= FAVOURITE WORD =
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
[NIV]
New phase. More changes.
What would the future bring?
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Zhiwei And Magdalene's Wedding
I'm surprised I can be up so early after yesterday's wedding. I half-suspect I'll just go back to bed after this. Hah.
Anyway, the day started out early. I woke up at 630am, showered, dressed and left home with my dad an hour later. I drove to Mag's place with all my barang barang and arrived at about 805am while my dad drove the car back home. Almost all the jiemeis had arrived - Kris, Imelda, Gina, Fangling and myself. Jocelyn came a little later.
We managed to take a few pictures together with the bride, who was looking radiant in her wedding gown. There was one group shot that tickled us so much that it became the joke for us the rest of the day. Four of us - Jocelyn, Imelda, myself and Gina - were standing behind, so the photographer kept insisting Jocelyn and Gina (who were standing at the sides) to bend their heads lower. Then he kept telling Imelda and I (who were between them) to "把你们的头站起来". Then he kept repeating: "头要站起来！头要站起来！" -_-''
We also had to prepare the items needed for the 'sabo' session: a packet of sour plums; a plate of mooncakes (which looked suspiciously over-expired) topped with curry sauce, barbecue sauce (courtesy of McDonald's), sambal chilli sauce, PLENTY of whipped cream and God-knows-what; the key to Mag's house with ten different kinds of red packets; and of course a whole list of questions and forfeits (which we had prepared days before at Kris' place) for the bridegroom and his gang of brothers. The night before, Imelda had taken breakfast orders for the jiemeis and informed Raymond (one of the bridegroom's brothers) to get the food for us by 8am for the next day.
Not surprisingly, our breakfast came late and we even had to pay for the food ourselves!!?! Naturally we were all very 'unhappy' and, as we chomped on our food, we schemed to fleece more money from the bridegroom. Hahahahah... But all in the name of good fun. ;)
Zhiwei and his entourage arrived on schedule and I quickly went into Mag's room and closed the door while the rest of the jiemeis outside started presenting our list of demands to Zhiwei and his brothers. During the wait, Mag and I chatted and listened to all the havoc outside her room. She was so nervous the whole time. Hehe...
In the house and outside Mag's room, the bridegroom was asked a few more questions and he and his brothers were made to eat bananas while they danced to some music. Finally, in the room when Mag heard Zhiwei sing a song, she was so touched that she teared and allowed the door to be opened. Apparently it was the song he proposed to her with. Aw......
After all the fun, we left for their new apartment to retrieve some items before going over to Zhiwei's home which was very nearby for the tea ceremony. All the sisters just sat around and chatted a bit while waiting for the tea ceremony to end. After that, I quickly helped Mag to change into her traditional chinese gown before the entire entourage headed back to Mag's place for the tea ceremony with her side of the family. And so the bridal gang continued our part two of eating and chatting. Hoho...
Then we went back again to the bridegroom's place for more food (which we couldn't eat anymore) and to get Mag changed back into her wedding gown. It was exhausting shuttling back and forth like that. Thank God they all live in Ang Mo Kio!!!
We left for the church a little after noon. At the church, Gina, Jocelyn and I had a bit of problem looking for the waiting room where the bride had to be before the ceremony. We finally found the room and stayed with Mag while Zhiwei went downstairs to get ready.
The wedding ceremony finally started. Mag walked down the aisle with her father, looking really pretty and radiant. I felt so happy for her that I actually felt like crying. Memories of the little chats we had had together so long ago about the future suddenly just flashed across my mind. She had indeed come a long way. =)
The wedding ceremony went on smoothly and Pastor James talked about the channels of love: the mind, the mouth and the ears. It was a simple sermon and meant to serve as a reminder for the wedded couple for the rest of their lives. I suppose it was also a good reminder for the rest of us attending the wedding service as well.
