My uneventful wedding

My traditional wedding ceremony was held on Tuesday, 13 December, 2011.
It happened my husband's neighbour also had a funeral on the same day.
With the Chinese tradition, we tried to avoid the funeral traffic by having a quick tea ceremony on the bride's house, before leaving to the groom's house (approx. 1 hour by car).
In the end, we managed to avoid the funeral team, who left the neighbour's house slightly after we entered the groom's house.

My wedding banquet was held on Friday, 16 December, 2011.
I started the day by rushing back to my house to collect the dinner gown -- which is my mom's wedding gown.

I then rushed to the bridal shop for make up etc., but was faced with pouring thunderstorm on my way, which caused flash flood in the city center. I was forced to take routes that I have never taken before, risking of getting lost, in order to reach to the bridal shop on time.

Half way through preparing myself in the bridal shop, I received a phone call from the restaurant manager telling me that they have electrical failure at the venue. That was 2.5 hours before the dinner starts. I asked if they have enough generator sets for back up, the manager said alright, she also promised that the blackout will be fixed in 2 hours time. I also found out that the electrical breakdown occurred since 11.30am that day. If they can't get it fixed since 5 hours ago, I doubt they could get it fixed in the next 2 hours time, but I can only trust the manager's word without any choice.

i reached the venue just before 6pm, changed into my mom's wedding gown in the dark, and started helping in setting up the cocktail food prepared by my husband's relatives. There was still no electricity, it seemed to me that they did not prepare the gen-set early enough, and had trouble connecting them. I also found out that the electricity blackout has a chained effect -- pumps not running, that means no water in toilet, kitchen can't cook the dinner.

Guests started coming around 6.30pm, and all well sat by around 7.30pm. My husband's side was furious with the slow response of the M&E team on fixing the issue. The restaurant manager prepared a few portable coolers, and I was busy walking around making sure people are aware of the cocktail, hoping that the food will keep them occupied, and lined the stomachs with some cold beers, that they would have less complaints.

We had a tea ceremony with my grandma and uncle, they couldn't make it for the actual wedding ceremony, and was travelling from out of state to attend the dinner.

While everyone was melting and munching away the limited home-made cocktail food, the M&E team finally managed to connect the gen-set. With my brother's help, we quickly set up the PA system to broadcast the wedding march.

The dinner finally started at 8.30pm.

Due to the government regulations for organising social events passed midnight, the dishes brought to the tables were rushed. Our greetings to each table was brief, and wasn't able to spend enough time with our much cherished friends and relatives.

While we were greeting from table to table, I had a bad cramp on my legs resulted from my high heels. I am not used to wearing high heels for long hours, and was forced to take out the shoes.

By the time we finished greeting each table, guests already started leaving. We then went straight to sending people off at the door.

The entire event went through very quick, I was unable to find out from people how they felt about the dinner. Thanks to my husband's uncle, who fought for us for discounts on the banquet due to the mishaps, we managed to get some discounts from the restaurant manager.

In the end, I was glad that my much-liked wedding march music was played. We chose George Frideric Handel's See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes March from Judas Maccabaeus. I am also glad that the dining music that I have prepared long ago was played over the dinner, though I doubt many people would pay attention to it.

Last but not least, I woke up the next day with a burning sensation in my eyes. After visiting the doctor, it seems that it was resulted from tiredness, make up chemicals went into the eyes, and contact lenses.

I guess with the incident of cramp legs from high heels, and the painfully-teary-red eyes from the beautifying products, it is concluded that I am just not feminine enough to be a lady that I would like to be. Nonetheless, I think at this age, I should just accept myself for who I am, and am glad that I have a small group of friends who appreciate me for who I am. I am glad that they showed their supports and participation over this uneventful banquet by staying and patiently trusting that the event would eventually turn out fine.

I am sure not many people had attended a blackout dinner like this, so on the positive side, I guess people would remember my wedding dinner as an out-of-ordinary one. :-)

Marriage

I am ill with flu, tired with pimplish face and panda eyes.
I wonder if I really want to go down the path of getting married.

I am stressful everyday with work, and night with life after marriage.

I guess I don't know who I am marrying after all, or perhaps I am just having some pre-marriage syndrome.

Eventful week

Friday 18th Nov. was supposed to be my last day of work. But things happened on the Tuesday, when the HR Director from China called and had a long chat with me.

She said changes are on the way for this office, and she asked me to give it 6 months. Though doubtful of what could be done, I guess I should give her words a fair chance, so I agreed to stay for another 6 months, i.e. work until the end of May 2012.

