4 Weddings and another one...

As some of you may know, we'll be back in Singapore very soon to attend my brother's wedding. On my wedding checklist:

* Kebaya (check)
* Kerosang (check)
* Church wedding outfit & shoes (check, check)
* Accessories to be worn during wedding (check)
* Handmade 'Just Married' sign (check)

and, last but not least... copies of my wedding speech.

Yes, I've been asked again. For the 5th time. In my lifetime.

I really hope this is the last.

Will there be torrential rain and flashfloods? Oh, I don't know. I'm just going to do my best and speak from the heart.

Ian/Geri, if you're reading this - it is done. *hugs*

Carnations are NOT only for Mummies

When I picked Cheeks up from nursery this afternoon, she eagerly thrust a tiny bunch of flowers infront of me (2 carnations + 1 daisy). Feeling rather smug to be the ONLY mother presented with flowers, I cooed:

M: Are these flowers for me?
D: (aghast) Noooo, they are for me!
M: (crest-fallen) How come? I thought they were for mummy!
D: They are not for you. I need them. To marry Sebestian!
D: I need to stick them in my hair for the wedding.

Yes, and I'll ready the dowry, while papa sets up the lie-detector machine (think Ben Stiller in 'Meet the Parents'). Tell Sebestian to be afraid, be very afraid...

Pooped Out in Paris

I won't lie to y'all - we did not exactly enjoy Paris.

For some reason, my mum and I were constantly fatigued. Were we suffering from remnant jet lag? Or was it the sweltering heat from the strange, summery weather that did us in? (I hear Paris is NEVER that warm in Spring.)

Je ne sais pas?

We left Paris last night with nothing but a sketchy opinion of the city and our digital photos (I took no less than 355 shots). Oh, and a newly-developed aversion to bread, baguettes and crepes. I'm not a fussy holiday eater, neither is my mum. But 4 consecutive days of carbohydrates - tho' served in different styles, with different sandwich fillings - can be a tad nauseating.

Shocking as it may seem, we did not visit any of the museums (du Louvre, d'Orsay, Rodin etc), didn't walk down the 'most beautiful avenue in the world', Champs-Élysées , nor take a boatride down the Seine River. In fact, our visit was so scanty we didn't even sight a Starbucks outlet to purchase a Paris City mug or buy a fridge magnet as proof of visit, as we often do during holiday visits.

Even then, there were good things.

Paris certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The roads are wider compared to London, and are lined with (seemingly) endless rows of well-coiffed trees & shrubs. And because it's Spring, the gardens were abloom with all kinds of fleurs, covering the landscape with hues of lavender, pink, yellow and red.

C'est beau!

We put up at a modest (read: el-cheapo) hotel located at rue Saint-Honoré, near Musée du Louvre. The accommodation was clean & adequate enough. But there was a tiny hitch- there was no flask for boiling hot water. So every day, we had to climb up and down the stairs (there was no lift to the 4th floor either!) to get hot water for Danielle's milk. Amenities mishap aside, the hotel's location was pretty good - a stone's throw to Louvre Museum, Metro/RER stations and lots of eateries around the corner. Eateries that sell crepes, baguettes and croissants, that is. Bah!

Most days, we took the 'open bus tour' to get around and that gave us a quick overview of Paris, its famous landmarks and monuments. Unfortunately, unlike in the UK, Parisian bus tours (or at least the one we took) had no tour guides to provide running commentary. Instead, we had to rely on headsets for interesting nuggets of information on Parisian history and architecture. Trouble was, the recorded commentary was indecipherable most times due to interference. Merde.

Nevertheless, Tour Eiffel et Arc de Triomphe did not disappoint. They were 'suck-your-breath-in-ly' awesome. And we took many a happy family shot at the world famous monuments.

And not forgetting, the lovely wedding. It was a cosy affair celebrated with friends and family from all over the world. Joanna was stunning in her champagne gown and Emmanuel cut a dashing figure in his suit. The Catholic ceremony was held in a quaint church and I thought the priest did pretty well speaking in both English (albeit haltingly) and French. The reception was held at a clubhouse about a 15-min drive away. Needless to say, we were treated to a full-course French dinner that included favourites like duck confit and foie gras. Ooh lala!

+++++++

If you ask me what I thought was the highlight of the whole trip? I'd say being holed up in the stuffy hotel room chatting with Mum and Dennis. We reminisced bygone days, shared life experiences and family stories. We even gushed over (at least, I did!) how good chichi was/is! I know, we ALL have ISSUES! Heh heh.

