It's funny, because I actually have very mixed emotions right now. As exciting as it is to be free from glasses, it's actually also quite hard to say goodbye to something that has been a part of who I am for 15 years.

The Beginning ...
I started wearing glasses in grade 7. I actually didn't need glasses, but at the time, I thought it would be cool to have them! So I told my mom that I couldn't see in class, especially when the teacher would use overheads. I also started reading under the blanket in the dark with a flashlight when my mom would tell me to go to bed already. Ultimately, this pretty much ruined my eyes. My mom had no choice but to get me glasses. So as you can see, I have no one else to blame other than myself why I started wearing glasses.

Then in High School, they weren't so cool anymore! I hated them! I remember the days when my best friend Joy and I would go to the mall (we both wore glasses), and when we would see a cute guy, we would both take off our glasses quickly just before we walked by him. After we've passed him, we would then ask each other if he looked at us or if he was really as cute as we thought he was. Then we would both answer with, "I don't know, I couldn't see him!" Ha! Ha!

By the end of High School, I discovered contacts and wearing glasses wasn't so bad anymore. I only wore contacts on special occasions though. I mainly wore my glasses for the majority of the time.

Overall, glasses didn't really bother me as much, it just became a part of my face. In fact, I am trying to get used to looking at my face without glasses. My face just seems so empty without them.

Don't get me wrong, I have no regrets about my decision of getting Lasik done, it's just that I will need some time to get used to my "new face".


Life without glasses

I wish! =) Today has simply been such a blessing in so many ways ...

This year, I wanted more of a "low-key" birthday. My life lately has been all about being on the "GO-GO-GO", that all I wanted to do this year was sleep! Something that I can't seem to get enough of. Ha! Ha!

why 21? 
What's so important about 21? 21 just seems to be my "magic age". Not sure if you have ever felt like you were stuck at a certain age - to me, it's 21! =) Plus, it's my birth date!

Even though I age every year, one of things that I feel really blessed about is the fact that I can still relate to those younger than me no matter how old I get. I know that I owe all of this through my service with the Youth Inspired! of the Light of Jesus Community Canda (LOJC). In fact, I owe a lot of my growth to this Community.

August 21
My birthday celebrations actually started early! =) On Friday evening, I had an amazing birthday celebration with three of my most closest family. My Ate Len (my Caring Group Head & the older sister (Ate) I never had), my beautiful God-daughter Julia (Ate Len's princess) and my soon-to-be sister in-law Jomay!

I haven't seen these ladies in a very long time; this was certainly a long overdue dinner! The night started out great!! We had dinner out on the patio, then continued our "catching up" session until 12am! Yes, we love to talk! Ha! Ha! The night was completed with a very yummy red velvet cupcake-cake that Julia and Ate Len chose for me. Thank you!!!

For 9 years now, Mark and I have gone through all sorts of things. From tickling fights to laughing fits until our side hurts to angry confrontations to bumming around all day in our pajamas, we've come to a point in our relationship where being with each other isn't just about  being with our girlfriend or boyfriend, but being with your best friend.

When I tell people how long we've been together, a lot of reactions I get are: "Woah!", "Really?!", "That's long!"  

Is it really that long?
The funny thing about being with Mark is that it doesn't feel like it's been a "long" time that we've been together. It's more the feeling that he has always been a part of me. It's really hard to remember the times when he wasn't there. You know that feeling when you get home after being away for so long? That's what it feels like when we're together ... "I'm home ..." 

So here's to 9 years of being my best friend, my better half ... I thank God everyday that He has blessed me with you. Thank you for completing me ...

Looking forward to 9 x 1000000 .... years with you.

"Happy Anniversary My Love ..."

It has been a pretty busy week for Mark and I. Last week he was busy preparing for his exams this week. As for me, I was busy doing more wedding planning! =)

Last Saturday, I was having an "emotional" day I guess and for some reason, I just felt like we haven't seen each other for so long! We didn't see each other last weekend because of Father's Day and  because of our individual family gatherings. I was kind of giving him a hard time that he doesn't miss me "as much". LOL!

Yes, I know, what's wrong with me right? Then he said something to me that made me really think ... "do you think when we're married, you'd still miss me this much?"

They say that you never truly know a person until you have lived with them. I've heard it countless of times, but never really put much thought into it. Until last night ...

eight n' 1/2 and counting 
Mark and I have been together for almost nine years this July. We talk to each other every night and we text each other during the day. I can't remember a night when we didn't talk for at least about an hour or went to bed without saying goodnight to each other. We see each other on the weekends and if we're lucky, sometimes even during the week if our schedule allows it. We are at a point in our relationship where I can walk around the house without any make-up on, wear crappy "pambahay" (everyday) clothes and not worry about what he'll think of me. Let's just say that we're very comfortable with each other.

One thing that you have to know about Mark is that he's a very clean and organized guy. A trait that he inherited from his mom. If you think about it, there are not that many guys out there who has been blessed with this gift. So I know that I have been blessed to have a man who is like this.

The definition of JOY:

"the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying."

This is exactly what my bestfriend JOY is! I know that a lot of people calls you their best friend. Why? Because you're such an amazing person!

Joy Joy, you've been with me through it all. From the day we met in grade 6, through high school, through College, and to this day! From my very first crush to now my fiancé, thanks for putting up with all my "boy-craziness"! We've had the craziest times and I am so grateful that God has blessed me with such an amazing friend.

I am so excited to share with you this new chapter of my life. Thank you for always being there and saying yes to be one of my Maids of Honor!!

What I love most about us is that even when we don't talk for weeks at a time, when we do, it's like we just continue exactly where we left off! =)

Joy was the very first person to find out that I got engaged other than my immediate family. What can I say, she's that special!

Hope you have an amazing day ... for you truly deserve it!

Happy Happy Birthday!! Tell me what it's like getting close to thirty! LOL!!

PS. Why am I tearing up writing this? LOL! Oh man, we're BOTH going to be a wreck at my wedding!! Bring on the tissues!! Ha ha ha!!!



Mama practicing her pose for "helping me get ready" wedding pictures. =)