Back With Pics

Alrighty, I think I’m taking way too long to just post pictures. Hehe. Jason and I are both surviving married life, that’s how we both like to fondly refer our life together now. Making room for each other in one living space, rather annoyingly; stepping on each others’ toes, both literally and theoretically; understanding each others’ lingo; serving each other; making sure each other is comfortable; it’s hard work, oh yes, but I guess, we both are enjoying it to say the least, or at least we would like to believe. LOL

Anyway, I’ll just post some pictures for your viewing pleasure. I’ll start with the actual wedding morning itself, on the 17th of September 2006. Basically we had 3 major events: one was on 16th of September, where my dad called for dinner mainly for his friends and relatives, one was on the 17th morning when the groom and his party came to the bride’s house to fetch the bride, and that’s where the groom “paid” some prices to “earn” the bride, and one is of course, on the 17th afternoon, where we had our wedding ceremony at the hotel followed by the reception.

We’ll share the pictures, and later do a review on our suppliers. I hope they’ll be helpful to you if you ever need it. Again, we had the most beautiful wedding and a great time, thanks to all of you who helped made it happened for us. Thank you y’all!

Quickie

Just a quick note of hullo buhbye :) We are back from our honeymoon and the whole crazy weekend wedding celeberation! We are so touched with all your kind gestures and presence, really, what else can we ask for? Anyway, I'm so out of internet connection living in my now new home in Bangi. I'll try to get on the net soonest to post pictures and updates. Do send us the pictures you captured on our wedding day, should you have any, for our compilation and developing. Man, I'm so deprived of the net! Alright, I gotta get moving. So keep in touch y'all! Hugs and muaks!

We Are This Close

Last week Wednesday was my last in the office. Yup, I’ve resigned. Tendered 2 months notice, in a blink of an eye, it was time to say good bye (hey it rhymes!). I was totally busy off my head packing and handing over my jobs to my colleagues that I didn’t have time to be happy or sad over the whole “it’s my last day!” sentiment; until by 6pm, after much packing and running around, it dawned on me that, “hey, seriously, this cubicle is no longer yours, there’ll be no more laughing over stupid things with your colleagues-now-turned-really-cool-friends, no more lunch breaks with them, no more petty talks over coffee breaks, no more chatting in the wash room, no more crying in the toilet cubicles…” wow… and then I felt tears trickling down, I had to hold back, silly bambi!

I never expected to be this… gray over resigning. I mean this has been what I wanted all the while but then when the time came to leave, I couldn’t do it! Super duh! Haha.

Anyway! Another heart attack is this: my wedding is next weekend! (like, it's news to you. hehe) This gory truth always makes me want to stick two chopsticks up my nostrils and bend them around up the eyes and stick ‘em back down from the top of the brain all the way down to the liver, you know, just to make sure, I’m not dreaming. It is that… surreal! Like heck, I should have another half a year, where has all the time gone to?! Gahhh!!!!

The “MRS degree”. The new chapter to come… in a week’s time. Someone pass me the chopsticks please.

So yeah, anyway, 1 week has gone by since my last day at work, and in a way, I’m glad to have more time at hand to get things done. I’ve sent out my invitation cards, I’ve, more or less, secured a make up artist (yay!!!) and I’ll get my trial this Saturday evening, just in time for my hen’s night! (so money won’t go a-waste!), I’ve gone for a facial this morning, and a second one to come next week on Thursday. Oh remember the veil? The one that my friends bought for me, and I dreamed that it wasn’t dry cleaned on my wedding day? Well, I sent to the dobby on Monday! *beams*

I also went for my dress fitting last Sunday, and the horror when I saw my wedding gown for the first time after 6 months, instead of falling in love all over again, I just felt that wasn’t the dress I chose 6 months ago! And the girl insisted it was my choice. But it’s a slight sweetheart cut! Mine was an empire cut! Due to it wasn’t in my size and one of the bra cups was out, I couldn’t feel anything bridal about it but I do looked the part of a swollen prego woman. Oh man!!!!

And the unhelpfulness of that snobbish looking sales girl made the whole experience even worse. I don’t like shopping for bridal gowns in Malaysia! Before you sign up their services, they are all sunshine and rainbows, but after you do! Hoho, say adios to your money and wedding dreams and hello to rotten cheese! (Uhm, actually, I have no idea why rotten cheese, but just for the effect lah)

So anyway, I went back there again yesterday, and took my longest time to search for *that* perfect gown. I couldn’t find it (that’s because its non-existent, according to those money suckers) but thankfully, the girl’s attitude was not as bad as before on that day. So I was able to make my decisions without being rushed and forced. I just hope when I go back for my final fitting next week, I’ll taste the “sweetness of falling in love again”, as how other brides would describe when they see their dresses. Hehe.

Oh and we bought the lo…. Uhm, favors! We bought our favors!!!! I’m so excited!!!!! And Jason found his perfectest pair of shoes!!!! And we’ve got our birdcage!

Oh boy, it’s a crazy ride, this whole wedding preparation! One year’s work just for one day’s event. I think crazy is really an understatement! But I thank God to be able to experience all these things with my loved ones and friends. As how Jason would put it, all the craziness, the irritations, the arguments, definitely are bringing all of us much closer! :)

What about you? How’ve your week been?

Pictured Week In Progress

The hands at work... kung-fu style












The cheap, but hard working labour...













No prize for guessing who's being non-productive...














The results... I think the satiny ribbons are gorgeous!
























The brains behind the genius production...

Point Of No Return

Our invitations are ready, and I’m very nervous how they turned out. Jason has gone back to Melaka to pick them up from the printer, and it took him some time to “like” it, but then again, we have different tastes.

The thing is, one of Jason’s friend helped printed the cards at an unimaginable low price and we are grateful for that (he even printed 50 pieces extra for us!); on the other hand, due to the cost and distance, the printer said mocking up a sample was not feasible and hence, the template was sent to print without us exactly knowing how it’ll turn out physically. I guess one really can’t have it all!

In any case, 50 cards had been given out to Jason’s family (before the bride gets to stamp approval, haiks). Fingers crossed I won’t faint when I see him (he had a hair cut AND color) AND the cards this evening! (and you asked me why I gain the title “*Sapede Queen” instead of weight? )

My brain is in full force now on how to dress up the plain (white) envelope that came together with the cards. Not easy being a bride, I tell you! Nah uhn! :p

On a very different note, guess what? I’m invited to a hens’ night.

MY.HENS.NIGHT.

I’m really excited about it! (Do I look the part?!) More like a nervous excited! My “lovely” colleagues, who are more excited thab me, are organizing one for me, and all I know is that this is happening on the 9th of September. I’m practicing my “Go Invisible” trick now. As soon as I know the (hidden) agenda, I’ll put the trick to good use!

Now who says watching David Copperfield is lame?

*Sapede – tamil for eating

Sure Onot?

That’s it! We are exactly 1 month before the big day comes! Loads of butterflies in tummy. Argh. OK, this is really embarrassing, but I had to share this because it’s the cutest thing!

So a few nights back, my system shut down and I had a nervous breakdown, enough said. So along came Polly, studied me for awhile by tilting her little goofy, furry head, and up she jumped to the bed, and started licking me as if she understood and that she’s consoling me. Man, ain’t she the sweetest, cutest, sweetest thing?! How I wish she can come with me after the wedding. She can’t even come to my wedding because the hotel doesn’t allow animals in their premise!

Anyway, we sent in our registration form last night to the church. 3 days before our wedding we’ll have our fate sealed with a felt tip pen and voilà! Un homme, une femme, une vie! Let the game begins!

Positive Updates

It has been a long but exciting week! Things are moving really fast, finally, and the pressures are easing off pretty quickly too! Thank God!

Invitations are expected to be ready this mid week. But we are beginning our second round of pre-invitation-RSVP. So do drop us a note at jasonaish@yahoo.com or give us a buzz to confirm your attendance if you’re interested :)

We’ve wasted 2 days of our time in running around JPN PJ/Putrajaya to get our info on Mykad updated (that’s another pain-induced story altogether!), so now what’s left is to get ready to submit our marriage registration form.

On Wednesday we met Kelly and briefed her about our wedding and the areas we would like her to look into… that’s basically everything! Hehe oops!

