It's 8th July and I'm 5 months away from becoming a missus. Somebody else's wife. Oh the horror.
The hubs (I already call him hubs) and I are pretty cool about the wedding. I haven't turned into a bridezilla and he hasn't pulled out all his hair, so things are ok (for now). Our biggest concern thus far is the issue of finances. We aren't rich people and I think it's so expensive to get married in Singapore that we are both a little scared, but have decided to forge ahead nonetheless (actually it's me forcing him to *smile*).
Here's a little rundown on our finances so far:
Hotel = $3500 deposit
Normally hotels ask for $5000 deposit. We were quite lucky in the sense that the hotel we selected only required $3500 for deposit. Which freed up the $1500 cash for other stuff.
What you need to look out for when selecting a hotel
- Alcohol - the hotel we selected provided free flow wine and beer, which was the biggest reason as to why I selected it. Usually alcohol can cost quite a fair bit, especially if you have really good drinkers for guests. So now I don't have to worry too much about wine, though I'll still need to buy hard liquor.
- Invitation cards - ours provided invitation cards PLUS printing of inserts. Some hotels only provide invitation cards but require you to pay for your own printing.
- Complimentary table/food tasting - the hotel gave us one complimentary table and one table for food tasting. We exchanged the food tasting for another complimentary table. So we have 2 complimentary tables, which really helps to save.
- Other miscellaneous items - enough carpark coupons and wedding favours. All hotels provide wedding favours but for me, teddy bears and chocolate just make these so meaningless. I would rather give my guests something more useful, like a coaster etc. This is a personal choice though. :)
Bridal Studio = RM$5000
We decided to head over to JB for bridal studio because it's definitely cheaper than Singapore. On average Singapore's packages cost from $3000 upwards (not sure if you can even find $3000 packages these days). As the hubs drives, we didn't mind travelling in if it could help us save a little. Plus, I really liked the photos from this studio that I saw on Facebook.
Photographer = $1000
Quite fortunate to get this good deal at $1000 nett for full day (with break in between). Recommended by a friend.
Make-up artist = $450
That's for me, and also a good deal. A little apprehensive though. Hasn't seen her work yet, she came recommended by the same studio that found us the photographer and it was quite a bargain. The other one I wanted was charging $680.
Wedding bands = $1800
This one we didn't fork out cash, we paid by credit card instalments. To get points also hehe. Anyway we were slightly more ambitious and bought from Goldheart's Celestial range instead...thus the cost. Actually it costs $2400 but I traded in my old Celestial solitaire for $600 so there was a discount. We actually saw rings that cost about $800 or so, if you're on a budget and not fussy. :)
That's the rough breakdown of our expenses thus far. Hope this provides a brief guide for all the grooms and brides-to-be.
What I still need to settle:
- Dress for my mum (hubs will settle his mum's dress) and sister
- Make up artist for mum and sis
- Wedding shoes
- Wedding manicure
- Videographer for the morning highlights
- red packets for the helpers
- Chinese custom guo da li items
Sigh. So many things, so little time.
Gown fitting coming up next week! Haven't dieted at all *sheepish smile* I will just go and look slightly flabby, at least not emancipated. C&K joining us for our trip down to the bridal studio in JB! Looking forward to a fun time and a nice supper! ^_^
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Crazy Hazy!
Singapore has been hit by one of the worst forest fires in Indonesia ever. For the first time in Singapore history, the pollution index went past the 400 mark today. It is now officially life threatening for the ill or the elderly to breathe in air normally.
N95 masks are sold out nationwide. I currently have 3 in my possession and they are such precious commodities right now. I'm afraid of being robbed on the streets not for my money or valuables but for my N95 mask!
It's a miserable time in Singapore right now and no one can tell when this haze would start to subside. Everyone's just in a really bad mood and trying to stay indoors as much as we can.
I'm meeting the girls for dinner tonight! Actually could tell from our group chat that everyone's not very enthusiastic because of the stupid haze, but we are so sick of staying at home doing nothing that we're willing to risk it. Though on my part, I'll want to go home as soon as dinner ends so as not to prolong exposure to this very harmful air!
