From you love me & its heavenly by Carlene

Today, I am proud to be an American. The one place in the world where it doesn’t matter where you come from, but who you are and what you stand for.  God Bless the USA.

After months of going back and forth, Bram and I have finally decided our wedding color(s). The main color is going to green (”refreshing green”) with highlights of fuchsia, white, and black. Think of modern meets classic.  The “inspiration board” contains images of what we want to accomplish with our wedding, incorporating Filipino-American and Dutch wedding traditions, our closest family and friends, great food and wine, lots of love, and a party that people will never forget.

From now on, Bram and I will be “busy” looking for:

1. A wedding planner. I finally submitted today. I know exactly what I want, but realistically, with a “blossoming career” and long distance wedding plans (9 hour time difference),  hiring a personal wedding assistant is perhaps the wisest choice.

2. Venues! We will be looking in the Napa Valley area and downtown San Francisco.  Once we have a venue, we can officially set the date and send out save the date cards, and later formal invitations.

3. Wedding Photographer. We “heart” two particular wedding photographers.

4.  Finally, selecting our entire bridal entourage. Pilipino-themed wedding entourage that is. This deserves an entire new post all together. =)

Yay! We’re finally doing it.

My life isn’t really bad. Some might even argue that I am very blessed.  However, I can’t seem to shake of a feeling of anxiety during this whole economic crisis. As a self-proclaimed New York Times addict (my closest connection to the US), I find myself obsessing over the latest news about the economic crisis. I’m no longer just restricting myself to the usual front page news, modern love articles, and travel section. Nope. I can’t help but savor every commentary about Palin, the “pit-bull with lipstick”, McCain “inevitably choking on a pretzel”, and Obama’s “audacity of hope”. Seriously. I, among millions of fellow Americans and citizens around this global economy,  witnessing the fall of Wall Street, the heartache of Main Street, culminating amidst what might presumably be one of the most important Presidential elections in American history.

Granted, while I am by no means a Socialist (actually, for that matter, I am neither a Christian Democrat or affiliate myself with any other Dutch political party), I can’t help but wonder why, in the 21st century, American’s still don’t have:

1. Universal health insurance

2. Equal education for all. Including university level education generously funded by the government with grants.

3. Solid, dependable Social Security Program

4. And other social programs designed to help the less fortunate, elderly, children, single parents, disabled, etc.

I can’t help but stop and wonder about how it all went wrong in the land of the free, home of the brave. And then there’s this secret, narcissistic voice inside of me telling me to go home because maybe that’s where my family, and my country may need me.

Because God knows, I am so tired of feeling so powerless. I want to help.

Sigh. Definitely interesting times. 

If I could fall in love over and over again,

everyday for the rest of my life,

Sienna would be the perfect place.

Let’s

Eat,

Drink,

and

Be married…

Tentative Date:

June 2010

San Francisco, California

I have been dreaming of going to Cinque Terre ever since stumbling upon the traveller’s article in the New York Times about three years ago. One can only imagine how I jumped at the opportunity to go the moment Bram suggested a summer vacation was much needed. Since I moved to the Netherlands in May 2007 and faced the consequential moving expenses, there was no opportunity or financial allowance for a holiday. Granted even though we did go back home for Christmas/New Year’s last year and spent a lot of money (too much for me to openly share), I have been trying my best to be “cost-conscious”. After all, learning to pinch pennies is a large part of the Dutch integration process right? Thus, as any cheap “Dutch” couple would do, we decided to drive to Italy.

The logic behind such a strenuous effort of driving was based on the assumption that it would be much more cost-effective to drive rather than the total costs of flying, necessary train tickets, and possibility of a car rental for added convenience. Now keep in mind that this was in light of the $140 gallon of petrol coming to a haunting reality in the middle of July. Gas prices in the US, even in San Francisco, pale in comparison with the exorbitant amount Europeans pay for oil.

Nonetheless, my wonderful cost-conscious Dutch fiance wanted to drive, and who am I to get in his way? One can also argue that camping would also be more in the lines of a Dutch vacation. I must confess that there is only a limit to my “integration” process. I am not ashamed to admit that I am the kind of girl who requires a comfortable bed and nice refreshing shower after a day spent meandering around. I know my limitations. It was approximately another ten hour drive from Glottertal, Germany to Cinque Terre (Monterroso al Mare). Since I was also driving impaired (I cannot drive stick-shift), Bram took full control of his beloved Mazda all throughout the road trip. Fortunately for me, there was also a “navigator” in all its British (programed accent of choice) sas directing Bram’s way. All that was required of me was to sit back and relax while he maneuvered his way through the chaotic German, Swiss and Italian traffic.

