The ring

Well, we met up with Wendy, our ring designer last night. this time, she showed us something we both liked..something unique. It's definitely different from what you can buy from Poh Kong or any other jeweller. Unfortunately, it was still a wax model and so, Sunshine, we don't have any pictures of the rings yet. Rest assured, once the time is right, there will be pics on the blog...hehehe.

Today is another busy day...have to go pick up the sari. Was also supposed to pick up my dress from this designer who coincidentally has his boutique close to Wendy's. However, said designer is super busy, and my fitting has been pushed back again, to Saturday. Am crossing my fingers and hoping both outfits fit well and look good.

Have to go look for flowers too today. And tomorrow, tie shopping for BH..I'm sure there will be much more to do as well.

Suddenly life has gotten pretty busy...

Stairwells

Stairwells function in many ways. One very obvious one is as a smoking joint. Never mind that there is a no smoking sign, that's where one should drag on a fag...it's common knowledge, the sign, is actually to point out where one SHOULD smoke, not where one SHOULD NOT.

Second function of a stairwell, is as a make out joint..especially dark, secluded ones. If you wanna hide your amorous adventures, that's the place the do it. After all, them smokers wouldn't bat an eyelid, they're just there for their nicotine fix, not for the entertainment. If doubtful, carry on in areas FAR from the no smoking sign. An occasional irritated dentist might walk by and advise you to get a room...but that doesn't happen in all stairwells.

One other use for the stairwell is as a place to take a break..you can have lunch ( while having a smoke) or even take a short nap. Just be mindful of the occasional spit that these smokers leave behind as a legacy. Again, when in doubt, stay clear of the no smoking sign.

I guess that's it..oh wait, stairwells are also useful for one other purpose, going up or down floors..but then, it's hardly used as that, so...shouldn't even have mentioned it.

Mrs.BH to be..

Having spent the most part of my life being referred to as Ms., and for the past 7 years Dr. ( and even being called "the conservatively brought up" Ms./ Dr. ST by Shan), my new title rolls off the tongue easily. Though I have no legal right to it yet, soon, people will start calling me Mrs. BH...or Dr. ST-W, which actually has a nice ring to it..hehehehe.

It will take getting used to, but that shouldn't take long. It's the getting used to being married that might take a while. As anneh has put it, gone are the days of absolute freedom. It dawned on me yesterday, what that means for me. Gotta say, am a tad overwhelmed and afraid. But heck, it's gotta happen, sooner or later. I will have to flee the nest, right? Shucks..I've been such a pampered kid. I wonder if I can accustomed myself to being someones wife, someones daughter in law and later, someones mother. I really dunno. I do know that all this is a part of life, part of the circle, part of being alive. And with this knowledge, all I can do is try, one foot at a time..make the mistakes, learn from them and hopefully manage well enough. Geez...I blame anneh for this epiphany...hehehehe.

On a happy note, BH and I met with the jewelry designer yesterday. She'd come up with a design for us, pretty cool, but we improvised on it....so, can't wait for it to be finished!!!

Rumours...

Been wanting to post about this for a while now, but my thoughts have somewhat been been busy with all the wedding preps..oh, and facebooking ( c'mon people, scrabulous challenges still open..) Anyway, back to rumours.

I find it rather interesting the way rumours can change the way we feel and treat people. It's amazing how many female stalkers there are in the gym...it almost seems like any single female around the age of 30, who enjoys a particular class has been branded "crazed, deranged and stalking". And its really easy to believe such rumour, particularly if the rumour monger is someone we trust, hold high esteem for and popular. Reminds me of high school..but I guess this scenario plays out in every level of society, even at work. Oh and Shades, don't worry, you'll still have your stalker..BH will carry on ...after all, he's not female or single, so it really doesn't end for him.

Of course there are also other rumours flying about..something about making friends for their connections..but hey, wait a minute...that might not be a rumour after all. Many people do that, don't they...isn't that what happens in pubs and golf courses all over the world? Or have you heard about that cute guy in the gym, you know, the player..the one who just wants to have a good time? Wait a minute..I heard he's getting married..hmm...rumours.

Some rumours can be dangerous, though most are harmless enough. Trouble is, it's like a Medusa, rumours, chop one off and another one grows in it's place. I guess the best is to ignore...and when you hear someone go "Psst..have you heard"...well, listen but make your own judgements.

And so it begins...

What started out as a simple ceremony, where two people put down signatures on a blue piece of paper and then legally call themselves married, is now..not so simple. Heh.

Yeah, getting married is BIG thing. BH and I wanted it simple, straightforward, but out parents decided otherwise. Well, maybe it just hasn't sunk in yet, that we only get to do this once, so might as well get it done right, right? I appreciate everyone effort, I mean, it is sinking in lar..and so it should be special, so our parents are right.

So, our simple registration is now enhanced with a few ceremonies and at least one reception. There's the actual official marriage..in Putrajaya on Monday,December 10th( gosh..only 3 weeks away)..anyone free to come join us, please feel free, but let us know, cos we're hosting a makan after that. My dress, the one I got from designer Keith Kee is ready, and I have to go for a fitting this Sunday. Crossing my fingers I haven't put on any weight since the measurements a month ago.

