Trippin'

Gosh, the China trip will be my first and last package tour of my life! It was horrible. It was not all bad, we did have fun along the way, but something was sorely missing.

It is great to have everything packaged for you. The hotels, meals, the transport. But arranging all that is part of travel for me. Perhaps I am a control freak, I like to know where I am going to stay, what I will be eating, and where I am going. I was like a sheep, being herded wherever I went. I hated it. We went from factories to factories, eating the same old thing again and again. Everything was packaged, but package tours forget the most essential part of travel. The essence of the place. I hardly get to even lightly brush the surface of the places I went. Such a pity. especially when it is China, with such a rich history, all I get out of the trip was buying expensive paintings, expensive feng shui accessories and all. What history??? Just nuggets of information here and there. I think Song Ching Ling is rolling in her grave since Shanghai has turned her memorial place into a opportunity to sell expensive feng shui accessories under her charity foundation.

The highlight of the trip was a meal at this local store selling the most amazing spicy sze chuan style fish ever! For ten dollars, you get a huge serving of the fish, an equally generous portion of fried dried chilli chicken and 2 big bottles of beers Beat that! That was one of the most memorable meals ever. The lady was friendly, the little store has a that little local charm to it. I was having some kind of Bourdain moment!

FINALLY!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been waiting for the day for months! It is finally over, I am so so glad. Everything went on well, no hiccups, everybody seems happy and the weather was fantastic. It was raining a little and it was cool, so that kept me going too. My photographer was a dream! He is so easy to work with!

The tea ceremony was fun, Aunt Grace went a little crazy, but it was good crazy fun! Didn't know she can be that side splittingly funny. I needed that kinda humour that day.

By the time we checked into the hotel, I was beat. I hated to think that I still have the wedding dinner to go. Somehow I found the energy to pull myself through it. The sense of relief I felt after the dinner was immense. I suddenly feel much lighter and a lot happier. Heck, I could even walk back to the hotel! Heck! We even have supper with my family at Chatterbox! My mum used to hang out in Chatterbox when she was younger, I used to supper there some many years back too, so it was great to go back after such a long time.
The moment we got back to the room, I was totally gone, I slept at 130hours. Quite an early bedtime for me, since I normally go to bed past 2am.

Now that the wedding is all done and over with, people are going to bug me with questions about kids. I can see that one coming........

The Wedding

I am glad that we had a separate dinner do for friends. Boy, did we have fun! The V Tearoom reception was fun too. I had a great time catching up with friends, it is great to see most of them at the wedding. How many times can you see all your friends at the same time anyway???

The solemnisation took place so quickly, I had no time to feel nervous about it. Happened so suddenly, one moment I was talking to a friend, the next moment, I was sitting at the table, with Mr Cheong, our JP reading out the vows, with both fathers sitting next to him. It felt really unreal, almost surreal... I think the next time I feel this way, is when Liverpool wins the league.... I always pictured myself being really solemn, all serious, no smiles. But, no, I had to steal glances at my friends and family, and sneaked and stifle a smile or two. It all went on pretty quickly, and after 5 minutes, we were married! Just like that!

The cakes were great! The Bailey's mudcake, the Cotton Walnut ( a personal fave, and they dun have it on the menu no more so i gotta order it! ) and the Mango Yogurt. I did not try the quiche though. In fact, I did not have much at all. Amy remembered I like English Toffee and bought me a cuppa, so sweet! They even have longans too! The V Tearoom thought about everything, I am so very touched! Have I mentioned the wedding cake! It was gorgeous! I did not expect them to dress it up so much for me! WHISKEY BARREL MUD WEDDING CAKE! How cool is that! Hahahahaha!

Seeing so many of my friends there, did put warmth in my heart. From that little affair, I do see clearly, who are so true to me. I do learn a little about some of them from that. sigh... I am blessed, I really do feel blessed, surrounded with so many loved ones.Yes guys, I love you so very much! It is a touching scene really. Everyone seems to be sincerely happy for us, and everyone enjoyed themselves, and that is what is important.
My dad made a few friends during dinner. Goodness, I should have know better than to put him next to the drinking people! He got a drink too many, and soon, he was the life of the party. Hahahaha! And I though it was OUR night. No complaints though, he made it so happening!

I never had so much fun in my life, I was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing, I started to tear when my family left. They are so much of my life, and they had been so kind to me and so so supportive, I can't ask for anything more. I love them to bits!

My brother and his friends did up the place for us, so I have to thank them for making that effort, and taking so much burden off me shoulders. It was beautiful!

It was no fancy affair, I was wearing a simple dress, but we had helluva fun didn't we??? I will not change anything about it at all. It was perfect. Even Liverpool is winning and scoring! What else can I ask for?

Greetings

Elaine came up with this for my wedding? I am a french butter chocolate cookie and scott is a almond biscotti!