the newlyweds' vacation treat

This is the reason why I suddenly disappeared in the 3 social networking sites I've been maintaining.

Introduction:  About a month ago, our family started preparing for Robel and Rose's wedding.  When I found out that they were finally pushing through with it, I volunteered to be their photographer.  I was set to cover only their prenuptial shoot and their wedding day.  I did a lot of preparations, even up to the extent of upgrading and adding to my gears.  Now, to those who do not know yet, I have been managing a small digital photo printing shop since November of last year.  The couple wanted to have their invitations printed and since they also wanted to help the shop earn, they asked me to do it for them and I happily accepted the task.  Then, I sprang an idea for wedding souvenir that I can also make for them: a CD compilation of their favorite songs with a cover label with their picture on it.  They liked the idea and also commissioned me to do it.  Just when I thought that was the extent of my role in their wedding,  my parents also requested me to coordinate the wedding reception for the couple since I mostly handle get-together events for the family.  To cut the story short, my responsibility/role in their wedding was bigger than I thought.  All these I did, without asking anything in return from the couple.  Although they did pay for the shop's output, my services were totally free.  My stress level a week before the wedding was even a lot higher than the two lovebirds combined.  They were relaxed as relaxed can be.  I would jokingly say to them, "It feels like I'm the one getting married!"  In the end, the wedding and the reception that followed, turned out pretty much the way the couple wanted it to be, simple but special. 

One more request:  A week before the wedding, my brother approached me and asked me for one more favor.  He asked for advice on where they could go for their "honeymoon."  "Since you and your photography friends have gone to a lot of nice places, maybe you can give me resort or hotel names in or around Tagaytay," he reasoned out.  And so, in addition to the things that I still had to do for the wedding and reception, I went ahead and made some research.  I was supposed to make reservations for them but the stress was too much that I forgot to do it earlier that week.  And so, they decided that they will go to Tagaytay the day after their wedding and wing it with the help of the list that I came up with.  July 16 came but I wasn't able to print the list and so I told them that I will text them the names and address of the places I had in my list.  In the end, after almost getting lost and getting there just as the sun was setting, they went to Balay Indang, Indang, Cavite via Tagaytay route. 

The vacation treat:  As soon as they got settled and experienced the first few hours of Balay Indang hospitality, they called me on my cellphone.  They kept insisting that I drop everything and join them there.  Although they asked me to join them even before they left for Tagaytay, I had to decline  since I thought that they would only stay for the weekend.  I also had to say no since we still had some relatives staying with us and my Dad was expecting visitors from Indonesia.  Plus, there was a get-together the day after which was previously planned and I could not get away from it.  But when I found out that they were planning to stay longer; and after receiving several persistent phone call invitations, I immediately made plans to join them Monday, July 18, 2011.  After making arrangements and giving last minute instructions to my one and only staff at the shop; and after going to the reception venue to pay the balance for the services rendered, I went to Tagaytay via commuter van.

To show their appreciation for all the hard work I did for them on and before their special day, they shouldered almost all of my expenses while I stayed with them as they extended their stay in Balay Indang for two (2) more nights.  Details of my Balay Indang experience will be in another blog all together since I cannot sum up everything in just one paragraph.

The pact:  As we had our first meal together, I recalled our first out-of-town trip (as a trio) several years ago.  I mentioned it to them and suggested that we should do this every year (of course not their treat anymore hehehe!)  And so, we made a pact that every year, we would go look for places where we can spend our vacations together.  Before I get violent reactions from my sister, brother-in-law and younger brother, let me open the same invitation to you.  So, guys, better save up as early as now so we can do this all together next year, okay!?!

one + one = new additions to the family

Just recently, my eldest brother, Robel, got married to his long-time girlfriend, Rose.  They have been together for 14 years and getting hitched was not far from their minds during the 1st half of those 14 years.  But due to a lot of personal reasons, plans got pushed back; and back; and further back until AT LAST one day, everything got synced and the plans became a reality. 

After less than a month of preparation, we formally welcomed Rose to our family last July 15, 2011.  Although we have treated her as part of the family in all those years they were together as sweethearts,  being able to say that she is now my sister-in-law is far better than just calling her my brother's girlfriend/intended.