After agreeing to that, I felt like an idiot, because I have conducted a hand-over session with Decamouth, said good-bye to many colleagues across the global offices, etc.Some reps. actually heard my departure news from the MD, and verified it with me. I was so looking forward to be released, but I guess I got to retract all my good-bye's with everyone now.

On Wednesday, I received a crystal article from a Taiwan rep. for my wedding. It was sent under his personal name, but it was sent to our office. So it stirred up a bit of discussion on whether or not I should accept this gift, given that he is our rep. and I am supporting him technically.

The China HR director said I shouldn't keep it, our MD said we should. Eventually I kept it, and called the rep. to explain the situation has changed, that I will now stay with the company.

Meanwhile, as I already submitted my resignation for more than a month, I have made plans for the rest of the year. Having the HR spoken to me this late, somehow shows me the efficiency of this company. Anyway, some of my plans can be re-scheduled, some can't.

Going for Alan Tam's concert was one of the fixed arrangements, it was on 19 Nov. 2011. I planned to take it as a celebration for leaving the company. And since this is the first time I attended a concert, I also treated it as a farewell to my young days, because after the marriage ceremony in December, I am no longer a free person.

Alan Tam wasn't one of my favourite singer during my teenage days, in fact, I don't really have an idol. But his songs are so darn popular, you can't avoid them at all.

I still remember those days when I used to squat next to the huge radio, pay a lot of attention to the weekly chart title, wait patiently for the song I like... when it come out, I would press the record button and stay very still until the end of the song, so that I won't record some other noise. I would curse the person who continued to speak when the song had already started. I listened to radio on the bus, while studying late etc.

Alan's songs last night brought back a lot of memories, I thought I wouldn't have much emotions attached to a singer that I didn't pay too much attention, but I was wrong. It was the memories that attached to those songs, significant or not, it brought tears when I heard it again last night.

Most of the audiences in the concert last night are about my age, Alan's songs are collective memories for all of us around this age. I may be a little old for screaming and waving the neon light bar, singing along all night long, but heck, I paid RM300 for event like this, shouldn't I be relaxing myself and enjoying the atmosphere?

Despite the traffic and the rain, I enjoyed the concert well. Brought back the neon bar, I like its simplistic design,will put it in the car, it would be useful when having some issue with the car at night at the highway.

Pitera Power

My wedding is around the corner, yet I haven't started my beauty treatment, slimming treatment etc. I guess it is too late now.

Anyway, I went to have a facial session the other day, and got my entire face covered with pimple scars. My friend were anxious looking at those scars, and she brought me to Parkson to shop for some solutions. We dropped by SKII counter, and the lady did a simple tests on my face using some roller/scanner thing.

It turned out that I have got 3 out of 5 "D" in SKII's term. However all these 3D's aren't scoring well (slightly above the average readings.)

As I had been using SKII's miracle water ages ago (stopped for 1-2 years because I was too lazy), I picked that up again in order to sooth those deep pimple marks on my face.

One week after using the miracle water, most of those scars disappeared! I can't believe my eyes, it seems like the Pitera is really doing something. I do not have any "before" and "after" photos to share, because I didn't take any photos when I was covered with pimple scars.

Sometimes I guess women need to spend some money to keep ourselves looking good, in order to feel good. In my case, I only want to get the oil out of my face. Otherwise I should start researching into harvesting the oil from my face, and who knows, may be I can compete with Petronas? @_@

New Bracelet

Made myself a bracelet out of Chinese knots the other day.
It took me about two weeks, approximately 2 hours a day.

Here's the back:


Here's the front:

Wedding photo shooting session

Went for wedding photo session last Friday.
It was a rainny day, but luckily there was some sun coming out when we went for outdoor session.

I was given 5 dresses for the entire day, one for outdoor, the rests are all indoor. I thought 3 would be enough, but they don't offer anything less than 5.

Anyway, the entire session went well, I am quite happy that both myself and my partner were prepared -- brought my own accessories to match with the dresses, he brought a few more coloured shirts to match with the coats. I mean, they have good accessories, but it didn't bring out the effect I wanted.

The photographer and the make up artist was professional. I was quite pleased with the service then.

We went back on Sunday for choosing photos for the album. I wasn't very satisfied with the photo choosing session, as the person didn't give us a thorough briefing on how and what should we be doing. Instead he intended us to rely heavily on him to do the selection.