Was thinking about P the other day and thankful he's not around to suffer and breathe in such lousy air! He would have been quite miserable too. *smiles* I still miss him loads, but we're all coping better now.
N95 masks are sold out nationwide. I currently have 3 in my possession and they are such precious commodities right now. I'm afraid of being robbed on the streets not for my money or valuables but for my N95 mask!
It's a miserable time in Singapore right now and no one can tell when this haze would start to subside. Everyone's just in a really bad mood and trying to stay indoors as much as we can.
I'm meeting the girls for dinner tonight! Actually could tell from our group chat that everyone's not very enthusiastic because of the stupid haze, but we are so sick of staying at home doing nothing that we're willing to risk it. Though on my part, I'll want to go home as soon as dinner ends so as not to prolong exposure to this very harmful air!
Was thinking about P the other day and thankful he's not around to suffer and breathe in such lousy air! He would have been quite miserable too. *smiles* I still miss him loads, but we're all coping better now.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Surreal
I'm not sure whether it has sunk in totally that you have really gone away for good this time. In this lifetime, I will never be able to carry you and complain how fat and heavy you are. I will never be able to say "mum mum" and watch you lift your head up and perk your ears up. I will never be able to say "mummy where?" and see you looking at me quizzically. I will never be able to tempt you with the jar of cuttlefish and see you plant your whole head into the jar because you are blind and can't tell the cuttlefish isn't inside anymore.
I will never be able to disturb you when I am bored in my room. I will never be able to hear your snore or fart or watch you licking your paws vigorously. I will never be able to stand by the side and watch you drink water for more than a minute and roll my eyes at how long you're taking. I will never be able to see you hump your bolster and disturb you by snatching your bolster away from you. I will never say "kiss" and feel your warm tongue giving me a giant lick on my cheek. I will never be able to feel you licking me non-stop just for the fun of it. I will never open my bedroom door and see you lying outside, waiting to come in. I will never hear you bark again, in that thick, loud, indignant way of yours.
It just hasn't sunk in yet. In my mind, your absence is temporary and one day, I will be able to carry you in my arms again. I still wish for a hug, a kiss, an innocent look. Come back, P, come back. We miss you so much. You left a gap in the family that no one can fill. All of us walks around the house, goes about our work feeling like our heart's missing, or a limb's missing. We love you so so much. Are you happy now? Can you come into our dreams once in a while and let us know how you're doing?
I will never be able to disturb you when I am bored in my room. I will never be able to hear your snore or fart or watch you licking your paws vigorously. I will never be able to stand by the side and watch you drink water for more than a minute and roll my eyes at how long you're taking. I will never be able to see you hump your bolster and disturb you by snatching your bolster away from you. I will never say "kiss" and feel your warm tongue giving me a giant lick on my cheek. I will never be able to feel you licking me non-stop just for the fun of it. I will never open my bedroom door and see you lying outside, waiting to come in. I will never hear you bark again, in that thick, loud, indignant way of yours.
It just hasn't sunk in yet. In my mind, your absence is temporary and one day, I will be able to carry you in my arms again. I still wish for a hug, a kiss, an innocent look. Come back, P, come back. We miss you so much. You left a gap in the family that no one can fill. All of us walks around the house, goes about our work feeling like our heart's missing, or a limb's missing. We love you so so much. Are you happy now? Can you come into our dreams once in a while and let us know how you're doing?
Monday, May 27, 2013
Thank you for your love.
Yesterday afternoon, after the dog (P) went to get his annual vaccine, he came home unsettled and out of sorts. Hub's mum attributed it to him being scared during the vaccination. As hub's mum said it happens every year, I didn't think much of it. P was still out of sorts at night, hubs was quite concerned, but hub's mum and me both brushed it aside. He finally found a vet online and called the clinic. The clinic said panting hard is normal as P's probably running a fever. So we went to bed, thinking that if P still seems odd tomorrow we'd bring him to the vet.
