matrimony and harmony

it has been a long weekend, of smiles and happiness. it was a weekend of matrimony (adrain and christie) and harmony (tai keng gardens neighbourhood) i feel so accomplished, despite the pains and aches i feel every night as i lay on my bed and doze off to dreamland. thinking back on the events of the past weekend, it still feels wonderful...

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friday was "running around" day. in the morning, i had to make sure i reply all my emails and clear my to-do list, because i knew the weekend would be a hectic rush. went over to Sears with the Ocean Sky people to create their avatars for the mannequins in their office. these people are so fortunate to have a unobstructed view from novena tower. as i was standing in their conference room, i saw smoke coming out from the residential area below. joked with sharon that either the house is on fire or they are having a huge bbq. after 3 minutes, the smoke dispelled so we presume that was good news.

evening was spent hurrying to tampines mall for my manicure, then to find a top to wear to the wedding and off to shan's place to prepare the signboards for the funfair.

went home tired and bummed out. the need to sleep early and the need to clear my work and emails was totally in contradiction. the result, i slept at 1+ in the morning. sigh.

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the day started at 6.30 in the morning. daddy is adrian's driver, so we had to go over early to help out. went over to auntie ann's to find an anxious and excited adrian figuring out why his best men and his bridal car driver late. (actually we all arrived at the same time, which is a mere 5-8 minutes past 8.) it was a flowers-and-balloons galore. auntie ann really put in a lot of effort to make this wedding special for the couple. she planned everything from the balloons, to the food, the decor, the ribbons, the flowers, the candles...

groom and best men discussing their "kidnap" strategy. (howie suggested scaling the walls in commando-style and kidnapping the bride, exiting from the back door, leaving the bridesmaid at the main door negotiating for bride price. this is what i call experience.) bridal party leaves home. people started streaming in. flower girls and boys warming up and practising for wedding march (from car porch to dining room). bridal party returns. couple stunned at the arrangement of the flower girls and boys. customary "mee sua" and eggs in sweet soup. tea ceremony. bride changes into new dress and heads home for another round of tea ceremony. finally we have breakfast and lunch. bummed around and chatted. painted melinda's nails. went to hairdresser's to do hair. headed to the sentosa. it was already 7pm.

i was made the receptionist and was found repeating the same two sentences: "hi. could i have your last (or family) name please?" and "would you like to sign for the newly weds?". it was a no-children party, so everyone was well-dressed and they all looked like a million-bucks. kisses and hugs everywhere. catching up over wine and drinks was the rule of the evening. to my tp friends reading, i met willie hsu! he was shocked to learn that i was the groom's cousin! he still looked the same. forgot to snap a photo with him. sigh. soon, it was time to enter the ballroom. it was a 5-course western dinner, and i was one satisfied guest. why? i had free flow of bread rolls throughout the night! i think i ate about three or four! yums! dinner was nice... the jazz singer and pianist was good. (she actually sounded close to the original singers. i think she sang a number of norah jones songs, and all the jazzy love songs.) everyone looks happy and it was draggy like those normal chinese dinners.... i went home filled to the brim and satisfied. it was a pretty wedding. something different from the usual dinners. i am sure it sparked off dreams of those gonna-wed people in attendance.

for your information: the photo with marcus posing with the packet of sugar, it was actually a cup of mushroom soup!

reflection of the day: i miss my grandma! as i looked at my grandpa sitting in the chair alone during the tea ceremony, as he had to pour a little of tea onto the tray (chinese custom to respect the dead) and drinking the rest on her behalf, i almost teared as i stood there serving the tea. she would have knew exactly what to do. she would have known most of the people there, even those we have not met in years. she would have been so proud to see adrian happily married. she was looking forward to this day. but nevertheless, i know she is with our Lord Jesus Christ, in a perfect world, free of pain and suffering.

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more photos available at denice's photo album here.
yesterday was the funfair organised by the tai keng gardens residents' committee. the youths participated with four stalls: vanity faire (nail painting, hair weaving and temp tattoos), fishy business (fishing with a spoon), quench your thirst (serving bubble tea, smoothies and ended selling even iced tap water) and food for thought (cookies, sandwiches and the like).

we went crazy when we were setting up the place, when we ran out of fishes because people were catching too much, when we had to do shift change,when thunder started to roar, (and thank God He kept the rain away by two bus stops!), when we didn't know if we covered cost, and even when we had to pack up and leave. everyone was busy, yet enjoying themselves. it was clearly evident on their faces. to recall everything that happened yesterday would be a torture on my brain. it wasn't as chronological as the wedding day, and everything was done in a blur.

dinner at amara was fun, but i could really tell the day was starting to take a toil on everyone. energy was slowly seeping out of our bodies and we started to shut down slowly. when i reached home, i was half zonked out. but didn't sleep early.

amazing how squabbles can bring people closer together. a little fight with jon last night just made me understand him more. and i am thankful that he is still willing to put up with my nonsense. always so willing to give in to me, it just makes me love him more.


joke of the day @ 12+ in the afternoon
yong: why does the lightning always strike tress?
mich: because they are tall?
yong: when the storm comes, and the wind blows.. the tree 'sway'.... (updated the answer after yong corrected me... hee...)

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just received information of my graduation ceremony in september. finally i am going to be officially graduating. for those of you out there who are curious at what graduation gowns we would be wearing, here it is.