Wedding Update 4 (1st August 2011)

On 29th July 2011 (Friday), we went for our wedding photo shoot, both indoor and outdoor.

Two weeks before that date (16th July 2011 - Saturday), we have already went to the bridal shop to choose the dress my wife will be wearing for the photo shoot.

On the morning of 29th July 2011, I woke up at about 6am and get myself prepare to drive to pick up my wife from her house. It was raining all they way there to her house. I was worried that the traffic might be congested, I left home at about 645am and to my surprise, the traffic was smooth and I manage to reach her house at 0715 or so. Very nice of my mom-in law, having cooked fried rice for me for breakfast.

After having the tasty fried rice, we loaded all our things into the car and started our drive to the bridal shop at about 8am. As the traffic was kinda smooth, we arrived early and manage to grab some 'dim sum' at a shop nearby the bridal shop. It was still raining but the skies have brighten up.

Then, as the time approaches 1030am, we were the first to arrive at the shop, even before the staff. Not long after, the staff starts to arrive one by one and almost immediately, the spring into action.

My wife started her makeup process which took about 1.5 hours to complete. The makeup artist was good in what she does and in the 1.5 hours, she turn my wife into a very beautiful girl. Then, she helped my wife with her dress for outdoor photo shooting and they came back to makeup area to get her hairdo. More magical touch are given and she turns into a very very attractive girl.

After my wife is done, the makeup artist started to put some 'foundation' on myself. I am not use to putting on makeup and was coughing when she applied the powder to my face. She also did some touch-up on my eyes and some modification to my hairdo too.

Then at about 12.30pm, the skies was kinda sunny and we left for FRIM for our outdoor shooting. At the guard house, we need to fill in a form and pay 100 for the entrance fees for it. Then the photographer starts her work. To our surprise, the photographer allocated for us is a lady and she was really good and helpful in her work. We took our photos at about 7 different locations within the reserved forest.

The whole process ended with both me and my wife too out our shoes and went into a small waterfall. The whole process of outdoor shooting completes at about 2pm and we drove back to the bridal shop from there.

As we arrive at the shop, the staff there gave us a fast food flyer asking us to choose which lunch set we want for our lunch and they order the delivery for us. Then, quickly, my wife suited up her 1st indoor dress and the makeup artist again work on her hairdo to a different style and after finishing up with her, she came and gave me my accessories too. We then took our photos outside the shop just by the small little fish pond they have there.

Then, as we finish the 1st indoor dress shooting, the fast food delivery arrived and we munch up our lunch as fast as lightning. After that, the makeup artist came to dress up my wife with her 2nd gown and this process went on and on until she finishes 4 sets of gowns.

At about 6pm, my god-sister and family arrived at the shop. We are suppose to have our family photos taken that day as part of the package.

At that time when she arrived, we are on our last dress for the day and they waited patiently for us to finish. Then, my in-law came at about 7pm and we took the in-law family photos first.

Then just after we finish our in-law photo shoot, my brother and sister-in law arrived with my mom. Immediately we proceed for my family photo shoot and whole 2 families together photo.

The whole process of photo shoot took the whole day and we have snapped approx 300 photos.

We left the shop at about 830pm and join my family in my uncles steamboat shop for dinner and after dinner, I drive my wife back home. We were so tired, we did not come out on Saturday. Both of us took our rest at home as the following day (31st July 2011) we will have to go to the bridal shop to view the photos taken on Friday.

On 31st July 2011 (Sunday), after picking my wife up from her house and again, breakfast at my in-law's house (Vegetarian), we went to the bridal shop to select our photos. Out of the 20 scene / concept, we short list to 12 and out of the 300+ photos, we selected down to 83 photos. It was a challenging task as the photographer did a really great job and we both appear really nice in those photos.

Then we proceeded to choose the Keemo, our couple portrait for our master bedroom, photos for my main album and mini album, photos we want to distribute to the relatives and families and the border for our albums.

After all those activities, we then paid the add-on charge of approx 1,200 and left the shop at about 3pm and were told to come back again on the 2nd September 2011 (Friday) to preview our album.

