uncanny resemblance

Upon review of my post on stamps... doesn't Gerald Ford look a lot like Bruce Willis?

Hello, My Name is...

As I was addressing our invitations last night, I realized that many of Wayne's friends may have no idea who I am. ("Who is this crazy woman who keeps blabbing on and on about chairs and invitations and whatnot?") How rude of me! So allow me to properly introduce myself!

My name is Cecilia, but most friends call me Ceci!
I... was born and raised in the Bay Area, call Fremont my hometown, have a younger sister named Sam, whom I love more than Paula Dean loves butter, and a dog named Indee who is my pride and joy.

I graduated from UC San Diego with a bachelors degree in Biology and a minor in Chinese Studies, but since, have yet to touch either subject in my professional career. After working in marketing for the last few years for a health and fitness organization, I am currently getting my single subject teaching credential at San Diego State University and student teaching Junior and Senior English at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley, CA. While teaching has its draw, I am truly passionate about health and fitness and would love to get back into that industry one day.

I love... early mornings, chocolate cake, country music, a good long run, endurance sports, board games, trying new things, Costco samples, watching the Food Network, Martha Stewart, bright colors, making lists, cooking, baking, and exclamation marks!

I dislike... onions and garlic, bathrooms, durian.

I am known to be... energetic, bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed, optimistic, persuasive, a great liar in Mafia (if I don't get killed off right away first).

I can be... strong-willed, indecisive, particular, like Sally from "When Harry Met Sally" at restaurants ("I would like the veggie pizza, but no onions, and instead of peppers I would like mushrooms. Oh, and can I add chicken to that?").

My dream... other than becoming a popstar, I would LOVE to open a bakery with my sister, raise my family alongside hers, live a life that is a blessing to God, be a nurturing yet fun mom who will embarrass my kids with my antics, be a loving and supportive wife and grow old with Wayne in our matching cardigans and rockers.

Why I love Wayne... He completes me. Wait, sorry, that was just the cheese and Jerry Maguire speaking. Seriously, though, Wayne's stableness and level-headedness complements my sometimes extreme, more feisty personality. He has the kind of strength, discipline, and patience that I am so lacking, and I have learned to trust and respect his leadership so much! I admire Wayne's selflessness and humility, and am always so amazed and moved by his graciousness towards me, which continually reminds me of God's ultimate grace towards us. I also appreciate Wayne for the dedicated and influential teacher that he is, his goofiness and self-proclaimed dorkiness, his massive sports knowledge, and his heart of gold... and it doesn't hurt that he possesses strong IT skills and is able to fix my computer. :) All lists aside, though, I just love Wayne's friendship and company... I love how we can talk for hours and hours, and how I feel completely at ease with him and know I am loved—flaws, dry skin, and all.

going postal!

In my excitement over the arrival of our invitations, I rushed off to the post office to buy stamps, because I want to send them out RIGHT NOW! However, their stamp collection was slim pickins.

There was...Gerald Ford, Yoda, Jury Duty, and of course, good ol' Liberty Bell.

 

 

 
 

As much as I would love to have Yoda be the first to greet all of our guests, *insert Yoda voice* "romantic it is not."

So which did I decide to go with? You'll find out when you receive your invitation! (hint: I went online and purchased them through usps.com, and so you don't get too excited for something wacky, they actually match!)

You Are Cordially Invited!

Our invitations just arrived from the printers—literally! I heard a thump at the door, a loud knock, and by the time I opened the door, the messenger was already gone and at my feet was my box of invitations! It was like the stork bringing a baby—150 of them! I am sooo excited and I have no one to share it with because I am home by myself (yay, for days that end at noon!), so I will share my joy with my online community!

I LOVE our invitations!!! Not only are they bright and cheery with a touch of whimsy, they are a one-of-a-kind creation by my favorite designer! I was lucky to illicit her services, because she is so busy, but she is SO incredibly talented, I just had to have her! Based out of her home office in New York City, my designer worked tirelessly to ensure that the invitations were exactly what we wanted! Thank you, Emily—invitation designer, fabulous friend, and future sister-in-law! I am so, so grateful for your help!

