No symmetry.

So my hubby cuts me mangoes. See photo already can see he so meticulous and symmetrical. Gosh, I can do the same actually but in lesser symmetry and proudly - uglier. 

He cuts me fruits cantek-cantek all the time. Mango, starfruits, jambu, grapes. 

My hubby cooks me spaghetti bolognese with grilled chicken as sides after work. I could do the same, but in higher grease and salt content.

He climbs the roof to fix it DIY while his emo wife screams and screams for him to come down and ask some other pro to do it. After that, he cleans the toilets of my entire house, and still have time to make me tea and buys me seedless grapes to eat.

He buys me a Swiss watch because he cannot tahan his corporate wife wearing an Adidas digital watch to work. 

He bought me a Swiss, but not Federer.

He scolds the gangster neighbour for me at the front gate of my neighbour because his wife got mad of the neighbour's parking antics. I horn horn horn and my hubby, full of guts, scolded da gangster. Now hubby more gangster than I have ever knew. I strictly believe he would go prison because of me.

He does the gangsta behaviour in public occasionally.

He explains to me historical facts of China before I went Beijing, and tells me in details about the Nascar Lines and how it is connected to the Egyptian pyramids. He explains the SAS (that army thingy) to me, while I mind flies off blankly and eyes fixed on this month's Harper's Bazaar.

He plays Napolean Blownapart here. 

He translates Chinese movies to English (real time) and re-explains the story line/scene because that movie don't have English/Malay subtitles. He's expert in chow sing chi movie.

He runs with me every weekend slower than his usual pace like slow snail like dat...because of scared his wife kena kidnap. Mosquitoes also faster.

Things he does for me. Makes me a spoilt princess.

I am never a drop-dead romantic person. I told (more like warned) my hubby since day one we met that I would never(?) do lovey-dovey things with him. PDA is fine, flowers and fine jewelry are fine (of course they are fine! haha), but I told him: NO wearing same shirts around, NO matchy-matchy colours, utter respect for my big laughs, NO sharing of DNA in any form unless his well-done steak looks better than my medium-rare chicken, NO ending a race together holding hands, Don't expect this girl to bake a cake or cookie for you, You eat all my homecooked food without complains, etc. So this is how it was, how it is today. Pity him. Hahaha.

Then things start to wean as time goes by and I realised he is not that romantic actually. Ok, let me rephrase: I realised that he is romantic in a way women is not likely to identify with. As time goes by he is giving me less flowers and cards and jewelry, but he is getting more affectionate and responsible of me and my life. He cares. He makes time for me every single day. He make me laugh everyday. He laughs at my jokes even not funny just to please me, I know. So stupid.

My hubby is a latte art destroyer and this particular act always breaks my heart....

....but I close one eye.

Why am I documenting all these hubby antics? I really don't know. Maybe anniversaries does make me go emo. One day probably I'll look back (knowing that relationship ages with time and if I get Alzheimer), I can smile back and remember, yes, remember this good old days and read them like bedtime stories to my cucu-cicit.

One year ago, yesterday. Bliss.

(Disclaimer: Again, I am no relationship expert)

Most important we don't change each other and accept each other. What he doesn't like, he close one eye; what I don't like, I don't go changing him. I close my eye too. We don't go tolerating each other but accepting each other's traits. Things can change, we change it by our own merits without force; if we start to go into changing things that we CAN'T change, that will be the horrific term called: controlling. And nothing more confusing than giving you 1 more good advice: Discuss with each other before doing/deciding anything huge. I am an independent girl and he is an independent man, but we are hubby-wifey, needs 100% discussion. No golden ratio in relationships. Weird, we do fight but lesser and lesser and lesser (amen!) this past year, but when argument happens, I will start crying, then he cannot tahan wan...sure he gives in (secret strategy). That's our fighting rhythm. Hahahaha. I know he knows.

He's not only my Napolean, but my Legolas. Only shorter.

Happy Anniversary Hubster! Aren't you lucky to have found me 4 years back?!

Bangkok - a gift to parents

I knew I would return to Bangkok one day for a shopping spree. The last time I was in Bangkok was with my bestie Jonie during Hari Raya Year 2005. This time, I bought the trip for myself and my parents as a gift, or let's just say...for the heck of it. Tix are cheap to Bangkok with Malindo. Unlike rival AirAsia, Malindo has free 20 kg luggage per person and also tidbits/water are served on board. Prices are lower than AirAsia. In short, Malindo is a budget airline with better on-board perks.

