We're down to the wire, folks! Only 14 more days until the big day!

We're checking off the last few items on our wedding checklist -- a bitter sweet feeling really. I'm running out of things to do and I'm starting to miss the wedding preps...and I'm not even married yet! 

A few more accomplisments this week (well..mostly Mike's):

Mike finally ordered his wedding ring! He got Tiffany & Co.'s Lucida™ Wedding Band, 4.5-millimeter width in Platinum. I love it! Husband-to-be has taste!  I'd like to thank Maiko Ramirez again (a fellow Rita Neri bride and w@wie) for helping Mike with the purchase of his wedding ring. Maiko has helped us a great deal in securing our wedding rings. She sourced out Tiffany stores when the wedding ring I wanted was on back order and made sure it shipped overnight as soon as it was available. When Mike was shopping around for his wedding band at Tiffany's website, Maiko (who works at Tiffany & Co.'s E-Commerce Dept.) patiently answered Mike's questions about the ring designs, resizing and shipping. When Mike finally ordered his wedding ring last Friday, everything was coursed through Maiko. The ring was shipped out the same day and will be delivered to me first thing Monday morning. How's that for service! Maiko, I have come to know a handful of wonderful, genuine and caring people at w@w and you are definitely one of them. Mike and I are truly indebted to you...we hope to repay your kindness one day. From the bottom of our hearts....thank you! 

We have a live band for the reception, folks! Mike went to Gateway Mall last night to meet Lakshmi Ramirez of the Brass Munkeys AND watch them perform. I asked Mike what he thought of the band after they performed, to which he replied, "Earl, I, Raymund and Eric were blown away..." I guess he was so "blown away" that he signed the contract with the Brass Munkeys and paid the 50% down payment in cash that same night. So there we go...Live Entertainment.....CHECK!

Mike submitted my wedding banns (he already submitted his weeks ago) and our CEFAM Certificate to Bernadette of SSA AND paid the church fee balance. All document requirements and fees have been met and paid! We're all set for SSA!

Now for my own little vict'ries this week.... I finally got my U.S. Passport! Yaayyy! Have passport, will travel!  

I received our Table Names from Harriet Rose last Thursday! As expected, they were gorgeous! AND..AND...our Table Names are now featured on Harriet's website! Check this out!  Ours is the "I Love You" in 30 different languages in Burgundy Spencerian w/ Gold Accents." (More pictures of our Table Names: Pic 2, Pic 3.)

Feels like early Christmas!  I bought gifts for the male members of our entourage, the principal sponsors, Mike's Mom and Dad. I can't post pictures of the men's gifts just yet. Ditto for the ladies' gifts. I think some of them read this journal and I definitely don't want to ruin the surprise.  I did, however, take a picture of Tito Pat's (Mike's Dad's) gift since I had it gift wrapped. I got him something from Red Envelope. It came in this nice red box with a big white ribbon. Really attractive packaging! All of the lady entos' gifts also came from Red Envelope. Love that store! So many great gift ideas!

Rachel, my ever so loving and sweet cousin and Maid of Honor, left for Manila this morning.  Before she left though, she mailed me a note and made sure that I read it only when she's on the plane and on her way to Manila for the wedding. I got teary eyed when I opened it. It had this heart tugging note and a drawing of what I think is me with a tiara and a veil on my wedding day. I tell you folks, if there is such a thing as a perfect Maid of Honor (Yes, I will say it again), she would be IT! She's been my support system (other than Mike, of course) throughout this wedding preparation and has made this crazy ordeal fun, fun, fun -- not only did she organize my Hawaiian bridal shower, NOW she's coordinating our entourages' night out AND my bachelorette party in Manila.  I'm sure when speech time comes at the wedding reception, I will be bawling my eyes out thanking Rachel for her undying love and support for Mike and I... Rachel, if you read this...Y-O-U A-R-E T-H-E B-E-S-T C-O-U-S-I-N E-V-E-RRRR!! LOVE YAH!

I guess that's it for now... I have to finish packing... Hope to blog again before I leave for my wedding... Stay tuned!