drawn

I have a friend who does everything.  And by everything, I mean that she is yoga teacher, acupuncturist, spin class instructor, massage therapist, Business Analyst and Test Manager!

Though we live in different continents, our work forces us to talk everyday.  There are days we find time to talk about personal matters, and even health and healing.  I welcome those days.


I love talking to her about crystals, touch therapy, transfers of energies and other healer things.  One lunch time during a business trip she told me we would naturally be drawn to the crystals (or gemstones, minerals maybe) that we need. 

Curious.  I wanted to go to a crystal shop right there and then.  I had never been to one, nor felt the compelling need to.  But I'm curious.  Very.

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My mom was once given a crystal.  I'm not sure for what, or where it is now, but I remember seeing a crystal. 

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I never had a crystal, but I find that I am drawn to certain stones.  I think it is due to aesthetic purposes as I do associate them with jewellery.  Let me write about it more...


I had always loved coral.  For some reason, I could never truly shake off my attachment to it.  I had a gold bracelet with coral flowers as a child and I had been looking for something like it every since.  Forget that it doesn't go with my clothes now.  Something in me, begs that I get one.

I was maybe, strong enough to resist due to practical reasons perhaps but I had always been in the lookout for coral earrings.  I didn't want to get just any coral earrings.  I plan to get only one pair and so, I need to find one that I adored. 

As far as these things go, coral perhaps is really my first love. 

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In my early twenties, my best friend and I got ourselves elastic bracelets with Rose Quartz.  I admit that the color really drew me in.  I like the faint pink.

I don't know when I stopped wearing it.  Or why.  Maybe the elastic gave.

That was that.

At some point, I got replacements, three elastic bracelet bands of white luminescent stones.  What kind, I forget.  And I don't remember wearing them as much as the rose quartz.

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In my mid twenties, I began noticing turquoise.

I hate that they always seem to incorporate American Indian style into turquoise jewellery.  It's not my style.

Last year, I saw a lovely pair of diamond earrings with turquoise danglers.  I was such in a rush that I didn't inquire about it.  I thought that it won't sell until I'm ready to buy it.  I mean, I didn't imagine it was something well sought after.

I was wrong.

I never saw it again.

I'm not kicking myself too hard about letting it slip because I haven't even tried it on.  With earrings, you really need to try it on.  Too often I get too excited only to realise that it doesn't do anything for me.

So maybe, the universe was telling me that I should wait.

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Whenever I go to Chinatown, I am tempted to get some jade.  I remember buying a fabric bracelet with a jade flower.  I remember quite clearly too, that I never wore it once.  What I don't remember is where it is now.

For my wedding, I was actually contemplating on wearing jade earrings.  I managed to find something I liked too but the price point didn't agree with what I felt was reasonable for something like that.  So maybe it was not meant.

The universe had consistently prevented me from securing earrings from the others category.

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If it's true that we are drawn to certain stones because we need why am I especially drawn to Coral, Turquoise and Jade? 

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I did a quick google and pulled out some points on each.

Coral - typical gift of a mother to a new born as a protective amulet.  It is an emotional healer and considered a remedy for physical disorder involving blood and bones.  It alsostimulates tissue regeneration.  It is said to bring peace and stimulates intuition.

Turquoise - draws negative vibrations and opens the heart chakra for giving and receiving love.  Aids you to live your life with integrity and truth.  It will assist you to better absorb nutrients and protects against atmospheric pollutants.  Helps on feelings of depletion or over exhaustion.

Jade - have strong calming vibrations.  It is the stone of the heart, strengthening it as well as the kidneys, nervous system and immune system.  It promotes health in organs that purify the blood.

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Maybe this is like reading your horoscope to some people.  This time I'd choose the other route and say that maybe it is intuition.

I'd like to think that our bodies know what is best for us.  When I'm dehydrated, it tells me that I'm thirsty.

If I'm drawn to something, maybe it is because I am fulfilling a need.

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NOTE:  This post really is a prelude to one (or two) that I want to write about.  When you read it, you'd know.

if i ever lose my faith

I saw Sting live a few weeks ago and really, really, really... I was starstruck.

MAYBE I enjoyed the Simply Red concert more, but I really don't remember being starstruck.

Don't get me wrong, he put on a good show and got me singing his songs for days.  I even have a new found appreciation for fields of gold!

 I promise you, the minute he walked into the stage, I felt something--like I can't stop smiling.  Like I'm giddy.  Like I want time to stop.

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It reminded me of that Ally McBeal episode.  I remember quite clearly the storyline.  A man was suing Sting for ruining his marriage.  His wife claimed that Sting looked at her and was convinced that Sting was seducing her.  While she didn't want to leave her husband--convinced that Sting wanted her, things changed between them.

I know how it ended too but I'm too lazy to write it out.  Sorry. 

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My fiancé and I tend to often say I brought Sting, when talking about grand gestures.  It was what Robert Downey Jr. told Ally that night at the bar.  I brought Sting. 

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My fiancé brought (me to see) Sting.

Good enough :)

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Not suing for seduction.

child's play

I had finally secured a 9-inch round shallow pyrex and I can't wait to put it to good use.

I really don't know where to begin.  Part of me wants to make shepherd's pie so that I can use my giant icing decorator my sister got me for the mashed potato on top.  But if I'm being truthful to myself, I really imagined a rich pie sitting on the dish.  Something caramel, sticky and sweet, maybe with nuts.