Selfie with parents= groupfie

One day before we depart, the military junta in Thailand took over (coup d'état) the country's "temporary government"  after the fall out of the previous prime minister. There has always been demonstrations or protests here and there in Bangkok and this seemed like a usual daily scene, and to me, this is democracy. In fact, the military take over is actually a 'good' thing (not for democracy per se), but to remove demo from the roads as some demonstrations can turn violent (e.g. scores of deaths recorded in Jan 2013). Also it this military wants to set the record straight between the opposition and the temporary government so that democracy can be installed again (i.e. election) in the kingdom. But all sides won't give in.

Headlines on the day of our arrival

Sounds serious, but this demonstrations and coup d'état over the several decades in Bangkok has never hampered tourists coming into Thailand. In fact, the only impact of the coup is that a curfew between 10pm - 5am was implemented to prevent illegal demonstrations on the roads. Tourists only suffer a shorter nightlife (which is what Bangkok is famed for), but otherwise, nothing much has changed. I see ZERO army on the roads at the area Sukhumvit where our hotel is, and 1-2 army guys at Chatuchak market area. Otherwise, life goes on in the city. To the people of Bangkok (Thailand), tourism is no.1 contributor to its GDP and no local would want to hurt their tourism. Oh well, probably Hatyai is the exception.






Bangkok is tourist-friendly and English, albeit it's Thai sing-song slang, is used widely. We made into various shopping malls, and of course the Chatuchak market where shopping is easy-breezy. The exchange rate Ringgit-Baht is quite alright, but mind you, luxury goods in Thailand is not worth buying. All luxury good in Bangkok is as expensive as in Kuala Lumpur. So are the cuisines and food. Conversion shows that a bowl of beef noodles is RM5.00, which is similar to KL rate. Using the Big Mac as the benchmark, their BigMac set is slightly more expensive than in KL.

Chatuchak market needs no explanation!

Beef ball noodles with raw vege

Can't get this delicious milk in KL. I drank so many bottles in Bangkok. Crazy fats.

Using Viator.com, we booked a tour to the infamous but super commercialized and touristy Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak, 100km off Bangkok. Recently only I realized that Viator has many great deals and very reliable site for tours at any nation around the world. We love the tour guide which was very good in English, which the whole journey enlightened us about the country, tourist traps and the political situation in Thailand.

Our half-day tourguide designated by Viator.com

Selfie

She's cooking my Pad Thai

Authentic but quite pricey pad thai at floating market

Back to the floating market - it was indeed a verry touristy area, but since we started the trip early we arrived early at the location with a lesser crowd. It was a very interesting experience for me, and my mum (who initially wanted to have this tour) had a good time buying and eating at the floating market. Yes, pushy sellers are everywhere but they are actually making an honest living, so what's there to complain? Our tour (consisted of 5 ppl including myself), also made a detour to the coconut processing factory, and also the wood-carving factory. All interesting stuffs!



If there's a thing to complain, it's the sunny and hot weather in Bangkok. My Accuweather warned me of sunburn at the average daily temperatures of 36-37 degCelcius in Bangkok. We sweat like a pig at any hawker/outdoor eateries. I really like Bangkok's shopping malls esp. Siam Paragon. 4 days in Bangkok: I went there 3 days to eat, shop and walk. The curfew only affected us in terms of BTS and shopping malls' early closure. Actually we are not affected at all by the curfew, as my old man always wants to rest early at the hotel as he is....oh well, OLD. Nightlife is totally not his thing.

Kyo Roll En is this Japanese dessert cafe in SiamParagon that has a long queue, we thought we need to try what's the hype all about!

Kyo Roll En is famous for their cream Swiss roll with a Japanese twist- green tea

The food is a fusion of: Swiss roll, green tea gelato and honey, snowball dessert,s and frozen green tea candy. Sooo delicious. No regrets! 

They hold hands and hug whenever they go with no embarassement. My parents as a great example of lovebirds at golden age.

Another round of my fav dish in Thailand - PadThai.