How He Proposed

Many have already heard the story, but for those who haven't, here is the proposal story, told from the bride's perspective:

When Wayne and I got back together in December, we talked about getting married soon, so I knew a proposal was coming. And when you live 500 miles apart and only see each other about once a month, it's pretty obvious when it's going to happen. I thought he was going to do it on the Saturday of his visit at the end of January. I was to pick him up from the airport Friday night after Young Adult Fellowship, and then Saturday was going to be our day to spend together. But that was just a ruse...

Even though I had told Wayne and myself that I didn't need to be surprised in order for the proposal to be special, I secretly (and guiltily) wished it could be otherwise. Little did I know that these past two weeks, Wayne had been hatching a plot with our close friends to do just that. Instead of flying in Friday night, he made the long drive down Thursday right after class. Through stormy weather and a loooong detour around the grapevine, which was closed due to snow, he arrived in socal... and his painstakingly planned proposal came into play...

It was Friday, January 25, 4pm when I was woken from my nap by a knock at the door. I expected the UPS guy, because we've been receiving a lot of packages lately, but instead, it was Tihua. "I'm here to kidnap you. We're going on a scavenger hunt."

Scavenger Hunt
The scavenger hunt consisted of clues to destinations that were significant to our relationship. At each stop waited a close friend of ours who gave me a short quiz, and if I passed, I was rewarded with a small gift and my next clue. My adventure began in Jenny's room, where there was a package waiting for me... During the 3 years I tried to tell Wayne I wasn't interested in a relationship, I used to give him the analogy that he was a raincoat, and while he was a GREAT raincoat, I was looking for a sweater. So what was in the package? A card with a note alluding to my silly analogy and a beautiful black raincoat that was so nice, I was convinced he couldn't have picked it out himself! Inside was also my first clue...

Clue #1
Clue #1 took us to Peterson Hall, where Wayne and I first met our Freshman year. There, Clark and Jenny were waiting for us with my gift (purple curtains reminiscent of the ones Wayne helped me put up in my dorm room during our first time of hanging out) and my second clue!

Clue #2
Clue #2 took us to the Grove Cafe, where Wayne and I had our first DTR at the end of our Freshman year... and where I told him "no". Tihua and I had trouble finding it, actually, because of all the construction, but finally, we found the Grove... and Leon! who gave me my gift (a book of crosswords and a package of strawberry newtons—two of my favorite things!) and my third clue!

Clue #3
Clue #3 took us to La Jolla Shores, where Wayne asked me at the end of our Junior year if I was "ready to take the next step" and enter a relationship... and where I took a whole 45 minutes to squeak out, "...okay..............." That same night, Wayne had brought two blankets—a large blanket that he thought we could huddle under together for warmth while sitting on the smaller beach towel that only allowed for close proximity. I, on the other hand, would have none of that, and to render the evening even less romantic, proceeded to lay out the large blanket to sit on at a small distance away from him and used the beach towel to cover just myself. At this stop in the scavenger hunt, John was waiting for us, and gave me my gift (my very own fleece blanket, hopefully to share this time) and my fourth clue!

Clue #4
Clue #4 took us to Coffee Bean in Clairemont, where Britney Spears first lured me with her love for their Mocha Ice Blended beverage and where Wayne and I subsequently spent hours and hours studying, talking, and building our friendship and relationship. Caleb was waiting for us with my very own mocha ice blended and my fifth clue!


Clue #5
Clue #5 took us to Seaport Village, where Wayne and I first held hands... and where I gently (I hope) told him it felt odd and took my hand away. There, waiting on the bridge over the pond, where our relationship started so awkwardly, was Wayne!!!

From the start of the scavenger hunt, I knew that it was going to culminate in a proposal, but I thought that it would happen at the airport when I picked up Wayne like I was supposed to. Tihua was REALLY good at making me believe we were still going to Young Adult, with subtle comments about picking up my car after the scavenger hunt, being late but that it was worth it, and how it was too bad I wasn't hungry for the sushi that we were having at fellowship. So when I saw Wayne, I was really surprised!

