Milestones Archives | Page 4 of 15

Tired, Exhausted

12 February 2010 Ibyang Sanchez 5 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Milestones

I’m grateful that I was able to complete the 5-day work week today. It’s been awhile since I’ve completed 5 days straight at work–I can’t even remember the last time I did that. But goodness, I’m really exhausted. I love my job, I love what I do, but I do wish I have no work every Friday. Don’t we all love long weekends?
I’m so tired, I bought take away Pad Thai and Roasted Chicken so I can feed the Husband something for dinner.

Early evening yesterday, we had coffee with a fellow blogger now friend, Jeanny. I told Chris that I won’t have dinner at home anymore but there’s pasta inside the fridge and I can heat it up for him if he still wanted dinner. Being the smart husband that he is, while we waited for our orders to arrive, he went out and lo–he bought Sushi. So there, instant dinner. He bought a few so he shared his dinner with us. Yes, he brought Sushi inside the cafe and we ate it as discreetly as we could.

Maybe in a few weeks, my body will get used to juggling work and managing a home again. I still feel pain once in a while (when I move too much and lift heavy stuff–I know I’m supposed to take it easy but I forget) but whatever it is I’m feeling I’m managing well–I’d like to think so. I’m used to moving fast, moving a lot and always on-the-go. Hopefully next month, I can start exercising again. *fingers crossed*

20 Things That Made Me Say “Wow!” on Our Wedding Day

17 January 2010 Ibyang Sanchez 16 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Milestones, The Married Life

In celebration of our upcoming 3rd wedding anniversary on Wednesday, I hope you enjoy reminiscing with me as I look back on what happened on that fine, happy day I became a wife for life.

As a child, while most girls have theirs when they were kids, I never had a dream wedding. Bakit nga ba? I really don’t have a clue. On the day of our wedding, I woke up like a clean sheet of paper with no grand expectations of what will really transpire on our special day. I told myself I will just enjoy whatever the day brings me.

Instead of writing a blow by blow account of what happened during our wedding day, I’ve decided to write about the moments that made me say “Wow!” and made me realize that I was so blessed to have become a bride for a day and a wife for the rest of my life.

WOW #1: I WAS THE CALMEST BRIDE I COULD EVER BE.

I woke up at 6:30am feeling relaxed and refreshed with a total of 7 hours of sleep. I had a good night’s sleep which only showed that my nerves were calm and I was not anxious the night before.

During breakfast, I ate tons of food (try having buffet breakfast at Circles Shangri-la and i swear you would never want to leave until you can’t eat anymore) and enjoyed it with my family and Chris’ family. We were all in a happy mood and i think it helped that Chris and I were so relaxed that our families felt it too.

Amazingly, I was like that the whole day. I never got affected by anything around me. I knew that everything will be alright and if there was anything bad that could happen, my thought was “So what?” and I think what made me calm was that I was just peacefully happy…at tawa lang ako ng tawa the whole day.

When I saw the wedding photos submitted by our photographers, there were photos of me just making chismisan with our wedding team and watching them work.

WOW #2: PICTORIAL WITH MEL CORTEZ AND KIX TAVORA

I did not only have fun being photographed by two of the best photographers in the wedding industry BUT i got to enjoy taking photos WITH them. Hah! Oh ha? Saan ka nakakita ng bride na photographer pa =)

This was impromptu. At that time, I was only learning how to use a DSLR then but Chris sent the DSLR to my room (after breakfast, my couturier didn’t want us to see each other anymore) and so I was fortunate to take photographs too.

WOW #3: I WAS MADE TO BE A BRIDE

Wearing my gown made me realized one thing: that i was made to be a bride, that this day was meant to happen, that this was destined, that this was written in the stars at kung ano pang chuvanes dyan…basta when I saw myself in the mirror with my gown on–yun na!