I guess it was just a combination of the inexperienced guy and our differences. He probably thought that we were clueless and would give our decision power entirely to him. But our (myself and my partner) way of working are pretty different. We were clueless, but we weren't prepared to rely too much on the others to decide what we want.

We selected 82 pictures out of 300 over shots. I am not used to seeing myself in fine make up and at odd angles, and thought that those pictures turned out unlike myself.

Anyway, the selection went well, we paid extra to get some of the things done. We will get the demo set a month from now, and get the pictures a month or two after confirming the design.

They will be making a DVD displaying the photos on our wedding reception, and we need to decide a theme song to go with the DVD. I have been thinking of Bach's Sleepers Awake, but am still trying to find something better. Canon in D was considered, but would be too soft to be heard in the chatty Chinese dinner hall. Something with brass would be nice...

Tried on wedding gown

Went to choose my gowns for photo shooting yesterday. The photo session will be two weeks from now, but I need to choose the gown in order for them to alter it prior to the photo session.

I went with my partner, the entire process was rather pleasant, as I didn't need to fight with other brides for gowns, like what I saw in other bridal shops.

I had the entire floor by myself, choosing everything that is available there. The tailor was helping me to fit in the dresses, and gave some comments on some of the dresses I chose.

Some of my friends volunteered to help me on the gown fitting day, but I rejected all of them, as I already know what fits my body the best. And I am not keen to have a bunch of girls who are overly keen to get into the marriage process again, giving lots of comments which they might not have done on their wedding and wanted to realise it through my wedding without their own cost.

The bridal shop had the entire day booked for me, but I took less than 3 hours to choose 3 dresses.

It was tiring enough, eventhough all I needed to do was to pull out the dress from the shelves and wear it, with the help of the tailor.

I am happy with two of the three gowns. The third one was chosen by my partner, which I thought it looked like a huge blue meringue. But I guess I should try on something that's outside my normal self.

I saw some of the jewelleries available in the shop, I guess I might need to make some myself. Because most of them were too elaborative.

I am foreseeing some problems to coordinate the photo album after the photo session. Because outside the 3 dresses, which two were ivory/white and a royal blue, I also have a Chinese traditional two-piece-dress which is chilli red with lots of complicated embroideries. I wonder if the album would turned out to be like an American flag?

Marriage is a lonely path

Ever watched the movie "Infernal Affair"? That's exactly how I feel about marriage.

I am not sure how the brides from the rest of the world felt, but I think marriage is a lonely path.

ROM

Got the registration done this morning. I guess I was the most under dressed bride among the crowd.

Most of the bride got their hair and/or make up done by professional make up artists, wearing their "little white dresses" (cocktail dresses). While I only wore a simple brown skirt and white blouse.

I didn't want to have flowers at the beginning, but was persuaded by my bf... erm.. husband. So we went to this florist opposite my office block over the lunch time yesterday, and got a bouquet of whatever flower that is available. I took the white rose, changed the elaborative catalogue design to this simpler one:


(the fake pearl was my necklace)

I have a huge white rose brooch a long time ago, and thought of putting it on my hair for the registration. But unfortunately for my husband's culture, white flowers are for funeral, especially on the hair... tolerance was already been given for the white rose bouquet... So I spent the whole night before the registration of marriage trying to make a hair piece, from whatever that is available, and is not white.

This is the hair piece I made eventually, from a square scarf, and a Chinese knot rose.


Woke up this morning, had breakfast, washed up, started bundling up the hair and put on the make up. Took me about 1 hour. Drove my parents to the venue, about 35 mins.

The registration took place in a well known Chinese temple, we were 213th couple that was being registered today. Waited for our turn for 1.5 hours.

Given GMT stands for General Malaysian Time, the registration appointment was late by 30mins, which is considered pretty good in local standard. The entire process took about 10-15 mins, and we were out of the room.

Lunch with guests after the registration, and we all went our separate ways after that. That's how I had my registration.

In summary, I wasn't very pleased with the entire process, but there was nothing much I could do. I couldn't smile, because I was having headache from the flu, make up melting under the hot sun and couldn't wipe it off, to climbing up and down the stairs with heels that hurt my ankles, to endure the long queue in the toilet with those lack-of-civil-minded-people keep cutting queue (and bring their whole family after they got in front of you), the place was very crowded and the waiting area was not big enough to cater the crowd.

Most of the people were guests that came to celebrate the ROM with the couples, but I don't know why people make such a big fuss on registration day. The couples are just there to sign some papers.

Anyway, may be I am just cynical. I should be happy and thankful for the guests that came for our marriage registration.