After leaving the shop, we went straight to the movie theater to catch Harry Porter 7, the final chapter of the Harry Porter series in 3D. Having not booked the seats, we still manage to get a couple seat for the movie and both of us enjoyed ourselves a lot.

The movie time was at 6.15pm and since its only 430pm, we went for our early dinner at a Korean restaurant and my wife have her usual stone rice and I had chicken set meal. Then, since the date is 31st of the month, we also bought ourselves a pint of ice-cream with 31% discount at a famous ice-cream shop and brought the ice-cream into the movie theater. We chosen chocolate and strawberry cheese cake flavor for our ice-cream.

It was a great weekend having done so many things. The whole photo shooting process was really great experience and wonderful with the team from the bridal shop was really helpful and patient with us. The whole process is really tiring and demanding, but the photographer was really good and patient and crack few jokes along the way, making our tiredness goes away.

Really appreciate that my sister-in-law actually cut short her trip to Shanghai to attend for this family photo session.

Also, appreciate my god-sister and brother-in-law that in fact that night his aunt passed away and was suppose to attend the funeral, but still he came for the photo shoot.

Not forgetting my in-law whole family that have closes their business earlier than normal and came for the photo event too. On the way there, their car broken down half way and they have to drive it back slowly to change to a different car and go through the traffic again.

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!!

Well, one more todo list ticked from our list.

Wedding - Update 3 (12th May 2011)

Well, the marriage registration went on really smooth. Although it was a bit chaotic, but we finally manage to get our signatures on the marriage certificates.

Quite a number of couples also did their marriage registration.

I woke up at 0700 on the 7th May 2011 (Saturday). Went for my usual Saturday morning jog in the park in-front of my house before coming back and dressed up. It had been such a while since I last put on a neck tie, nearly forgotten how to tie it already.

We left home at about 845am to pick up my Uncle and Aunt that from their house. My Uncle is going to be my camera man for the day. Then, on the way there, met up with my Brother and Sister-In-Law at a petrol station beside the highway.

As we are approaching there, my wife called and told that they have arrived already. She also met up with our family friend (4 of them) was also there and they have met up. Soon after, we arrived.

My wife and me went on to the registration section to check out the procedure, but only to found out that the entrance was so crowded that we cannot even enter. However, we manage to squeeze through and ask and was told to wait until 1030am and look out for out number to appear at the board outside.

We then proceeded to the temple, which was located upstairs to the registration office to offer our prayers and then came down back to meet up with our family members. While we were up there, we meet up with my 4th Uncle together with my God-Sister and God-Nephew.

The weather was so hot, that I was literally melting. Sweating so badly and to make the matter worse, I am fully dressed up with my tie hanging on my neck.

Luckily, as the time approaches 1030am, we all walked into the shops / stalls near the registration office and we manage to cool down a bit as there were fans there. My wife's make up had dissolved by her sweat too.

Then, at about 11am, our number (213) appeared on the board. All of us went in and to the main hall and have our documents checked and was given a photo copy of the marriage certificate to sign on. Then we were given a card (11) and was told to sit at the counter until the people from the room no. 2 came out.

About 10 minutes later, room No. 2 was emptied and all of us went in. The marriage registrar then came in and did some quick verification again and then passes the documents for us to sign. Then, after the signing, she requested us to stand up and hold up our right hand and she read some terms / regulations / law to us. Her voice was so soft that I stood right beside her could hardly hear it. After she have finish reading her 'script', we exchange our rings and took some photos and left the room.

All of us then left for the restaurant which we have planned for a lunch. 2 tables was booked for it. All who attended our ceremony was there except my best friend and his wife who had some other things to do did not join us. After lunch we all left for our own direction. I have to come back to wait for the air-condition technician as the unit in my mom's room was leaking yesterday and need to check the cause of it.

Overall, it was a wonderful day. There you go.... now we are legally Man and Wife and my martial status is now officially - MARRIED!!!!

Stay tune as I am sure I will update more as the process progresses....

Wedding - Update 2 (6th May 2011)

Tomorrow (7th May 2011, Saturday) will be our wedding registration day. From tomorrow onwards, we will be called Man and Wife already.

Until today we have already firm up our bridal photo shop, our wedding date, dinner venue and date.