WOW #4: MY BRIDAL WALK

The bridal walk was indeed one of the highlights of every wedding. And knowing that i will only walk once, I had to make it good =)

Funny/astig moment: while waiting for my turn to walk, Cecil’s (my couturier) two assistants were behind me with my train and asked “Ma’am, tulungan ka namin sa train mo hanggang sa makaayat ka sa entrance” and being the astig bride that I was (lakas talaga ng loob ko hehehe), i told them, “Wag na, ilatag nyo na lang ng maayos. Kaya ko to”. As in wow! it was a four meter train and I was at that time 41 kilos only…the train was a bit heavy but i wanted to walk in all the grace that I could muster.

Dramatic moment: All the elements were there: me in my white gown, the song “Come What May” when I entered the church, relatives and friends all smiling (some admitted that they were teary-eyed)…and when I reached the middle of the aisle, everyone clapped their hands. As in wow!!! Impact diba?

Touching moment: (1) Seeing my parents teary-eyed; my mom trying her best to not cry and my dad, I saw his contained emotion. (2) Seeing my mother-in-law crying (although I’m really wondering why she’s crying—tears of joy pala so she told me haha). (3) Seeing Chris about to cry (Hah! I saw that!) but he tried not to.

I admit, I almost cried too…out of sheer happiness. I was so touched to see so many people in the church. I’m so into that moment that i felt everyone’s love and joy for Chris and I. Believe it or not, it was not a blur. When I walked down the aisle, I saw everyone’s faces. I cherished every step that I made when I made that walk. I treasured the moment when i saw Chris’ face when he saw me, and like he said, it was the moment he had waited for.

WOW #5: THE HOMILY

Two things why I loved our homily: (1) The priest thanked us for believing in the sacrament of matrimony and (2) He left us with this advise: to always share and forgive.

WOW #6: RITE OF MARRIAGE and ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE ARE MARRIED

Being blessed with the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony –that is heaven! It is indeed true that all you need is each other and a priest and everything else is a bonus really.

No matter how open-minded I may be with how relationships go, when it comes to my relationship with someone whom I want to spend the rest of my life with, the only thing I want is that we do things in the right order and in the right time and I’m very glad that Chris wanted the same thing as well. Chris and I never took shortcuts when it came to our relationship. We knew that waiting for the right time and following a certain order, everything is worth all the sacrifices we made.

WOW #7: SIGNING OF CONTRACT

A proof that our marriage is legal and binding.

WOW #8: THE KISS

My most kilig wow!

WOW #9: PICTORIAL AS HUSBAND AND WIFE

An activity that we enjoyed so much. It gave us time to breathe in a way. Although it’s a bit tiring to smile and pose but still the time in between the church and reception party was the time that Chris and I were able to internalize that the church ceremony is over and that we are truly married.

WOW #10: GRAND ENTRANCE TO THE ROCKWELL TENT

Our wedding team transformed the Rockwell Tent into a spectacular venue. We loved it as soon as got in. And again, we were greeted with happy guests =)

WOW #11: AVPs FOR PARENTS AND FRIENDS

Decisive moments prepared two avps: (1) a tribute to our parents and (2) tribute to friends and photos taken during our pre-nuptial pictorial.

Our guests were entertained and some of them were touched coz they were in the AVP. I enjoyed it a lot…I was laughing while watching it coz Chris had some funny photos in it and it’s nice to see old photos that reminded us of happy memories.

WOW #12: OUR FIRST DANCE

This was my sweetest wow! We danced to the song “Knocks Me Off My Feet”, Chris’ song for me and has become one of our songs.

WOW #13: THANK YOUs OF OUR PARENTS

It took a lot of courage for our parents to speak infront a lot of people and we were grateful that they were able to do it for us.

WOW #14: NINONG FERDIE’S AND NINANG JULIE’S SPEECHES

We were very grateful that two of the closest people to us said yes to our request for a speech. Our ninong’s and ninang’s words of wisdom will always be in mind in times of challenges in our lives.

