“Hands could be such expressive things.” 

― Michael J. Sullivan,

Age of Myth

There's so much that I wanted to go right with the ceremony that we had last August. And although we were so happy with how everything turned out, I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't change a thing. Because I would have changed SOOOOO many things, including having my Lolo there. But that's DIY weddings for you. The beauty sometimes lies in the imperfections, knowing that it's the people gathered who matter and being thankful for everything else that fit so perfectly according to the script that's in your head. 

What I wouldn't change for anything in the world is our decision to make the giveaways ourselves. We wanted something natural and small enough for people to nibble on as they make their way home. 

So we picked nuts!

Baking them was a milestone, too, since it was the first time that we used the home oven. Getting the thing to work required more than a few glances at the manual, but pretty soon our tiny house was awash in the comforting smells of baking almonds, walnuts, and peanuts. That's one memory of the days leading to August 18 that will remain with me, because it was just the two of us doing the scooping and filling and it was exactly how I'd imagined us doing it. The decision also made me discover how nuts make the perfect substitute for Pringles for those nights when I get bored and hungry.  

This may not be that groundbreaking, couples' decision to be hands-on with certain aspects of their wedding. And I'm sure other couples have done far better jobs than we did with ours. But I'm glad we did, because the memories of choosing and making and stressing over things made the 18th so much more memorable.  

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes,

but in having new eyes.” 

― Marcel Proust

My family has this tradition of going out for drives especially when we get together after some time spent apart. It's been that way since we were little and I'm glad we still love doing it today.  We have spent many long afternoons on these kinds of drives, meandering through the small streets of Valencia, down the wider streets of Bacong and further on to the beach-side roads of Dauin and Siaton. All of these come with good memories that I go back to over and over again, more often now that I spend so much time away from home. All these memories of being wonderfully lost with my family cramped in one car, with no destination but the road in front of us keeps me excited for the next vacation when we can do it all over again. 

This one was in Tambobo Bay, on a scorching hot Wednesday after a filling lunch at Malatapay. Even with all the good things that we enjoy here, there is no place better than home.

“Have a happy wet Sunday.

Rainbows love the rain.” 

― Anthony T. Hincks

Seasons are changing, and after the intense waves of summer heat, we're having more rain as summer rolls into autumn. This Sunday is particularly gloomy, although that's what CQ weather usually is for most of the year. The anticipation for sunnier days is not helping my homesickness, though. Sundays usually make missing family and the dogs Nemo, Pip, and Kimchi so much harder. 

It's a rainy Sunday, and news of the storm pummeling some cities here after it wreaked havoc in the PH is all over Wechat. Wet Sundays do not make a happy camper out of me at all. But no complaints.

We bought Tomas his own pair of glasses from Daiso, just because it was cute and a pooch needs to look like he reads books from time to time. And we are home safe and dry. A lot of people are living through strong winds and rain right now and that can't be easy. Praying that all the people and animals caught in the storm will stay safe and get the help they need if they're not.

Hopefully, the rainbows will start peeking through the clouds soon.