Closest friends and family know that I have a thing for details. I set some expectations not really for other people, but for me.
Guess what, I recently had an event and I was not VERY happy with my outputs. It was not within my standards.
What event was that? Sam's 1st birthday.
Well, at first I wanted to rate each supplier, but with the limited amount of time that I have to blog and the long stories I have to share, no pwede. I have to be practical. I am writing this so I can let go or release some steam off.
I am actually doing this while the kids are asleep hoping that I get to finish this before they wake up, or else, it will again become in installments. Anyway, back to my story.
There were just so many elements in that party that went wrong.
First, the cake. I already shared my story about Sam's cake and even up to now, I am frustrated about it. There are pictures to always remind me about that. Hay.
Second, the caterer. I was not really happy with the caterer. The thing was, before we left for Cebu, a week before Sam's birthday, Raquel of Tom's world was convincing me to try out their newest caterers. Not Benedict's, the one we got the chance to see and have food tasting (c/o my sister), but two new ones. I didn't close the deal yet because I wanted to see the menu first and the set up since we don't have any chances of seeing them in action beforehand. Raquel promised to email the June and pictures during the week we are in Cebue, but we got back from our week's stay and no email. Three days before the party, we went there to give additional payments and finally was able to see the set up through pictures. Raquel was really rooting for the new ones so we told her that yes, we are to choose one from the two she was suggesting, but told her, that we are relying on her on this. We didn't have the chance to taste their food so sa opinion niya kami nagre-rely na okay sila. Raquel gave us her assurance. What is wrong with Albas? Raquel mentioned that their serving was smaller now, because they had to reduce their prices. Albas does not also have 20% buffer allowance, which I found weird since I know it is an SOP with caterers. Anyways, come party time, yes, the food was enough, but was still not happy with the set up in the buffet table and the taste of the food in general. Parang cheapangga! Hay! Although the waiters were mabait, still it was not wihtin my standards.
The tarpaulin. This is actually a sensitive isuue since I asked my brothers-in-law to help me with this one. Hubby's youngest brother who works as a graphic design artist was the one in-charge with the main tarp. My other brother-in-law was in charge if tarp 2, Sam's birthday logo, which we will be using for photoshoots with guests. I was always in touch with Tarp 2 BIL, for instructions for both tarps. Initially, tarp 1 will follow the size of Liam's tarp 8 x 4 feet. But since the logo tarp will have a size of 10 x 6 feet, I asked Tarp2 BIL to relay to Tarp1 BIL to change the size of tarp 1 to 10 x 6 na rin, since it will be the main tarp. I reminded him and even asked him if tarp1 BIL already knows the change in size. Oo daw. The thing is, they are not talking directly to each other, The messages that I have for tarp1 BIL is coursed thru my parents-in-law. The result? Palpak! When we went to Tom's a few days before the party, I already got intrigued why we had 2 different sizes of tarp in the car. Good thing I checked on it when I was turning it over to Raquel. Hay, mas malaki si tarp 2 than tarp 1. Fuming mad already at that time. Hubby sensed it. He knows me. My FIL who was with us that day must have sensed it too. Alvin asked him why the size is smaller. FIL said that was the size of Liam's tarp. Hubby then asked me if his brother knew of the changes, of course I said yes, I informed them. His other brother said he was informed! Ay, nag-away kami ni Alvin that time! Buwisit na buwisit talaga ako! Of course no words came out, but our actions. Kainis!. There was no point doing it again because it was two days before the party and of course, we will just waste money. The thing was, I had to pressure na BIL tarp 1 since the first one BIL tarp1 made e safari yung theme. I have mentioned it na nga in my emails na Dora yung theme and how I wanted it to look like. If you know me, you know how I can BE SOOOO MAKULIT. Yung sfari pang boy di ba? Up until the week of the party, di ko pa nakikita yung revised theme. Pero not enough, palpak pa rin yung end result. Raquel told us na sila na lang gagawa ng paraan. Of course I did not take this sitting down. I texted BIL Tarp2, who assured me that his borther knew of the change in size. PA-guilty ba.
I begged them na ako na kang magpapa-print ng both tarps, ayaw. sila na lang daw because it wasn't ready yet when I needed it. To think I gave them the requirements MONTHS before. Nagawan sana ng paraan. At ayan, nakita ko na lang na mali yung size when my father in law picked us up that day when we are to turn over the tarps na. since family, di ko maaway ng derecho kahit gigil na gigil ka na! I asked Tom's kung pwede ipatong sa tarp nila yung main tarp. You should have seen my face on the day of the turn over! Kung hindinlang talaga family....buwiset! Lol
On the day of the party? The main tarp that was used was that of Tom's, yung generic lang. Yung main tarp, nasa wall nila sa side ng party room. And the logo tarp, not yet put up, kasi wala pang pagkakabitan. By that time by hook or by crook, Alvin made something na to make sure magamit young isang tarp. Hay.
On the day of the party, I was too tired to be mad na, kaya kahit dumating na din yung cake na palpak, sige na nga.Like during my wedding, I know not everything in the plan can be followed. Nag let go na rin ako, so I can enjoy the party.
Bottom line: mas better to pay than ask favors from family, para Kung palpak maaway ko. wehehe my BILs and I are ok ha, no fights whatsoever :)
Next, still better to get old, reliable suppliers.
It's hard to plan for a party like this whene you have a thousand and one things to do before the party. Kailangan hands on ulit ako, at ito lang young ginagawa ko. But it was hard for me since we were only on vacation and I only get to prepare for the party sa umaga before we go out again and do some other stuff--like doing errands, meeting up with friends, etc. I didn't have the luxury of time.
Am I making an excuse here? Well, I don't know. But I am the first to admit that what happened was really not within my standards.
Well, it is done. I don't know if my friends got to see the booboos and palpaks that day. I hope not! Ewan, maarte Lang siguro ako.
Ang dami pang issues hahaha, pero medyonsensitive because family ang involved -- like late comers, na pwde sana inagahan kasi tutulong sana mag set-up...mga tipong, ay why do you look so plain? Medyo magpustura naman ikaw, te hehehehe Well, family are the first to arrive and last to go, remember? wehehehe
Nag let go na ako on the day of the party. Good thing. Even if there were guests na nag-RSVP at nang Indian din, some were VERY late they skipped the entertainment and games part for the kids, we still got to celebrate and have fun. :)
If there is one good thing about it:
I think majority of the kids enjoyed the free ride-all-you can that went with the party package and the Austin playland for the little ones :) AND
Through Sam's party, we got to put a smile on the faces of 30 public school students of Nagkaisang Nayon Elememntray school for the school supplies they will be getting for Christmas (in lieu of gifts to Sam we requested guests to just bring school supplies for these kids) :)
Lessons learned :-)
Don't worry Sam, bababwi si mama on your 7th birthday! Ha!