After that, it was the photo-taking and reception. After all the stuffing in the morning, I was surprisingly famished again. It was then when I realised the time was already a little past 3pm. I felt that time was going by too fast. Usually, weddings are a bore because there is a lot of waiting. But this was one wedding that I had a lot of fun and even though there was a lot of waiting around, time really whizzed by.
The food was delicious - especially the shepherd's pie and mee siam. I was sorry I couldn't have more of those because my pants were bursting when I wanted a second serving. Hahahah... We ate and chatted with a few people whom we haven't seen for a long time. I was reminded how time really waits for no man when I saw how much the children from BOL had grown. There were also 'new' babies. Uncle Henry was still as friendly and funny as ever. Samuel looked the same - a little more stressed perhaps - but still the same smiling face. I also chatted a bit with Cindy, Elaine and hung around a bit with Mama Au and her kids. Basically, I was busy stuffing my face with the yummy food.
A little before 4pm, we all left for the hotel and checked in with Zhiwei's identification card which he passed to me before we left the church. We were supposed to have two rooms: 323 (the suite) and 325 (for all the sisters).
Here was where we had a problem with the hotel. Upon checking in, the four of us (Gina, Imelda, Joce and I) opened the door to 325 and entered to explore. The room was huge and we suspected that we were given the wrong room - especially when we saw the king-sized bed decorated with wedding bedsheets. We called the service receptionist to check if we had the correct room and if both rooms were actually suites. The staff on the other end of the phone said 'yes, BOTH are suites' which we interpreted as "323 is a suite and 325 is also a suite".
Our reactions were spontaneous and the same: we screamed with delight simultaneously and started unpacking our stuffs to get ready to sleep or to shower. Imelda declared she wanted to take a super-long bath and went to check out the two bathrooms. She wanted the bathtub that had rose petals (hahahaha!!!) so I took the other one which had the same facilities - just without the rose petals. LOL! Gina and Joce were planning to take a nap on the huge comfy-looking bed I think.
I quickly showered and just was almost done when I heard people entering the room and someone soon knocked on the toilet door saying Simone (Raymond's daughter) needed the bathroom urgently. I quickly dressed and came out but was surprised to see Zhiwei and Mag in the room as well because earlier on, I'd sent a message via SMS to Zhiwei to inform him of his room number: 323. Why should they be in room 325 now?
Apparently, 323 and 325 were adjoining rooms - only 323 was a suite while 325 was just a resting room. The four of us was supposed to use only room 325 that had only chairs and a bathroom, while the rest of the room (yes, including the bathroom with a bathtub with rose petals and yes, Imelda was already enjoying her luxurious bath) was room 323 mean for the newly weds. Imagine our horror. Imelda was asked to quickly finish bathing because we now had fewer bathrooms and more people. She was rather upset.
We started contemplating whether we ought to lodge a complaint as we ate the leftover food packed from the church wedding reception. The more we discussed, the angrier we became. Imelda decided to call the service receptionist again and we heard her talking to someone. At one point, the staff hung up on her! Gina got so worked up that she called back and demanded that the hotel should do something to right the wrong. It was their fault for not telling us clearly that rooms 323 and 325 were adjoining rooms. For one, no staff came into the room together with us to help us settle in and secondly, when we called earlier to clarify, they even told us BOTH rooms were suites. The staff asked to speak to the bride but Gina flatly refused, saying that the bride was extremely upset when Mag was actually quite alright. Hoho. Gina went on to say it was actually inauspicious for the wedding bed to be messed up the wedding day - even though we'd done it unintentionally simply because we didn't know it wasn't our room.
When one of the staff finally came up to the room, we urged Mag to go to the bathroom to add gravity to the situation. It so happened that Mag had been nursing her sore eyes the past few days and when she finally came out from the bathroom, the hotel staff thought she'd been crying. They decided to give Zhiwei and Mag a new suite on the 11th floor while we could continue using 323 and 325 until 8pm (the original time given to us for 325). We were finally pacified. Hoho.
