pretty amazing grace

Preparing for my job interview, scheduled tomorrow, 9:00 AM...

The Attire: Old Rose/ Pink Long sleeves, Blazer, Slacks, Closed Shoes
The Look: Corporate (with make-up and all)

I should have bought the business suit "set" I saw at Trinoma Cinderella the last time we were there. It was just that I am not sure whether I will be scheduled for an interview so I had doubts buying the item. Now, I don't know how will I be able to buy the whole set, don't have enough money to buy it. Or maybe, I'll just buy the long sleeves. Anyway, I have my reliable blazer with me. And the slacks, I have a number of slacks to choose from anyway. Fair enough. It's a good thing though that I bought that closed shoes we saw at Landmark.

The only thing I have to trouble myself with right now is my soft speaking voice, and my low self-confidence. I have to appear relaxed and calm (even if my stomach is tumbling upside down or my heart is banging its loudest). I have to answer the questions fluently and articulately. I should sleep early tonight. I hope I can sleep. Normally, on one of these situations, I have a trouble sleeping because of all or any of these: tension, anxiety, fear, nervousness, excitement, etc.

I have to learn the basics of make-up tonight(!!!) since I normally don't apply make-up when I go to office. And I don't have a make-up kit (!!!), I don't even have blush-on which I think is the basic thing. Now, I have to really dig into Trinoma to look for even the basic make-up kit.

I am having anxieties already, even now. This is not good. I know. I have to constantly remind myself that I am not alone in this endeavor. That He who brought me here will continue to work and be with me, always. That I can bring glory to His name even in this simple job interview.

When my sister in Bicol, who's in fourth year right now taking up computer programming texted me last Friday that she badly needs a personal computer for her thesis and stuffs (and the fact that she's taking up computer programming), I couldn't help but say how absurd she is to ask for me that thing when I cannot even save for my wedding.. But lo and behold! I was amazed once again of the wonderful grace that is of God's alone. Amidst all the hustles of looking for a very cheap second-hand PC in all the places I could think of, and places referred to me, God provided, and I didn't even realize it. Thanks to a very willing donor who so generously offered her PC for the price I can afford. Ate Anj. Thanks!

I created a wedding blog where I will be placing various announcements (regarding my wedding, of course) and where I will be sharing a lot of things that I am learning and relearning, things that are keeping my mind busy and things that I am feeling during all the hustles and bustles of this wedding preps.

Click HERE to visit the site, leave a comment/ message, and run over my links.

Thank you!

I am BS leader tomorrow. Topic is fear and anxiety. I am not so confident even in the very act of leading, more so with a topic that I myself am having trouble conquering. I am a worrier, forever anxious and always afraid with a lot of things (even very small things). *sighs* And leading? Even this is getting me anxious... I just hope everything turns out fine. This is not about me anyway. Ok, a little of me. And a bunch of God's. Hehe...

For a bride, creating a makeup look is a challenge. You want to look beautiful all day and you need to be photogenic for pictures that will last a lifetime, but you still require a look that is "touchably" soft so you don't scare your groom!

Bridal makeup artist Sally Van Swearingen says it's possible to achieve all that, even if you do your own makeup for your special day. Sally has put together Studio Essentials for the Bride, a kit that contains must-have makeup and an instruction booklet. However, you can use your own makeup if you prefer.

Here, she offers tips on achieving your own perfect wedding-day makeup:

• Before you begin, apply antishine liquid powder to chin, nose and forehead, and moisturizer to the rest of your face. Van Swearingen offers Matte Maker in her Studio Essentials line.

• Brides in their 20s and 30s should go for a natural, glowing look using sheer color.

• Brides over 40 need a more neutral look using monochromatic shades.

• The key to creating a flawless look that lasts all day is in the way you apply concealer, highlighter and foundation. "I recommend you get cream-based concealers in two shades (see color tips below for individual skin tones), and then use only the barest amount of foundation," says Van Swearingen.

• Use concealer under the eyes and on reddened or darkened areas to even skin tone. Use the highlighter around the eye area, at the brow line and around lips, the sides of the nose and in the cleft of the chin. Gently stroke it on with a makeup brush specially designed for concealers and highlighters (an acrylic artist's brush works great). Then blend with a sponge. You'll notice how your face begins to brighten. Now you will need less foundation.

• Use a sheer foundation that matches your skin tone, but use a very small amount, as heavy foundation will accentuate imperfect skin. Use a cream or stick foundation for normal or dry skin and matte liquid for oily skin. A good makeup artist's rule is to apply about five drops of foundation to your face -- one on each cheek, the point of the nose, the middle of the forehead and the chin -- then put the container away and blend what is on the face.

• Experiment with lashes to open the eye and add drama. A great way to get that "A-list" star look is to use a strip of faux lashes or individual lashes. This is something you want to spend time practicing before your wedding day. To get the most natural look, pick lashes with an invisible band and trim them to the length of your eye. "Many professional makeup artists prefer individual lashes," says Van Swearingen, "as they look the most natural. However, lash strips are easier to apply when you are designing your own makeup." When applying individual eyelashes, pull them in at the outer corners to "lift" the eye rather than applying directly to the lash line. Always use black glue.

• For a youthful glow (if you're under 40), you may want to try the new creamy luminescent shadows, blushes and highlight sticks. I use two shades that work on any skin tone: mauve and golden bronze. The lighter mauve color is used to highlight the top of the cheekbone and brow bone, and as a light eye shadow base. The bronze color has many uses, from contouring the cheekbone and jaw line to bronzing the décolleté and adding depth to the eyelids. Don't forget to apply a "gleaming" blush to the apples of the cheeks.
  

