Will you be my Bridesmaid?

The fiance and I jet-setted shortly after getting engaged, before we even had a chance to tell many of our friends in person, how it went down. I did want to ask my girls the honor of being my bridesmaids, sooner rather than later, so as we headed to the Dominican Republic, I sent each of them a boxed gift from < flourpotcookies.com. Now, I'm super finicky about stuff like this. Knowing me, I rather bake the cookie myself, frost it, bow it, wrap it, tie it, box it, mail it, all my freaking self... simply to ensure I know exactly how it will look when sent out and (hopefully) when opened. Sigh, but after seeing the photos online, and reading some of the reviews... eh, I was like okay... skeptical, but hopeful enough.

Turns out they arrived perfectly. The gift box came wrapped in a box, and delivered to each girls' doorstep. I was also worried the cookies would be overly sweet...as those frosted kinds could be, but surprisingly I hear they were very tasty, and not grossly sugary. Obviously they all said yes :)

Our Wedding Venue: The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

It's interesting that people seem to want to know how and why we chose our wedding venue. How? I google'd my ass off! Literally. I initially was searching for a small, quaint inn or hotel, by the water, convenient for out of town guests, but feels like "California", casual and comfortable. Did I mention we're planning this is NYC? As I read review after review, of every single waterfront hotel and inn in the Orange County area...which then easily spilled over to the entire Southern California– I realized, do I really want to get married in a hotel? I didn't really want, rustic, or hipster-modern, or ultra-modern, or ballroom, or a barn, or the beach...I definitely did not want an on-the-beach ceremony... I just wanted... whatever I couldn't find...

Just when I thought all hope was lost... mostly due to price– (but honestly, if it was perfect, minus the price, of course I would have considered it...ha, let's be real.) I came across, the life-saver.
< She logged every place in Southern California, you can get married, period. THANK YOU!

Griffith Observatory. Empire State Building. Rockefeller Centre. Mont Juic. Eiffel Tower. I love that feeling, of being a little bit closer to the sky, juuuuust a little bit closer to God. The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, is a park at the peak of 511 ft. The building itself is modern architecture, reminds me of the NYC < Highline. It's not a barn, and it's not the beach, but it's entirely nature on top of a hill, with 360 views of the California, skyscrapers, mountains, Pacific and Catalina Island, and the Hollywood Hills.

There's a also a stair climb, if you'd like to hike to our wedding.

Actually, I wouldn't mind attempting this one day?

Anyways, so this is the spot. Super excited :)

사랑해요.

My grandma and I, have only spent a handful of times together in our lives. Not to say that in any way, that this lessens the immense love, I knew she had for me. My mom resembles her in so many ways, not only in looks, but in mannerisms and tone of voice. My 할머니 has lived a long and fruitful life, and I know she is in heaven. | Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalms 63:3

Thank you for 93 years of love & prayer.

"Potential" Dream Wedding!!

So, as I frantically searched the web for days on end, for the perfect, affordable, and available dream wedding venue...and just as I thought I had lost all hope – I absolutely fell in love, or at least an abnormally obsessed emotional connection, to this one place...Then, crossing fingers and toes wishing and hoping it could actually become a reality...

Now, I'm absolutely horrified. It may actually work out.

We just picked out a "potential" date, and it all became, just a little bit more real.

*UPDATE* And we're booked! 284 Days. And the countdown begins!

Good-bye. Hello.

Apparently, it's the last day of the year - and... I almost forgot..! With the excitement of the holidays, birthday, engagement and all that wrapped into one, I feel like I have so much to look forward to. But, it has been... eventful, to say nonetheless. 2012, was a slow rolling start, until- of course, God reminds you, that at any which moment, anything can change. The comfort and stability that I was so accustomed to, was shattered and I once again- was forced, to remember who is in charge. Let's say, I've definitely developed, character, this year. As a person, professional, and a partner, I've learned about myself and matured, ever so abundantly. Thank you, to my loved ones who have continually supported me along the way. With marathons, firings, weddings, road trips, grandmas, hurricanes, this that and every thing else, above all, is the true love of the Lord, for in which we have been called, to share with those around us. Thank you. Love you. Cheers to 2013.

December 5th at 6pm

We are engaged! My lover & best friend, swallowed back a little bit of throw up, and got down on one knee, at the exact spot, where we first saw each other. He did good :)

Must-Dos for 2013

1. Use less emoticons :(
Haha. I love them, and it's not that I use them excessively, or inappropriately... but, I feel like cutting down on them, subconsciously... is way to validate my writing skills, and professionalism. (This is not including emoji on the iPhone!)

2. Get rid of my left mole.
Take care of my skin. I must have had this on my list for the past 3 years, but let's turn it up even further. Avoid sleeping on my face. Actually apply eye cream daily. Get rid of my left mole :( I gotta live as glamorous as possible for as long as possible!

3. Less sugar.
Omg. Although I've been pretty steady on the health front, one thing I do not compromise, is the sugar. I love the savory sweets and the cakes and the cookies...well, as I suspect I may have to go into bridal bootcamp mode, and I'm going to curb the sugar intake... le sigh.

4. Familia.
Blood is blood. *Gang sign* I realize getting older, means everyone older than me, too, is getting older. Cherishing loved ones is always underrated.

I'll add more as the time comes. Happy End of the Year :)