Category: X-Extended Family

Surprise, I turned 28!

Rhiza4 Comments

..one month ago, that is.

Date backtracked–I have to post these pictures before I totally forget all about them! It was, after all, my last birthday as a single person, and I’ve got the sweetest fiance who made sure I had the sweetest surprise birthday party ever!

Apparently, David had been secretly convening with my family and church friends the whole month of May, organizing this sweet surprise. There was food, flowers and confetti, Rhiza-themed games, and an embarrassing AVP of my childhood pics. David also “showed up” with a recorded video of a song he wrote for me, a video montage of birthday greetings from his/our family and friends in New York, and later on, a live Skype feed projected on a huge screen for *gasp* everyone to watch and see.

28 happy years, indeed. :)

And of course the whole family was there (can’t believe I didn’t have pics with my two brothers that night though, LOL), as well as my extended family in church. I just love how David & I have extended families from two sides of the world! :)

Jeni, Xaris & Ivy: my boyfriend’s accomplices.

Totally clueless, I had to call David to tell him that my family and friends gave me a surprise party, only to realize later on that he was the mastermind pala!

Reading what I wrote last year, on my 27th birthday, I just can’t get over how time flies by, and how God makes all things work together for good.  So much has happened since I turned 28, and I could only expect that the next couple of months will be even crazier, and more mind-blowing!

Year 28. I am sooo going to live every moment of this year, that’s for sure. :)

Chika Minute with Joni & Mae

Rhiza4 Comments

Last Tuesday I met up with Joni and Mae, two of my most favorite people in the planet. It’s inevitable, that when I start talking about a list of people I’d like to see before I leave, somewhere on top of that list are Joni and Mae’s names. It may take a lot of effort to meet up since we live in three different cities and we don’t exactly work together, but it’s always worth the effort seeing these two.

Photo dump!

Meh. Joni‘s glowing and I look like trash beside her, haha.

Maemae, our most favorite Korean friend. The bangs, Mae, the bangs.

Note to self: never order pesto on a date, only when you’re with girlfriends. :P

Coffee Bean and Teal Leaf, Trinoma: We got the best seats, woot!

Perfect spot for a talk show.

And perfect spot to camp out :)

What I was wearing that night: Floral printed tank top – thrifted; Purple cardigan – some tiangge; Jeans – Folded & Hung; Bag – SM Dept Store; Shoes – Babo

My shoes are so pretty it deserves another shot :P

Thanks for the “movie”, ladies. I wish I could stash you in my suitcase and take you with meee!! :(

Tuesdate with Normi

Rhiza8 Comments

So much to do, things to buy, and people to see before my big trip. I realized I would be gone for a while and won’t get to see everyone ’til next year. So I made a list (ok, that’s a lie, I’m actually just making one up as I go haha) of people I want to catch up with one last time before the year ends, and Normi‘s first.

Tuesday, October 26. Trinoma: Dinner at Bigoli where we devoured platefuls of pasta and bread sticks, and after-dinner coffee at Starbucks where she miserably watched me enjoy my Macchiato because she’s been prescribed to stay away from coffee by her doctor until further notice. Poor Meemai. :p~

Normi has played so many roles in my life: friend, housemate, churchmate, “Ate” (even though I’m older by a month), *almost* sister-in-law haha (sorry I just had to add that one lol), and now.. well now she’s like my wedding soul sister, us being engaged two weeks apart from each other, and choosing wedding dates that are also two weeks apart! <3

So we spent the night the way two 27-year-old females about to take a huge leap in their lives would: hours of chika about dreams (big, small, old and new), answered prayers, steps that brought us where we are, and things that we’re *cough* marrying ourselves into. Exchanging notes on wedding preps was also inevitable, and who can blame us? :)

Daniel joined us later in the night, after giving us an ample time to girltalk by ourselves first. I told him that he looks so much like Atom Araullo! He does, right?? And now that I think of it, Normi does have some resemblance to Patty Laurel too, don’t you think? Haha so showbiz, these love birds. :))

OAN, I’m in the mood to post an outfit shot, something I’d probably do more often starting today, just because I can. :P This is what I was wearing Tuesday night:

OTD: Vintage floral tunic – Trunk Show; Jacket – Nui Clothing;
Jeans – Red, SM Dept Store; Oxfords – Staccato; Necklace: Forever21

It was kindof funny because the top I was wearing is from Trunk Show, and I dropped by their store while waiting for Normi, and the attendant recognized my top and told me that it was the second time I dropped by wearing the same top. Dyahee. It’s one of my favorites, all right!! Oh well.

