2014. A year to behold. I remember welcoming it in a bar last year - the last "happening" one I told myself. One drink, some bites and a couple of hours in a jam later, I was finally home and that was how I began the year.
The last CNY as a singleton didn't have too huge an impact, except for the fact that the new years that followed would be me issuing ang pows and not receiving them anymore.
Marriage has to be the biggest decision this year. At some point I suspected if I had commitment phobia and did worry about being a runaway bride if any of the exes ever proposed...until the husband came along. Saying yes to the proposal was easy, so was saying Yes I do at the altar. We have had our good days and bad...but surely we are getting better.
I fell sick a number of times and as I type, I am nursing a sorethroat, flu and cough. No more ops next year please, the endometriosis cyst is memorable enough.
I travelled. Not exactly widely but 11 citites, 5 countries. I hope to beat that number next year. Bangkok. Greece. Santorini. Istanbul. Ephesus. Pammukale. Cappadocia. Kuala Lumpur. Johor Bahru. Malacca. Hongkong.
Family has and still is a key component of my life. There isn't anything I will trade it for. We became bigger, my mom now has 2 sons and 2 daughters. And I have another set of parents.
I became more acquainted with the kitchen. Nothing fancy, just meals to keep both hubba and I fed. My family marvels at my creations, especially from someone who has sworn off cooking.
I thank god for all his blessings, the year has not been easier than the rest but through his grace I survived it.
Let's not forget the negativity in the world today - pain, suffering, mishaps...despite that, there is still love. Love the ones who mean everything to us, the simple blessings that go uncounted for...
So how will 2015 be? Nothing short of ordinary with a bit more sparkle. Cheers!
I have been travelling in December for family vacations the last couple of years soaking up the atmosphere and getting frozen alive. This year, we all stayed home for this festive season - apart from the erratic rains that makes my home town feel like christmas, we have Luminarie light sculptures specially handcrafted and flown in from Italy at Gardens by the Bay. At regular intervals it will start "snowing". A similar concept as Tanglin Mall's too.
I found it intriguing and spent an evening walking around the exhibits and shopping for christmas presents. The christmas market has since ended but the Luminarie light sculptures are on till 1st Jan!
I've been to a number of pop ups this festive season and I managed to nab somethings from local artists and producers. Glad I found these affordable cards by Actspressions for the festive season and even the upcoming valentine's day! :)
I swear this is the result of hanging out too much with the Hubba. The first thing that actually caught my attention wasn't the Hermes Kelly Clutch that I would've died for but the chest of Timothy Oulton drawers.
Creeps is recognizing furniture by brand.
On a separate note, don't you think the drawers are sooooo gorgeous? :x
Here's my two cents on attending a wedding in Hongkong!
Pick a hotel near the wedding venue
I did not know how important this is until the day we realised we did not have time to head back to our hotel to change and out again. So I had the husband lug my nightwear and heels whilst I pranced around in boots and something more comfy during the day. Also, we realised that having a hotel not so far meant we had to cater enough time before the trains stopped or just cab it.
Dress up like the locals would
In Hongkong, people dress up to the nines, flash all their jewels and labels like they are attending the most important event of their lives. I was surprised to see how many people were decked head to toe in baubles, flashy ones no less and all I had was my wedding band and earrings. Thankfully I decided to wear a maxi, at least it did not seem lacking for the occasion.
No car park coupons, just table numbers
This was really new to me how carpark coupons were not issued freely like we do here.
Twelve courses
I can never understand this part of it - yes, banquets are usually a heavier version of dinners but so heavy? When I asked my table mates if this was common practise and apparently it was. I was probably stuffed less than halfway through the copious amounts of food that came thereafter.
The hosts entertain
Yes, not exactly hosts per se since it was the parents of the bride and father of the groom up on stage serenading us with songs with a live band back up. I wonder how my own parents would react to that though but it was an interesting concept I must say.
No ang pow box
I'm not sure if this was a once off but I did not see one anywhere and infact, the wedding planner only had a kraft carton box placed under the table for us to slip in the red packets. So imagine the major confusion when guests came;
1) They had to sign the guest register
2) Get lost trying to communicate if they are from the groom's or bride's side
3) Maybe forget to pass the red packet after taking their table number
Short of chaotic I'd say and perhaps one of the most nerve wrecking registration duties I ever did in my life. :x
My first overseas wedding proved to be an experience indeed. Do I still want another? Maybe just for dinner, not the duties.
That's not our wedding cake, unfortunately. Neither did we bother with the take a slice off a fruit cake on every anniversary till the end of time.
I used to be one to count monthesaries in a relationship, until of course it got laborious to some extent. It isn't every other month either that I remember how many months earlier I said "I do". Amidst work and the hoolabaloo of life...I had a horrible run in with a lizard the other morning and it has been the bane of my life ever since.
Today, I commemorate the 10 months of annoying each other with the dear Hubba saving me from the same wretched lizard who decided to have a showdown with me in my toilet. You can imagine the shrieks, yells and tearing the house down over it.
Fancy dinners? Flowers? A romantic declaration?
Zilch, just a house without lizards and I roam free.
Happy 10 months.
