the wedding dress for the first time...

Myth: Not to wear the bridal gown prior to the wedding.

This is a Filipino pamahiin that has been since memorial. By some reason, the wedding would not be pushed through they said.

I believe in God and I know that everything happens for His purpose.

I am also a fan of science and math enough to know that it doesn't have a scientific basis at all.

Unfortunately, i wouldn't be one to break this tradition.

For now, death aside, I couldn't think of anything that could stop the wedding.

If I were to have my way, I'd try on my wedding dress before this month ends. And I'd be fitting it again by july & a day prior to my wedding.

But with due respect to my mother and future mother-in-law, I wouldn't.

This is actually not easy for me to follow.

As Dennies had told me last night... Just trust God that your wedding gown would fit just right.

I should have blackmailed him that i wouldn't be walking down the aisle if the dress wouldn't fit me right.
Na hindi na talaga matutuloy ang kasal if that were the case.
But I love him and wouldn't want to add to the stress that the wedding has on us.

The thing is... I have the Filipino pamahiin and tradition to blame for the added stress on all of these.

But really... I am stressed because I've yet to accept that the wedding is not about us. The marriage is about us.
But the wedding?
No, no, no.
It's about his family, my family, the traditions, the culture, the clash.

My prayer:

Dear God,

thank you for the reminder that it is not about me... Not about us.

Not only in this wedding that we're planning but on everything about life.

Grant me humility to obey and honor our parents.

But Lord,

please help them to realize that after the wedding. It will be different.

We have a home to build apart from them. Please help us all.

Thanks.

Amen.

battling rosacea for a flush-free wedding

i have been diagnosed with rosacea over 5 years ago.

Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a common but poorly understood disorder of the facial skin that is estimated to affect well over 16 million Americans -- and most of them don't know it. In fact, while rosacea is becoming increasingly widespread as the populous baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages, a Gallup survey found that 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of this condition, including how to recognize it and what to do about it.

Because of its red-faced, acne-like effects on personal appearance, however, it can cause significant psychological, social and occupational problems if left untreated.

While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, today medical help is available that can control the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Any one of the following warning signs is a signal to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the signs and symptoms become increasingly severe:
•Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
•Small visible blood vessels on the face.
•Bumps or pimples on the face.
•Watery or irritated eyes
 
i just have to prevent any flare-up or flushing. which means that i have to stick to a hypoallergenic diet and minimize junkfoods, minimize sun exposure and always wear my sunblock, have 8 hours of sleep, and to strictly do my daily facial rituals.
 
Hopefully, I wouldn't have any of those flushes anywhere near my wedding date.

dilemna: on being especially beautiful

myth: The bride has to be the most beautiful woman in her wedding.

This is of course possible if :

1. She would surround herself with freaks as in the other queen in the Alice in the Wonderland.
2. She wouldn't invite any more beautiful friend or family.
3. She will go for a very private wedding.

I'm sure you get the picture. The thing is, there are other women who could be prettier than the bride is on that day.

Oh... may I add... 4. choose a very ugly motiff or theme. For example, have them all wearing masks/costumes so you'd end up to be the only belle of the ball.

But still, even with a concealed face, others have this aura that someone could not bear but give a second look... or a long second look.

Anyway, the thing for me is just to drop all of that because that is not an option for me.
I have a beautiful family... lots of prettier faces than my own. I often say that i am the ugly duckling in comparison. Also, I have a lot of pretty friends. If you're one of them, I'm sure you'd agree.

But the thing is, the bride is not to be pressured by others and definitely not by herself to look the best. She has to look her best... which is an entirely different story.

anyway, it has been said that brides should not look at a lot of fashion or beauty mags so as not to feel insecure about how she looks.

before: i thought this was a good idea. In fact, i've shared this to more than a couple od bride-to-be before.
now: when you've grown to accept yourself, you'll have that sense of security about yourself... your looks included.

This means that she has to feel beautiful not because she thinks that someone is ugly or that she is as pretty as that girl in the magazine. She just have to be her best. period. with no comparison to so and so.
So, am i saying that she's not to shine?
well, no. All I am saying is that this is but an extra dilemna or stress that a bride should flush down the toilet. She would shine. No pressure.