My Wedding at Halia Restaurant, Raffles Hotel, (Blessed-i Photography & Digio Review)

I've been missing in action. Taking really long to reply all of you who have written to me because I was so caught up the last 2 months of so with my life. Yes, a momentous period in my life, that's why. It was my transition to a Mrs.

Our Humorous Solemnizer, My Alex Tan Boon Yan

Well well, I didn't turn out to be the bride-zilla that some thought I'd be. Tsk! In fact, I enjoyed the whole wedding planning down to the day itself. It was beautiful holding our wedding at Halia Restaurant, Raffles Hotel. I've always wanted a simple wedding with elegance. No change of dress, just 1 Made To Measure Gown in, no cheesy music march-in and a cozy affair with closed ones. And I've never thought I'll freak out or turn into a demanding monster on my wedding day. Like I told my hubby, I am "Little Mis-understood". : :D 

I didn't, however, expect to enjoy myself this much. It as a beautiful day to me. I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.

With My Parents

One Of My Fav Pics

My Cute Tea Dress From Digio Bridal

Private Moments With My Bridesmaids Kept Me Sane

Sunny Wedding Morning

Our Display On The Ozone Table in Halia Restaurant, Raffles Hotel

Halia Restaurant Elegant Display With Our Personal Touches

My Superb Make-Up Artist Who Gave Me A Glam Smokey Eye Look That I Love, Love, Love!

Wedding March-In With My 2 Little Loves

Giving Our Thank You Speech

Hubby Singing To Me

I have been asked several times how my life has changed after getting married. Well, day to day, it hasn't. The transition when we first stayed together was greater than formalizing our marriage. Still, I love being married. It brings along a settled feeling and a sense of commitment that I've never felt in my previous relationships. One that publicly announces and signifies you're in this for the long haul and a reminder of the decision we've made.

Yet another FAQ was how did my wedding day go and how best to keep calm. This special day was made more heartwarming by the love I felt from my family and friends, in whatever way it was expressed. There may be some who will become the monster-zilla instead so it's important to remind yourself that THIS IS your day and allow no one to take your joy away from you. 

Completed Artwork From The Combined Effort of Our Guest On Our Wall

**A special thanks also to the people below who are passionate & excellent in their works!**

-Blessed-i Photography Yeow Ming, who captured so many beautiful Actual Day "in the moment" pictures. He was jovial and was always non-intrusively snapping away. 

-Chris, my wonderful make up artist who gave me so many gorgeous hairdo for my hard to style short hair & non-traditional make up on my actual wedding night. I absolutely love my smokey eyes and drama look that night. 

-Vanness from Digio Bridal who snapped so many beautiful pre-wedding pictures of us. He is so experienced and made the whole shooting process fast and fun!

Here's a few of my pre-wedding photo shoot pictures:

My Best Poker Session Ever: Marriage Proposal From My Love!

Bf proposed last night! And in the way I absolutely love love love, which is original and filled with surprises!

It was meant to be a regular poker session and I felt so lucky to have pocket Queens in the first round. The 1st three cards on the table were Queen, X & Jack.  As it went on, 3 players went all in with bf being 1 of them. *Woo hoo* The pot was getting big enough and gave me an adrenalin rush!

When it was my turn to make a call, I hesitated before going all in. I really didn't want to lose all our chips in the first hand even though the odds were in my favour. And so the showdown began... with 2 pocket Queens from me and 2 pocket Jacks from bf and 1 other player that was significant. Hehe....

My heart was pumping when the 4th card opened and it showed a Jack. "That's fine", I thought, "at least the money is going back into bf's pockets" and I still stand a minute chance. With poker, there's always this element or luck, no?

The trash talk went on and when the last card opened, I was stunned for a while. It was a Queen and I've won! But.... why was my winning card so dirty with all those scribbling?? Huh???

It was a split second before I caught the word "MARRY" and I beamed away. What a way to propose! A climax on top of a climax! Bf is so cool!!! :D

He went down on his knees, took out the custom made ring and gave me the flowers. Of course I said yes. Yes, yes, yes and a million times yes!

The Lovely Bouquet of White Roses

It was a moment of blur and flurry. His thoughtfulness and effort makes me beam from ear to ear. The thoughts that went into the ring design, the flowers he got me, the way he orchestrated the whole poker session with friends.... Yes, I'm truly touched. 