On Thursday we met Sis Mary Anne and Nancy from our cell group, they and the rest of our cell group members will be our ushers on the day (together with Jason’s ex-cell group members back in Melaka, and a few of our colleagues).

Friday we met Bro. Lam during home life and got him to assist in arranging transport for the Subang church members. And confirmed with my colleagues to do, get this... a Bhangra dance presentation during reception! LOL so cool!!! Chong, you are so in!!! No running away!!!!

Saturday we brought our friends, Lyn and Jamie to our wedding venue, and brainstormed on the deco and setting; had a scrumptious buffet lunch and loads of laughing; and then met the favor lady (she’s really nice!), and a sample is expected to be ready this Tuesday or Wednesday. At night we went to my dad’s place, and had Jason’s measurement taken to tailor make his suits. Dad is also in the midst of making his own suit. It is all very exciting! Hehe! Now we gotta thing of something for my mom and my grandmas. (If you gentlemen want to tailor make any suits or shirts or pants, my dad is a terrific tailor! OK, I know I'm pretty shameless when it comes to advertising my dad, heck I love him! :)

Sunday we shopped for our rings and found a couple reasonably priced rings because they are on sale! (Don’t you just love sales?!) We “booked” ourselves a lovely mini birdcage from a stall selling knick knacks. The owners were very reluctant to sell us the cage because it’s their display item, but then later they were saying they have this other same new one at home, we’ll have to pay for it. Jason was the sweetest groom to name a willing price and decided to get it because the bride is sooo interested in the cage (I know! Really doh of me!)! Anyway, we’ll have to call them back 2 weeks later to declare ownership (We still have time to regret). The cage will be used in replacement of a ring pillow :)

Oh, we’ve got ourselves a wonderful guitarist too! Jared will be playing at our wedding and we now have a complete, talented, and smart looking band. I can’t wait to see them on stage!

And On Sunday itself too, we’ve sent in a chosen song to our bridal shop for the VCD slide show which they’ll make for us, and decided on the color of the ribbons/deco used for our handsome car – a spanking gorgeous black Nissan Murano! (I can’t stop bragging about it!!!!!! hahahahahaahhaha) Now since Jason is going to wear tailor made suits by my dad, we have to decide to exchange his groom’s suit from the bridal shop with something else. Any suggestions what items we can suck from this money minded people? :p

Anyway, I really like how things are moving now. We are looking forward to accomplishing more things this week!

When The Opposite Plans

I was soaking up this funny topic off a bridal related forum on the topic of “What if your future husband planned the whole wedding?” I gave it a serious thought, and this is what I came up with.

If my future husband planned the whole wedding, it would be held in his home church located on the first floor of a row of shop lot (uhm hmm). It would be done in a very traditional way. Bridal march on piano, flower girls, ball gown and tuxedo; all the male attendants will be in black jacket and be equipped with Playboy black sun shades, they will have to look mafia because only then the word “cool” is defined.

Now the bride must have the veil covering her face to signify the pureness of a virgin; her ball gown is obligated to have a long train, and her hair mustn’t be side swept with flat bangs. He says it's too "chinese" (uh ok)

The music selection should include the likes of Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Air Supply, Diana Ross, Phil Colin, Michael Learns To Rock, etc. Not that they are terrible, no, I love them all, but they are just a little too sappy for my taste.

The reception venue would either be in the large backyard of his friend’s house or church’s fellowship hall, and it’ll be pot luck. The food selection will be Asian, with unlimited supply of rice, of course :)

The invitation cards and program sheets will be bought off the book shops’ racks. (Do I hear an eek from you girls now? haha :) They should also bear gold or silver lettering with bells and doves embellishing the card (a double eek perhaps? hehe)

Oh boy, it’s funny we both are so opposite of each other (opposite attracts?!). He’s totally a traditional dude while I, I’m such a casual, laid back dudette. He obsesses about making lists which, I have to agree, is really useful to help you in remembering things and getting them done; while I go by memory (and blonde moments happen all the time!). He’s the brain while I’m the heart!

As much as guys have the same way of thinking as far as how a wedding should be is concerned, I’m so glad he’s not the type who wants to football-ize the whole thing!!! Gah! I’ve read about guys idea of getting married is to “elope”, during “half time of a Man U and Arsenal game”, in “Hooter’s bar with greasy chicken wings and beers”, or worse, to “have Carmen Electra as the officiant” (?!)

Anyway! What about you? How will it be if your future husband planned the whole wedding? Or if you are the guy, how would your wedding be if you were to plan it?

Picking Up From Where We Left

Praise the Lord! Finally we’ve booked our honeymoon package, with Air Asia, and a hundred dollars cheaper compare with the earlier quoted price! How exciting is that huh huh huh? :)

We’ll be going to Phuket for a week right after the wedding day. Sun, sand, sea, and me!!!! Whoo hoo!!!! :D

I’ve also received the 1st draft from our printer, there were a few things to look into though, really hope we can have all things finalized before Friday, so that the invites can go straight for printing!

Our marriage registration form has been affirmed by the commissioner for oaths, and then we found another mistake: that the address column should match the one stated on the IC. Great. But no matter, a call to the church, the ever so helpful pastor advised that we should make a trip down to JPN to amend our IC, because besides the address problem, there’s a bit of a mistake in our religion status too. So, I guess the trip is imminent to avoid any more problems that we are foreseeing to happen during the registration.

Although with Jason’s “commando management” approach, a lot more things are being done up positively, but at the same time, he’s getting a little too stressed out due to work overload, wedding preparations, lots of late nights because of our distance, and nursing a flu :( Do remember him in your prayer please…

Well last night was, I would say a breakthrough; both of us chatted with my dad till 1-ish in the AM. Gah! I’m actually spacing out every other minute now. Anyway, we were able to communicate positively with him though at one point the conversation was quite heated, but after the air was cleared, it went rather smooth there on, even enjoyable, I’d say! Learning to communicate with my parents is going to be a life long process because our family are not the mushy-wooshy sort from the beginning of time. So I guess this first major event (i.e. the wedding & a non-chinese newbie in the family) happening in the family is going to give all of us loads to learn and experience! Praise God!

Alright, seriously, my mind are not focusing here, I’m gonna need to go to the washroom for a nap. I mean, wash my face. Later!

Relationships Manager

It's a little long but worth the time reading it. Some of you might know this already; but it’s a good read and we can always use a little reminder as far as managing relationship with our own partner is concerned. And for the singles, read this up and have your criteria in looking for a partner set straight before getting yourself entangled in unwanted and emotionally draining relationships.

With the divorce rate over 50 percent, too many are apparently making a serious
mistake in deciding who to spend the rest of their life with. To avoid becoming
a "statistic", try to internalize these 10 insights.

No.1 You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change after you're married.

The classic mistake. Never marry potential. The golden rule is, if you can't be happy with the person the way he or she is now, don't get married. As a colleague of mine so wisely put it, "You actually can expect people to change after their married... for the worst!" So when it comes to the other person's spirituality, character, personal hygiene, communication skills, and personal habits, make sure you can live with these as they are now.

No.2 You pick the wrong person because you focus more on chemistry than on character.

Chemistry ignites the fire, but good character keeps it burning. Beware of the "I'm in love" syndrome. "I'm in love" often means, "I'm in lust." Attraction is there, but have you carefully checked out this person's character? Here are four character traits to definitely check for: Humility: Does this person believe that "doing the right thing" is more important than personal comfort? Do I want to be more like this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or her? Kindness: Does this person enjoy giving pleasure to other people? How does s/he treat people s/he doesn't have to be nice to? Does s/he do volunteer work? Give charity? Responsibility: Can I depend on this person to do what s/he says s/he's going to do? Happiness: Does this person like himself? Does s/he enjoy life? Is s/he emotionally stable? Ask yourself: Do I want to be more like this person? Do I want to have a child with this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or her?

No.3 You pick the wrong person because one doesn't understand what the other needs most.

Men and women have unique emotional needs. Couples need to give consistent, quality attention to each other. Men are goal-oriented, especially when it comes to this area. As a woman once pointed out, "Men have two speeds: on and off". Women are experience-oriented. When both the woman and the man are able to accommodate and understand each other’s needs, they will discover what makes her/his spouse happy.