While waiting for the new room to be ready, Gina went to take a shower. The rest of us sat around and ate a bit as we talked. Once Zhiwei and Mag left for their new suite, we went on our way to get ready for the wedding banquet. Gina and I didn't have much time for a nap because the change of rooms for the newly weds had taken up quite a bit of time and we had to meet the hotel dinner coordinator for a dry-run at 6pm. Just before we left, Imelda decided to take a nap. Ah, the lucky one. Heh.
Gina and I went to the ballroom and the dinner coordinator went through the dinner programme with us and Raymond. After that, we rehearsed our scripts twice through very quickly. We left an extra script with Esther and Casper who were in charge of the presentation of the photographs. By the time we were done, it was ten to seven. We only had one hour left to get ourselves ready for the wedding banquet.
Back in the rooms, I wanted to take a ten-minute nap, but I couldn't seem to fall asleep because I could hear the 3 of them getting ready. They weren't noisy at all actually. I guess I felt restless, so decided to give up falling asleep and get ready for the evening. It was quite fun dressing up together. It had been quite a while since I did girly stuffs like this with my girlfriends. After all, we are already well into our adulthood. Hoho.
By 8pm, we were bringing our things up to Zhiwei and Mag's room on the 11th floor. The make-up artist was still around doing some final touches on Mag. We left the room for the ballroom and sat at our tables, waiting for 830pm to arrive.
It was my second time being an emcee for a wedding dinner, but Gina has done it countless of times. Nevertheless, she was extremely nervous. I wasn't exactly nervous but I just felt restless the whole time. Maybe a little stressed as well. I didn't exactly enjoy my dinner (couldn't eat much) for the first few dishes until the second march-in and once the yam seng session was over, our job for the evening was done! Between running back and forth to the stage, we still had a good time laughing at our table. With Gina and Imelda around, how could we not? Raymond was also at our table so it was really very noisy. I think we had like 12 to 13 people at our table, but even though it was really cramp, we had a good time.
The dinner ended by 10.40pm or so. We went upstairs to the couple's suite to get our things so that we could go home but hung around the place for a while. Soon later, Zhiwei and Mag came into the room. Mag looked extremely tired and she was half-crying and laughing a bit at the same time, and said she felt like puking. Probably she had too much wine (she was as red as a lobster and so was Zhiwei). We fussed over her - a couple of us had to help Mag undo her hair while Imelda prepared a hot bath for her. As she rested on the sofa, Imelda gave her a massage while we sat around to rest and talk a bit.
We finally left the hotel at around 1130pm and took cabs home.
What a day! What a wedding!
To Zhiwei and Mag: may you have a good rest after all the hard work, a wonderful honeymoon next week, and marital bliss for the rest of your lives. =D
jOyZ blogged at 8:29 AM
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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Beyond Words
Blistering pain
Ever ongoing
Yet words
Offered no comfort
Not a single
Drop of compassion
Words raged
On and on
Relinquished hope
Devoured by darkness
Scattered by the winds
jOyZ blogged at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Driven Away
Driven away - yet again. The words were acidic - way past rudeness. She was by no means a person without brains. The pieces added up to one conclusion. It was simply a case of one plus one equals two. What other answer could it be?
There were too many coincidences. Too many reasons - excuses perhaps. Who knew what was going on in her mind? She could very well be lying and no one would know - except herself. Could it be the reason that she was almost out of her mind?
The night was eerily calm. Too calm. It felt like the calm before a storm. Something was about to happen. Something big. Something that would destroy all the lives involved. It seemed that destruction was inevitable. And it would arrive very soon. Perhaps it might even take everyone involved by a nasty surprise.
Driven away - yet again. Where was the understanding? Where was the promise?
Perhaps, they were never there. Nothing ever existed.
jOyZ blogged at 12:17 AM
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Sunday, November 19, 2006
Driving Woes
I drove around quite a bit today. As usual, it was just bad experience with BOTH parents sitting in the car, throwing comments over every movement I did - or did not do.