We took one day off from work on the 20th of April 2011 (Wednesday) to get the documents submitted. Firstly, we took 2 passport sized photograph, filled in the forms and submitted it to the National Registry Department. On that we paid a small fees for registration (RM20) and then took the form to a Chinese Temple (Thein Hou Temple) and we have booked our marriage registration to be held tomorrow - 7th May 2011. In the temple itself we paid another fees (RM70) for it.

I am really happy that there were so many friends and family is going to attend for our wedding registration. Of course, our family members will be there, my god-sister and my god-nephew and 4th Uncle, my last Uncle and Aunt, our close family friend's family will also be there together with my best friend and his wife too. My last Uncle had also agreed to become our camera man to video shoot the whole process for us tomorrow. Thanks Uncle.

I have also planned lunch for those who are coming tomorrow. After the registration, we will go to a restaurant near Paramount Garden for lunch together.

Today, I met up with my fiancée for lunch and we went to a florist together to get some flowers for tomorrow. She had chosen a bouquet of white roses to match with the color of our cloth tomorrow. As usual, my fiancée always have better taste than me in terms of color matching. I am totally hopeless in this.

By the way, we have also selected our grand entrance song on our dinner night. Again, as usual it was suggested by my lovely fiancée and both of us have agreed to it.

Well, hope everything goes well and smooth tomorrow which I am sure it will. I really appreciate all that is going to be present to witness our marriage registration tomorrow. In fact, on April 20th itself, we are officially married by law. Once you register your status in the National Registry Department will change to already.

Tomorrow's function is only for formality and also part of the law requires that any couple who is planning to tie the knots will need to have their photos and information display in a public area for 14 days for anyone to make objections before they can sign on the marriage certificate.

So, tomorrow, I will have another certificate added to my CV. How cool is that? Hahah!!!

Stay tune... more updates to come on this topic.

Wedding - Update 1 (27th March 2011)

My fiancée and me are moving forward and taking our relationship to the next level. We are now planning to get married and we are now in the wedding planning stage.

There were so many things to do for the wedding.

The whole thing starts with visiting a "consultant" (or advisor if you like) to help us select a suitable date for our big day. We visited this "consultant" and on the 14th of March 2011, he gave us a list of dates which was suitable for us to get married.

We then took the dates and given to my fiancée's dad which double check and selected a date which was "Best" for us to be our wedding day. We decided the date to be on the 13th of December 2011 and it falls on a Tuesday. If you look at the date carefully, it was 13.12.11 in sequence. Nice date!! Kinda easy to remember... LOL!!

After knowing our date, we went on looking for a restaurant / venue to hold our wedding dinner. We have shortlisted a few and as I am typing this update, we are waiting for a confirmation from a restaurant to see if we can use their ballroom. Its in a prestigious golf and country club. No, I am not a member of this club as I don't play golf. It was recommended by my fiancée's colleague which only then we found out that this restaurant is open for public for wedding and functions which non-member can book.

Next, we went around shopping for the wedding / bridal shops. We started the 'screening' process about 2 weeks ago by going to a small wedding fair in a mall and last Friday, we went to 2 shops which was recommended by fiancée's friend. We both agreed from the 2 shops we visited on Friday evening to shortlist one shop and yesterday we went to a different side of town to survey for more.

We went to one yesterday which the discussion started fine until we visited their wedding dress collection. We both were really not satisfied with the way shop organize. There were so many brides-to-be trying / fitting dresses at the same time and kinda give me a feeling like we were in some kind of warehouse sale or something. We both were not comfortable with it after the visit and cut short the discussion and walk out. Almost immediately we decided that we will go back to the last shop we visited on Friday and sign up their package. Unfortunately, due to some very demanding customer's request came in yesterday, I have to go to the office to do some work and my fiancee have gone to the bridal shop to book for our photograph session and pay the deposit.

Yesterday (29th March 2011 - Tuesday) I have to travel again and this time to meet the demanding customer in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Again, I have to seek the assistance of my fiancée to go to the restaurant we agree upon to pay the deposit and view the place. We are planning our wedding dinner to be held in a golf and country resort utilizing their Ballroom 1 and 2 as we are looking approximately 40 tables in the join wedding dinner. We have decided the wedding dinner to be on the 16th of December 2011 (Friday) the very same week as our wedding day.