Our hotel also upgraded us to a super large room with large beds due to the low tourists turn-out that week and/or cancelation upon hearing of military coup in Bangkok. Oh, what silliness....no way any demonstration can affect us. If you can imagine, you are protesting in say...Dataran Merdeka, and I am sitting in my house in Puchong, what fear do I get? Exactly...NONE. Plus, the protest/demonstrations are mostly centred at the vicinity of government buildings, which is pretty far off our hotel.



Bangkok, albeit the unbearable heat, is a great place to eat. I dare not recommend luxury shopping for us Malaysians (due to prices almost similar for luxury goods), unless you are looking for some specialty Thai brands like Naraya. The bags at Naraya is so sweet and cheap there, I bought so many 'til I drop.



Farewell Bangkok. Next vacation is with my beloved Hubby. Can't wait to go, post and boast!

Rant of the Day: Improve

Malaysian politicians, the government including some d**kheads cannot take criticisms from THE rakyat. We are tax payers (all races, yah) and we have to right to criticize any wrong doings and voice opinion to improve the country's well being. But the response to my criticism/feedback are "Balik China/India if you hate Malaysia" (who said I hate?? I want improvements), "Don't eat chicken/fish if the prices has gone up (but every other barang also have gone up watt)", and I have overheard from a 'friend': "Pity the kidnappers/militants in Sabah waters as they are still our Muslim brothers (criminal is criminal, don't care what religion you rot in hell; f**k off my country)", etc. 

For me, you don't deserve to be my friend(!), minister, spokesperson or parliamentarian if you give such stooopid/childish responses. And it's actually nothing political or racist about trying to voice out our concerns to amd about the government. I am talking about government as a whole  = government has non-bumi and bumi working in it (pls remember bumiputra includes bumis in Sabah, Sarawak). Please improve your performance also cannot say out ahhh?? I am borne in Malaysia, I voted and I seek improvements, but lives in a country that screws or arrest people who tells it to improve.

-Rant ends-

But wait. One more: What's worst I heard in my entire lifetime: "My race/religion is better than your race/religion". I told her: You are Hitler and btw, your being in your 'superior' race still cannot beat those African i.e. Kenyan runners in long distance.

Helloooo....no race/religion is superior. God is that Great. Have Faith.

May The 4th Be With You!

As I am writing to you now, both my quads and calf are screaming in pain, I can't walk down any staircase and there's this never-ending hunger pang (like even now). Nothing unusual as I get this 'finisher' syndrome every time I completed a full marathons. This is my 5th Full Marathon, but first for year 2014 in the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu.  I am back to office today, and tried (act!) to walk straight because I didn't like to invite comments from my boss/colleagues on my ducky-walk or comments such as "See, what good would it make to run a full marathon, walking like you've got pain in the ass??" 

Seaview from atop Suria Mall

Tell you this: you lose like tonnes of fluids and salts from your system during the race, but replenishing them with a single banana and a couple of power gels during the race doesn't do any good, especially in Kota Kinabalu, on a May weather. Just as you thought you start your race damn early at 3.00AM, dawn breaks as early as 5.30AM (hello, forgotten we are in East Malaysia heh). At that time, I have already completed my first 22 km. And by 6.00AM the sun is already high in the east and begin doing what it does best - scorch your skin into crispiness. Any sign of sea breeze (which you kinda expect in KK) seems non-existent.

When I reached the 30 km mark, the sun has soared high and I stopped to pile my sun-block on my shoulders. Hey, it took 6 months for my tan-lines to fade for my wedding and I can't afford for them to return. 31 km was when the I felt my skin and flesh burn like a well-done beef. What's worst is that this full marathon route has no 'hiding' spots. "Hiding" spots, in my own running dictionary, is when there are shadows from huge trees or scrubs or lanes that are blocked from direct sun shine. At least you get these shadowy refuges at Standard Chartered KL or PJ Half-Marathon routes, but these hiding spots are simply non-existence in KK from KM31-KM42. That's 10 km under the direct sun.

My pace was faster than my last FM in KL, I know, because I just know! (I've been running long-distance since 2009, so kinda know your pace). But the last 5 km was super messed up cause I started screaming curses at the scorching sun and my face has this layer of salt that builds up tragically on my eyes/nose. Any cardiologist would thank the Lord for lost of salts and fats from the systems, but I almost faint of dehydration.  But when I drank so much water, it was pointless too because I felt like pee-ing. Like SUPER-Pee. Like that Donnie Yen character in Ice Man. Every part of me screamed contradictions.