He got down on one knee... and after eight years, he finally got to ask me to marry him. And this time, without hesitation or excuses, I said, YES!

We have it all on video, too, thanks to John, who was hiding in the bushes with a video camera! It's a wonderful video of me and Wayne... and Tihua, who didn't know where to go or what to do with herself! :)


The night continued with dinner at Harbor House in Seaport Village, followed by dessert at my place. While we were at dinner, Jenny and John decorated our apartment in preparation for our arrival, so when I opened the door, I was greeted by candles, roses, and two BIG slices of Costco chocolate sheet cake (my favorite!) And the surprises kept coming—on the table along with the roses was a book that Wayne made and had printed for me that chronicled our journey through pictures and prose! We read through the book together, and as we neared the end of the story, Wayne got up and took out his guitar and played and sang Jars of Clay's "Water Under the Bridge" for me—a beautiful song that reminded him of our relationship and our commitment to stick through it and by each other until "the last drop of water flows under the bridge".

We finished off the night by heading over to Leon's house, where our friends were waiting to celebrate our new engagement! I loved how Wayne incorporated our friends into the proposal and how we were able to celebrate with those in the area right after—it is reflective of the impact our friends have had in each step of our growth, helping us arrive to where we are today individually and together... and helping us as we continue to take steps forward!

Wedding Wednesdays!

I am making it my goal to post at least once a week on Wednesdays. Why Wednesdays? Because it makes for great alliteration!

On my mind today—hair and makeup.
I've started gathering pictures of updos that I like, and have just started calling salons and individual hair/makeup artists. Having the right person to do hair and makeup is essential, because I don't want to look like this:

This also reminds me of the time I had those Asian glamour shots done while I was studying abroad in Beijing... People who saw my pictures later would say, "Oh, your pictures are so pretty; you don't look at all like yourself!" haha... thanks? That's definitely not the kind of compliment I want on my wedding day!

Where's Cecilia?

Hot Single Guys! (or Wayne's Groomsmen)

Best Man - Edmond To
Who's older, the groom or his best man? If you guessed the groom, he's flattered. But in reality, Wayne spent the first 17 years of his life following whatever his older brother did around the streets, back alleys, libraries, stores and garbage dumps around town. No man has done more to shape who Wayne is today...and Edmond probably doesn't fully know the impact he's had on his little brother. And so the biggest brother is also the bestest man.

Groomsman - Chris Leong
In the last ten years, Chris has gone from the guy that Wayne knew of as the "helmet hair" dude to one of his closest friends. Chris has been the one constant in Wayne's life from high school onwards to today, where they have shared meals, fellowship, sports, video games and faith together.

Groomsman - Kevin Lim
In 7th Grade Humanities class, there was a nasty smell emitting from the corner of the room...and Wayne suspected it was Kevin. As it turns out, it wasn't. Good thing, because otherwise, they would have missed out on the most expansive and widest range of conversation, loads of fun and games, and a lasting bond of friendship.

Groomsman - John Lin
When it comes to Wayne's endless of pursuit of Cecilia, John has been there since day one. As one of Wayne's college roommates, he's seen the worst of times, and he's seen (and videotaped) the best of times. John exemplifies the sacrificial and loyal friend. He is also Harvest Alumni Magazine's "Most Eligible Bachelor"

Groomsman - Stanley Lin
Need a violinist with concertmaster experience? Want a true guitar hero? Need to buy a rockin' good WoW character? Want to know where a Ferengi comes from? Need someone to chop up some onions and ask if you want some mushrooms? Look no further than Stanley Lin, one of Wayne's best friends since they were the two smallest boys in 7th grade.

Groomsman - Michael Ong
Michael is THE honorary member of the To family. Not only is he a good friend of each one of the To kids, Michael has had to endure living with Wayne for three years and then Edmond for the next three. He's even gone on vacation with the family! And the To parents think Michael is very "duck yee".

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

... that's what Ceci's bridesmaids are made of!