WOW #15: MATRON and MAID OF HONOR’S and BEST MEN’S SPEECHES

These are the people that knew everything that Chris and I have gone thru in our relationship. We were touched by their speech and we’ll forever be grateful that they are always there for us.

WOW #17: ONSITE VIDEO AS GRAND FINALE

This was a big wow! To see what transpired during the hotel preps to the church ceremony is a gift to us and to our guests. chris and i were smiling up to our ears while watching our onsite video. A perfect way to end the program.

WOW #18: SURPRISE SONG FOR CHRIS

Since I moved to Sydney I never took care of my voice and I never practiced. But for the love of Chris, I knew in my heart that I’d have to sing him a song one last time before i really retire from singing. The song was “Valentine” (an original of Jim Brickman) and it was a song I chose because it simply describes what he is to me.

During the performance, i knew that my voice didn’t sound as great as before but other than that, it was really hard to sing when overwhelmed with emotions, I can’t even looked at Chris coz I was fighting the tears.

WOW #19: OUR THANK YOU SPEECH

It was during this time that i finally broke down and cried. Chris and i held on tight to each others’ hands for strength.

I had prepared a speech (a long one at that) but i wasn’t able to read it all. *sigh*. Nawala ang pagka-trainer ko dahil sa sobrang emosyon.

WOW #20: BACK TO OUR HOTEL FOR OUR REAL FIRST DINNER AS A COUPLE

We weren’t able to eat during the reception. I think I only had soup and drank lots of water. It was only in our hotel room that we were able to eat like pigs hehe.

While we ate, we talked about the day’s events and we’re very very happy to know that everything went well.

Thank you 2009!

31 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 9 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, Milestones

I can only describe my 2009 as one big package full of surprises. Exciting, fabulous, at times confusing, but most of all, LIFE-CHANGING.

If 2009 were a dance, it would be like the Cha Cha for me–stepping forward and backward, to the sides, and then there’s the turn–as I had a myriad of questions that needed answers, decisions that needed timely resolutions. Decisions that needed me to step forward and take risks. Decisions that needed me take a few steps backward in order to have a better perspective. Decisions that told my guts to just dance to the music playing in my heart, mind and soul. Decisions that mattered in my present but holds consequences not only to my future but also my family’s. Decisions that will forever change my life.

With all the charmed experiences, challenges and decisions made this year, I’m eternally grateful for the special people, events and things in my 2009:

Thank you for giving me a devoted Husband who never fails to make me happy each and every day, for being my partner and bestfriend, for taking good care of me and for being my eternal source of sunshine. Thank you for giving us a chance to grow together everyday.

Thank you for the gift of time spent with family and relatives. My Parents coming over to visit. My Auntie from America visiting as well. Times spent with them are always priceless. I’m happy to have shared a piece of our life here in Sydney with them.

Thank you for the love of my In-laws. Not only do they love me like their own daughter, they are also great friends with my parents. Their love and friendship means a lot to me.

Thank you for relatives who are always concerned and who are always there for our family.

Thank you for the gift of friends, old and new. This year, friendship takes on a new meaning for me as the truest of true friends went beyond extra miles just to show their love for us. I may not have siblings by blood, but God made sure I have friends who will stand by me no matter what. My friends are the food to my soul.

Thank you for the gift of being part of Australia. This year, I’m officially a citizen of this country who has been good to me.

Thank you for blessing in disguises. Meeting people who served as my guardian angels. Circumstances that seemed unkind but in time turned out to be learning experiences.

Thank you for the gift of life. I am blessed me to be healed and here I am, good as new, alive and healthy once again. Thank you for giving me another chance to live.

Thank you for the gift of a home that is welcoming and cheerful, one that is almost always full of laughter and good vibes. Thank you for the beautiful sunsets that greet us every time we arrive home.

Thank you for the gift of surprises and unexpected gifts. Friends visiting Sydney. My Husband giving me a car on my birthday. News that my Parents will be coming over. A written reflection of mine to be published in a book! And some other things that made my day extraordinary with the surprise blessings that came my way.