No.4 You choose the wrong person because you do not share a common life goals and priorities.

There are three basic ways we connect with another person: 1. chemistry and compatibility 2. share common interests 3. share common life goals.

Make sure you share the deeper level of connection that sharing life goals provide. After marriage, the two of you will either grow together or grow apart. To avoid growing apart, you must figure out what you're "living for", while you're single - and then find someone who has come to the same conclusion as you. This is the true definition of a " soul mate". A soul mate is a goal mate - two people who ultimately share the same understanding of life's purpose and therefore share the same priorities, values and goals.

No.5 You choose the wrong person because you get involved sexually too quickly.

Sexual involvement before the commitment of marriage can be a big problem because it often precludes a fully honest exploration of important issues. Sexual involvement tends to cloud one's mind. And a clouded mind is not inclined to make good decisions. Of all the studies done on divorce, sexual incompatibility is never cited as a main factor. It is not necessary to take a "test drive" in order to find out if a couple is sexually compatible. If you do your homework and make sure you are intellectually and emotionally compatible, you don't have to worry about sexual compatibility. Of all the studies done on divorce, sexual incompatibility is never cited as a main reason why people divorce.

No.6 You pick the wrong person because you do not have a deeper emotional connection with this person.

To evaluate whether you have a deeper emotional connection or not, ask: "Do I respect and admire this person?" This does not mean, "Am I impressed by this person?" We are impressed by a Mercedes. We do not respect someone because they own a Mercedes. You should be impressed by qualities of creativity, loyalty, determination, etc. Also ask: "Do I trust this person?" This also means, "Is he/she emotionally stable? Do I feel I can rely on him/her?

No.7 You pick the wrong person because you choose someone with whom you don't feel emotionally safe.

Ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel calm, peaceful and relaxed with this person? Can I fully be myself and express myself with this person? Does this person make me feel good about myself? Do you have a really close friend who does make you feel this way? Make sure the person you marry makes you feel the same way! Are you afraid of this person in any way? You should not feel you need to monitor what you say because you are afraid of how the other person will view it. If you're afraid to express your feelings and opinions openly, there's a problem with the relationship. Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. Another aspect of feeling safe is that you don't feel the other person is trying to control you. Controlling behaviors are a sign of an abusive person. Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. There's a big difference between "controlling" and "making suggestions." A suggestion is made for your benefit; a control statement is made for their benefit.

No.8 You pick the wrong person because you don't put everything on the table.

Anything that bothers you about the relationship must be brought up for discussion. Bringing up the uncomfortable stuff is the only way to evaluate how well the two of you communicate, negotiate, and work together. Over the course of a lifetime, difficulties will inevitably arise. You need to know now, before making a commitment: Can you resolve your differences and find compromises that work for both of you? Never be afraid to let the person know what bothers you. This is also a way for you to test how vulnerable you can be with this person. If you can't be vulnerable, then you can't be intimate. The two go hand in hand.

No.9 You pick the wrong person because you use the relationship to escape from personal problems and unhappiness.

If you are unhappy and single, you'll probably be unhappy and married, too. Marriage does not fix personal, psychological and emotional problems. If anything, marriage will exacerbate them. If you are not happy with yourself and your life, take responsibility to fix it now while you are single. You'll feel better, and your future spouse will thank you.

No.10 You pick the wrong person because he/she is involved in a triangle.

To be "triangulated" means a person is emotionally dependent on someone or something else while trying to develop another relationship. A person who hasn't separated from his or her parents is the classic example of triangulation. People can also be triangulated with things as well, such as work, drugs, Internet, hobbies, sports or money. Be careful that you and your partner are free of triangles. The person caught in the triangle cannot be fully emotionally available to you. You will not be their number one priority. And that's no basis for a marriage.

Buckling Up

The pressure is brewing at this point of wedding preparations. I’ve been getting more nightmares and it’s totally draining. So many what ifs of all sorts of situations, it’s really driving us mad! What more when you have an extreme perfectionist in the team (oops, not me! :x hehe)

The invitation template has been sent to the printer and we couldn’t get him on the phone the whole of the weekend! Argh! But he did promise to have the artwork done up by this Thursday and will have it couriered to us. So I’m foreseeing to send out the invitations by mid August, and email the soft copy to overseas friends. That will leave the guests with exactly 1 month to decide their attendance, and they can all RSVP by phone or email.

*yeah, I know, the invites should be out way long ago, but play along with me, will ya? You see, if I sent them out earlier you guys would actually misplace the darn card, right?! Right?! I know I’m right*

We’ll be working out the name lists concurrently, so at the end of it (I’d say this week), we’ll have a concrete number to advise the printer and the hotel, and we can decide how many buses to book for Melaka guests, and whether or not we need to arrange transports for guests from our Subang church.

At the same time, I’ll need to fine tune writing our vows, and come out with more thank you/ name cards for favors. Call up suppliers for favors. Call Kelly, my last-minute-much-needed coordinator. I’m touched, Kelly, thanks for your willingness to help!

And our friend is helping us in getting our marriage registration form endorsed by the commissioner of oath, which we can have it back by this evening and have it sent to church for processing.

Oh, I’ll need to start designing the layout of our programs too! And finish up the photo presentation for reception, start making petal toss cones, and… eek! Book honeymoon.

Whoo hoo! Don't cha love roller coaster rides?! Ha! It can't get any crazier than this.

* * *
Edit
* * *

OK, our to-be-endorsed marriage registration form is a no go, because Jason and I didn’t sign the form! Dang! And apparently, the officer wasn’t too pleased with the hiccup.

Ah well. Mistakes happen. It’s fine. We’ll take it back from our friend tonight and we’ll find our own commissioner of oath. I think they are a dime a dozen… I mean, we can just walk in wherever there’s one, right? It’s just a chop sign for goodness’s sake!

Note to ourselves, in times like this, BREATH. It’s not that bad, really. We’ll pull this through, dear. Let’s do it ourselves, and with a smile for that matter. A Big one!

Oh, here’s something to smile about. I just called the favor supplier, I think we are getting quite a good price, and we’ll go and view the samples this weekend. I just hope the supplier has the shape that I want!

*If I’m not being obvious enough for you to notice, yes, I’m not letting you know what favor is that! Bleeuuhhhh* :)

I Heart NY

When I say I like New York, this is what I meant:



Weddingbee featured this sweet dress, Rita, which I totally, totally adore! If the train is altered out, I believe it makes a beautiful evening gown for all functions.

Gone & Back

I’m back! Singapore was great! JB was greater! I spent my whole time sleeping! LOL Hey, it rained everyday, and suddenly shopping didn’t sound too appealing with the traffic and crowds everywhere.

I had hearty breakfast everyday, like, really hearty! Which lasted me the whole day, I can go without lunches and dinners! That’s how “hearty” it was :) And then, I’d do some walking and shopping around town, and then head back to the hotel and SLEEP! It was GRR-EAT, uhm hmm!

And then, there were a few surprises in between thrown in by Jason, you know, just to spruce up my stay with the Hyatt Regency. Cough*brag*cough. Hehe. I mean, he was sweet. He’d sent mini fruit tarts and chocolate croissants to me in between breaks, and got someone to send me this gigantic fruit tart at the end! I was stuffed! I mean, of course I was touched but I was so stuffed, I swear I’ve gained 5 kilos more. Dear, is postponing D Day an option? :)

We visited Singapore and we were… uh, mainly me lah, so excited to be on the island. It’s been ages since the last. I called Stew and wow, long time neber hear your voice lah! Hiak hiak!

It was all cool! Orchard Road was cool too, too many cool clothing which I cannot afford. So, it’s cool that I didn’t spend money!

En route back home, we dropped by at Melaka, and went to the printers our dear friend, Cath, recommended (Uh… yeah, we haven't print our invitations yet. Hehe Oops…). Apparently one of the printers happened to be Jason’s old church friend, and thank God, he’s quoting us good prices. I think we might head back to Melaka again this weekend to finalize the artwork.