It was 40km and my watch hit 4hrs 55min. 2KM more....wei....but damn, I took 20 freaking minutes for that last 2 KM!!! SHIT. I cursed myself into the finish line, but smiled when I saw my hubby congratulated me at the finish line. Plus, I cursed because unconsiderate pasar-malam strollers were blocking my finished line. "SHIT, Why why do you have to block the finish line!!!" And I was also not smiling when I saw some cheerleaders holding placards written: "SMILE if you are wearing underwear". Oh well, take a guess. *the benefit of compression running pants is to run light*.

It was still a personal best for me as I finished an over-distanced full marathon at 5 HRS 20 MINS. I wasn't happy because I returned with tan-lines as a souvenir and I was so hungry, and I also needed a bath, and I also need a nap, and I also need to go to the airport, but I also have a blister on my toe. ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Carbo-loading at Little Italy - Salmon Bruschetta 

Teh Tarik ice & Teh ais masala - which means lots of foam even on cold drinks.

We just follow the crowd. Many people = good food.

Okay, the next full marathon is in October. Let's see how much time I will improve there. I will need more training but I don't know why I blurted to my hubby, in a horrible mood I guess, that I will give running a rest. More Karaoke and music sessions for the soul. Did I mention shopping?

4th of May be with you (in Malaysia style).

Milo Breakfast Day 2014: Beep! Beep!

I was happy to enter this race because this was my first race of the year since I swore to give my skin a rest from UV radiation. But it's not quite possible anyway because even if I didn't join any races since the full marathon on Oct 2013 (SCKLM), I still do trainings and runs (e.g. LSDs and Double Hills at Bukit Tunku every weekend) as well as 2-3 evenings a week at Bkt Jalil Park. I sometimes hit the gym. I still teach some swimming. So I still get some amount of sunshine. Boo...

I joined Milo Breakfast Day Run last year at UPM and won a couple of extra Milo products because I was top 15. I felt great after that run because there was free flow Milo supplies, and mind you, it's not your regular Milo drink - It's the Milo from the Milo conventional green trucks. I wonder what drugs or chemicals they spike in their formulation, but we at home could never beat these Milos that came right from the trucks. It is immensely smooth, cold and the sweetness and milkiness is ever just right! I don't want to know what Coke's secret formula is, but my life will be spent on learning the exact ratio of 'The Milo Formula from Green Trucks'.

This year I once again I thought I would enjoy the free flow again and get my 'free' supplies of Milo by getting at least top 30. So, I did!! I was top 13. Even with lack of training compared to last year, I don't know for what reason, my timing improved by 2 mins and I got into Top 13!! So, here comes my reward of many Milo packs (a year's worth of supply, maybe?). This year had its participation doubled. Putrajaya was the venue this year. I am familiar with this route as I was to UPM's (10 years of education spent there). But Putrajaya's route is wayyyy flatter. I've been to Putrajaya's route from Pacesetter's 15km in 2011, and Men's Health, so I was familiar with the entire route.

My hubby got Top 91! His aim was to get into Top100.

In this Milo Run, 7km is a short distance but short distances are much harder to race (in my own dictionary): heart-attack-runs, which many long-distant runners are not accustomed to. You need to start fast, run faster, end lagi fast. Like Looney Toons's  road runner. Short burst of quick paces, I noticed, cause many runners to pant. Many runners that ran along side me pant so hard, I thought they would collapse on the spot. More speed work needed, people! Oh well, you can walk all the way, but not if you want free Milo packs and first in line at the green trucks!

What's great this year was the amazing, amazing weather and more tables were set for breakfast.  But wasn't so great with the double in participation to 20,000 people and less Milo green trucks this year. I lost my hubby in a sea of green, and although he was wearing black, so were 1000 ppl. Next time, we would wear running jerseys in stripes of red and white, like Waldo!

Ooo, of course, the drones. My first in seeing a drone at work. It's pretty awesome albeit having the thought of something's always 'watching'over you. I think the drone was recording videos cause the Milo FB seemed to have uploaded a couple of videos from eagle's eye view.

