#LengTanSpeaks: 2014

Sunday, November 9, 2014

On your birthday, Ate.

When we were younger you were not my favorite person. There were even moments when I resented you.

You were fairer, prettier, taller, and dantier. I was not as fair, not as pretty, not as tall, and was a hellcat; always coming home with soot and bruises.

Your dolls were always more beautiful, your jumps in Chinese garter were higher; ikaw ang laging "Mother". You always had the pink stuff because you were older; and I was left with the yellow colored clothes. Nauna kang nakapili kay Pink Five kasi mas matanda ka. Sakin tuloy lagi si Yellow Four.

You started joining the santacruzan when you were in grade school. Ako ga-graduate na ng college hindi pa rin.

Boys started courting you when you were ten years old, ako nakapag debut na at lahat wala pa rin.

You had a number of suitors, left and right; while I had not a single one.

We weren't always close. I remember how ridiculously hard we fought when we were kids. We would literally tear each other's hairs out, and kick each other's shins without crying out for fear of our parents finding out. I even came home with a big bruise on my shoulder because you hit me with a plastic My Little Pony figure.

Do you remember when Daddy handed each of us a knife because we wouldn't stop fighting?

Do you remember the time when you would hide my stuff to get back at me for being mean to you?

Do you remember noon na lagi kitang sinusumbong at pinapahamak kina Mama para mapalo ka?

We were each other's worst enemy. No one made us cry harder but each other.

But we were also each other's best critic. I could always count on you to tell me things straight; no matter how painful the truth hurt. You were never one to mince words; and you never held yourself back when you need to confront me about something - be it my, silliness, or outright stupidity.

You were always there looking out for me. Sa school, school service, sa love, sa life, and on the streets. You are my food trip buddy. I remember the time when we both decided to call in sick from work and we just went to buy whatever food we wanted. We ended up not eating half of the food because we were just too full.

I remember when I would help you keep secrets from Mama and you asked me not to tell her where you were. And I still haven't told her, don't worry.

Of all people I've met on this earth, you are one who has never broken a promise. Thank you for the digicam, my wedding gift, the TV, shoes, bag, and everything else.

Even when you're not in the Philippines, you still are my confidant. You were the first one who knew of my break up with Kelvin. You were the first person I broke the news to when Kel and I got engaged. And you called me seconds after I sent you my news.

You can't imagine how much I appreciate how strong and brave you are. I can only imagine the pain of homesickness you feel in the past months. I am so proud of the woman you have become. Because of the sacrifices you have made for your dreams and for our family, you are now braver, stronger, and more beautiful, inside and out. Our family can never be prouder as we are now.

Keep chasing your dreams, Ate. Come home when you can. We miss you. We're here, waiting for the moment you can come home and I can say all this to you in person.

Happy birthday, Ate. I love you.

I'll see you in six months. :-)

__________________________________

Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

Sunday, August 17, 2014

GLENDA - Jul. 16, 2014

The day after my mom's birthday, tragedy struck Southern Luzon.

Typhoon Glenda ravaged the province of Batangas, leaving more than 60 people dead in the CALABARZON area.

This is what greeted us the moment the rain and winds stopped.

A tree fell onto the roof and the roof then crashed onto our car.

A tree behind the house crashed onto the pig pen where our dogs were.

__________________________________

Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

Friday, July 18, 2014

Dark and bright side of July

Okay, this is one fucked up month.

Let me list the reasons why:

Our wedding budget is getting nowhere. We have ten months left until the wedding and our finances are pitiful. On the plus side, I am still engaged to the most wonderful man in the world, and we are getting married no matter what, even if it takes us walking down the aisle and celebrating in Jollibee.
Typhoon Glenda ravaged our town in Batangas, the roof of the garage crashed on our car and was lofted by the wind onto the road. On the brighter side, our main house is intact, and our car only suffered a tiny dent and still works in amazing condition, considering it is more than a decade old.
A giant tree branch fell on our pig pen, crushing the roof and our two dogs. On the plus side, my family, including our dogs, is safe, complete, and healthy.
The rain seeped into our rooms and all of my clothes including my laptop had been drenched. On the brighter side, the laptop has been dried off and is working.
My laptop is indeed working but it has become slow and only works when it is plugged in, and refuses to charge. On the plus side, my laptop still works and I still have access to my files, videos, pictures, and wedding stuff.
The promotion that I have been working on for the past two years have been given to someone else outside my team, without me being given the opportunity to at least apply. On the plus side, I still have a job, I have the best teammates in the world, and I'm still doing what I love to do.
I'm sick and have been suffering from acute asthma attack. On the plus side, it's a Friday and tomorrow's a weekend. I get to spend time with my lablab!

Friday, May 16, 2014

"You looked better when you were thinner."

I'm getting sick of all these people telling me to lose weight because I looked better/prettier/sexier when skinny.

When I lose weight it is because I want to be healthier, not sexier or prettier.

What's with today's society and its issues about weight? "People should not gain weight because they will look less pretty..." Well fuck that! (sorry, kids!)

Yeah, I know I packed on a few pounds. Big woop, right?