Well, in any case, no worries, I’m sure you guys will definitely receive the card before the wedding day comes, and then goes. :D

Bare Necessity

We were at The Curve on Saturday night, and the minute we came up from the basement parking lot, we both set our eyes on a few pieces of evening gowns in flirty fabrics. They are perfect for our bridesmaids! I picked 1 halter in pastel butter and aqua green, one baby doll in aqua green. The halter one resembles the pic on the right to which you can dress it up or down, extremely versatile! I’m going to steal it from my sis after the wedding for my honeymoon! Hehe As usual, Jason took up the role as negotiator and we got 2 pieces in a very, very reasonable price *I’m proud of you dear*

So, bridesmaids’ dresses, check! Getting these dresses made me feel as though I've accomplished a heck lot! Hohohoho!

And then over at Ikea, 2 queen size bed frames for $245 each, one wrought iron bed frame for $499. I kinda like the iron one; it conjures up a very romantic setting for a room. Alas, it’s not Jason’s taste. But I like! I like! I like! Besides, I do actually think the prices are pretty reasonable, no?

Currently our apartment is bare, like seriously B.A.R.E! Hehe. We thought since we’re going to be staying here only temporarily, like for a year, we’ll keep the furniture to its simplest form. Thus, furnishing the master bed room is the only project we have in hand.

I’ll be off to JB and Singapore this coming end of week! Uhha! I do really need a little time off, too much of reality, i.e. current office job, really drain you off. I’ve been reading so much about the variety of good food in Singapore and the SALE! Oorgh, I can’t wait! I can’t wait! I can’t wait!

Free, Fun, Talent Noon!

We had a photo shoot yesterday afternoon at the studio for yet another ad for our company. We had so much fun! Like, shhhooo much! :)

It was one of those moments where our marketing colleague came in from a meeting and went like, “hey leishia, steph, we’re going for a photo shoot later, and we’ll have lunch there” to which we both went like, “oh ok, let’s go”. And automatically we started packing our stuff and got moving. Uhm hmm, we were THAT professional hehe. Oh, and this “Leishia, bring along your Domino’s coupons, we’re buying you guys pizza.” Yeah, sure, free talent, and lunch off my coupons. LOL

One colleague were to be the father, another one a mother, and steph and I to be the children. We kept making fun of everything but the father was a weenie bit uptight, so we kept mocking him. Steph was particularly mischievous and funny. We laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed till the cows came home!

Oh boy, I did really have that much fun and laughs. When the ads are out and if I do look ok in there (read: child role in the form of an auntie/maid), I’ll post the pics. Hehe.

Oh you know what?! I’ve become one of those brides where they get nightmares about her wedding! I dreamt that suddenly it’s September 17th, and it seemed everyone (as in my mom and I) just realized its 17th! And horror of all horrors, I didn’t have a make up and hair artist! So I kept calling Judy, our bridal shop assistant, to ask for help, but she said she’s not free. So I put down the phone, just when I did so, I also realized, dramatically no less, that the veil given by my colleague wasn’t sent for dry cleaning yet! I panicked and I fell off the bed.

No lah, I didn’t fall off the bed, but I did panic and woke up. There you have it, the first manifestation of wedding stress. Haiks.

But I guess it’s quite normal, because almost all of the brides I met seem to be having one level of stress or another. Even Jason gets this sort of dreams! So bring it on! September 17th! Hah!

Letter Box

Here, you can find me here: leishia26 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Quoted

A peep into John M Gottman’s The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work (taken from my favorite website):

What can make a marriage work is surprisingly simple. Happily married couples aren’t smarter, richer, or more psychologically astute than others. But in their day to-day lives, they have hit upon a dynamic that keeps their negative thoughts and feelings about each other (which all couples have) from overwhelming their positive ones.

Couples simply have different styles of conflict. Some avoid fights at all costs, some fight a lot, and some are able to “talk out” their differences and find a compromise without ever raising their voices. No one style is necessarily better than the other- as long as the style works for both people. Couples can run into trouble if one partner
always wants to talk about the conflict while the other just wants to watch the playoffs.

… one of the most surprising truths about marriage: Most marital arguments cannot be resolved.

The key to reviving or divorce-proofing a relationship is not in how you handle disagreements but in how you are with each other when you’re not fighting. So although my Seven Principles will also guide you in coping with conflict, the foundations of my approach is to strengthen the friendship that is at the heart of any marriage.

Bad Shaped Skirt & Talking Orang Hutan

I went for my lengha fitting last night, and boy was it disappointing. The skirt was out of shape with the fabric hugging my hip and the waist, oversized. What I wanted was a simple rest-below-belly gypsy sort of flare skirt.

It didn’t feel right, heck, it didn’t look right to begin with! :(

The tailor was on leave, the lady boss wasn’t around. So we called her up and expressed our disappointment. She asked us to return to her shop for a second fitting today and assured to rectify the wrongs. You better be right!

Fingers crossed and double crossed they’ll be room for alteration. From what it seems, there’s not much fabric left at the seams for altering work. Man, we paid so much for that! Gah!!!

On a different note, Jason was back from his work trip to East Malaysia! I was presented with a basket full of random goodies last night (each with a story of its own!)! Yay! I know, I should be snapping pictures but the batteries died on me, so… heh :)

I’ve got a pair of wrap around pants, 4 mini bottles of sold-in-Sarawak-only sodas in different flavors, a pair of pearls earrings, 2 cookies & 1 chocolate (which he gotten on board and wanted to eat but kept for me instead! Awww), and a cutesy orang hutan soft toy which giggles “I Love Yous” when you press her belly! It was cuteness overload! And I did something that I swore I would never do 5 years ago: hang the monkey in my car’s back seat! Guilty! :)

Heartache

Dear all,

It is official, though I’m not giving up as yet, that all my email boxes are (almost) defunct. Irretrievable. Ever since the other day I mass-sent out our save-the-date email, I couldn’t log in anymore till today. Heck, I even typed and compiled A.L.L the email addresses ONE by ONE a day before. It must be a conspired sabotage! It must be!!! @#$$%%#$ >:(

To those who replied to our save-the-date mail to congratulate and to wish us well, my zillions apologies. You have no idea how eager I am to receive those email from you guys!

I’ll get a new email addy soon. Do drop me a line along with your email add so that I can keep you in my mailing list. Thanks so much!

Brewing Point

Thanks to Cath, we’ve gotten some quotations from the printers and busses for out of town guests. I’m seeing some light here.

We’ve also contacted a few travel agencies for travel packages. Oh did I mention? Air Asia’s goHoliday packages that we were so excited about couple of weeks ago? Yeah, we couldn’t, for the life of us, make any bookings through their website; so we emailed them stating our problem with our booking, but an automated email was all we got insisting it’s our credit card’s fault with no follow up whatsoever. So much for “now, everyone can fly”!

And the lengha lady called up and told us my lengha shall be ready by end of this week. Oh boy, the end of the tunnel is getting reeeally near!

Well I’m leaving you with some eye candies to feast on (I'm diggin the first, second, and fourth gown!!!)...

Missing Link

I did it again.

I think I forgot my password to my email. But then how can you forget something when you know you remembered it? It doesn't make sense!

It’s just so scary. You wake up one day, happily trolling along, and the next thing you know, one part of your memory, liken to a piece of puzzle, apparently is lost! Just like that! Irretrievable. All you get from yahoo is, “your ID and password is invalid”. No matter how you beg them, they just refused to let you through.

What if another day, I wake up to another piece of lost puzzle? Or the whole set of it?! Is that all to me?

Urgh, I’m so trembling with anger and confusion now!

But if I make myself distracted with, oh I don’t know, say, food, shopping, and dogs, I do see a lighter note to my weekend.

My weekend was spent in Melaka. My husband-to-be’s hometown. Gee, that sure gives a weird ring to it… Anyway, he brought me back to his old church, and met up people from his past. It was all good and funny. After the service, we went for Cendol with Cath, her husband; Rach, their daughter, and Mr. Poo, the funny bone of the group.

The small cendol stall was manned by this petite aunty alone, and it seems the stall’s always full house. The minute we hit the place, Cath’s husband and Mr. Poo started to help the aunty in making the cendols for us, and for the rest of the customers! It was ticklish to see them getting all serious in mixing just the right bowl of cendol for the thirsty visitors. Mid way, the petite aunty asked us to look after the stall, because Cath’s husband was going to fetch her to get more cendol. Like, huh? I tell you, it was funny!