Stay tune as I am sure I will update further on the wedding...

Chinese New Year 2011 - Year of the Rabbit

So fast, today it is already 7th Feb 2011, 5th day of Chinese New Year. Today it was an auspicious day for starting work. So I came into the office to start work.

This CNY was a great one!! Just before the CNY, my fiancée came back from the US and I pick her up from the airport.

The CNY started with a reunion dinner with my family and relatives. As this year I have shifted to a new house, its a tradition that we have the reunion at home. My family prepared a steam boat dinner and my uncle and family have bought a pot of "Phun Choy" from a reputable restaurant and also a box of vegetarian "Yee Sang" for the dinner.

The dinner went on and ended with my niece and nephew playing fireworks outside my house until about 1030pm. Me and one of my cousin-in-law were having some drinks outside watching the kids enjoying themselves.

At about 12am, we welcome the New Year with prayers and the whole housing area turn into a war-zone with fireworks display everywhere you look up the sky. Then, went to my uncle's place and he fired even more of it. The night atmosphere were really good and happening and lasted until about 2am.

On the 1st day, many relatives came over to my house. Perhaps because we newly shifted, most of them were curious to have a view of the house. Even one uncle together with his family which normally don't visit my house came over. My ex-university mates have a little gathering towards the evening in my house too. Both of them were working in Singapore and back here for holidays.

On the 2nd day, as our usual routine for CNY, we went to my 4th Aunt, 4th Uncle and 3rd Uncle's house and the visit started at about noon and only finished at about 12am after visiting 3 houses.

On the 3rd day, I visiting my fiancées house and I brought her down to my house to visit my mom and an Uncle.

Yesterday was the 4th day, I was at home in the morning and in the afternoon, my fiancée went to visit one of her friend and we met up in one of the big furniture shop and both of us enjoy our time walking around and discussing the furniture we need for our bedroom and 2nd hall.

Then, in the evening, me and my mom went to a cousin's house for the CNY visit and at the same time, visited the new born baby girl she got. Then, went on to my 2nd Uncle's house and before the day ended, we went to a coffee shop as my nephew want to have his regular half boil eggs for supper.

Well, overall, this year's new year celebration was good and the fun should go on until at least coming weekend.

This afternoon, I took a half day leave and met up with by buddy for some drinks before coming back intending to pay the quit rent and assessment but, I was a bit late, it closes at 3.30pm, so I didn't manage to pay it. Have to have it postpone until coming Thursday for it.

Travelling to Ho Chi Minh

Towards the end of 2010, my company have put up a 'travel ban' for all its employees to cut spending / reduce cost.

This is a yearly affair which will take place in most of the year, if not every year in my company. Under the travel ban, travelling will only be approved for those cases which you will sign a contract / secure a sales with the customer. Included in the scope of 'travel ban' are all meetings and trainings. All those activities are frozen.

As 2011 comes, the ban in partially lifted and travelling for the purpose of meeting customer and for site survey is then allowed. Hence, tomorrow, I will be travelling to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam for a customer site visit.

The flight is at 0900 hrs and it will take about 2 hours to reach. The day will be packed with activities as I have appointments at the moment I clear the customs and immigrations.

The are meeting schedules for the next few days before flying back again on Friday morning flight at 11 am.

Then, my holidays will start and one of the highlight of the weekend is to welcome my fiancée back from the US after 10 months.

Really looking forward for that.

Scaling Mount Kinabalu

Just before Christmas in 2010, one of my friend send me an e-mail telling me that his office colleague wants to organize a trip to climb Mount Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

The best time to hike this mountain is in March and April and they group plan to go on the 20th of March 2011.

I have been doing some reading on this climb and sounds interesting. The peak of the climb is to see the sunrise and the highest peak is at 4,095m known as the Low's Peak.

So from now onwards, whenever the weather permits, I will go for jogging to physically prepare myself for this climb. When I first started, I can barely complete one round without stopping, but now, I can do one and a half round non stop and I plan to improve it to 2 rounds and so on to build my stamina for this climb and also for my own health.

This will be a great trip and lets see how it goes. Will definitely update more when I come back after the climb.