Okay, what's next? Borneo International Run next week! I am only aiming for < 5:30 but I doubt I could even make that time. I lacked LSD trainings plus the thunderstorms that hampers all my evening runs. Yay to end water rationing, but nay for marathon trainings.


Til then, Ivy-out.

March-ing forward

March was crazy.

First was my wedding. Immediately came the anti-climax (read: post-wedding disorder) that hit me like a truck: The wedding we planned for 6 months, was all over in ONE day! I am married but I don't see anything has changed. Maybe we have been living together before that and wedding was just a formality. But before you lay your judgement, just to let you know now that I am really very happy being married, yo! I feel grown up somehow, to have someone by my side at night and for me to kacau.

Some snap shots of my wedding morning by my aunt recently given to me.

Then it struck me that  I don't have any honeymoon planned. I have a race in KK in May called the Borneo International Marathon but that trip is booked for the sole purpose of racing and there don't seem to be any time left for go-sees. Oh well, maybe running is how we both fall-in-love, and maybe running is how we'll honeymoon. During the full-marathon: we've got 6 hours of romantic 'get-away', literally.

Nope.

We went to MATTA fair and booked a trip to Turkey. It will be in November 2014. So mind you, it may be a bit too late(?? subjective) for a honeymoon. Okay, let's call it a TRIP instead. Turkey was never in my mind as a trip, but because we both want to avoid beaches (too much beaches, tanning and dive trips in our entire lives, you must agree), and I wanted a BIG CITY trip - with much historical value and *ahem*...shopping element included. Turkey was quite reasonable as it is now in the middle of a internal political mess, and also some brushing with Syria down south, but still, much better than Egypt. And we are going to those places in the far west (countryside?) of Turkey - Pamukalle's, Troy (did somebody said Brad Pitt?!), Ephesus, Pergamon, bla bla bla bla, dunno where, some cruise, and then finally Istanbul, so you won't feel the political tension in the city, if applicable.

I thought of visiting cities of Honshu Island for spring but there were runners that returned with radiation exposure due to Sendai/Fukushima run-offs to the underground water (read: contamination) and ocean (read: sushi and sashimi), etc. which actually did scare me a little. I want to have a baby, of course. And some doctors advice that if you kena radiasi, have to wait 6 years before you should conceive, so that your baby has lower risk to mutations. That's probably too long a wait.

Or Australia? But I have been to Australia a couple of times and seems like there's no ancient history for me look forward to. Scenery are so not my kinda thing. Or Santorini? Too expensive to visit just ONE place just for its scenery. Or Eastern Europe? Cost too much, with too many cities at one go (think hectic!) and not many annual leave left for both of us. There's always a next time :-)

Now, I am taking up a course sponsored by my company to be a certified chemist. This is darn important to my career, if not, my own perusal. As many of you already know - I still love studying. When you start to work, you kinda miss studying. I know having a doctorate is high enough, but deep down I still want to improve myself with different kinds of knowledge over the years. Furthermore, I might want to earn an MBA somewhere down the road. I am thinking to follow the footsteps of my hubby (professional engineer & MBA) but tough luck as he's more focused than I. My chemistry course will be in UTAR and this program will definitely affect my weekend-double-hill-run pat-thor and charkuayteow time with hubby for the rest of the year.

This year seems to pass super fast but not without events that shook me and the world real hard - MH370, the prolonged dry season, and now water crisis in Selangor, kidnapping at Sabah, etc. Then before you know it American Idol is already at Season 13. The last I remember was Philip Philips sang "Home" in his finale, I now wonder which season he was in. I was glued to The Voice & eyes on Adam Levene for Season 1 & 2, but *blink*blink*eye* it's now Season 6. I was called Ivy che-che all these while by everyone at home, but now, now my cousins and nieces, nephew call me Ah Sam or Ah Sou. (Yah...I know....like how my mum called the vegetable aunty at Kg. Simee market)

Blardy, I am Ah Sou already. Hell, time flies.

Pray for MH 370

Three recent trips to Beijing within a span of 5 months took me aback when I heard that my frequented flight MH 370 from KUL-PEK has gone missing since 8 March 2014 early morning.