I am looking forward to cooking more this year.  After we get married, I have more opportunities to experiment :)

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I'm quite curious how life truly changes after marriage.  I was chatting with a good friend who recently got married and she says that she loves married life and that it still feels like playing house.  I love how she said that, playing house. 

I remember how when I was young and we played lutu-lutuan or pretend cooking, placing flower petals and leaves into miniscule pots--a master chef in a child's mind.  Sometimes I still feel that way when I'm cooking.  I can't help but smile when that certain feeling takes hold of me.  I can't say it is dead on nostalgic, but I would say that that child in me makes me a happier adult.

Playing house.  That is one point for the team that I'm rooting for.  The team that believes.

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Happy New Year! :)

these socks!

I had already gotten my wedding shoes. 

I got it online.  I guess at this point, you'd know what I'm leading to.

I think that it is truly the perfect shoes, only it is quite small :(

It had stretched out a little bit already as I can now get my right foot in and wear the shoes around for an hour--with sports socks.

I still have ten months to go and I am hoping by then, it would have stretched out enough that I could (relatively) comfortably wear if for a full day.

I hope I'm not wishing for a miracle.

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Yes, I'm wearing it now.  With socks.

DaVao

Caged by all the wedding preparations that need to be finalised before everyone breaks for the holidays, I have neglected my blog.

I had been writing a lot though.  I had been up to my neck creating packs for my wedding coordinator, photographer and wedding gown designer.

It is interesting how despite the fact that I feel planning a wedding is a chore and that I'd rather escape all the hardwork and elope, I actually enjoy picturing our big day's look-and-feel.  It helps I guess, that my fiance  and myself have similar views on most wedding related details. 

I don't really talk too much to other people about wedding options, only because each person has a vision of what is beautiful--or ideal.  I guess that's true for most things, not only weddings.  And I don't want to bother having to seemingly defend my choices :) 


Here, I would ecstatically agree to disagree.

I do update my Mom because I know how much she loves to get involved and she had always been someone very supportive and keen to help on anything that would ease any load or would make things more convenient for me.  I also look forward to the extra bonding time with her.

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What am I most excited about? 

The vows :) 

I actually have a very rough draft in my head of what I want to say to my future husband and I almost can't wait to pen it down.

From a strict planning perspective, I don't know the right time to start writing it.  Though I am very much organised, it is actually the first time in my life that I bought a planner.  I used the wedding as an excuse, but the reality is that when Moleskine came up with a Little Prince 2013 planner, I wanted one.

Maybe I'd randomly flip though and where I catch a page, I'll set as my vows drafting date.

so 'there'

It has been a few weeks but somehow everything still feels so new to me.  

Every time I remember though, I feel my heart somewhat jump.  I know it sounds horribly corny, but it's true.

I oftentimes forget that we are engaged then something comes up like being called a fiancé,  a mention of something wedding related, or receipt of a best-wishes-message--then I’m there again.

will you...

We went to Phuket, to an off island that was incidentally also the place we went to for our first holiday by ourselves. 

On the second day, I was lounging by the beach eating Salt and Vinegar Lays lost in thought about what I’d have for lunch.  It would be pretty much lunchtime for us when he comes back from our cottage. 

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I look up to see that he was back.

He walks towards me and sits by my side. 

He pauses there and looks at me. 

Looks at me. 

Looks. 

As he leans forward, he says ‘I love you’ then kisses me.  

He pulls away just a little, but keepsclose.

Looking. 

He brushes away rebellious strands of hair from my face.  Keeping close.

Silence. 

Smiles.

Looking.

He quietly says ‘Will you marry me?’.

I look at him.

I look.

At him.

 ‘Did he just propose?’, I asked myself.  In my mind, ‘Did he just propose?’.

Heart racing.

And as if he read my mind, the way he can seemingly do.  He asks again.

Slowly. 

As if allowing a moment for each word to resonate…

Will you marry me?

I feel a tear roll down my eye.

Yes.

Another tear.  On my cheek. 

My cheek.

Smile. Cry.  Feel.

Breathe. 

Smile. Feel.

Breathe.

Look. See. 

Be.

We embrace. 

We stayed there for a while—holding each other.

Breathe.

He pulls away and says ‘Even without a ring?’

Right. The ring.  I didn’t even realise… 

Yes.  Even without a ring.

We embrace some more.

Be.

Hold.

Eyes closed.

He releases his embrace and turns his back at me. 

I have something for you.

Water, I thought. He always brought me water.  He knows.  He knows I’m always thirsty.

Facing me, he opens a box facing me.

Facing me.

I look.

Floored.  I was floored. 

He takes it out of the box and I reach my right hand out to him--suddenly aware that not only was it dusted with salt and vinegar flavouring, I was also wearing carnation colored nail lacquer—not exactly my classiest choice.

‘Left’ he says smiling, reaching for my other hand. 

I reach out my left hand to meet his halfway. 

Touching. 

 ‘I researched’ he adds.

He puts the ring around my finger.

Perfect.  It fit perfectly.

Like his hand with mine.

And we stayed there. 

His hand with mine.

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We’re engaged.  October 20, 2012.

I thought I’d write about the proposal since the first thing most people seemed to ask was ‘how did he propose?’ and what I’ve said was 'wait'. I knew I'd write about it.  And probably, that would be the best way for me to tell the story.