I was rudely woken up at 6am by hub's dad. He told me,"P's dying! Come quick!" I went over to P and he was lying on the bed, motionless and he wasn't blinking his eyes. There was blood on his nose. Suddenly, he lost control of his bowels and peed onto the bed. I quickly went to wake hubs, who drove everyone to the 24hrs vet. The clinic people took P away right after we got there. It was a scary 30mins wait, with accusations, unhappiness and most of all, fear, clawing at everyone. Soon after, the vet came out and told us that his heart had stopped. Even before we reached the clinic, his heart had stopped and they are not able to resuscitate him.
We left P's body on the bed at the clinic, after saying our goodbyes. We are gonna get him cremated and keep his ashes at home.
I don't know whether I am still in shock. I can get through the day-to-day motion without thinking of him, but when I think of him I feel like crying, weeping violently. Which I did at my desk earlier on.
My dearest dearest P,
When I joined the family 3 years ago, you welcomed me with open arms. The family thought you were gay, because you've never shown much affection for females (other than hub's mum). I was the first. I loved you too, you were so well-behaved. It was love at first sight.
You were such a good boy all the time. You would kiss me 9 times out of 10 when I asked for a kiss. You would play toys with such vigour. Even when you went blind, you still came to our room to look for us, to spend time with us. You would sit at our feet unfailingly whenever we ate (though after you went blind you often stared at the fan, thinking it was us), you would shamelessly ask for food, standing on your hind legs and placing your paws on our thighs. None of us were any match for your big doe eyes. One of us always ended up sneaking food to you.
You were always licking your paws, such that when we asked you for "paw paw", you stubbornly refused to show us your paws because you knew you had done wrong. You were always so well-behaved when we go out. I loved teasing you by literally pulling your leg. You hated it and would bark in protest every time I did that, but we always made up, because that's what family does. You hated it when the family quarrelled, and in your own way meted out your own punishment by ignoring the wrong party for the rest of the night.
You came into my life 3 years ago, though now that you are physically gone, I will never forget you and what you've taught me - that family always loves unconditionally and always forgive. I love you my dear. I will miss your kisses, I will miss hugging you, I will miss feeding you your favourite cuttlefish and fried chicken. I love you P, I hope you know that and that I have never given you any cause to doubt my love for you. How I wish I can hold you in my arms one more time, that I can kiss you and you can kiss me back one more time. Goodbye my love, I hope heaven has clean, green pastures for you to run in, friends to play with and good food to eat. I love you my darling. I'll see you in heaven. :)
With all my love and more,
J
I was rudely woken up at 6am by hub's dad. He told me,"P's dying! Come quick!" I went over to P and he was lying on the bed, motionless and he wasn't blinking his eyes. There was blood on his nose. Suddenly, he lost control of his bowels and peed onto the bed. I quickly went to wake hubs, who drove everyone to the 24hrs vet. The clinic people took P away right after we got there. It was a scary 30mins wait, with accusations, unhappiness and most of all, fear, clawing at everyone. Soon after, the vet came out and told us that his heart had stopped. Even before we reached the clinic, his heart had stopped and they are not able to resuscitate him.
We left P's body on the bed at the clinic, after saying our goodbyes. We are gonna get him cremated and keep his ashes at home.
I don't know whether I am still in shock. I can get through the day-to-day motion without thinking of him, but when I think of him I feel like crying, weeping violently. Which I did at my desk earlier on.
My dearest dearest P,
When I joined the family 3 years ago, you welcomed me with open arms. The family thought you were gay, because you've never shown much affection for females (other than hub's mum). I was the first. I loved you too, you were so well-behaved. It was love at first sight.
You were such a good boy all the time. You would kiss me 9 times out of 10 when I asked for a kiss. You would play toys with such vigour. Even when you went blind, you still came to our room to look for us, to spend time with us. You would sit at our feet unfailingly whenever we ate (though after you went blind you often stared at the fan, thinking it was us), you would shamelessly ask for food, standing on your hind legs and placing your paws on our thighs. None of us were any match for your big doe eyes. One of us always ended up sneaking food to you.