So with that, production line was stopped temporarily, with Mr. Poo washing the bowls and Jason cleaning the tables and arranging the chairs, while Cath repeats to customers who streamed in to wait while aunty resumes her business later, and to take a seat first.

It poured in the morning just before, but there at that moment, the stall was beaming in warmth, seeing how much of trust the aunty bestowed upon her customers to help themselves with her food stocks, leaving the cash box behind when she stepped out; and the customers were so patient in waiting for their creamy, cold bowl of cendol; no complains, no frowns. They even helped aunty to make the cendols for other customers! I was loving my moment there yesterday afternoon.

To make my day even warmer, the gang volunteered assistance for our wedding planning without hesitation, something we really appreciate. For the past 1 to 2 years through out our planning, we were all by ourselves in everything. We are truly blessed whenever friends came by and offer help and actually mean it.

So now, we have a few things off our mind, thank God! Cath is helping us to contact printers for our invitations, and also sourcing for buses to charter our Malaccan guests to the hotel on the wedding day. Jason and I’ve also been desiring to make a simple cross to be placed behind the pulpit in the hotel’s glassed foyer for the longest time, and you guessed it, the 2 guys were actually saying it’s feasible to make one! Ecstatic is an understatement!

So there you have my blessed weekend! And yeah, back to cracking my brain to dig out the password. I know it’s there, somewhere!

P/S: a while ago I blogged about this little dog who’s up for adoption, well, thank God, we found him a home. My dad’s staff is actually interested in adopting him. I was so happy! We brought the dog back yesterday from Malacca. He’s just simply a sweetheart! I really hope he’ll have a wonderful owner to call master!

STD!

We came up with this simple save-the-date wallpaper for our guests. As I don’t have soft copies of our bridal pictures, so I scanned the pic and added wording over it with Arcsoft Photo Studio 2000. It doesn’t look too refine, but oh well, we’ve gotten the message through. Heh!

My Weekend Was Awesome Because...

I had my ears pierced!!!

Argghh! Never mind I’m still walking like a robot, so afraid to move my head one bit lest I inflict more pain on my thick earlobes, earrings are now officially an obligated piece in my wardrobe!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I got my cheongsam!!! Never mind it’s not really a cheongsam, rather just a wannabe. But bottom line is, I exchanged one of my evening gown with a 2 piece cheongsam-collared gown with the bridal shop, hence saving me big bucks if I were to buy it or even tailor make it! PLUS, I look great in it!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I also got my lengha!!! Never mind it’s not a traditional full, heavy, expensive lengha. On the contrary, the skirt is flowy and simply grand with all the blings. And it comes in the color of my choice: greenish aquamarine blue! The gown was left at the shop for alteration. The strap of the top is to be cut off, making it a one shoulder, asymmetrical piece. Jason has given a very tasteful suggestion as far as fashion is concerned! That is to have the back tailored bare, and have the piece pulled back with a string. And yes, we are going with that idea. AND, I look great in it too!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And finally, I got my curls chopped off!!! Never mind I’m no longer sexily curly; I’m walking with one lighter head on my shoulder, thus making my robotic walk to cope with the thick, pierced earlobes much easier. I’m planning to straighten it after the wedding! In fact, I look much younger now!!! HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHA

Oooh, la vida e dolce!

It's All In Order

I received an email in my mailbox yesterday, and was I touched! It reminded me how faithful God is, and how magnificent He is.

At many stages of our wedding planning, Jason and I got very frustrated. We’d have our individuals opinions and tastes, we’d argued, we’d pull our long faces, we’d cry… ok, I’d cry, and hence winning the crown of being a bridezilla hands down, but anyway! It’s just, difficult! Planning a solo wedding is easy, but planning a wedding with and for so many other people spells disaster louder than anything else. OK, I think I’m over exaggerating here. Heh. Anyway!

So two nights ago, our appointed coordinator dropped us a bomb, saying he might be posted overseas in September and that he might not be able to join the wedding. We were freaking out silently.

Yesterday, Jason was on leave, and he went over to our wedding venue: Equatorial, to run things over with the new sales rep as the earlier girl who handles us has resigned, which to us, was another bomb.

With the previous girl, we had to bargain, we had to argue, we had to be stern, we had to press, to the extent I refused to join the meetings with her and let Jason be the middle man and do all the bargaining. But with this lady, who’s in the business for the past 4 years, she’s speaking on our behalf, as a consumer who’s going to put the kachings into the vendors' pockets! She’s getting us all the things that the previous girl refused to give into. She’s even giving us the chocolate pudding that I requested instead of rice pudding! Yay! I can’t wait to meet her to get down with all the details!

I know it’s petty; but do you know how important it is to have total control over all the decisions, just to make sure every thing runs perfectly, and every one would have a good time to remember by? All these little, little things add up to mean a heck lot. Trust me. But then again, I guess you gotta be a girl to understand. Heh!

Jason has been a sweet heart though. Most of the time he was the one who’d pushed me to get things done and give in to my liking :)

I just know, it’ll go fine. All things will fall into its places specifically, not one hair out of place. I just know; because...

“Before they call, I will answer” Isaiah 65:24

Tis What I Really Want!

Tis what I call a real cheongsam. See how it exudes beauty and elegance? When it makes you look good and vintage, THAT's when it's a cheongsam. Not those that make people call out to you in a chinese restaurant for tea refill. Geddit?

Wedding Etiquette 101

This makes a good summary of wedding guest etiquette! Here’s what Mrs. Bee gotta say:

Because wedding season is upon us, I thought this would be a good time to
discuss how to be a great wedding guest. When you’re invited to a wedding, the couple has asked you to be part of a day they’ve put so much time, love, and effort into planning. Observing some basic wedding guest etiquette can make the big day just a little bit easier for the bride and groom (in fact, and everyone else!)


1) RSVP. The bride and groom are usually paying per person (often hundreds of dollars) so they need to have an accurate headcount of all guests. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, or have RSVP’d for a guest who can no longer attend, notify the couple.

2) Send gifts to the couple’s home. This way the couple doesn’t have to worry about collecting, watching, losing, cards separating and taking gifts home on an already hectic day.

3) Don’t bring anyone who is not named on the invitation. Do not bring a date or children that are not specifically named on the invitation, and do not write in names on the RSVP card. The couple has put a lot of thought into who they’re inviting, they’re paying per person, and have probably created seating arrangements for each individual guest.

4) Show up on time. This seems like a no-brainer, but I don’t think I’ve ever attended a wedding that started on the actual time indicated on the invitation, due to late guest arrivals. A wedding is a carefully orchestrated once-in-a-lifetime event…
so please be on time.

Now that you’re a great guest, it’s time to enjoy the celebration and share the day with the happy couple. What else would you add to this list?

Exotic Blooms

Frangipanis, gardenias, orchids are awesomely simple, exotic, romantic, and sexy! Don't you think? I'm considering having one of them buds as my hair accesories instead of tiaras and all. You say?

Stressed Out

There will be some changes in my work scope, like, right about now. And I’m going crazy, getting nightmares after another. Argh. I love me some holiday!!! Oh, by the way, no more taking leave on Mondays: because that’s the day all my weekly reports should go out. Lovely, isn’t it?

Last night Jason and I surfed through www.airasia.com.my and I think we’ve got ourselves a honeymoon package. Just need to wait for Jason to renew his passport and we’ll book ‘em right after. At least something’s moving.

Marry Me!

I thought this cake topper is pretty darn neat, at least all men would share the same sentiment (even though they were the ones who proposed first)! Heh

Loving My Sweets & Swirls

This week, I'm loving my lollipops, a pressie from Jason; and this mug mat given by my friend. The lollies gave me a sweet idea for my wedding, and the circles gave me delightful swirls of colors on my otherwise boring desk!

The colors are so loudly retro yet subtly modern. I have them placed at my work desk and I like how they give me a tingly excitement every time I turn to see them happily cheering me on!

Happy Times

If only Polly can be my ring pillow on my wedding day...

I Heart Lip Tints

During emergencies, red-tinted lip balms make a great blusher (and the clear ones make a great emergency-moisturizer!). Just smear a small amount onto cheeks for that blushing-bride look and you’re good to go! I’m using Stila’s Lip Pot in Cerise. It makes your lips moist and supple minus the gooey feeling, and your cheeks a healthy cherry pink. Love it!

