Vinent x Vicky

June 28, 2014:

Six days after my brother got married, my sister got married to her best friend. Really, her best friend. She's known him since i was in elementary school, that's a long time of friendship. Their wedding was definitely more extravagant than my brother's, but that has a lot to do with the fact that my sister is a wedding planner so she felt that her wedding had to have more of that "wow" factor to show her clients what she's capable of. She put a lot of hard work into her wedding, and it turned out very nicely. As a gift to her, i made her this faux six tier cake. Could have came out better, but not bad for my first try i must say.

I was part of the bridal party, so i wasn't able to take photos of the ceremony. It was outdoors like my brothers, but this time i was standing directly under the sun. The day of my sister's wedding i was running around trying to help get things done, so i didn't get a chance to eat anything the whole day except for part of a cliff bar. I ended up fainting in the middle of the ceremony. I really couldn't believe it, i felt it coming too, but didn't know what to do. Because i was standing in front of hella people at the front of the alter...after the ceremony, my brother picked me up and carried me into the fitting room. I thought that was sweet of him.

Well anyways, i regained consciousness after my mom brought me some food to eat. I couldn't enjoy the cocktail hour, which was a bummer because there was a lot of good appetizers being served. My sister had a bunch of last minute touch ups that she wanted to do before her reception started, so she wouldn't let anyone into the reception area until it was done -- life of a wedding planner that had to do her own wedding. Everyone was just crowded outside mingling and eating. I went out to try and get some more food for myself, but to no avail...it was way too crowded for my liking. Everything turned out really beautifully in the end, i wasn't able to get a good picture of the whole venue though. She always seems to out do herself somehow.

Her wedding didn't go as planned for the most part. Most of it had to do with the fact that her new husband was ridiculously drunk for practically half of it, falling all over the place. She had planned her first dance to be really fun and sweet, but due to complications of the bubble machine and a drunk husband, it failed miserably. Definitely fun to watch, and will be something to laugh at in the future. She's not too bummed out about it, but did wish that more things went according to plan. Something like that is a big deal to wedding planners. Not up to par with her standards.

I've always wanted to be part of a bridal party, but it sort of sucked to be in one. Bittersweet, i should say. I didn't really get to enjoy the wedding, because of bridesmaid duties. It was still fun, nonetheless. Made me just realize that maybe i shouldn't have invited my friends haha.



I danced the night away along side with my sister, who i never knew had moves to dance the way she did -- at her age especially. She is still so full of youth and beauty.

And this is a picture of my newly wedded siblings and i.

Wonder when it'll be my turn...

Congratulations to Vincent and Vicky

Calvin x Christine

June 22, 2014:

My brother got married on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. And i mean beautiful. The whole day was just so magnificent. I loved how down to earth their wedding was; very small and intimate. The outdoor ceremony was just breath taking. I really loved how their wedding revolved around them as a couple, being that they're both very out doors-y types of people who are very simplistic. They definitely did not go for a flashy type of wedding, and in which case "less" was really "more" from where i stood.

My brother's look on his face when he was watching Christine walk towards him down the aisle. I took a quick glance at him, and he just looked awestruck while holding back his tears. I hope someone captured that look he had.

His vows were simply amazing beyond words. I've never seen that side of him before, it was just the absolute sweetest thing i've ever heard come out of his mouth. I've always knows my brother to be some type of romantic, but he has never shown any type of public display of affection towards Christine in front of the family. They don't really even seem to be that "lovey dovey" type of couple actually. What i see when i look at them are two best friends, rather than lovers -- however, they just happened to be two best friends in love. In a more literal sense at least. His vows were so touching, he wrote up a whole page of what he wanted to say. I was sitting in the front row trying to catch my tears because i didnt want to ruin my make up; serious water works. If i didn't care about how i looked that day, i probably wouldn't had all my my make up smeared everywhere by the end of it!

The reception was beautiful as well, unfortunately i didn't get a chance to take a picture of the venue. I drank up and had a wonderful time. My father got really drunk and started dancing with the in laws.

 We danced the night away (till 10pm). My brother has gone a very long way up till this milestone in his life, and i couldn't be happier for him. I never thought this day would come, and it's finally here. It doesn't feel any different for me, because i've always just considered Christine as apart of our family. She's had enough Vietnamese food with my family during our family dinners, never understanding a word we're saying. It's about time! She's the sweetest person, and i'm glad my brother and her are together. I see my brother as a new type of man, and i respect him so much for being the man he is today.

Congratulations to Calvin and Christine :)

"For Facebook!"

Had a family dinner today at my house, because my aunt (in the red) came from Vietnam to visit. My father really enjoys it when we have family get gatherings with his friends/immediate family there. 

Well, it was really cute when she wanted to take a series of pictures (like the one shown above). She had my sister's fiancé take a bunch for her. She took out her camera from her bag and said, "for Facebook!" I'm sure she's somewhere in her fifties. She's such an active lady that is full of life. According to what i've heard about her, it seems like her life is pretty easy compared to my parents. Which could explain how she can come to America and go back to Vietnam every so often the way that she does. 

Anyways, i wish i got some of the photos that she took with her camera, but i was too shy to ask. I was actually featured in one of them. My brother (in the green) posed like that on purpose, so it isn't really candid. She told my sister (in the magenta) to hold a beer and make it look like she's having fun. Lol. 

Christmas 2012

I know it wasn't just me, but Christmas season this year, just did not feel like is was Christmas Season...it was pretty sad. Up till the very evening of my family's Christmas celebration, i was not in the spirit of the holidays at all. I kept feeling perhaps it's because i was newly single. You know, because sometimes the holiday season is something you want to enjoy with a significant other or something? Then i realized it's probably just because i'm older. Perhaps because i had no one to be excited about it with, people excited about it and to buy gifts for (other than family). I know it wasn't just me that felt that absence of Christmas though, it must be because we're older...or the economy. Well regardless, the evening was wonderful. As always, time with my family is always a lovely one. 

 Merry Christmas from my family and me. My brother didn't want to dress up, but for this picture he went to put on a nice shirt...and kept the basketball shorts. One day i'm going to scrapbook our annual Christmas family photos, and see how much we've changed. (Or even how people come and go in photos.)

 Got a cake mixxx!! So excited to use it. Well actually my sister gave it to my mother, but i feel like its a gift to my mother and i. Mostly i, because i seriously got so excited to see it. And i feel every time someone gets a great gift, we all just jump into the picture. 

I gave my sister blue pumps, can't go wrong :p

I can't remember the reason for this family photo...it's kind of blurry but i like it. Partly because i can't remember what it was taken for, and because of everyone's stance.

I hope everyone's Christmas went lovely. It's the thought that counts, remember that. And it's about spending time with family above all else. :)

♥