Maid of Honor - Samantha Li
When I was 4, I asked my mom and dad, God, and Santa Claus for a little brother or sister... and nine months later, Sam popped out! And she has been the best gift ever! Sam is like a burst of fire—bright, passionate, and strong, and sure to draw you in with her dynamic personality! I have also always admired her courage and boldness, especially now, as she serves in full-time ministry in the Middle East. Sam is not just my little sister, she is my best friend, and there is no one I'd rather grow old with... oh, yes—except for Wayne. :)

Bridesmaid - Stefanie Tang
Stef was one of my first friends at UCSD. We still recount that fateful night at Coti's our Freshman year... "Hi, I'm Cecilia." "I'm Stefanie." "I live at Muir." "Me, too." "I like ER." "Me, too!" "I have the Dawson's Creek soundtrack." "So do I!!!" We've been friends since. Nine years and five Rascal Flatts albums later, our instant camaraderie has matured into an invaluable friendship. Stef is still my favorite shopping buddy and fellow mattress tester. I love having her back in San Diego—especially because she laughs uncontrollably at all my jokes!

Bridesmaid - Emily To
I met Emily as "Wayne's little sister" during our Freshman year of college, and even then, I could tell that there was something different about Emily... she was quirky, and underneath that cutesy exterior was always something unexpected. :) As fate and UCSD would have it, Emily became the 4th To to attend the university, and I got to know this quirky, unexpectable Emily as also generous, thoughtful, and super creative!... and who creates scrapbook pages that make me very jealous. Emily is no longer simply "Wayne's little sister", but she has become a true friend I call my own!

Bridesmaid - Jennifer Chang
As my apartmentmate for the last three years and as one of my closest friends, Jenny has been faithfully by my side through laughter, tears, and even food poisoning. Jenny is the one who has witnessed my slow, and sometimes, reluctant growth, and whose friendship has had the largest impact on my young adult life. What I enjoy most with Jenny is sharing late night chats into the wee hours of the morning... as well as pints and pints of Ben & Jerry's!

Bridesmaid - Victoria Su
Even though Vicky and I met during VBS in 4th grade, it was silly crushes and other junior high nonsense that brought us two giggling girls together. Vicky has been my confidante through heartbreaks, personal victories, and general musings, and a co-conspirator of harmless mischief and other riff-raff. Gentle-spirited and always thoughtful, Vicky is someone I love sharing my dreams with, and is one of the few whom I always feel completely at ease around.

Bridesmaid - Jessie Ho
Another friend since junior high, Jessie is the definition of a true blue friend, and her friendship has been invaluable, especially over these last couple of years. Looking at Jessie, you would never expect that this petite, stylish, and seemingly mild-mannered young woman could probably school most of the general population in Guitar Hero and StarCraft, car knowledge, and steak preparation. Jessie is also my go-to person for make-up tips and advice!

chair today, gone tomorrow... or is it?

Wayne and I have spent the last month agonizing over which chairs to have at our wedding. Well, I have been agonizing... I think Wayne has just been mildly considering the decision while quietly laughing at me.

Our dilemma is this: our venue provides chairs for us to use at no additional cost—white, plastic chairs—and while this is financially ideal, it is aesthetically nightmarish. Not only that, the smooth back panels of the plastic chairs do not allow me to hang aisle decorations on them for the ceremony, as I had planned on doing. After some research, I have found the lowest-priced vendor whom we can rent beautiful wooden garden chairs from (I am a fan of the chairs in natural). The cost, however, is $500, which is much more than FREE.

Here is what they look like:

vs.

While some may argue that chairs are simply to sit on and after the wedding will soon be forgotten, I emphatically beg to differ. I personally believe that chairs, while not technically part of the decor, can drastically add or take away from the overall tone and ambiance of an event. Much like using real table linens and silverware (as opposed to paper tablecloths and plastic utensils) will upgrade any meal, the wooden chairs will take our celebration from backyard barbeque to rustic country wedding.

However, I am not completely lost in the throes of wedding planning. I have a (somewhat) practical side, which keeps reminding me of this unnecessary cost.