After that is the "simple" tea ceremony..for BH's parents and relations. Of course if there is a tea ceremony, there will be the other ones...which I'm not sure of, but apparently I have to make myself scarce one weekend as BH's parents will be coming over for some ceremony or other, and which I'm not supposed to be around. Oh, and the tea ceremony bit? I'm supposed to brew the tea to be served...me, the girl who can literally burn water ( My brother swears he's seen me do it). Gotta buck up on the cooking bit, I know.

And for 3 days after, I can't go home to my folks place...the home I've called home since I was born..yikes! When I do return home, on the 12th, since I'm officially Hindu, and my dad wants things done right, BH and I will be going to the temple, for a simple blessing ceremony, complete with saree and his Indian baju...hehehehe. Oh, did I mention the wedding garlands? Thankfully we've done away with the "thali" bit, otherwise, I'll have a yellow string tied around my neck for the rest of my life.And we decided that if there is a "thali", there will need to be the wedding pyre...and hence, we might as well go for the whole Indian wedding shebang..which I have vetoed against. Why? because I think it's not fair on BH, who actually wanted a church affair, but gave up the idea for practical reasons. Though secretly, I wish someday he'd get his wish of a church wedding...so maybe a reaffirmation ceremony later?..

And speaking of my Indian side. My dad felt it's necessary for us to have a reception for the Indian relations, at least to inform them of my long delayed and anxiously anticipated nuptials. ( It's been long awaited since I turned 21, I think, and thats a looooooong time ago). So, there will be a makan too..Indian style..the cards had to be rushed too and they have to be sent out too..aiyoyo! So, there will be 150 people, by my estimate, trudging into my tiny little house, in about a months time..

Then, there is the chinese side. Grand aunt and grand ma have been waiting a very long time too, to drink tea ( every CNY I get the usual threats of last ang-pows, etc)...so, the dinner thing is a must! The chinese wedding dinner, that is...also BH has many relations that have been waiting for him to belanja minum..so after all the stuff this year, we have to plan for a dinner next year. ..thankfully, everyone's agreed not to rush this, especially BH's parents, who feel, like we do, that we need more time to plan. Phew! Anyone got any ideas on where's a good place to eat? When it boils down to good food versus ambiance, ie restaurant vs hotel, BH and I pick good food...like you didn't see that one coming? So, any suggestions, folks?

Can't wait for tomorrow..we get to try out our custom rings...hehehehe.

It's finally hit me...sort of.

Almost a month ago, when we decided to do this, it didn't hit me. I was excited, but it didn't hit me. When we drove to the registry, sent in our applications with the appropriate mugshots to be put up, it didn't hit me.

Went to a designer to get a dress,( well, though its just the civil registration, it is still LEGAL and there will be PICTURES and heck, I wanna look like I'm getting married), it didn't hit me. In all fairness, did not get the whole bridal gown thing, more of a nice simple befitting dress, so maybe that's why it didn't hit me. When we went to get our rings designed, it didn't hit me...well, maybe cos it's not done yet, we haven't seen the mock up and so its not as real...but last night, it hit me....

We were at an old school mate's dinner...the company was great, apart from catching up, counting the number of kids each couple has and bitching about some class mates ( We found out that one is a Dato' and another is a loan...I mean "financier"), I finally realised, its happening. I'm getting hitched!

It started a good 8 years ago..well maybe 10 if we count the one of the 19 year old...but one after another, my single, childhood friends, school friends, people I grew up with, all bit the single hood dust. They all got hitched. It was like a band wagon sort of thing, with one couple starting it off ( They now are in the lead with 2 kids already of school age) and as sure as the sun dawns in the east, others followed soon after.

Many years and countless dinners with the parents and inquisitive friends asking "whens your turn" later, we've finally reached the point where the ones who aren't hitched are few. So few, we can count them off in one hand. Gotta say, I thought the pressure would be immense, but now everyones focus has shifted to "How many kids you got?" and being still officially single, I can get away from these questions.Heh.

But last night, sitting next to BH, it hit me, we're doing it..well, legally anyway. In about a month's time, if all goes well, I will legally be no longer single, no longer solo, no longer a lone ranger...I will be legally married to BH, I will become a part of a couple, a duo, a half of another person, and I can't imagine being that with any other person other than BH. Yea, it's hit me.

As for the dinner, hoping to make it better than "just another wedding dinner", we're hoping that all you flers who just can't wait to drink with us to be patient, your summons will come...it's all in the planning. It might be a year later, but as sure as the sun sets in the west, it will come....hehehehehe.

Change.....

It's 3 days to Deepavali, probably the last I'll spend truly at home. Come Christmas, I won't be living at the home I've called my home for 30 plus years. I guess it's inevitable. It's all part of life, right? Well, now the the time is near, can't quite say I'm prepared for the move. But move I must. This is what must come when one is to be an adult.Move.

Of course the change comes with good tidings as well. As I've heard someone say, marriage is always a good thing and there never really is a bad time to get married. Hmm...my single days are soon to be over. So too are BH's. Our journey continues, together, come what may.