I know they're trying to be helpful. But honestly, it's just not working. Even though I keep reminding myself to listen to what they have to say with their years of experience in driving, I got extremely frustrated and agitated. I am only human! How much criticism can I take at one go? More often than not, our loved ones are the most critical people we know.
It's just bad idea to drive with parents - BOTH of them! - in the car. Grrr!
I'm quite tired now. Don't know why I even bother to blog. But anyways...
I first drove to school to familiarise myself with the route. Then I drove us to Suntec Convention Centre via Orchard Road. The traffic wasn't heavy at all - thank God. And then I had a hard time looking for an available parking lot AND parking into that lot. It was awful having BOTH parents issuing commands to turn left or right as I reversed the car. ARGH! Frustrating! Thank goodness lunch was good. After that, we left Suntec and I drove to Holland Village as my mom needed to go to the POSB bank for a while. Once done, we left for The Nexus. My mom suddenly wanted to take a look at the showflats there. As usual, I had a terrible time parking the car with them around. SIGH.
Now, I'm having a terrible migraine - not so much from the driving but from all their booming voices and unclear instructions.
New drivers who've just passed, it's just BAD IDEA to drive with family members who are critical of your every movement. It does plenty of damage to your confidence in driving and mars your own judgement of the traffic situation as well.
You know what? I think I'll just let them say as much as they like, but I'm going to drive the way I deem most appropriate. I must not let them distract me so much. I must not allow them to agitate me. FOCUS, FOCUS.
Anyway, right now, I am going to grab a nap on my wonderful bed. The migraine is just getting worse. x(
jOyZ blogged at 5:16 PM
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Thursday, November 16, 2006
Depression
I seem to be slinking back into depression. Don't ask me why. The only one who knows isn't helping very much.
There's no one to trust. People are selfish by nature. A so-called friend may do something for you that's seemingly sincere - with no strings attached. Some time later, you realise you're obliged to do something for this person - even if he/she doesn't ask you blatantly to return him/her the favour.
Of course, I'm no exception. I was just thinking whether I'd genuinely help anyone this year alone without expecting any rewards. Unfortunately, I can only think of a couple of people. I shall not say who lest any of you reading this would think I'm boasting. But whoever I've helped, you know who you are. I'm not even sure if you're reading this.
Sigh. Honestly, I don't quite know what I'm blogging about. -_-
Anyway, I still want to thank God for something today: I got my driving licence this afternoon. That's something to be glad about, isn't it? I never thought I'd passed my driving on my first driving test. I think it's probably the one true achievement I have for the year - something not very easily attainable for most Singaporeans. ;p
Honestly, I want to get my own car even though my family already has two cars. You see, with my mom driving to work everyday, I can only use her car during the weekends. As for the other car, my dad uses it very often too except on weekends. On second thoughts, I don't go out very much except to work and occasionally on weekends, so why should I buy a car? Then again, could it be so because public transport is getting so expensive (and not exactly convenient) nowadays?
Oh well, whether or not to get my own car is not something which I can decide for the next couple of years. I foresee myself spending quite a huge amount for my studies next year and will need time to collect vitamin M for a car. And oh yes, I'm supposed to get my own apartment too. Ah... more vitamin M.
GST is increasing - yet again - to 7%. Sigh. And for what? We're still experiencing sucky services in Singapore. All this money talk makes my head spin. Well, one step at a time - that's all one can do.
I'm not sure if I can fly to Hong Kong to visit Junmin now. Apparently, we might not have the time to hang out together over the weekend if work calls. Sigh. What a pity. Hopefully, I'll receive good news at the end of the month. It's still not confirmed. Hm, if I can't go this December, I'll fly there next June perhaps.
Oh yeah, Bush is in town. It's as if the traffic problems aren't bad enough in Singapore. Bahs.
Oh my, I hear one of my neighbours screaming away. Some bad quarrelling is going on. Sigh... this just adds to the depression.
I think I should stop blogging.
jOyZ blogged at 9:58 PM
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Saturday, November 11, 2006
Passed!