You were always licking your paws, such that when we asked you for "paw paw", you stubbornly refused to show us your paws because you knew you had done wrong. You were always so well-behaved when we go out. I loved teasing you by literally pulling your leg. You hated it and would bark in protest every time I did that, but we always made up, because that's what family does. You hated it when the family quarrelled, and in your own way meted out your own punishment by ignoring the wrong party for the rest of the night.
You came into my life 3 years ago, though now that you are physically gone, I will never forget you and what you've taught me - that family always loves unconditionally and always forgive. I love you my dear. I will miss your kisses, I will miss hugging you, I will miss feeding you your favourite cuttlefish and fried chicken. I love you P, I hope you know that and that I have never given you any cause to doubt my love for you. How I wish I can hold you in my arms one more time, that I can kiss you and you can kiss me back one more time. Goodbye my love, I hope heaven has clean, green pastures for you to run in, friends to play with and good food to eat. I love you my darling. I'll see you in heaven. :)
With all my love and more,
J
Monday, May 20, 2013
What would you have done, if you were me?
I'm a punctuality freak. I hate being late. That said, I'm also a sucker for rules and regulations. I believe they exist for a reason and you can't break the rules as and when you want to.
I don't believe the above excuses me for my actions below, but I don't really see the need to justify anything. I'm just curious what you would do, if you were in my position.
I start work at 8.30am every morning. Sure, sometimes I'm late, when the traffic is bad or when I overslept (which happens probably once a year). Even if I am late, it's never more than 15 minutes and I make up for it after work by staying a little longer.
My colleagues, are a different story. Some of them come in at 10.30am, sometimes 11.00am. Some of them start work earlier, like 7.30am but leaves at maybe 4.00pm, when she is supposed to leave at 5.00pm. The reason they can do this and get away with it, is because we are not seated on the same floor as our bosses. I've been unhappy about this for some time, as I feel that it is unfair to people like me who makes the effort to wake up early, come to work early. I just think that they are slackers.
So I told my boss about it. I don't feel like I did anything wrong. Although the girls (yes all girls) have found out and am ignoring me but I honestly don't really care. If you don't want the boss to know, then you shouldn't have done it in the first place. And how can you call it backstabbing? Am I supposed to lie for you and keep your secret for you when the bosses ask where you are early in the morning? I don't think so.
Anyway, what's done is done and these people aren't even getting the punishment they deserve because my boss doesn't really want to offend the entire group of girls. So that's that. Maybe I should start coming to work at 10.30am, since my boss obviously doesn't seem to mind.
Sigh, maybe Hubs is right, I do things without thinking, especially so when I am upset or angry...will need to practise to control my emotions. :(
I don't believe the above excuses me for my actions below, but I don't really see the need to justify anything. I'm just curious what you would do, if you were in my position.
I start work at 8.30am every morning. Sure, sometimes I'm late, when the traffic is bad or when I overslept (which happens probably once a year). Even if I am late, it's never more than 15 minutes and I make up for it after work by staying a little longer.
My colleagues, are a different story. Some of them come in at 10.30am, sometimes 11.00am. Some of them start work earlier, like 7.30am but leaves at maybe 4.00pm, when she is supposed to leave at 5.00pm. The reason they can do this and get away with it, is because we are not seated on the same floor as our bosses. I've been unhappy about this for some time, as I feel that it is unfair to people like me who makes the effort to wake up early, come to work early. I just think that they are slackers.
So I told my boss about it. I don't feel like I did anything wrong. Although the girls (yes all girls) have found out and am ignoring me but I honestly don't really care. If you don't want the boss to know, then you shouldn't have done it in the first place. And how can you call it backstabbing? Am I supposed to lie for you and keep your secret for you when the bosses ask where you are early in the morning? I don't think so.