If your skin tone is yellow based:

Don't use a pink- or white-based makeup. Use a concealer and highlighter with a warmer, amber base. "Asian brides glow when they use neutral and warm tones," says Van Swearingen. "Latina brides look beautiful in rich, bold colors, but they must be applied sparingly and blended well."

• A light dusting of a warm-based powder will set the look and balance the complexion. (It's a good idea to assign powdering duty to one of your bridesmaids for reapplication throughout the day.)

• To keep lips kissable yet camera ready for hours, first start with a light application of lip sealant. Take the brush out of the bottle and dab a little on the back of the hand. From there, dip your finger into the sealant and stipple onto your lips. Apply sparingly to keep your lip color from cracking. Next, dab on a little bit of highlighter or concealer, blending well. Finally, apply lip liner pencil to the entire lip.

• As for lip color, don't choose a bright color that will detract from your eyes. Use rich, deep shades, like mauve browns, burgundies or classic reds.

• Get brows professionally shaped about a week before your wedding, and check for strays two days before. "You don't want to pluck brows the morning of your wedding," says Van Swearingen. "You could create redness or irritation."

• For an elegant look, further define your brows by shading in at the top of the brow, using a very narrow brush with a slanted cut and matching brow powder. If you have sparse brows, you may want to darken them a shade or two by having them tinted at a local salon a few days before your wedding.

• To apply eye shadow, use three colors -- light, medium and deep. The light shade goes on the lid from lash to brow line. The medium shadow goes in the crease or just above the crease. And the deep shade goes on the outside corner of the eye and can be used as an eyeliner. Tip: Never line around the entire eye unless you have huge eyes. Lined eyes will look smaller.

• Apply two coats of waterproof mascara. For a beautiful, elegant look, use more mascara near the base of the lashes and less at the tips. Hint: Deep navy mascara brightens the whites of the eyes.

• To prevent shine, apply an antishine liquid powder to your nose, chin and forehead. (You may want to use a little on the groom too, for the pictures.)

• If you're over 40, always use gloss layered on top of any lip color, which gives a youthful look. Avoid matte lipstick because it can be aging.

• Don't forget your best beauty feature on your wedding day... SMILE!

For the wedding gown, wear a modernized Maria Clara complete with panuelo.

The groom, the male entourage and wedding guests should wear a barong tagalog.

The wedding invitation should be in Filipino/Tagalog.

Choose a turn-of-the-century venues for the ceremony and reception. Intramuros comes to mind.

Instead of a bridal car, hire a horse-drawn carruaje or kalesa.

Have the Nuptial Mass in Filipino. Say your vows in the vernacular.

Use Sampaguita (our National flower) and other local blooms for the bouquet, confetti and decors.

Hold an heirloom rosary with your bouquet as you march to honor your Catholic heritage.

Let the choir sing Tagalog Liturgy songs for the ceremony
and OPM lovesongs for the communion, piacture-taking and recessional.

Upon exit at the church or during Grand Entrance at the reception, have the bestman exclaim: “MABUHAY ANG BAGONG KASAL!!!“

Create a Barrio Fiesta atmosphere in the reception.

Serve an all-Filipino buffet with a lecheon (roast pig) as a central part of the handaan.

For December weddings, have a puto bungbong and bibingka stall
to get the guests into the Christmas mood.

Dress up the ceiling of the reception hall with banderitas instead of drapes.

Instead of flowers, use tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, rambutan, atis, etc. ) as table centerpieces.

Hire a rondalla instead of a string quartet.

Play the guitar and serenade the bride with a harana.

Do the money dance. It’s a Filipino tradition!

Never miss the details.
Have a cake topper with the groom in a traditional barong than the usual tuxedo.

Instead of champagne, propose a toast with lambanog.

Gather the single ladies and play agawang-panyo or hang several blooms on a pabitin instead of doing the traditional bouquet toss.

Gather the single men to play pukpok-palayok instead of the garter toss.

Our native delicacies and local handicrafts are perfect as wedding favors.

Source: www.weddingsatwork.com

Ngayon at kailanman
Sumpa ko'y iibigin ka
Ngayon at kailanman
Hindi ka na mag-iisa
Ngayon at kailanman
Sa hirap ko ginhawa ka
Asahan may kasama ka sinta
Naroroon ako t'wina
Maaasahan mo t'wina
Ngayon at kailanman

Dahil kaya sa 'yo ng maitadhanang
Ako'y isilang sa mundo
Upang sa araw-araw ay siyang makapiling mo
Upang ngayon at kailanman
Ikaw ay mapalingkuran hirang
Bakit labis kitang mahal
Pangalawa sa Maykapal
Higit sa 'king buhay

REFRAIN:
Sa bawat araw ang pag-ibig ko sa 'yo liyag
Lalong tumatamis, tumitingkad
Bawat kahapon ay daig nitong bawat ngayon
Na daig ng bawat bukas

Malilimot ka lang
Kapag ang araw at bituin ay di na matanaw
Kapag tumigil ang daigdig at di 'na gumalaw
Subalit isang araw pa matapos ang mundo'y nagunaw na
Hanggang doon magwawakas pag-ibig kong sadyang wagas
Ngayon at kailanman

REFRAIN:
Sa bawat araw ang pag-ibig ko sa 'yo liyag
Lalong tumatamis, tumitingkad
Bawat kahapon ay daig nitong bawat ngayon
Na daig ng bawat bukas

Labis kitang mahal (ngayon at kailanman)
Langit may kasama ka (ngayon at kailanman)
Ngayon at kailanman

Sung by: Basil Valdez