Exactly 12 today

In the movie This Means War, Chelsea Handler plays best friend to Reese Witherspoon who, after a major heartbreak, dove back to the dating pool and ended up with two amazing men to choose from.  This is the best part of the movie.  In a very rare opportunity, a chic flick dished out the realest and truest advice.

This Means War

Twelve years ago today, he kissed me in their basement, just by the light switch.  Vacationing without my best friend and sister Marga was something I was not so eager to do, but it lead me here today, living in the same house where that basement was.

2004 Carla Allan Wedding Paper Divas Thank You Cards

Back then, all our pictures looked like we were the only two people in New Jersey.  I don’t think I’ve ever had someone look at me the way he did.  I was all he saw.  And my eyes never left him.

It has been exactly 12 years.  I bet no one saw this coming, not even him.

carlallanwed

I have spent so much time revering poets and lyricists with their fantastic works of art and music, but today, I have to give it to fate and Le Mari because without him believing that we are destined to be together, I won’t believe it too.

It has been such a rollercoaster ride since he came back in my life.  He came at a time when everything was at its wrong place, and I was losing faith.  He helped me regain it, and I couldn’t be more thankful.  Some may say that is an exaggeration, but only he and I would really know the truth of the matter.

And I’m so grateful that after all these years, we now have more pictures together.  Better, we have family and friends with us too.

Twelve years.  Who would’ve thought?

I love you, Allan.  <3

Timing is everything

Thank you for telling me you love me the moment you felt it. I wouldn’t be this happy or satisfied with my choices if you didn’t.

I’ve loved you for a long time. 

You have?

Yup.

You knew the whole time?

Yes. 

Why didn’t you say it sooner?   

It lasts longer

I would have to be one of the many that mourn Paris’ decision to permanently remove all the love locks around Pont des Artes.

Being one of the most visited places in the world, those locks signify eternal love and has become one of the must stops for lovers the world over.

I bet this decision didn’t come as a surprise to Paris’ beloved patrons, especially when a portion of the bridge collapsed early last year because of the weight of the locks on the bridge.

Love Locks with Allan 4

I am happy though that Paris is finally taking a stronger stand in preserving its heritage.  Pont des Artes is one of the bridges that cross the Seine.

What makes me even happier is that the saying “take a picture, it lasts longer” was something I took to heart when Le Beau and I visited that famous bridge.

Love Locks with Allan

We were planning going back on our fifth anniversary maybe and spot that lock but I guess that’s not going to happen now. But the beautiful thing is the bridge will be riddled with artwork from various international artists.  Paris still stays true to its form as the art capital of the world.  At least for me.

Oh I am so happy that we have proof that Paris knew we pledged our love forever.

Love Locks with Allan 3

#cheese

MUSIC MONDAY: Smash Into You by Beyoncè

I have always wondered why this beautiful song didn’t get its own music video.  I’ve been looking through YouTube, but apart from a couple of performance videos from abroad, there’s nothing on this song.

20150525 Beyonce Smash Into You

With an upcoming wedding and music tastes so diverse, Le Beau and I are happily exploring our musical middle ground.  And even though I know his love for me has always been evident by show of his allowing me to select our playlist with minimal input from him, he has to know that this song is for him alone.

Yes, the cheese has landed.

Eight months to forever.  Can’t wait.

It is on.

Le Beau and I are lagging when it comes to the physical preparation for our wedding.  And by physical preparation, I mean getting into shape, looking good and feeling great.  Although our engagement was pretty much solidified over New Year’s, it wasn’t until recently did we really take notice how much we are not improving ourselves healthwise.

Don’t get me wrong. I love him in every form, and he loves me too. But when you can barely finish a flight of stairs without panting or groan whenever you pick up a slightly heavy load, it starts to become embarrassing.  I’ve not really been the most active person ever, but I used to be fitter than this.  This has to be the worst shape I’ve ever been in.

So the No Meat Challenge comes in.

VGKids Sticker Template

Earlier in the year, my good friend Adah already started doing this. I couldn’t join her mainly because work commitments would put me in situations where food consumption (of each kind, too) is required, like client calls, business lunches, et al.  Now that we have roughly six months left into our planning, I have no other excuse to postpone it.

There were some blogs that defend why they don’t want to lose weight for their wedding and I absolutely respect that opinion.  I agree with it too.  To me, because I am marrying the love of my life, I want to be at my best. This is not it.  Besides, for me, it’s not that much about losing weight.  It’s more about feeling good, being able to keep up with the things I want to do with my husband-to-be.  This form will not be able to do all those things.

There are only two rules to our No Meat Challenge:

1. No meat except fish.  I wish I can say we can exclude that, but there really is no way to not consume sashimi and sushi.  There really isn’t.  And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one feeling this way.

Sushi Sashimi

2. No rice.  As an Asian woman (lol), this would probably be harder than skipping meat altogether.  This rule require us to be more creative, so you can count on us stocking up on cereals, whole wheat bread, and other carb alternatives.  I managed to pick up a good bag of vegeroni pasta, too.  I’m not sure how veggie is this vegeroni but I’m trusting my gut on this one.

No Rice

Of course, just like any other fitness trainer would advise, the diet will not work without proper exercise. Early in the year I have committed to complete at least four (4) hours of exercise.  Off the top of my head, my favorites would easily be yoga and HIIT.  I might be able to squeeze in some running and biking too, when given the time.

I’m actually excited and nervous at the same time for this challenge: excited because I now have a compelling reason to duly follow through, nervous because I am a sore loser.  I have a feeling Le Beau will kick my butt on this one.

There is no goal weight.  There is only a goal feeling.  And I mean that too.  I intend to spend a long life with this man.  A VERY VERY VERY LONG LIFE.  I want a very very long life with this man.

Even though thousands of people already do this, I’ll do my best to keep you posted of my progress.  On Friday, I’ll post my meal plan for this week.  Hopefully as the challenge progresses, I’ll have a set grocery list to share with you.  Mind you, items that will be listed on the list are all sourced from the Philippines.

Wish me luck! And if you have a fitness goal, I wish you so much luck too. <3

 

Photos from Ditz Revolution, Atlantic Seafood Market, Clueless Curl