I do know that I've gained weight, and I probably looked better when I was skinny. But I am still me. I'm still a daughter, a nurse, a sister, a fiancée, a trainer, and a friend; and I can still whoop your ass in the training room and I can still shoot your dumb head off with a .45 caliber.

People who used to be skinny and have gained weight are just that - they have gained weight. They are still as beautiful, smart, and awesome as they were.

Some people have got to stop going around and telling other people to lose weight because they looked better when they were skinny. -

Kelvin Tan

#JustSayin
#weightproblems
#Igotmeatinthembones

__________________________________

Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Happy birthday, Daddy!

Happy birthday, Daddy!

You’ve taught me how to be safe on the road.

You’ve taught me how to appreciate sports.

You’ve taught me that even if you seldom talk, I can talk to you anytime.

You’ve taught me how to fire a gun.

You’ve taught me how to throw a punch.

You’ve taught me to not hit a boy in front of his parents.

You’ve taught me that Jollibee, Chowking, and KFC are the best medicine out there.

You’ve taught me that food solves everything.

You’ve taught me the value of silence and patience.

You’ve taught me the value of respect.

You’ve taught me that family should always be one’s priority.

You’ve taught me to live with honor.

You’ve taught me how to love and respect my elders.

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for driving me to all my hospital duties, parties, and other events.

Thank you for letting me buy my keyboard when I was thirteen; even when I never learned how to play it.

Thank you for driving me to the bus station every Monday morning.

Thank you for listening to my troubles, stories, and adventures.

Thank you for letting me choose my own path.

Thank you for being my silent fan.

Thank you for the times you showed me how much you love me.

Thank you for supporting me.

Thank you for the times you showed me how proud you are of me.

Thank you for letting me know that no matter what I do, no matter what happens, and no matter where I end up, you’ll always be there for me.

And most of all, thank you for being you, Daddy. You will forever be my first love.

And I will forever be your little girl. No matter where life takes me, no matter where I go, no matter what I do, I will forever be thankful to God that He gave you to us. I promise to always show you and Mama how much I love you both. I love you, Daddy. Happy birthday!

P.S. Huwag ka na masyado magsusungit ha. Tsk Tsk. Pag nagkaka-edad talaga o. Labyu, Daddy!

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Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng

Saturday, April 26, 2014

[K&L] Great minds think alike!

June 5, 2013

I was able to leave the office early so I decided to surprise Kelvin and pick him up from work. So I hurriedly got into a cab and was on my merry way to his office.

While in the cab, the ringing of my mobile phone startled me. And boy, it turns out Hon was not the only receipient of a surprise that night!

Hon was on his way to pick me up from my my office too! It turns out the cab that I was in and his car were both on Pasong Tamo at the same time!

I was in the cab on my way to him and he was driving on his way to MY office! We were both planning to surprise each other at the same time. So ayun, bumaba na lang ako sa Waltermart, and a minute later, dumating na sya.

When I asked him how he knew na pupuntahan ko sya, he said, "I don't know. I just felt my "baby" senses were tingling."

Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Rehearsal

Hey, folks!

I haven't posted in weeks, and that is because I have been quite busy with work and with the wedding preparations. If you'd like to read more about the wedding preparations, you may go and check out our wedding blog.

Speaking of weddings, I was invited to Ate Kat and Larsen's wedding! *cue jumping up and down*

Ate Kat is my sister's best friend, and they have been best friends for more than ten years! I soo love her.

One of a girl's great dream - apart from finding The One, that is - is to find another being who will live the rest of her life calling herself your bestest best friend. And I am just enormously ecstatic that Ate Ye had found Ate Kat.

Ate Kat loves my sister so much and they treat each other like they were blood sisters. I rarely meet real, genuine people and I am happy that my sister found herself a true best friend in Ate Kat.

After college, Ate Kat moved to Australia; and even if my sister was happy for her, Ate Kat's leaving left a dent in Ate's heart. But nonetheless, distance didn't prove to be a problem for the best friends. Ate Kat found her success in Australia, and Ate found hers in the Middle East.

Along with success in Australia, Ate Kat also found love. Seven years ago, she met a strapping young man at a party. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, she and Larsen finally said their "I Do's" on the 7th of February.

The night before the wedding on February 6th, Ate and I met with Ate Kat and the rest of her entourage at Fairmont Hotel for their wedding rehearsal. Here is the bride on her last night of singlehood - with her BFF, of course:

And look at our gorgeous rings!

The mother and daughter of rings, these are!

From the hotel, the party then went to Don Bosco Parish Church to rehearse for the bridal march.

Here is the gang waiting for instructions from Jojo, the wedding coordinator.

The groom:

The bridesmaid:

And finally, the bride:

Here are some candid shots taken during the rehearsal:

Lastly, here are some other shots taken in the hotel. Don't you just love these two?!

Lovely!

And it gets even better!

Their wedding was soo sweet and romantic I just love it!

Please watch out for my next blog as I write about Ate Kat and Larsen's fabulous and sweet wedding.

____________________________________

Hit me up!
Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinsesLeng