have things done for us? Invitations? Wedding favors?
5. What should the wedding favors be?
6. I have no idea what kind of wedding dress I want!
Help! If you have any tips or trick up your sleeves, please share them!
We have a LOT of details to figure out. Fortunately, Ryan is very patient and easy-going. He lets me talk my through my thoughts out loud and isn't set on anything in particular.
We have yet to decide if we are going to have the wedding in Jacksonville (where my big family is) or Gainesville (where lots of Ryan's family is and where we have spent the majority of our relationship). I always thought that a wedding was supposed to happen in the girl's hometown, but I guess that's a detail that's changed over time. I have found 3 or 4 locations in each place that are serious possibilities. We are planning to make some phone calls and schedule some tours within the next month or so. Picking the location seems to be a good starting point. We'll let the rest of the details flow after the location is settled on.
There are some details that I am set on, but so many more that I don't even know where to begin.
1. Should we get a videographer?
2. What should the centerpieces be?
3. Where/when will we go on a honeymoon?
4. How much can we do ourselves and how much do we pay to have things done for us? Invitations? Wedding favors?
5. What should the wedding favors be?
6. I have no idea what kind of wedding dress I want!
Help! If you have any tips or trick up your sleeves, please share them!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
September 25, 2010 - Save the Date!
Ryan and I are ENGAGED! Despite the fact that I have been thinking about this nearly constantly for the last 4 or so years, it still feels wonderful and exciting. He picked the most beautiful and most perfect ring.
September 25, 2010 is the day that we hope to celebrate our wedding. So mark your calendars, people. It's going to be a sensational Saturday.
We have this running joke that if I go broke, he doesn't mind being my sugar daddy, he just won't fund my IRA. When he proposed, he said to me, "So, I was thinking that you know I am unwilling to fund your IRA, but I would be happy to fund our IRA." Then he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him! Of course the answer was yes and we had a little romantic moment as we basked in our new engagement.
We went out to dinner to celebrate. My phone has 6% battery life left in it because I have been on the phone for so long!
I am so in love with Ryan. He is everything in my life that makes me happy. When things are sad or happy or exciting or boring, I only want to share it with him. This engagement isn't just the necessary next step, it is simply what he and I are meant to do. We love one another, we share interests and we support each other's separate interests and hobbies. Our relationship is important to us and therefore we work at it every day to be sure that we continue to love and support each other.
In order to take the pictures, I had to invade Ryan's craft space because it has the best lighting situation for up close pictures. Since my fiancé is ever-obliging, he simply worked around me girly foolishness.
Here is the ring up close. So pretty!
And as a toll for borrowing the workspace, this is Space Marine standing with my newly ringed finger. 
And here we are! Engaged! In love! 
September 25, 2010 is the day that we hope to celebrate our wedding. So mark your calendars, people. It's going to be a sensational Saturday.
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