❤ Thank you baby! I really do feel so so lucky to have met you and have you in my life. ❤

The ring is designed with an infinity love symbol on the side. BF insisted on having this on the ring and he used my tattoo drawings months ago as the reference.

Infinity Love Design On Side Of Ring

I was still contemplating getting the tattoo yesterday when I eventually feel up for it someday. Now, I'll wear it on my engagement ring instead. How meaningful! 

I have not told bf this before. He was my inspiration for the infinity love design and I felt so strongly for him at one point, I almost added one more tattoo to my body. But my rational mind got the better of me. Tats really aren't cool when I am older. Haha...

It wasn't the easiest allowing myself to fall in love with him, to bare my soul and just let the feelings flow. I had hoped that our relationship will go on forever but I was hesitant. I wasn't sure he felt the same way then and whether he wanted the same things in life as me.

Yes, this isn't the end of our journey and I know it'll get better because we both want it so.

Last Pic For The Lovely Night

❤ Baby, you're the best bet in my life. Muacks! ❤

On Familiar Grounds

Ever felt that you're back on familiar grounds? Where the only thing that has changed is time that inevitably brings with it, experience and hopefully wisdom.

Only this time around, it's bittersweet. 

To know what you've lost and what could be gone. For everything like time, is fleeting...

Let It Go...

It's so easy to say let it go. But I've come to realise an easier way to let it go.

Do the right thing and not worry about what may come. Do the right thing and you'll be able to live with your life choices. The only thing left now is how to not worry. Hhhmmm...

How Not To Be Afraid Of Death

I guess I'll do this. So that when my time is here, I can look back and know that I have lived my life in the best way I knew and could. And step into the unknown with total peace.

Things Fall Apart...

Things fall apart, as they sometimes will. So you can see clearer what matters most to your heart.

The Only Way Is To Let Love Flow

Have you ever felt magnetically drawn to something that makes you fear?

It doesn't matter how many times you've love. It's different each time when we find ourselves in an unknown territory all over again.

Feeling all vulnerable and exposed if you chose to live free and be true.

"Anyone who loves must know how to lose themselves and find themselves again." - Paulo Coelho, By The River Peidra I Sat Down And Wept.

Dancing on the Stage of My Life

Giving my heart and possibly my best to the special ones that have crossed my path.

Believing that life is just a series of dance that hopefully joins seamlessly from one act to the next.

That I need to dance it my way to call it my own.

Why is it so hard for some to understand this?

Love, Hope & More Importantly, Courage

It's such a turn off to me when someone approaches life with the lack of courage. 'Coz hiding behind reasons to act in a less than courageous manner simply means that you're taking the easy way out in life.

My dad used to place his hand on my forehead before I go to sleep and tell me to have 勇气. Back then, I found it lame. Now, I finally understood what he meant and the aspirations he has for me.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. -Mark Twain

I want to fill my life with love, with hope and more importantly courage. The courage to live a life true to myself and the courage to grab life with both my hands and to simply live. The courage to say "yes" to life and to rise above life's never ending challenges.

I Wish For An All Consuming Love To Be Called Mine

I wish for an all consuming love to be called mine. One that is built on trust and open communication, and more importantly, honesty. 

I wish for such a love that grows from the meeting of minds. One that makes both feel immensely free yet totally consumed. I will dance to this love with passion and know a lifetime is just too short.

I wish for such a love to be my gift soon.

Putting On My Dancing Shoes

It has been a long, long time since I last posted an entry here.

So, it's the new year. And it's a new year with new goals and more challenges. One of my goals this year is getting down to learning Dance. I've always enjoy dance and I think I may just start with Jazz.

I can't wait! =)

Interesting Message: Why Live Every Moment So Seriously?

You know the "God wants You to Know" app on facebook? I just came across this message and found it meaningful...

On this day, God wants you to know

... that your seriousness feeds your ego, and keeps you away from God. Seriousness makes you dull and dry. It feeds your sense of self-importance, that becomes a mountain between you and God. Drop your seriousness, and open the path to God.

Have a break, learn to laugh. ;)

Age Old Questions: What's My Purpose In Life?

What's your purpose in life? Seriously, I don't think I have quite figured mine out yet...

But I think mine is somewhere along the line of making the most out of God's given talents/gifts to me.

I don't think everyone has a talent, however, I am sure everyone has something positive that they can contribute to the society. Be it being a a great mother or a inspiring business person, find the gift(s) that God has given you.

What's yours?

Danny Gokey - My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me: Loving My 30s!

