2012 came and went..

WOW, so fast 2012 have just passed by without me realizing it. Read my last blog was about my wedding update no. 7 which was dated 16th Nov 2011, a month before my wedding. 

Well, today it is already 8th of Jan 2013. My wedding was held successfully with some minor glitches during the wedding dinner on the 16th of Dec 2011 - there was a power failure at the dinner venue, but luckily the backup generator sets came back online just before the dinner started. What a memorable event for us.

On 24th October 2012, my 2nd Uncle from my maternal side passed away. He was 75. His funeral was one of the more grand funeral I have ever attended. This is based on his final wishes and he was laid to rest at the same memorial park as my father. Rest in Peace Uncle O-Bee. I will miss you.

Also in 2012, my god-sister's mother-in-law passed away too. Her wake was at Nirvana Memorial Center where simple prayers was conducted before she was cremated and laid to final resting place in Semenyih Memorial Park.

2012 was a very exciting year for me personally. The whole of 2012 was a learning curve for me to become a husband. I think I had 'grown' and 'learn' a lot during this year. I learn to listen, discuss and talk to my wife. I learn to balance between friends and families. Both of us went through thick and thin this year trying to adapt to each other and I am sure she also have tolerated a lot during the whole year passing. I hope I did not disappointed her too much and I am sure there were more learning and experience that will come along the way for us.

As for work, 2012 have also been an interesting year for me. This year for the very 1st time I flew in a sea plane in Maldives. 

Well, that all I want to write about 2012. I have an unfinished work in 2012 which I am still continue to do until today is to get myself a Chartered Engineer's status. Hopefully by 2013 I will get it done up.

Wedding Update 8 (20th Dec 2011)

So fast, the wedding is over and now me and my wife are happily married couple.

The wedding did turn out well despite a few 'road blocks' here and there, which both of us overcome it well with the support of our families, relatives and friends.

Where should I start? Perhaps, I should start on the 11th of December 2011. I just got home from a company meeting in Chiang Mai the day before. In the morning, as I was cleaning the front porch with my mom, my neighbor informed us there could be a funeral a few houses away from mine. Indeed, there is. It seems an elderly man had passed away the night before and their family will have their Chinese ritual and prayers there in their house.

Later that evening, we found out the funeral would be held on the 13th December 2011, which was similar to our wedding date. So, we immediately plan for preventive action. Come the 12th December 2011 (Monday) morning, the canopy supplier came over in the morning at about 9am to fix up 4 sets of canopies in front of my house as I will be hosting a buffet pre-wedding dinner.

Then, at about noon, me and my cousin brother in law which will be my driver for the wedding had driven the wedding car to the photo shop for decoration.

At about 4pm the buffer dinner caterers came and started to setup for the dinner. Our first guest arrived at about 710pm and the night went on until about 11pm and even after that, me and some friends and a neighbor were still drinking all the way up to 2am.

I took a nap at about 3am and woke up at about 5.30am to shower and prepare myself to pick up my bride. I have to leave home at about 6am. All those that will go pick up my bride together with me came on time and we left home at about 615am reaching my wife's house about 7am. My brother in law (wife side) had open my wedding car door for me and immediately we were greeted by her 'sisters' at the gate and were asked to eat some cheeries soaked in vinegar, asked to sing, asked to do push ups and negotiated our ways before we were allowed to meet the bride.

Tea ceremony took place in her house and we left her house at about 830am heading home. As we reach our house, some simple prayers and tea ceremony was held. It was full of laughter and happiness and we have prepared some simple lunch for our guest and all was sorted out at about 3pm. My parents in law came to our place at about 4pm to visit. According to my wife, it is their custom that her parents will come over.

The next 2 days we have some rest before the wedding dinner reception which is scheduled on the 16th of December 2011 at Tropicana Golf and Country Resort. We were lucky that we were given the Grand Ball Room to hold the dinner.

Wedding Update 7 (16th Nov 2011)

So fast its one month just pass by and by this time next month will be our wedding dinner night.

Over the last month, we have ticked off a lot of to-do stuffs in our list.

Now, the candy bottles are sorted out, on 11th Nov 2011, as I attended my wife's friend's wedding registration, I went and bought 340 bottles for the Sticky candy we plan to give out as wedding favors. I have washed and dried the bottles and send the bottles to my Aunt's place to get some pretty ribbons tied to it.

Also, on 12th November 2011 (Saturday) we have confirmed out dinner reservation menu, we have decided to take Menu C from the 4 choices we had. The discussion went smooth and I think the captain that serves us - Diana was really professional. She even upgraded one dish for us without us asking. Also, she have push the limit of the offer by giving us up to 200 invitation card printing for free. Normal package was 5 cards per table, hence, we book 34 tables, we are only entitle to 170 cards.