Say KLIMS & Wha?!

To sum it up, I had fun over the two back-to-back weekends. First there was the KLIMS where we all grumbled about having to be on shift work from Monday to Sunday; meaning straight to the motor show right after your day job in the office and work well into the night, and now that the show is over, there’s still no concrete info about how much allowance we’ll be getting. Chinese company, I tell you! But having said that, I still had quite a bit of fun there, especially during the last day of my duty. We took heaps of pictures with our concept car and made our dorky salesmen do the Saturday Night Fever moves! Heh.

And then there was an impromptu one day trip back to Melaka, to which we were introduced to a doggie, named Doggie (uhm hmm). Well according to Jason’s sis, Doggie’s a stray dog that decided to call her home, a home. And being pregnant and due, and with 2 uber mischievous sons in tow (the sis, not the dog), Doggie is not going to get any attention from her any sooner. But he’s one cool, obedient dog! I’m only sorry he’d come back again and again to be tortured by the kids. Poor thing. So if any kind souls out there who’d like to have a pet dog, let us know? I think he’s trained and very alert! He looks like a mixed Pomeranian and the size of my Polly a.k.a Poppin, and his eyes are a sea of blue!

Ooh, Jason bought me this really cool skirt! It makes me an instant Saree Party Girl! Whoo hoo! And we found 2 shops that we may go back again with my maids for their gowns. Can’t wait!

On the wedding preparation front, well, with our down payment to the hotel made last month, the preparation pretty much comes to a standstill. The only major things to look into now are invitations, the bridesmaids’ gowns, and honey moon. You simply have no idea how difficult it is to get these done, oh no you don’t! Well I look forward to having some time off from work and design the invitations next week maybe, and this time around, HAVE the final say. Heh.

Show Time!

Very simply put, my absence is due to the KL International Motor Show, to which my company is involved with, and naturally, my colleagues and I are expected to be on duty, till end of this week.

I’m not much of an automobile fan, give me a Murano any day and I’ll be happy as a bumble bee; so I’ve got nothing much to say about the show except its tiring from all the standing (yup, in heels!) and smiling. Oh, hint: our concept car will be featured on Channel V!

Jason didn’t pay visits due to his work commitment and the distance, except for one night where he came to fetch me from work. He was quick to announce that he managed to pick up a few show girls in boots (which one of ‘em is not anyway?), while other guys watched on green eyed. Yeah, bravo!

I’ll try to post up some pictures soon, promise. Yo Jason, I need the camera back!

Weekender Quickie

My weekend was… pretty… normal. Well Polly was sent for grooming and came back with a new hairdo. She now spots 2 mini pigtails with mini blue ribbons just behind her ears; she definitely looks more girlish albeit still very tomboy at heart. It's ticklish to see her plays like a rough boy with those ribbons on her head. Heh.

And then we bummed into a Cuti-cuti Malaysia travel fair at 1U and collected many brochures for our honeymoon reference. We like the much-needed vacation to be on an island, away from the craziness of a city, to have lots of sun, sand, sea, and rest! I guess we both do love island that much more to choose any other places.

Jason is picking up weightlifting again. He used to do taekwando, badminton, and gym. And then things take a sharp turn after meeting a girl whose hobbies are eat, sleep, shop, and more eating, no less.

Its coming good, can you see that bump over his arm? Yup, that’s my big guy’s mus-cle!

Feeling Gold

I think tis’ season is all about spring and summer colors, bright tropical petals, and feminine fabrics, I love them all! But at the same time, I’m loving this gold tone too. Check out the hand clutch!

In Point Form

> Had a sumptuous breakfast this morning: vegetable soup, corn, peas, coffee, and bread. Yum.

> Bathed Polly and she’s all fluffy and smells of Johnson & Johnson’s baby talcum now.

> I adopted a pot of dying basil and vowed to revive it till it’s bushy before returning it to its rightful owner. OK, actually my grandma is the one who’s doing the revival job, but hey, I had the vision!

Dangling Beauties

It's a shame my mom never brought me to pierce my ears when I was a mere babe. Now that I'm all grown up, piercing my flesh seems to be an extreme activity for my heart to take. These danglers look gorgeous nonetheless. I love the necklace and the earrings in the middle. Lovely.

Shoes, Dresses, Blizzards, & Hot Dog

We happened to chance upon a bridal fair at the mall yesterday. It was impressive, not the gowns though, rather the stage designs with the balloons and lighting, and the music selection: very chic, very Parisian. Awesome! And these, made the gowns look good. Hehe.

Remember the greenish bridesmaid’s dress I posted awhile back? Well, I found a dress almost the same as that one at Warehouse; even the color is very, very similar! I would’ve taken a picture of it if I wasn’t too lazy to get a piece in my size. Heh. I was so excited about it, until I saw the price though. At a whopping $429, I’d say forget about it. Blah.

I saw another A-line dress perfect for a bridesmaid too; it’s pale satin pink in color with a little bustier and netting lining the hem of the skirt, it’s beautiful. I tried that on and I wished someone would make me a bridesmaid, pronto! And as usual, all things exciting comes with a blah factor; and this happened to be all other sizes had been wiped out and I don’t think my maids can fit in to a size 8 given their petite frames, oh and it’s priced at $489 :)

Oh well, no matter. I spotted and tried on 2 different pairs of heels in satin cream with diamante and pretty bows and that made it up. Plus, I had a cup of banana split ice cream blizzard and a hot dog, now that, really made the day!

Album Of Joy II

Did you notice the tip of my sport shoes underneath the gown? I'm so proud of the fact that I was wearing sport shoes instead of heels during my shoot. Heh.

Hello Spring!

Thursday was a girls’ night-out. We went to the Curve after work and decided to have dinner at Vivo’s. After the chicken chop and baked fish and choco mallo drink, it was time for some serious shopping (without the guys! Whoo hoo!). There were so many pretty things to look at! Oh, I was also on a search for my little black dress.

I’ve found some really cool vintage clothes in Tribeca. The girl in me wished I could buy them all! The patterns and colors combo were awesome. Argh! I should’ve brought my camera along… and then maybe some cash too. Hehe. But refrain was the resounding word of the day.

I managed to find my cocktail dress for tonight’s wedding dinner. This dress has finally put a stop to my search for that little black dress all these years, which suits all events and occasions! Joy!

After the clothing department, we headed over to Borders and found some really yummy books. Ah… life is so good.

I began to find (window) shopping to be therapeutic. And I began to find myself getting girlier each day…

Anyway, we headed over to Laundry bar for some live band performance after the book surfing. The first guy was good with his guitar and voice, but lacked presence; and then things went downhill thereon. We had fun people-watching though! There were so many shapes of people dressed in so many types of clothing with so many sets of attitude, it’s amazing!

The late night saw me waking up with a hang-over feel-alike the next morning, not that I drank, but the headache was annoying. Age catching up maybe? Oh dear. But I really wouldn’t mind doing this again! I’ve begun to appreciate the colors and textures in everyday things more and more. And I’m happy about that. I’m happy I’m not walking around oblivious about the cacophonies of life anymore. And the mission? To capture them all.

Designing Monogram

I’m looking for a True Type font file to create a monogram of Jason’s and my initials. I've found a few really good ones on the net, but they also cost really a heck lot! So if you have any good ones, be nice and share?

Euphoria Of Love

I'm in love with cupcakes. I love how they are so humble and simple, almost ignorable. I also love how a few strokes of icing and squeezes of whipped cream can turn them into a picture of glamour instantly! I love it!

Gems Don't Come Shining In Your Face

It’s amazing how some people come in to your life, make the heck of noise and irritation out of you, and then become one of those most intimate and closest friends and touch your heart all the time, through little, little gestures.

Such is the case of my colleagues. She’s one noisy brat (uhm, mature… brat. Hehehe), and cusses like there’s no tomorrow; and then there’s another colleague, she’s petite but loud, clumsy but detailed, and then yet another, the fairest of them all, we’ve had some… silent friction during the first part of our becoming colleagues, but thank God, things worked out for the better, and now all four of us has become one pack, hehe, we literally stick up for each other, although... all 4 of us are very much in 4 different worlds, but I guess, we are there, just for each other.