I was chatting with a good friend over beer a few days back about how we thought people in their 30s were old when we were in our 20s. And how we now think that 40 is that far away number instead.

But hey, time flies and I love being in my 30's. And I seriously don't get it when others crack jokes about being 3-0. Along with my Secondary school days, I think the 30's is one of the best times of my life.

::Knowing what I want in life now makes life more meaningful::

I so identify with the song, especially the first 2 verses. And boyfriend, if you're reading this. Don't worry, there's only 1 part of the song I don't identify with... I just want 1 lover to kiss. ;)

Mochamp at Raffles Xchange, Raffles Place MRT Shopping - BAD Customer Service

I always wonder why people who dislike serving ends up in the service line. 

Just last week, I met a very rude saleswoman from Mochamp (#B1-56) at Raffles Xchange. The shop was running a massive sale and I decided to buy a top and a dress. 

However, the top was faulty with torn lace. The salesperson sewed the torn portion and and told me that it'll do but I noticed the another tear along the lace. The top was white (the torn portion will show up more clearly against my skin tone) and with 2 tears, I contemplated before trying my luck by asking for a discount as I really liked it. And I did this in a nice and polite tone.

The lady curtly replied that the top was already discounted and the torn portion mended. I pointed out the next tear to her and she so very rudely snatched the top from my hand. Putting it next to her, she said in a rude tone that I shouldn't buy it then and proceeded to ask for my payment for the dress.

I told her I wasn't going to get it because she was so rude and walked out from the shop.

I couldn't believe that this salesperson thought that I would still want to part with my money with this kind of attitude of hers! She should not be in the service line if she doesn't want to serve.

Even if the dress cost a dirt cheap amount of $1, I'll still not pay her a single cent. Her service is cheap but I am not!

God Has A Plan For Us All

And his plan is written in your bazi, your destiny chart, whatever terms you want to give to it.

Believing in this doesn't make me an advocate for fortune telling (most fortune tellers aren't all that accurate anyway). Believing in this doesn't mean I think that everything is fixed and cannot be changed by man's actions and decisions. 

Believing in this merely mean that I believe some things are fated to happen. Some people are fated to cross your paths. And your destiny can be changed, only if you really truly want it to by taking actions!

Do you have similar beliefs? Share yours with me! =)

MPH CityLink Mall Moving Out Sales

I got this book, The Secret Currency Of Love, a few days back from the MPH Moving Out Sales at CityLink Mall. It only cost me $8. And there was lots of good buys with books starting from $6!

The Secret Currency of Love is basically a series of short essays put together by different women (all writers I think) on their perspective of money and the effect it has on their relationships.

It's light reading and amusingly entertaining albeit a little skewed towards women who seemed to all come from the east coast of US. Although some moaned and groaned about having a slightly lack of money, they all came across as fiscally comfortable enough to pursue the idealistic and artistic career of writing.

Well, it just goes to show everyone has money issues no matter which financial positions you are in life. And oh... all the many meanings we give to money when it is merely a tool for exchange.

Anyway, the sales ends in end Jun 2010 and it's worth popping over if you're in town. The most expensive books cost only $20 each. ;)

In The Mood For Love

Do this once a week (if not once a day).

1. Hold your loved one's hands tight.
2. Look deep into his/her eyes.
3. Tell him/her why you appreciate them for.

This puts me in the mood for love... =)

It's The Small Things That Make Up Life

Someone once said to me, "It's the small things that make up life". It took me a while to agree and see that.

Yes, it's about the small stuff. And this blog is set up precisely to share my precious small moments.

When was the last time you did something small but meaningful for your loved ones? When was the last time you counted your blessings?

In the midst of chasing after the big things, don't forget the small things..

"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things."

Frank A.Clark

New Car Shopping

This conversation took place about 2 weeks back at the Honda showroom:

BF:                      What about the off-white for the CRV?

Salesman:     It's the same as that pearly white CRV over there.

Me:                    No, there's one more milky white that's not so white white. That's the white we both like.

Salesman:     Hmmm.... There has always been only 1 white for the Honda CRV.

BF:                     Maybe it's a very old model?

Salesman:     Hmmm.... No le....

(confused) 

Me:                   There it is, that's the kind of white we are referring to. (pointing to a creamy white CRV that 

                            just passed us)

Salesman:      Oh, that one never wash and wax la. 

BF & I:               Oh! Hehe... (feel very very silly)

Needless to say, we didn't choose the white one even though it was my favourite kind of "white" for cars all these while.