But most of all, the look on Danielle's face as she took her first ride on a donkey at Tuileries garden! :)

J'adore, Maman!

En vacance à Paris

Oui oui, we are heading to the 'City of Lights' ~ Paris! We board the Eurostar first thing tomorrow morning and will be back to London on Monday. Hoorah!!!

This trip, besides being my maiden sojourn, is extra special coz we're attending Joanna (ex-PlanetMG) & Emmanuel's wedding!

More updates when we return! :)

Boy II Man

Early this morning, I was awakened by the desperate need to answer nature's call. The trip to 'the John' somewhat jolted me from sleep and after, I decided to surf the internet in a lame attempt to 'lull' myself to sleep... suuuuure.

Imagine my surprise when I navigated to Geri's blog.

My brother, Ian, PROPOSED!!!

"Whh...?!"

I couldn't believe it? I knew it was coming but I didn't expect it so soon. I sat there - reeling in a mixture of disbelief, happiness, worry (although I know I shouldn't) & confusion.

I say confusion because I realised, in that one swift act, my kid brother made one of the most 'adult' decisions in his life.

And in that one moment, he's no longer 'Ianie boy'. He's become a man. A MAN??!! And soon-to-be husband, and father figure.

As an older sis, I'm still grappling with his newly-inducted status. I can't help but think of him as a teen not a day past 18 - gawky (but cute, heehee), slightly hunched, with eyes perpetually glued to the computer.

But whilst I grapple, I am happy for them. I feel, without doubt, that Ian has found a wonderful soul-mate in Geri.

So, CONGRATS from us to the newly-engaged!!! We know you will be immensely happy together. Remember to always place GOD in the centre of your lives...

Our love and prayers of many good things to come, are always with you.

Congrats, 'kiddos'... :)



Postscript: My blog's turning into a bulletin board of family-type announcements and glad tidings! Who's next? Heehee!

MeiLing and Andrew Lane's Wedding (Corick House,Clogher) - Part Deux

Made a mistake in my earlier entry. The Valley Hotel* where we're putting up is situated in fivemilestown, whereas the wedding venue (Corick House) is in the next town, Clogher.
* Dee was a tad skeptical when he first saw The Valley Hotel (its exterior does look rather shabby and dodgy, don't u think?) but was won over by the clean and adequate room later. Surprisingly, it even had a wall-hanging plasma TV! Kekekeke

Had a scrumptious breakfast this morning at the hotel cafe. The fare was actually v simple but was warm & comforting - cereal(ok, not hot) w/ lovely fresh milk , grilled sausages, bacon, poached eggs, grilled tomato, potato bread (commonly served in Ireland), toast and 'gao gao' coffee. Mouthwateringly sedap! Andy recommends we try the quaintessential Irish breakfast that includes black pudding (i.e coagulated blood, not unlike what we eat in kway chap, only deep fried?). Reckon we will try this in Dublin when we drive back on Friday. :)

Went to Corick House to take some 'pre-wedding shots' of MeiLing since her actual day photographer was only going to show up at 'half-one'. Her makeup artist, Caroline, and 2 hairdressers, Susan and didn't-quite-get-her-name were lovely and did a fab job! I was quite surprised by their standards since they operate from small village salons. But I guess talent is talent, regardless of location or business-size? :) Anyway, I think MeiLing was v grateful that we took some shots for her. Good thing I like being a shutterbug, albeit not a professional one. Her guests from Singapore were a mere handful - 1 JJC friend, Wanyu (whom Dee knows well), 2 aunties and her immediate family (mum and sis). So we were the only other Singaporeans at her wedding. By 12 noon, we headed back to our hotel to get changed. Dee brought his 'Made in Thailand' black suit, Danielle had a new M&S dress from Auntie Mimi and although I had originally planned to wear my kebaya, decided against it later coz thought it might be too elaborate... Mel, I brought your nice warm turquois pashmina and Danielle's bellero again! :)

The Wedding
Didn't have time to pen my thoughts post wedding so will try to remember ALL that happened on the wedding day proper. The wedding ceremony started at 230pm but we arrived at around 2pm to "cho re nao" at the bride's room. Took more pre-wedding shots of MeiLing in her beautiful wedding gown (SilverLining,Singapore), putting on her 5" heels (she's another Mabel!!) and her lovely jewelry from Soo Kee. Dee was the ONLY man in the room but that turned out to be rather handy coz he helped put the veil on the bride??? Apparently, he had paid very close attention when the hairdressers were passing on instructions to Wanyu and ML's mum. What can I say? My man, the Handy Man! :P

At ten to 230pm, we proceeded to the ceremony hall to get seated. Corick House is just the perfect location to hold a wedding. Lush greenery outside, Victorian-esque interior, oak furnishing, walls painted in warm hues...quite a bride's dream. Will try to post as many photos of the location through Kodak Gallery but methinks will take some time to upload all. Think I took close to 300 shots of the wedding?!

