To you, thank you.

It's 11:02 in the evening and even though I'm SUPPOSED to be finishing an article (which I will right after I do this, I swear)... I just really want to say how incredibly grateful I am to the people who are helping Pao and me make this entire wedding possible. I know I've been relatively chill (at least compared to the other brides-to-be I know *giggles*) and seem pretty at ease with the whole planning bit to the point where I'd take it upon myself to play wedding coordinator instead of bride... but deep down, I don't think I could be as relaxed as I am if it weren't for our family and friends and their CRAZY OVERWHELMING generosity. Generous with their time, their talent, and yes, even their money (though time and talent IS money). And best of all, generous with their excitement. For them to be excited to help. It's astonishing.

I dunno. Maybe it helps that Pao and I have been good kids to our parents. And maybe it helps that Pao and I work in such creative fields surrounded by creative talent. Maybe it helps that the creative talent we're surrounded with also happen to be our good, good friends.

Friends who TELL you they want to help. Who insist. (If I weren't so excited I'd be freaked out by it because frankly, and without a morsel of modesty, I'm still a little... oh I dunno... like... that word when you don't get what's happening. Like you're in a dream.)

Whatever it is... my heart has grown sooooo big because of it. Really big. And at the same time, I'm also sooooo incredibly humbled by it. I'm just so thankful right now, excuse me.

Sometimes I think about what Pao and I could've possibly done to deserve such kindness. (Like I honestly think about it. Yeah sure, he and I are nice people. We're pretty cool to hang out with, too. But that's nothing superhuman to deserve such superhuman generosity. Maybe I'm overreacting. Whatever. Maybe being nice and cool is enough really. People just forget that sometimes.)

Whatever it is exactly... I hope we continue to do right by people who have so much faith in us... enough to share their excitement as well as to share in OUR excitement. This wedding is more than just about OUR union... it's about the people who helped us in the BIGGEST ways (because there are no SMALL ways when it comes to simply caring) and who nurtured and supported us in our relationship... and as individuals.

I'm excited to have a wedding (but not as excited to be married to Paolo =)

Partying with my favorite people is a super close second to that. So let's make this ish AWESOME. =)

My twin's 25th @ SKYE

Pretty
Pretty
Drunk
Drunk
Hit with a major case of the Munchies

The End. =)




Pretty to drunk in a matter of seconds, hahahaha!

Tum-tum-tum-tumblr-ing

Miss-Educated



ON LOOP:

Channeling Carrie Bradshaw

"And we were dressed from head to toe in love... the only label that never goes out of style." - CB


***Because I thought I should have a pair in my favorite color. (And because I thought I needed a pop of sunshine in my step).



***And because she's awesome, Ms. Mae threw this pair in FOR FREE-NINETY NINE. (I couldn't pass it up I'm so sorry, I know I should be saving but a girl needs to splurge every once in a while RIGHT???!!!)

Virtual Mae ---- To my awesome long-lost cousin, you and I totally need to go out for a drink because I so love you right now. Thank you for the free shoes AND for looking into supplying my "something blue" wedding shoes. =)

Psyche and Mommy - 3 summers later

                                                               April 2009


                                                               April 2012

the women of my childhood

Dear Ovation Productions,

Please send SWV, En Vogue, and TLC here to the Philippines for a concert. I'll pay whatever --- just to hear "I'm So Into You," "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," and "Baby, Baby, Baby."


Love,

Michelle

"I can live for two months on a good compliment."

Last night, as my husband introduced to me the beautiful Amalia Fuentes, she turns to me and tells me I'm pretty... that she loves my dimples, and that I have beautiful skin... and that despite the circumstances, she is happy to have met me.

And then she turns to my husband and tells him I'm pretty... in case he hasn't already realized it and he had better.

I was so stunned I ended up mumbling, "It's because of Galvanic Spa."

Really, what else could I say? "That's like Liz Taylor telling you you're pretty." (In the words of my husband)

She does however [and quite freakishly] remind me of my mother -- beautiful, strong-willed, assertive, charismatic, and very intimidating. But don't get it twisted: they don't light up the room. They command it. (Not quite sure if that's a good thing or a a bad thing at this moment, but perhaps... maybe... it's more good than bad. I mean... looking good because of your mother, whoever or whatever she is, can't ever be that bad.).

"These strong Spanish women," my husband says.

My sisters and I would be lucky to have half our own mother's commanding presence.

But I digress.

I was utterly cowed.

                                                      via ageLOC ME app


.....

Now I noticed [like I do when I have another one of my epiphanies]... when a man is forthcoming enough to tell a woman she's pretty, it's usually out of sheer wonder and amazement (when he's not merely being polite). But... when a woman tells another woman she's pretty, it sounds like an accusation. Like you've committed a crime against humanity and she's wondering, as she looks you over wide-eyed with surprise, what you could've possibly done to deserve such a face.

And that is why I think more women should give other women more compliments. Women (at least their surprise), are just more honest that way.