Anyway, what's done is done and these people aren't even getting the punishment they deserve because my boss doesn't really want to offend the entire group of girls. So that's that. Maybe I should start coming to work at 10.30am, since my boss obviously doesn't seem to mind.
Sigh, maybe Hubs is right, I do things without thinking, especially so when I am upset or angry...will need to practise to control my emotions. :(
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Hong Kong
I was in Hong Kong for 4 days about a week ago. It was a very short and rushed 4 days, there were too many things to eat and not enough time! The weather in January was awesome. It was cooling, at certain times cold, there was no rain and it was just like you were walking in a giant air-conditioned box. For a person who is quite afraid of the cold, I realised that as long as I am well-prepared and sufficiently covered, I can have a great time as well! :)
We arrived at about 11am in the morning, by the time we reached the city area where our hotel was, it was 12+pm. We absolutely adored our hotel!
Honestly, when you arrive at the Ground Floor lift lobby, you would be super apprehensive and wary. But fortunately, the hotel really exceeded our expectations.
And THIS was what enticed me to book this hotel actually...
It was great fun at night sitting here chatting, enjoying the aircon and playing cards...I've seen this type of rooftops umpteen times on HK drama serials, but to be able to stand on one was an experience in itself. :)
Not that we had time to watch DVDs....
A hand drawn MRT map on the wall...you really have to admire the patience.
The room was really tiny, but adequate. We aren't fussy people. :)
The room rate was pretty reasonable, at HKD$640 per room per night, which is about SGD$100+. Even though the room is small, but hotels in HK are all around this pricing. In addition, the staff there were fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese (not sure whether they know other languages) and were extremely helpful.
9/F James S Lee Mansion,
33-35 Carnarvon Road.
TST, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
www.hopinn.hk
Note: there are two Hop Inns in HK, both relatively near one another, but only the one at Carnarvon has the rest lounge and roof garden. The other only has rooms and nothing else.
By the time we've checked in, we were famished. Asked the staff at Hop Inn to recommend a good cha chan teng, and she recommended Tsui Wah. It's quite a popular chain in HK and they serve good food. The above Curry rice with Pork Chop was amazing, the curry was fragrant and the pork chop was crispy and tender. It was love at first bite.
Prawn dumplings that we ordered to share...big fat juicy prawns in the dumplings..yum!
I was really hungry and wanted some rice. Above was my rice with tomato egg and beef. It was good, the sweet and sour sauce was just right and the portion was big. My only gripe was that my beef wasn't tender enough.
The boyfriend's fried rice. The portion was huge and the fried rice was fragrant.
One of Tsui Wah's signature dishes. According to my friend, this is really delicious.
Tsui Wah has several restaurants around HK and they've managed to maintain the same standard for their food in their branches. Unfortunately, the service level is another thing. However, when you're in HK, don't expect too good service from eateries, restaurants. Even the more atas restaurants we went to didn't have fantastic service. Oh well. Just eat and go. :)
We arrived at about 11am in the morning, by the time we reached the city area where our hotel was, it was 12+pm. We absolutely adored our hotel!
Honestly, when you arrive at the Ground Floor lift lobby, you would be super apprehensive and wary. But fortunately, the hotel really exceeded our expectations.
 |
And THIS was what enticed me to book this hotel actually...
It was great fun at night sitting here chatting, enjoying the aircon and playing cards...I've seen this type of rooftops umpteen times on HK drama serials, but to be able to stand on one was an experience in itself. :)
The room rate was pretty reasonable, at HKD$640 per room per night, which is about SGD$100+. Even though the room is small, but hotels in HK are all around this pricing. In addition, the staff there were fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese (not sure whether they know other languages) and were extremely helpful.
9/F James S Lee Mansion,
33-35 Carnarvon Road.
TST, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
www.hopinn.hk
Note: there are two Hop Inns in HK, both relatively near one another, but only the one at Carnarvon has the rest lounge and roof garden. The other only has rooms and nothing else.