The participation level of these girls in my wedding preparation is well, commendable! Haha! These girls are more excited than the bride! They’d collect articles on bridal matters for me, collect advertisement cut-outs and photos of brides with beautiful gowns and styling, go with me to source for florists and fabrics for my gowns, buy me magazines, and guess what, last evening was the most indescribable moment; they’ve done the most unthinkable.

I was presented with a silver gift box with a nice tulle bow over it, exactly like a Christmas gift, only it’s May. It was exciting as I unfolded the gift; I haven’t been receiving gifts for such long time! And there it laid a piece of chiffon like fabric in there, with silk trimmings and comb at the crown. It’s a veil to go with my wedding gown! I was beyond words, utterly speechless. Oh the best part was? They made our DGM to chip in too, and I gave word to with-hold his petty cash reimbursements if he doesn’t pay up. LOL ah well, it’s an inside joke but it was all very… warm and touching. I was really touched. Not because of the gifts and the money spent; but the effort and thoughtfulness. They needn’t do all these things for a colleague, but they’ve gone beyond the boundaries to make the life of a girl that much easier… I thank God for them. And now I know why He insisted me to stay here for this long, just so that I’ll find my gem in the seemingly dark and empty mine; and in this case, I found 3.

Dresses & Samfoos

What do you think about this dress for the maids? Lovely isn't it? Well I know I'd like to wear it myself! Speaking of which, anyone here has a cheongsam to loan? (Or better still, sponsor me!) I'm looking for one to wear during the tea ceremony. I'm going to chinesified the whole ceremony; yup, meaning Jason would have to wear those tong sam too. Hehehe.

Celebrate With Choco Bath

My colleague and I planned for a noon-out shopping for florist and tailors for my wedding day today. We went to this huge warehouse florist in Bangsar by the name Floristika, where they sell fresh flowers in a refrigerated room. And I’ve decided on the type of flowers for my maids. Yay! They’d be beautiful! :)

Next on, we were supposed to go down to town to shop for something Indian (shh, it’s a surprise!), but stop over at an organic eatery. I was rather hesitant about organic food; carrots, bean sprouts, soy and wheat germ were all I can taste on my imaginary taste buds. Bleurgh. So I was of course, quite pleased to see that they actually serve chicken! Not that I can’t live without meat, I just can’t live with green bean sprouts, that’s all. I ordered a country free range chicken goulash. To my surprise it was really good with its toasted organic wheat bread! So yeah, worth a try, this organic eating lifestyle, but pricey to maintain though.

It was disappointing though that the minute we hit KL roads, it started to rain and the jam began. So we detoured to KLCC for me to take LRT home. What bummer. But the historic moment was this: I went over to Equatorial Hotel at Bangi-Putrajaya instead with my brother, met up with Jason, and we made down payment. The place is officially ours on the wedding day! So to celebrate such significant moment, we treated ourselves to their buffet dinner. Hehe.

It was fantastic as we sat there, and watch the chocolate fountain cascaded in a pot. Yes! They serve chocolate fondue!!! Oh boy! I could stuck and bath my tongue under those flowing chocolate and be there forever! I was seated right in front of the fondue, and that’s all I remember seeing the whole evening :D Ooo, I love their desserts, the bitter chocolate mousse was incredible! Darn, I should’ve started my meal with the dessert first!

Gym. Gym. Gym! I’ve been eating as if I’ll be wearing jeans and t-shirt to my wedding, got to work on the gym darn it! =_=``

Being Woman

I've never appreciated fabrics as much as I do now. Look at those colours and the lines, so lively, so soft. Every flip of the skirt seems to be yelling "feminity" at the top of their voice! Simply fabulous!

Gowns are from Jim Hjelm, Watters & Watters, Melissa Sweet, Alvina Valenta, Amsale, Lazaro

Let's Play Dolls

I'm now looking for cocktail dresses for my bridesmaids. They've got to be practical and easy to move around in for them. I like 'em apple or olive green, I'd consider soft butter yellow too, but at the moment I'm quite settled with greenish-aqua blue, to freshen up the otherwise hot afternoon.

Ooo, I love yummy, edible colours, they just make you melt a thousand times!

Did Some Window Ogling

I found some really gorgeous gowns after hours of net crawling. The one on the far left is my favourite, for its ethereal, silky, classy, doll-like look; the third one is my favourite too, for the ribbon/sash plus its lacey body; oh and the fourth gown is also a favourite, the tube-like top really set my heart a-thumping; and the chiffon train on the far right, oh my, I could wear that everyday!


I've chosen my gown from the boutique, in a way too bad for that, else I'd have it tailor made! Mine has an empire-cut tube like the first gown, except it has nice beading on and under the bustline, and the skirt is of chiffon and trails off like the gown on the far right. Can't wait to bring her home and sleep in it. Hehe.

Lost & Happily Found

We both did something good yesterday. Hehe. In fact, I feel so good now I’m fluttering on my imaginary cloud! Praise God!

Well, see, Jason spotted a wallet off the street last night, and we found cash, IDs, credit and bank cards in there, belonging to a girl, with no trace of phone numbers. But thanks to her meal card, I was able to track her at the company where she’s working for, found her colleague, and then got her number. Yeah, it was all very thrilling! :) I wouldn’t mind doing this again. Maybe I should consider a Lost & Found business (which come to think about it, ironically, we all are in This business, if you get my flow ;) Praise God!)! Heh.

Paving Silk Road

Don't you just love these shoes? I know I do! The colours are so rich and smooth, I could almost feel 'em on my bare fingers. My wedding pump's gonna be the same colour as the one on the left, champagne gold, nice. Did I tell you how much I like these shoes? Oh man! I love 'em!

One Kind Heart, Two Helping Hands, Many Happy Shots

Photography can be ticked off the list! Thanks to a photography freak cum long distance colleague cum friend of mine. Jason and I “will have the privilege of being photographed with easily a RM30k camera kit (together with the lenses). Don't play play ah!” How blessed! :)

Yo, Mr. Photie Shotie, many merci beaucoups!

For The Record

The bestest comment by far: you still look like you in your bridal shots (as compare to MOST people who look like a different person after the make-ups). Kekekeke!

Ok anyway, I like it for a compliment so beat it.

Last evening saw us driving from Melaka to PJ in the rain and traffic jam. Jason and I had a nice long chat albeit the intermittent you-ass-I’m-pissed-you-suck-I-pout tantrums (don’t ask!). The conversation was steered to the direction of parenting, and we’ve got a few things straightened, namely our preferred style and… well, stuff like that.

On the subject of ways to bring up boys, I had this coming from Jason:

You know what is the beauty of a man? The beauty of a man comes not from his muscles, nor how strong he is, nor how tough he is; rather, the true beauty of a man is shone when he willingly does what normally is classified as women’s job, i.e house hold chores; when he is not ashamed to cry; when he admits his wrong-doings, repent, and change for the better; when he takes up the leadership roles with a humble heart, if he can not humble himself and go down to the lowest ground, he doesn’t fit to be a real leader; and a real man is also protective of the weaker folks and stands up for them and for the truth.

At this point you’d expect to see me going all mushy limbs and starry eyes looking into the man who just spoke those manly words, ooh-ing and ahh-ing away. Alright, that’s a lil drama, BUT! I am glad and proud too, to say the least, to see that coming from the man who is going to father my children (I still get a lil twinge in the stomach every time I remembered that I’m going to be a wife and later, mom! Yikes!). I’ve met enough guys who “prefer sons to daughters, and have the whole works of plans and visions for sons, and basically eat, sleep, dream about having sons, and daughters are, well, yeah daughters, we love ‘em too, they are important you know, without them, no one’s gonna do our dishes!”

So seeing Jason speaks like that, I was, pretty amazed, not to mention relieved! I thank God for His match, really, He knows better what type of partner suits us best; this applies to our everyday life too. I’m sure glad I’m walking on the road carved by Him! It may not be one smooth sailing journey, but at least I know I’m in good hands and His grace sustains. Thank you Lord!

It Is Also Confirmed That...

The venue is at EQUATORIAL HOTEL, BANGI.