As I set there, I thought to myself that I this is all fate and I am indeed blessed. Many friends/relatives showed concern on whether I was on that flight, but clearly I am here, texting them back saying I am here in KL. I had a sense of surrealism; I could have been in that flight (if not for my wedding). I looked at the recent boarding passes from MH 370, and did shed some tears :-(

Many hours have passed since the flight has gone missing without a trace of wreckage. I pray hard for the passengers in there and hope there are found. People said not to speculate about a crash as there's no wreckage found, but actually do think it has crashed at this point of time, but hope no one suffer. I clearly remember that MH 370 has always been a lovely flight because most passengers just sleeps throughout the whole journey - 12.40am-6.30am. If there were deaths, I hope he/she slept through it; I don't know.

Please pray for MH370 (#prayforMH370).

Pray for the distressed relatives, and also people from everywhere who embark on the SAR.

No blame should be put on anyone, anything at this point. I hope this incident will unite all Malaysians amidst the country's recent political and economic setbacks, social problems, and global warming. God bless Malaysia.

The REAL wedding story.

http://www.mywedding.com/chongyitivy/index.html

I have heard of little girls dreaming of their BIG DAY. I wonder why I never had such dreams. Mum say I have male testosterone overwhelming in my system since I was a kid. I hated Barbie. And her partner Ken. All I dreamt of when I was a little girl was how to beat up my elder brother who was a bully at home, and win a gold medal in swimming, and be a doctor.

As my wedding drew near, I still did not keep my nails long; I broke the longest nail on my middle finger all because it broke while I opened up stubborn little lids of tin-boxes a.k.a. favours (but still, 500 boxes!)  to put in chocolate Kisses and hearts. Never thought wedding favours was ever in my favour, but it just happen. I saw it online, and I immediately wanted this door gift for my guests.

Chocolates into wedding favours. Stupid lid. Too tight.

My manicurist complaints that my nails were too short to be a bride, therefore solid colours are a no-no. 

I don't exactly know why girls would enjoy preparing for their wedding, because I totally hated it. At first. I screamed murder when I had to buy and bring back 2000 pieces of chocolates from Langkawi. And thanks to bloody-kiss-my-ass AirAsia, I had to pay RM75 for the extra check-in chocolates due its policy. But I must say, I love the Bachelorette hang-out at Langkawi's Rebak Island resort with my besties - Kim, Pink, Raine, Cal. Like, A LOT.

Groupfie: My besties and I at Langkawi. More post on Langkawi, next!

Then, I realised that I put on around 1 kg three weeks before my wedding. I blame it on Beijing's sub-temperatures that made me eat tonnes of food. Also the lack of any forms of exercise over the whole month. And the Chinese New Year cookies. Oh well, it's just a wedding, whatever works. I tried on my wedding gown and was like - hmmppphhh....not working: the lace sleeved gown I did really, really like was bulking my up shoulders and my breast looked too awesome to be me, while my Qipao was suddenly tight at the ass. Damn.

Was my number.1 dress. Did love it a lot: laces and bare-back. But at the end of the day, it wasn't fiting on my shoulders. Blah.

Then I realised I should just wear a Princess-cut ball gown to conceal my tummy fats and increased weight at my thigh area. Puffy stuff, but works for all body shapes. Thank God for Taobao.com, I carefully purchase a stunning wedding ball-gown online for a-price-you-cannot-believe-it-is-so-damn-cheap in Beijing with the help of my Chinese colleagues.

I like it super simple. This is a princess-cut ball gown.

And then came the games for the jip-san-leong. Can't make the games too easy, can't be too difficult also. So how? My besties helped me up. Thank God for Levene and sis and at the end of the day, plus every single chi-mui and chi-kor that volunteered, the games plans was finally laid out.

The Pledge

Then, I realised I have no small notes to give angpow. All RM50. Luckilly brother works in the bank.

Then, I realised I no make up artist for my actual morning as I do not want to rush to the bridal shop and back home again on my wedding morning. Okay, grab Fong's cousin, Jane. She's good!

Almost forgotten to re-dye my hair. No more burgundy red, but this time it went wayyyyy too blonde. Chi-muis complaint, so I had to had a temporary dark brown spray across my hair done by Jane on the morning itself.