Thank you for the gift of travel. With each place explored, I learn more and I share more.

Thank you for the gift of photography and writing. Two passions of mine that has become a blessing for me as I meet friends who share the same passion as mine. I’m grateful to all the inspiring responses from people who appreciate my photographs and articles.

Thank you for a stable and not-so-hectic career. There are days when work was so demanding but it was always worth it because work also gave me back days-off that I could enjoy and a flexible time so I’m able accomplish my personal goals. I will always be grateful that the career I have now gives me more time to be a Wifey than a careerwoman.

Thank you for the gift of inner peace and faith. That even if there are uncertainties at times, I am able to sleep well knowing that tomorrow will be a better day and that God will always be faithful to me.

Thank you for all the memories, big and small, good and not-so-good. They made me who I am today and has made me cherish every moment that I’m alive.

As I say goodbye to 2009, I feel that with all the things I’ve gone thru, I say hello to 2010 a stronger, bigger and better person.

For 2010, let’s positively believe that the year will bring great, happy things for all of us. As we look forward, may we always focus on the good things about to happen.

I wish everyone a kinder and more blessed year ahead. A sparkling and bright 2010 to all! Cheers!

Wedding Ninang at 32 :)

29 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 1 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Cherished Memories, Milestones

Here I am, three days before 2010 and I’ve just attended a civil wedding of a friend.

The best part was, she asked me to become a witness, as in I-signed-on their-wedding-certificate kind of witness. If this happened in the Phils, I’m a “Ninang”. I couldn’t be happier. I can’t believe I would be a wedding ninang this early but I don’t mind being one to friend. It’s actually an honor. And wouldn’t it be nice to travel the world of married life with my “inaanaks”?

The wedding was the simplest of all weddings I’ve attended. But it was the most pure, unpretentious and beautiful wedding I’ve been a part of. Very rarely that I cry during weddings, but with this one, I admit that I was teary-eyed during the exchange of vows.

It was a very private ceremony so I cannot share any other photos such as this cheeky photo of mine here. Maybe someday I will. For now, I’m just happy to share with you one of the happiest moments of my life.

35th, The Month Before The 3rd

20 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 6 Comments Category: Milestones, The Married Life

Our wedding monthsary is today but we had an early celebration on Friday night because we just want to stay home all day before I go back to work tomorrow.

We also realized that this month is also the “celebration” of our 7th syota-nniversary (7 years ago we became a boyfriend-girlfriend). How time flies, aye? Sometimes we still can’t believe how things fell into place for us. Everyday, we are just grateful that we are together thru thick and thin.

This monthsary is but a fitting celebration for what we have gone thru in terms of my health condition. I am eternally blessed to have a husband who instead of running scared since we learned about my health dilemma in August, turned out to be my greatest source of strength–the one who embraced the biggest challenge in our marriage with open arms. Even if I never wanted him to experience my health concerns, he made sure he was simply there. What we’ve gone thru in the past months is not the end of challenges in our married life, we’re sure there will be more. But today I’m more than at peace with the thought that my Husband and I are really a team even in our most darkest days. Thank you God, thank you Universe for bringing us together.

Now, let’s talk about celebrations. Since I’ve been bored at home and I needed some cheering up as well, Husband took the liberty of making me feel like a queen. He arrived on Friday afternoon with loots from Mango. Then took me to dinner at one of our favorite restos that serve yummy Pad Thai (Noodle extra).

After dinner, we went around the mall to look for clothes. The rest of the year, we seldom buy clothes but since it’s Christmas time and there are parties to attend to, I told him this is a great excuse for us to buy new clothes–you know, so we’d look presentable hehe. However, we went home empty-handed. We went back Saturday afternoon though and it was then that we bought a few items.

The movie “Avatar” was scheduled at 9PM so we decided to have coffee at Coffee Culture. I was kind of sleepy already anyway.