As the night ended, I couldn’t be more thankful to know that love is at work, dreams are coming true, and we are all being constantly changed by Someone bigger than ourselves.

What a relief to be assured of these.

Isaac + Polaroid = Love

Rhiza

Remember that failed Polaroid photo session with Isaac the other day?

Why look at that, the little boy made up for it!

And this, my friends, is why Polaroids are worthwhile investments. ;)

OAN, I’m so restless inspired I end up re-designing my blog layout yet again. All in just 2 hours, take note! And I totally blame this to all those wedding blogs I’ve been frequenting the past couple of weeks. Thanks, you guys.

I blog this in behalf of Love

Rhiza8 Comments

And I mean that two ways. (1) In behalf of my friend, whose name is Love; and (2) In behalf of this thing you won’t dare try to define because every definition would seem to fall short; this thing that brings two people together to take the leap and journey their lives as one.

With Lovelle <3

Meet Lovelle, or “Love” as friends call her. We knew each other from UP Diliman but her family migrated to Sydney shortly after graduation. When I went there in 2008, Lovelle was among the few friends I got in touch with. I honestly can’t recall the specific details anymore, but I do remember that our quick lunch date then was a meaningful exchange of stories and prayers between two crazy, lovestruck dreamers. These photos are from that beautiful afternoon in Paramatta, we only had a few, oh how I wish I took more!

It has been a while since I last heard from her, and since she last updated her blog. And so I was pleasantly surprised to read this short and sweet blog comment she left in one of my posts, which lead to an exchange of happy emails between two giggly, still-lovestruck but now-2-years-older-and-wiser dreamers.

Here’s an excerpt from her email, her response to my demand for details:

Last Sunday night after church, we were having our goodbye hug but this time, he didn’t let go straight away, instead he whispered, “Will you marry me?” So I had to step back and get him to repeat the question. Haha.

It’s so funny coz all day, even at church, he was agitated and always sulking but he won’t tell me the reason why. At that point, everything dawned on me that he was really scared/tensed/about-to-die coz he didn’t know if I’m gonna say yes to his proposal.

When he asked the question again, I said YES. :)

He didn’t even get a ring coz he’s not too sure of my size so we went engagement ring shopping just today and I got to pick the style and the cut I want. :D

I’ve heard all sorts of engagement proposals, ones which had all the grandeur and fireworks, and they’re great, no doubt about it. But there’s something about simple proposals such as this one that tugs into the deepest portions of my heart. I love the quiet, the simplicity, and how they happen at the most unexpected of times. I can just imagine Lovelle’s joy.

It inspires me to hear stories like these. Of lovers taking the path to marital bliss. Of couples being blessed with babies after years of praying for them. Of high school classmates passing the boards and now having an “Atty.” attached to their names. Of friends leaving their comfort zones, and successfully establishing their careers abroad.

Like I told Lovelle, stories such as hers are living testimonies and constant reminders that God stays true to His promises, and that He is who He said He is — Faithful, Perfecter of our faith, Author of love, Maker of all things beautiful.

Happy is an understatement, Lovelle. My heart soars for you, and the love of your life, and the exciting journey you’re taking together. ♥

Dear Ivy Joyce,

Rhiza6 Comments

I did cry, when you and Mae left me at Changi airport that day for my early morning flight back home. I know it looked like I just laughed my way through it while you cried all over the place (haha), but well, you know how I like pretending to be tough sometimes. (Of course you know.)

So yeah, it was just for a moment, when you and Mae disappeared around the corner, and it dawned on me how I didn’t even know when I’d see you two again next, that I started wiping away a batch of tears. (These Filipinas, what a bunch of crybabies, LOL.)

Happy Birthday Ivy

But heyy, it’s your birthday today, and I’m posting this photo of us because I kinda like how happy you looked here, headset and all. I still remember how happy you were when this photo was taken. We were at a friend’s wedding and you were running here and there keeping everything together. I’ve never seen your eyes twinkle the way they do when you’re coordinating events and weddings, and I really believe in my heart that someday, you’ll get to do that again. :)

So don’t be too sad now, okay? Think Jeremiah 29:11 when you feel like you’re starting to lose it. You may not be a-phonecall-and-30-minutes away from me anymore, but I kinda feel like we won’t have to be too far apart for too long. (Destination New York?) ;)

Happy birthday, Ivy! I thank God for letting me be a part of your life, and you a part of mine.

Love always,
Riz