I have created a poll on the right. I would be interested in what you, our guests, have to say! Wayne's vote is for the plastic chairs, while I am rooting for the wooden ones. Help us break the tie!

P.S. For those who think I'm crazy, I am not the only bride to lose sleep over chairs. Below are a few entertaining posts by other brides caught in similar dilemmas (note that NONE of them liked the plastic chairs).

Chairs, or Could I Be Obsessing Over Anything Sillier?
A Battle I'm Just Not Willing to Fight
In Defense of the Garden Chair

Wayne's Edit:
They're chairs! That's why we spent a lot of money on a good photographer...she can make anything (including my mug) look good! (Unlike the photographer who took that picture of the white plastic one that Cecilia decided to post...not fair!). Besides, what $500 can get us...not only can we get chairs (soft plastic ones rather than rock-hard wooden ones), we can also get one of the following:

1. 500 Jr. bacon cheeseburgers
2. A top-flight A-V receiver for the living room
3. 6 Field-Club level tickets to a Giants game at Pacbell
4. A Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi DSLR (and I will take NICE pictures of those lovely white plastic chairs)
5. A 60-gig, blu-ray Playstation 3
6. Half of the nicely-equipped IBM X-61 that I've been eyeing
7. At least one share in Google
8. And while we're in a barn theme, 4 young steers (500 lbs calves) and probably a few chickens!

Go and vote! Chairs or your own little family of cows?!?!?!


a quick rebuttal from Ceci:
Hey! Who said you could crash my post!

To address 2 invalid points Wayne made—
1. I didn't TRY to find an ugly picture of the plastic chairs—this was the best I could do, probably because A. nice pictures of plastic chairs just don't exist, and B. photographers, no matter how good they are, are going to post pictures they are proud of (nice chairs) and stow away ones they are not proud of (plastic chairs).
2. The wooden chairs actually have a cushioned seat (which the plastic ones do not), so they will actually be more comfortable.

What to Wear to a Barn Wedding...

Dear Ceci Stewart,
I have been invited to a charming wedding in Livermore’s wine country and have been told by the couple (who are wonderful—especially the bride!) that it will be held at an old barn. I’m not exactly sure what to expect, and I’m definitely befuddled as to what to wear. What DOES one wear to a barn wedding?

—Fashionably-Challenged in San Diego

Dear Fashionably-Challenged,
For summer weddings and outdoor occasions, the more casual atmosphere should be reflected in your attire. “Casual”, however, should not be confused with “sloppy,” and the same care and attention given to your attire for more traditional nuptials should be applied to your friends’ special day, as well.

Women, think light summer dresses in sunny florals, fun prints, or bright colors. Make your feet smile (and dance!) in comfy wedges, espadrilles, low-heeled sandals, and flats. Make-up and jewelry may be kept at a minimum.

Men, just like the ladies, think light. This means light colors, as well as light fabrics—collared shirts with rolled up sleeves, linen, khaki, navy, and fun ties are all sure to impress. While jackets and full suits are not required, a sports coat or blazer would be dashing.

Yours truly,
Ceci Stewart


Do wear:

DO NOT wear:

Howdy!

We're getting married!!! And as of today, there are just 111 days to go before the Big Day! I can't wait! And we are SOOO excited to share our special day with all of you—our friends and family, who have been so integral in our growth and lives!

Wayne and I have created this blog for YOU! :)
We'll be updating with important information and also random, yet hopefully entertaining posts as we share our adventures of engagement and wedding planning! We would love to hear from you, too! Click on "cows mooing" at the end of each post to leave your comments!

Oh, so what's with the cows and the farm theme, you may ask? Our wedding ceremony and reception will be held at a rustic red BARN overlooking a vineyard up in Livermore Valley! I am sooo excited, since this is what I've always wanted! We've already included a couple of posts regarding pertinent event details such as appropriate barn attire and a heated debate over chairs, and will be adding more, including out-of-town accommodations and how to dance a mean electric slide.

So ya'll come back now, ya hear?