By the time we've checked in, we were famished. Asked the staff at Hop Inn to recommend a good cha chan teng, and she recommended Tsui Wah. It's quite a popular chain in HK and they serve good food. The above Curry rice with Pork Chop was amazing, the curry was fragrant and the pork chop was crispy and tender. It was love at first bite.
Tsui Wah has several restaurants around HK and they've managed to maintain the same standard for their food in their branches. Unfortunately, the service level is another thing. However, when you're in HK, don't expect too good service from eateries, restaurants. Even the more atas restaurants we went to didn't have fantastic service. Oh well. Just eat and go. :)
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Relationship 101 #2 - Money issues
Money is not an issue. Having no money is an issue. Having no money will lead to quarrels and unhappiness. One thing I've come to realised is that men and women have very different views regarding money.
Women: buys shoes, buys clothes, buys bags, buys make-up, buys rubbish things that are useless but oh-so-pretty.
Men: don't buy anything for 6 months and then buy a new car, or a new ipad, or some gadget.
At the end of the day, men and women spend almost the same amount of money. (Ok fine, it depends on how many pairs of shoes the women bought) :P
The boyfriend and I have been getting into ALL sorts of quarrels regarding money and the lack thereof. We just booked our wedding dinner and I'm planning to book my bridal photoshoot soon. All these cost money. Not to mention Actual Day photography and stuff, guo da li etc. Not exactly cheap. He told me yesterday that he needs to change his tyres of his car coz they are all worn out.
Sorry folks, I have no solution for this one. The shortage of money is such a big problem, I don't think there's actually anything to do about it except try to earn and save more. If you guys know of a solution, do let me know. I hate quarrelling about money too coz it seems so superficial and unimportant at the end of the day, but yet at the same time, money is so necessary, for us to go ahead with our wedding preparations. It is truly, the root of all evil. :(
One thing I managed to do though, was put myself in his shoes, albeit just for a little while. I know it must really suck, to be stressed about earning too little and not having enough. People can go to restaurants for meals every other day whereas we have to eat fast food, coffeeshops and even when we go to such places, order conservatively (the boyfriend has a bad habit of over-ordering). He feels quite lousy and frankly, so do I. But I am changing, becoming much more aware of the need to save, as compared to before when I lived paycheck to paycheck. I can only pray that he learns to start saving as well...otherwise, I see no end to this problem, no end to our quarrels and arguments.
Women: buys shoes, buys clothes, buys bags, buys make-up, buys rubbish things that are useless but oh-so-pretty.
Men: don't buy anything for 6 months and then buy a new car, or a new ipad, or some gadget.
At the end of the day, men and women spend almost the same amount of money. (Ok fine, it depends on how many pairs of shoes the women bought) :P
The boyfriend and I have been getting into ALL sorts of quarrels regarding money and the lack thereof. We just booked our wedding dinner and I'm planning to book my bridal photoshoot soon. All these cost money. Not to mention Actual Day photography and stuff, guo da li etc. Not exactly cheap. He told me yesterday that he needs to change his tyres of his car coz they are all worn out.
Sorry folks, I have no solution for this one. The shortage of money is such a big problem, I don't think there's actually anything to do about it except try to earn and save more. If you guys know of a solution, do let me know. I hate quarrelling about money too coz it seems so superficial and unimportant at the end of the day, but yet at the same time, money is so necessary, for us to go ahead with our wedding preparations. It is truly, the root of all evil. :(
One thing I managed to do though, was put myself in his shoes, albeit just for a little while. I know it must really suck, to be stressed about earning too little and not having enough. People can go to restaurants for meals every other day whereas we have to eat fast food, coffeeshops and even when we go to such places, order conservatively (the boyfriend has a bad habit of over-ordering). He feels quite lousy and frankly, so do I. But I am changing, becoming much more aware of the need to save, as compared to before when I lived paycheck to paycheck. I can only pray that he learns to start saving as well...otherwise, I see no end to this problem, no end to our quarrels and arguments.
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