Anyhew, back to the ceremony.

It was heartwarmingly BEAUTIFUL.

And I say this despite not knowing the bride and groom v well. Was v touched by the ceremony and found myself tearing at different points (and I'm not just being emotional here! Cross my heart!). I teared when the groom's mum did a reading (she teared too), I cried when I saw MeiLing's kid sister cry coz it reminded me of my bond with my sis, and I cried when the groom addressed his new MIL for the first time (she cried buckets!!!). But the most poignant was MeiLing's speech to Andrew. She gave us insights to her relationship with him, then came the tear-jerking moment - she presented him with a personalised gift (the necklace w/ a cross pendant that Andy first saw MeiLing in, all framed up with the words 'When our story begins... 14 Sept 2006') and said in the marriage, she was 'the lucky one'. Tears flowed freely at every table and we could see that the groom was visably moved. All of us were. And Dee and I maintain once again that it really doesn't matter what fancy peripheral(s) a couple has at their wedding - when their guests can sense their love and their happiness - all else fades....

Ok, fast forward to the rest of the ceremony. They had engaged a harpist and her soft strums added to the ambience of the place. 'Canon in D Major' by Pachelbel was chosen as the walk-in song and the bride looked simply stunning as she walked down the aisle, arm-in-arm with her mummy (parents are divorced). I think MeiLing did v well considering the emotionally-charged ceremony! Just like Stephie eh? *grin*

An ang moh wedding sure is different from us Asian's. For one, there's a LOT of waiting around. I had asked the bus driver (who picked guests up from Valley Hotel) what time he'd be back to pick us up. He said '11pm ~1am'! I was...??? Didn't the civil ceremony begin at 230pm? What were we to do till dinner time and after? Anyway, realised that this is a norm and in between programs, guests are expected to mingle and drink, drink, drink, drink (ok, u get the idea). So that's what we did. By the end of the evening, Dee had had 9 pints of Guinness (when in Rome, do as the Romans do, he said!) and I had 3 Gin & Tonic(s). Had to be the responsible parent of the 2. Don't think we could look after a hyperactive 2YO in a drunken stupor!

Dinner was great! We were served a red pepper/tomato soup with warm bread rolls, a choice of beef and turkey+ham, and for dessert, either profiteroles or b&b pudding. We tucked in heartily and were well and truly stuffed after! The best dish for me was the Irish cabbage and bacon side dish (someone google for the recipe & try out for Christmas! It's delish!). It was the best mix of cabbage, broccoli, and bacon sautéed in butter! Wah zaaaan eh! Shiok-a-doodles!

Danielle was the luckiest lass at the wedding do. She had EVERYONE's attention and admiration! I felt like a mum presenting her daughter at some debutante ball. :) Thankfully, she was at her best behaviour so that earned her more compliments. Everyone was amazed at her ability to amuse herself and stay up (not good) till the wee hours without fussing. Of course, I had to tell them that that wasn't always the case and she had her 'moments' as well. One lady, Samantha, was so sweet, she even invited Danielle for a dance! That's Danielle wearing Samantha's hairpiece... apparently, it's a good alternative for a hat if your face shape doesn't suit hats. Or so I hear...

And of course no wedding dinner is complete without the traditional 'yum-seng'. No prizes for guessing who led in the cheering. Uh-hum, the Chans did ourselves proud (yes, me screaming my lungs off too!) with a resounding 'Yuuuummm Seeeennng'! That definitely got everyone's attention and in response, they rewarded us with thunderous applause.

What a great way to end off a wedding!

The crazy emotional ones...

Steph called me yesterday JUST to tell me she had re-read my wedding speech to her. And it still had her in tears?! What can I say...issues, my friend! But Steph can have her last laugh coz when I read the speech from time to time, I still tear and I wrote it???? DOUBLE ISSUES!!!

Glad you still read it, Luv. And glad it still has the same effect on you like it did on 7th July.

I miss ya.