And now, we are looking forward to more additions to the family.  Stay tuned for more updates! :)

Anecdote:  (why I am never getting married according to my mom bwahahaha)
A week before the wedding, my mom, aunt, the couple and Rose's younger sister, Marivic, went shopping to look for a dress for Rose's mom.  Since my mom already bought her dress a week before that day, she blurted out to the group that she should have waited for that shopping trip to buy her dress because the dresses there were a lot nicer and cheaper than where she got hers.  Marivic told her while they were standing there checking out possible choices: "Tita, go on and buy one more dress.  It won't go to waste anyway since you can wear it one day at Katy's wedding."  My mom replied without batting her eyelashes (as recounted to me by Robel and Rose) "I won't let her get married!  She's going to take care of me and her dad when we grow older!"  And that was not the first time she said that!  (First time was when my older sister, Melicel, got married 20 years ago.)  Oh yes, yes, it was a joke then, and still a joke now, but I don't want to wait for the 3rd time for her to say it and forever take away the chance for that certain guy to find his Princess Charming.  So Jomari....you better behave and not get married before me, okay?  bwahahahahaha just kidding!

when plans change

When I started out with photography, I have always been fascinated with people's faces; the shapes and sizes, the distinguishing marks, and the expressions and emotions that they share especially during candid shots.  But since I wanted to learn more, I also tried other fields like studio portraiture, street photography, and landscape/seascape photography. 

Before I traded in my Baby Niko (Nikon D40X) just this past month, I was already leaning towards landscape/seascape photography.  I already wrote my list of what gear to buy next so I can go out with friends who were starting to get serious with landscape/seascape subjects.  I have been constantly bugging them for tips while saving up for seminars that can help me with the said field.  Lo and behold, when I upgraded to Kuya Nikolo (Nikon D90) the lens I bought along with the camera was Ate Niki, a prime lens (50mm f/1.8). 

L- R Kuya Nikolo, Ate Niki, Susa and Aiko

 at my brother's wedding

For those who are not familiar with photography gears, a prime lens is best used in portraiture.  The "bokeh" that it gives leaves out the noise of the background and focuses on your subject.  Though you can use the prime lens for other subjects, I realized that I enjoy using it more on taking photos of people.  I tested out my new gears just like a child would play with a new toy.  The decision to upgrade my gears came when I was preparing to shoot for my brother and sister-in-law.  With only a few days practice, I went ahead and shot their prenuptial pictures.  I fumbled around at first but as I took more photos, I knew that this was it for me.  I know I need more practice, but I can safely say that I am back in my niche.  One day, I know that I will still take pictures of landscapes/seascapes.  But as for now,  I will be chasing people around with Kuya Nikolo and Ate Niki.  Subject volunteers, anyone?

Can I do this on my own?

My rock; my fort; my anchor; my mentor; my DAD is now facing a new chapter in his life.  A chapter we all want him to skip as a whole, but no matter what I say or do now, this chapter is currently being written.  I have been meaning to express how I feel about this new chapter for quite some time now, but I was not (and still not) that brave to do so.  I was afraid that I would only break down and cry and never even come out with the right words.  As I type, I am fighting the tears from falling.  Am I winning?  I would like to believe so, since I can still see clearly and I can still type without wiping the tears away.

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer early this year.  He is currently undergoing the 2nd phase of chemotherapy.  He is complaining a lot more now than he did during the first phase.  Although we've been hearing good feed backs from his doctors, we are still preparing for the worst case scenario.  As much as we would like to stay positive, being prepared for the unknown is not that negative.

When we were younger, my siblings and I would get mad at them (our parents) every time they talked about preparing for their eventual departure (even up to now I can't let myself type the other D word when connected to the words mom and dad).  But as our spiritual formation got stronger through the years, we could talk about it without thinking how morbid they could be for thinking about it when they were both healthy and strong.   There even was a time when we would talk about the details of our wakes and funerals just so that we'd know what to do when that time came.

This is not the first health scare in the family.  We've all been through our own fair share.  Those of you who know me can attest to that.   I can be very brave about my own health condition, but when it comes to my parents, I am just as scared as scared can be.  I shudder with the thought of being without them.  That statement alone made me lose my battle with the tears that I've been trying to hold off.  I know that they have done their best to prepare us (me and my siblings) to be on our own, but if I had my own way, I'd rather that they live forever.

I would like to see my dad stand proud and tall again, without doubling over from weakness, nausea, or pain.  I would rather see him with his big tummy than see him lose weight very fast.  I still have a lot of things I want to do and achieve, and I would like my dad to still be there when I do so.  Can I do those things alone?  I know I can, but I would rather fail any undertaking than be successful but not have him there to share it with.

Dad, I know that all of us will face our own final chapters in life,  but as much as I can, I would love to share several more chapters with you.  I love you Dad! Stay strong and keep the faith. 

Love always, 

Katy