They have this lovely glassed foyer, that’s where our wedding ceremony’s gonna be :)

It Is Confirmed That The...

Seventeenth of the Ninth Month, Year Two Thousand and Six is the date to block.

It’s going to be a day where the sun shines coolly, birds chirp happily, angels sing joyfully, and basically, everything will be something-something-ly. So block your calendar and come join us for a memorable afternoon – Jason & Leishia’s wedding.

The Whole Vrooming & Zooming Business

Alright, the long awaited, non-relevant post is here finally (was there anyone waited in the first place? Hehe). I’ve got the pass to go on a F1 pit tour on the 16th of March 2006. Although I’m not much of a F1 fan, but it all was pretty cool.

We toured the Renault team’s garage; chatted with Heikki Kovalainen, one of the Renault team’s driver which reminded me of a friend from the past; and then we spotted Alonso in the tiny cafeteria; found Jensen Button doing a press interview; snapped pictures of Fisichella and Alonso’s helmets and tires; generally doing all the touristy things, oh and we were given a goodie bag with lots of, well… goodies! There’s this super cool miniature F1 race car to which every one of my colleague was hopeful to buy it from me. I’ve got one of them who’d offer a couple of hundreds for it. Nah, I’d keep it for myself, so that I can brag about it to my grand children later. Hehe.

In His Times, All's Perfect

Perfection 101

By Jill Baer Illustrations by Brina Schenk
Vol. 4, Issue 1, No. 6 May 2004

ON THE MORNING OF MY WEDDING, I DISCOVERED A TINY HOLE NEAR THE BOTTOM OF my ivory, cathedral-length veil. The sighting threatened to steal my vision of being the perfect bride.

All I wanted was a perfect wedding. And who could blame me? I had dreamed about it since I was old enough to make my Ken doll kiss my Barbie. And promises of perfection seduced me everywhere I turned. From bridal web sites to every five-pound bridal magazine, they all guaranteed me the perfect dress, the perfect hairstyle, the perfect cake. No other life event lures a woman into the expectation of flawlessness like a wedding.

My dear and spiritual bridesmaid, Cheryl, compared the hole to the purposefully woven flaw in every Persian rug—a talisman of humility and a reminder that only God is perfect. But I am neither Persian nor humble. Just purposeful.

So there were things that nagged at me for months before the wedding. We couldn’t afford all the flowers I had hoped for, including the elaborate chuppah I’d had in mind. And the magical butterfly release I’d pictured to cap off the ceremony wasn’t in the budget either. Then there was my sister, the maid of honour, who complained she’d look tubby in the champagne silk dress I’d so carefully chosen for her. My then-fiancé (who loves the mountains) and I (who love the sea) squabbled over our honeymoon plans, and I fretted about our differences.

And now there was this hole in my veil. Suddenly I recalled the lithograph created by John Lennon that hangs above my stereo. It depicts the artist staring at a whirling black vortex with a bemused smile, and bears the inscription, “The hole of my life flashed before my eyes.” My hole was perfectionism. Cheryl helped me don my veil, and what came next was totally unexpected.

For all the years I had imagined this moment, I was unprepared for the world seen through a sheer swath of tulle wafting in the summer breeze. Everything took on a mysterious, ethereal glow as I started down the aisle to our guitarist’s moving rendition of “Fields of Gold,” the song that played the first time my future husband and I declared our love. The veil gave me a new sense of vision—and just in time to see that face, brimming with emotion, beaming at me as I approached. This man named Ken, like the plastic icon of my childhood ideals—but of flesh and blood—stood before me as a revelation. And soon our love and commitment would be sealed with a real-life kiss.

I had a “perfect” vision of my wedding—and it ‘s good to have a vision. But the “perfect” part isn’t up to us. Always, there is a greater Artist at work. And weddings, like marriage, and like life, are a collaborative effort. What I never anticipated during all my efforts to control every little detail, were these strokes by the Master…

Just before the ceremony, I ventured into the building’s courtyard for a moment of meditation. Out of nowhere, a pair of butterflies encircled me as they fluttered in a bewitching mating dance.
The florist surprised us with a surplus of my beloved Leonida roses, which my bosom-buddy bridesmaid Leesanne used to festoon our chuppah. Since I had decorated the canopy at her wedding, this favor reflected the history and symmetry of our lifelong friendship.

As my favorite nephew and I posed for pictures, the guitarist serendipitously played the very song I used to sing to comfort him when he was just newborn.

My sister Ellie borrowed back a magnificent shawl she once gave me and draped it over her fitted dress. We have shared so much magnificence as sisters that sharing that shawl with her felt exactly right. She looked ravishing and slim, though she still believes she looked too fat. Some people are such perfectionists!

On the last morning of our honeymoon my new husband received the news that his elderly Aunt June, who had traveled thousands of miles to be at our wedding, had passed away. No one in the family had known the gravity of her illness. Through their grief, her family expressed their gratitude to us for creating an opportunity to see her again and enjoy a wonderful final memory. The last photograph ever taken of her, blowing bubbles from a wand during our first dance, captures her joy.

Shortly after receiving the sad call, we headed out to a scenic restaurant called “Nepenthe” (Native American for “No Worries”) before we started for home. The famous view we expected to see was totally obscured by mysterious veils of fog. We were advised that the route we intended to take south to L.A. was socked in, and that we would need to make an alternate plan.

As we drove north into our future, the sun suddenly burst through the mist to reveal a glorious mile of yellow flowers on a mountain cliff above the sea. We pulled over to the roadside and got out of the car… and we walked in fields of gold.

Jill Baer began her career as the youngest staff writer on TV’s "The Love Boat," and has penned over 200 hours of prime time television and several screenplays. She also writes fiction and contributes to various magazines.

Over The Weekend

I’ve been keeping my posting low for the past 1 week even with my coming up with incredible wedding ideas lest it’d be just another “you-say-only-lah” thing. But then do you know how difficult it is to contain genius ideas, do you?! So I was very glad after the sun set last evening, because I’m going to pour it all out! Hahaha!

So the genius idea was this: I found a photo studio operating in a cottage somewhere in Ampang from a magazine, and I thought, this’d be cool, we can rent the studio and have our ceremony and reception there, and we just need to bring in our own caterer. But seemingly, Jason wasn’t too impressed with the idea but nonetheless complied with the idea with an open heart. So I looked it up on the net, found the address, and finally waited for Sunday to come, and off we went to check that place out.

Now being a very excitable girl with her own *ahem* genuinely genius ideas, Jason knows I’m all for the idea, as in ALL, I couldn’t stop yakking about it the whole time through out the journey; to a certain point Jason had to prepare me for the worst case scenario. “Dear, we don’t need to be disappointed IF we can’t have our wedding there, okay?”

So much for support.

So we arrived at the quaint little cottage house set right smack in the bustling city. And yeah, it was nice, like, really nice, except for some part of the ceilings were holed, the wallpaper comes in 3 different patterns in the same living room, the piping of the central A/C was naked and rusty, the garden was not so accommodating, and the glass house was run down, but hey I can take it all! I can do some decorating job and the place will be revamped; as I say it best: “all those imperfections make it perfect!” Oh how I say it best!

But deep down, I know, it’s not going to work. If my I’m expecting a 200 pax crowd.

So still high in spirit, we went off and drove along the city aimlessly, and then I called a colleague-friend of mine, who’s so kindly came out from her house on a lazy Sunday afternoon to show us around the city.

First she brought us to Tamarind Hill. A very… interesting place, what with the pebbled filled stair cases from the main entrance, and big leafy tropical plants, and mosquitoes; I can only imagine aunties and ah mahs cursing us from the first step all the way up the hill.

And then we went to some Japanese restaurant which was closed and undoubtedly a no for us too.

And then we went to this Italian restaurant which, get this, Jason fell in love with! So madly in love with! All because the garden was so quaint and comfy, and beyond the garden was a few acres of jungles and monkeys roaming around. Jason felt very at home. :) hehe In any case, it motivates me a lot to see his dampened enthusiasm was revived after those tiring months we went through in getting a place which suit our date and requirements.

So after laying down all 3 of our obvious choices: the above restaurant, or KLGCC, or our church. We are pretty much set. A few calls shall be in order today, and then the rest, like they say, will be history.