However, on the way there, as I stopped by a petrol station to reload my T&G card, my car battery went dead and I cannot start my car. I have to then resort to call the insurance car assistance team which they have came prepared with a new battery for me to purchase. Only shortfall was I need to wait for him for about an hour at the petrol station with my mom in the car.

On Monday (14th November 2011) we have also visited the invitation card printer to get our artwork done and hopefully in a week or so, we can get our cards and start to distribute it.

Also, 2 weeks before that, we have also book our wedding biscuits for the 'Gor Tai Lai' which my wife have requested 100 boxes and I have added 40 boxes to be distributed for my friends and relatives.

For our wedding dinner night, we decided to hold a simple reception before the main dinner as we would expect the dinner to start about 830pm or so. After discussing this at my Uncle's shop, he suggested 2 types of cakes (Malay traditional cakes) and also to my surprise, my God Sister have offered to make some brownies for me too.

Over the month also, my wife have return back to the wedding shop to change her wedding gown which the first one she selected was not really pleasing to her / meeting her requirement. Good thing is this wedding shop we went to was kind enough to allow us to make that change as required.

Last Sunday, I have also met up with a canopy supplier which we firm up the 3 pieces of canopy for the bachelor's night, where I am expecting approx 100 guests giving that on the 12th December 2011 is a public holiday in Selangor.

This coming weekend, we will be collecting our wedding photos and also my wife have book a musical show in which the performance is about Goddess of Mercy entitle "Magic Mirror" and we need to collect the tickets by the weekend.

Also if possible, this weekend I will go and book buffet for my bachelor's night dinner. Need to finalized the menu with the person as I will want to change some dishes inside the menu.

So far the whole process have been smooth... and hopefully it will continue all the way to the wedding and dinner day.... Keeping our fingers crossed..

Wedding Update 6 (18th Oct 2011)

It had been a month since I last update this.

Last weekend, my wife went to the bridal shop again, this time to select her wedding gown and also dinner gown. She have chosen a nice cute princess outfit for the dinner gown and also a nice white wedding gown for the main wedding day.

I have also chosen my black coat for wedding. The lady there wanted to give me bow tie, I rather prefer a neck tie. Don't wanna look like a waiter on my wedding day.

On the Saturday, we went back to Central Market where my wife wanted to buy a souvenir for her boss that is going to leave the company by end of the month or so. She got him a nice wood carving which have a nice saying 出入平安 and surrounding the beautiful phrase, are 12 Chinese Zodiac animals in a circle.

Talking about Central Market reminds me of the week before that, we went there but didn't manage to buy anything from there. Small mishap happened. It was raining and my wife fell on the stairs leading to the Central Market and the fall was so hurtful that she was taken to the KL General Hospital via an ambulance to the emergency department.

It was my first time inside an ambulance and speeding through traffic. Upon arrival at the hospital, she was given a pelvic X-Ray and she was lucky as they found no bones broken. She was discharged on the same day and we took a cab back to our car and drove her back. This is the first time I see the service of the government hospital went so fast. It took us only approx. 2 hours to get the X-Ray and discharged out from there. The best part was it was really really cheap. We only paid RM1 for the whole treatment including the ambulance pick up.

Until today she is still recovering from her fall 2 weeks ago and she is a very strong girl and can endure all the pain and I am very sure she will recover well.

Wedding Update 5 (23rd Sept 2011)

It had been a while since I update this blog. Too busy with work in the office lately and when I reached, home, was too tired and also sick to look at the monitor / computer again.

Over the past month, we have done / accomplished / ticked off many of our to-do list. Firstly, we bought our bed side tables and dressing table already and it had been delivered. The purchase was done together with my parents-in-law which came to our house on the 31st of August 2011 for the very first time since I have moved in last November 2010.

On the 11th of Sept 2011, my god-sister-in-law had represented my side to meet and discuss with my in-laws on our wedding. She had done this for her younger brother previously, so this time she is doing it for me. I pick her up from her house at about 930am and reached my in-laws' place at about 1030am and we discussed until about 1130am. Basically, both my wife and me have done some amount of 'home work' and most of the items we had already discussed prior to this meeting. Hence, it went very smoothly.

Then, on the 16th of Sept 2011 (Friday - Malaysia Day), we did a whole day trip, again full of productive work. First we went to the bridal shop to review our photo framework which have been edited after our first comment. Then, we drove to Kepong to look for a shop to sample their bridal cakes and also found the shop that sold mini glass bottles in Kota Damansara. Then, we tried to buy another sample from another bakery shop in USJ, but the shop was closed for the public holiday.

After sampling the biscuits we bought, both sides agreed that the cakes tastes good and decided that we will order from this shop. Now need to finalized the number of boxes we need to buy.

Well, this is all I have for now. Will update more as the dates approaches. Stay tuned....

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....