We finally arrived at Villa Steno in Monterrosa al Mare, exhausted and hungry but grateful to have arrived with a psuedo-parking spot available. For those who have ever gone to Cinque Terre or are planning on going, are fully aware that driving to Cinque Terre is highly discouraged if not frowned upon. Persistence for the sake of convenience and careful planning definitely paid off for us. Villa Steno, rated as the number one hotel in Cinque Terre according to Trip Advisor, not only provides great accommodations but also coveted and rare parking. Not willing to let a moment go by wasted, we went to a local restaurant recommended by the hotel hostess just a three minute walk away. At first we were a little skeptical because “she heard that it was really good” and momentarily debated whether or not the proprietor of the hotel had given her instructions to do so. We decided to just leave it up to faith and bravely eat our first Italian meal at Alta Marea. And the rest of the night was filled with amazing food, interesting new company, and the warm, but refreshing Ligurian air promising more unforgettable moments.

Believe it or not, I am already planning my next “vacation”, excitedly counting down the days to home sweet home San Francisco (December 15, 2008-January 2, 2009). Concerned about the erratically changing airline tickets and policies, I decided to book two direct flights to San Francisco International Airport from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport courtesy of KLM airlines.

As everyone is probably painfully aware of, Christmas Season is unforgiving to one’s pockets, especially in regards to international flights. With rising fuel prices, I am afraid that flying back home is going to be even more financially challenging.

I have to keep reminding myself that going back home is not a luxury as much as a necessity, an obligation to my own well-being. I must confess that I am once again finding it incredibly difficult to living in a world of perpetual rain and cloudiness. Fortunately, I have a wonderful fiancé who manages to put up with my occasional tantrums about the horrible weather.

In the mean time, I can work deligently on my thesis, daydream about my semi-recent escape to Italy, mischievously plan my upcoming vacation and wedding details, and desperately try to not go crazy in a world where I obviously don’t belong in. And of course, be more deligent in blogging!

I am officially back in the Netherlands from a much deserved and appreciated holiday to Italy. In the past two weeks, Bram and I managed to find ourselves in what could arguably be among the most beautiful places in the world-Cinque Terre, Florence, Tuscan Country Side, Siena, and Lago di Como. Not to forget to mention, we also stumbled upon a lot of scenic and cultural surprises along the way.

Perhaps the highlight of the trip was being blessed enough to have experienced one of the best kept secrets in Italy.  Part of its charm is that its off the beaten path and provides a wealth of history, culinary delights, incredible nature, and last but not least, a wonderful community enthusiastically offering genuine friendships. And all of this was not lost in translation… 

For the next couple of posts I will be writing about our trip, and of course, more about my struggles with acclimating back to a Dutched reality.

Wow. I have so neglected my blog. Three more days till semi-official freedom from “higher education”. Two more days of undeterred, concentrated effort, one more “optional” exam on Friday, last minute shopping and family bonding time on Saturday, and off to Italy (via Euro-Road trip).

In the meantime, here is a video, lovingly pointed out to me by my fiance and probably watched by millions of people, courtesy of the New York Times:

I hope that it can put a smile on your face and “inspire”.

During this “study-break”, I’ve decided to get more organized about all the wedding plans circling around my head. I have lots of ideas, and granted that my wedding is two years away, I want to start making semi-serious plans now. My biggest fear actually is since I am planning a San Francisco wedding from the Netherlands, I would face unique and interesting challenges, especially for someone who wants to be detail-oriented. Nonetheless, I think its a fun endeavor and at least a much needed “escape” from my Dutched reality.

I think that also “blogging” about my wedding plans provides me some emotional solace. I don’t want to drive my friends and family crazy with all the planning since it is, in reality, quite some time away. =)

Aside from joining The Knot’s website (www.theknot.com) and Wedding Bee (www.weddingbee.com), I’ve also pre-registred two personal “wedding” websites -www.rinamaeandbram.com and www.bramandrinamae.com. Nothing is officially on it yet, but I hope to have something up by December.

Wish me luck on two more weeks of finals! Then its off to writing my thesis and seriously trying to learn Dutch. =)