Alrighty! I passed the driving test and it was my first attempt! Thank God for the wet weather - if not, I would probably have driven recklessly. The rain made me careful. Days before, I prayed so hard to pass the driving test. Come to think of it, I prayed for everything - except for good weather. Somehow, I'd forgotten about the weather. God is indeed humorous. x)
Two days after passing, I finally drove on the road - with the P-plate! Hahaha... My brother had to go Queenstown Community Centre for his Aikido training, so my dad suggested that I could send him there and practise my driving at the same time. It sure feels different to be driving as a licensed motorist. I will only receive my licence via post two weeks from now.
Ah, I will have my mom's car all to myself when my parents fly off to USA next month. x) I must quickly learn how to do parking without the use of the poles. I can't very well keep 4 poles in the boot and, before parking my car each time, hop out of the car to arrange the 4 poles and hop back in to park it. Hahaha...
Other than parking, the second thing I must learn is to know my way around Singapore. It's one thing to be on the bus or in the cab and actually know where I am, but to drive and figure my way about at the same time is something I probably need time to learn.
Ah, I wonder when I'll get to drive again. Hohoho...
jOyZ blogged at 8:09 PM
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Monday, November 06, 2006
Waiting For Time To Pass
I'm here, waiting for time to pass. I do have more important things to do. But let's just say, I'm not in the mood for these. They basically spell: W-O-R-K.
I'm not sure how I'm feeling at the moment. Hm... generally bored I suppose. I hate to feel bored. I can't remember the last time I didn't feel bored. It felt like eons ago.
It is not good to be bored. Some people may end up doing crazy things - just to seek some form of thrill so that they will feel more 'alive'. More often than not, they are only further numbing their senses by doing these 'crazy things'. I will not define 'crazy things' lest I get assaulted for offending some people. :x
Honestly, I'm just bored. There's nothing much to blog about my life now.
Let's see... I've been meeting up with some ex cellgroup people over the past 3 weeks or so. First, 5 of us met up to have dinner at Cineleisure and then 3 of us went for a drink and chatted till well past midnight. The following weekend saw 9 of us at Kris's place for dinner. Then, last week, 5 of us went to visit Papa and Mama Chua and their lovely children.
They are SO CUTE. Yes, yes, most children are. But this family has GEMS. Then again, the kids remind me of bouncing fishballs. I don't know why. Hahahahahah... ;p I guess it's because they are round and so full of life. Hm, come to think of it, they aren't really that chubby. But... oh well.
Yes, I'm still waiting for time to pass. I'm supposed to catch The Prestige with Cheryl and Pei Chin. I'm told Keith, an ex-pupil, will be joining us. No wonder we're going Vivocity. I gotta figure a cheap way of getting home. NO MORE CABS. NO MORE NO MORE NO MORE! I spent $16 just to get to work this morning. It's utterly ridiculous.
And not forgetting I've got driving test this Thursday. That's probably $200 gone. The last lesson cost me $82 because I had to drive in the circuit.
Speaking of which, I hate the circuit. It's such a torture to drive around such a cramp space with so many cars slowly nosing their way in and out of the narrow lanes. It's just Gear 1 all the way. Ugh. It'll only be my second time at the circuit for tomorrow's lesson and then I'll be taking the driving test on Thursday. I don't know how I'm going to pass with such little practice at the circuit. I mounted the curb like THREE TIMES while doing the S and L courses. Bahs!
Alright. I'm getting too grumpy. I must not be grumpy. Must not must not must not. I must look forward to the driving test. I will enjoy the test. I will show the tester I am a calm and careful driver even though I really can be quite reckless at the wheel.
Gosh, I hope I will get a fair tester. I'm going to pray so hard for one. I really NEED to pass too because I'm running out of vitamin M!!! The fees are killing me.
Oh great. I still have another 20 minutes to kill.
GAHHHHHHHHHHHH.........
jOyZ blogged at 5:04 PM
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