Then, I realised, guest list still not jive yet. Not synchro at all. Some not yet RSVP. Headache giler wei. 500 guests in total. And 70% of the guests I have no idea who they are. The hardest part of the wedding planning is THIS.

Then I realised my cousins need to sing. Because I want them to. What if the DVD player doesn't play out the songs?

What if no one turns up for the Sek Chao Fun, when I ordered a lot? What if my outstation guests couldn't find my new house?

Amazing buffet food and decor by Best Cathering, Ipoh

All the way from Iran for my sek-chao-fun. 

Chi mui and Chi kor were briefed on the games for next day by Maid-of Honour - Levene

My long, long friend - Mike who takes great pictures. Okay, I miss my long hair now.

SO, WHO SAYS WEDDING IS ENJOYABLE!?!!?!

The planning isn't, but the actual wedding day was pretty enjoyable. My actual day photographers, Jeremy and Cronus made it work. They made me feel calm as they give good directions throughout the day. My make up artist made me into perfection. My mum panicked, but she managed it at the end of the morning. All chi muis were all helpful. My lead chi mui, Levene is the BEST!!!! I give her all the credit for the WHOLE DAY!

Undeniably, both my sis-in-laws are amazing - Vivien and Meagan. They have gone through wedding process, therefore experiences play a huge role here. Helpful is an understatement. Vivien conducted the whole wedding dinner, while Meagan played a huge role during in the morning to pack my stuffs to my 'new' home and during dinner, handled the guests and seatings.

I was tired due to the many gold chains and bangles and rings all over my body. Not that I am complaining, but I was really tired as I didn't sleep the night before. I was more worried of whether I could last through my wedding dinner. I fear I might turn into a Bridezilla at night.

I just sit through the night, thinking...hhmmmphhh....how can I go table by table to toast? A total of 50. I also knew that I need to at least have one sip of that 'Buddha Jump Over The Wall' (second dish). It was hearty and delicious! I also had a bite of the roast suckling pig and it was awesome. I knew this was the restaurant if you wanted good food. However and sadly, I didn't get to try any other dishes that was served out. Time is luxury.

Buddha Jump Over the Wall

Loh Mai fun

Mix vege

Big prawn head

Suckling pig and chicken

Oh well, weddings are a pain if you look at it like how I looked at it in the beginning. But the joy came naturally when you see yourself like a princess and never before looking so stunning. My estrogen hormones took over and I began to enjoy the process of a wedding. My wedding. Tiredness is secondary when you see your relatives, friends and family having fun during your wedding. Effects and make-up does make a lot of difference, and is a necessity; look for a good and professional photographer and/or make up artist to help you out throughout the day.

If you are still not married, you will scream at me when I say this: "Planning a wedding is a pain. Thank God for this once-in-a-lifetime event". But looking back, I wouldn't do anything different for my wedding. Oh well, maybe lose a bit of weight.

*we women are never satisfied*

Special thanks to:
1. Levene Wong (million hugs and kisses to my Maid-of-Honour!)
2. Tan Vee Vien (million kisses and amazing voice)
3. Tan Vee Nie a.k.a. Katniss Everdeen
4. Janice & Siow Nee (really help out throughout the day without complain)
5. Kimberley
6. Sua Jo Nie
7. Lorraine
8. Callie
9. Fipink (Thank you besties no.5,6,7,8, 9 for the never ending support and love throughout the years)
10. Ow
11. Kenny
12. Beh (Thank you chi-kor no. 10, 11, 12 for the effort and daring to help up)
13. Arshia (Thank you for all the many years of honest opinions, sobs and joy together. You have never fail me)
14. Ardavan (You will be better than your brother soon)
15. Yeng Pooi (my supposed-to-be Maid of Honour. Really really wished things would turned out differently and you could be here. Thank you for background support)
16. Jeremy L. & Cronus, & Jane Fong (macam directors to me that altogether created the stunning, princess me *kowtow*)
17. Uncle George and Wife for his timeliness and his super, super beautiful Bentley
18. Other friends which I wish could name them all here.
19. Both sides of my family and all relatives.



Amen to these great friends, family, relatives who are supportive and really helpful to my mum and dad, that came from near and far. God bless you all.

Btw, we have no honeymoon planned out yet. Suggestions appreciated.


** photos courtesy of friends and family personal shots.