Happy First Anniversary Love

They say that time flies when you are having fun. Couldn't have agreed more. It is quite unbelievable that me and Bear is already married for 1 year (prior to this, was courting for 7 years!). I can still remember vividly our wedding day and our 7 years of courtship .. it all seems only like yesterday. Of course in this past year, we do argue and have our disagreements because we are still adapting to each other idiosyncrasies. How do we manage so far?  Well here is a 101 on marriage - based on my own experience, the top 5 items in the order of what we disagree the most.

Church Wedding @ 09/10/2010

(5) Household Chores.

Yes, believe it or not we do sometimes bicker about this. Honestly, I for one do not like household chores who does? but I will still do it anyway at my own time. Yes, the key word is at my own time. Sometimes, my husband will come back and pass a comment like "Eh, the clothes are not folded yet.. can you do it soon?" or sometimes "We better mop/sweep/vacuum the floor today etc". If I don't have the mood for it, I won't do it because I simply don't feel like it. Having said that, I would always make sure that whatever that is needed to be done, is done. Eventually. 

Mount Cook, NZ

Solution: Communication! We talk about it. The husband is also kind enough to understand where I'm coming from. To me, most importantly, no matter how I procrastinate I will still get the chores done because it is what I've promised to do. Eventually. :) 

Phi-Phi Island

(4) Habits.

This is something that is unavoidable because you have two different individuals staying together. There are bound to be frictions. There are bound to be things which I find extremely irritating about. Likewise for the husband too. For e.g. he loves to drink straight from the carton, I don't condone to that because it is unhygienic. Or for me, I am quite careless and has a habit of leaving things lying around, yes he does lecture me quite a few times.

Goofing around in the house

Solution: Sometimes it is good to overlook on trivial things. After all, your husband comes in a package deal - you take the good, you take the bad also. However, when there are certain habits that is impossible for you to overlook, it is good to bring it up and discuss about it. But most of the time, you just close one eye and ignore la .. focus on the good attributes only.  

Singapore

(3) Priorities. 

Before marriage, both of you have your own things to do in your spare time, which doesn't include your spouse. For my husband, it is his Monday futsal and Wednesday badminton time with his boys. Of course, I don't oppose to it. But initially when I was married to him, he comes back home really late after his sessions curi go to the mamak I presume. Also, due to the nature of his job, occasionally he tends to work late on weekdays. It came to a point that was so bad that I actually spent more time with my parents (thank God I stay real near to my parents' place) than with my own husband. He also had this weird habit of sleeping outside in the living hall. -_-"

Church

Honeymoon in Jeju Island, Korea

Solution: Before I meletup at his face, I sat him down and explained the situation to him. He was really understanding and tried to make a change so that he spends more time at home. Now he still goes for his boys' thingy but he would regulate his timing as well. Word of caution: NEVER EVER STOP YOUR HUSBAND FROM HAVING HIS ALONE BOYS' TIME!!!  

Lake Tekapo, NZ

(2) Submission.

We've been taught in church that the wife is to submit to the husband as he is the head of the house. Likewise, the husband is to love the wife as how Christ loves us. And let me tell you, submission is not easy especially if you are a working career-minded woman who is used to having things her way. Also, sometimes when I wanna go clubbing with my colleagues he may not allow me, but I will usually die-die also go wan la. Yes, I am still learning ok!  

Wedding dinner in Putrajaya Marriott @ 10/10/10

Solution: In this category, I don't think I fare that badly. To me, it is important to discuss everything with your husband first, not to seek approval, but to get his concurrence and his views/opinions on the subject matter. Remember, there can only be one decision-maker in the house. 

12 Apostles, Melbourne

(1) Finances 

Really really sensitive issue. Every couple will fight and argue over it. Who is to handle the finances of the house? Who is to pay what? Are you suppose to split right down to the middle? Can you trust your spouse with your money? Is he hiding anything from you? Is he spending for his own personal consumption? All these questions do plague me once in awhile, I can't help it. 

Honeymoon in Seoul, Korea

Random Picture

Solution: Talk about it. When it comes to finances, be open and discuss your concerns. Share your thoughts. It is very important to nip the problem in the bud than to let it escalate. The issue of finances can break a marriage.  

Engagement Shoot

All in all, communication is the most important thing in a marriage. Trust comes a close second. We both are still in the first leg of marriagehood, there would be many more joy, happiness, tears, and arguments that will come our way. But, I am confident that we will be able to sail through them because through these experience, it will make only make us appreciate our marriage more.

Phuket, Thailand ... 

Where he proposed back in 31 May 2009 <3

To the most loving, understanding, goofy, and snoring husband of mine. Here's to a long happy marriage and I love you despite the weight gain. Happy First Year Anniversary *muaks~!*

Muaks .. Love you lots busuk bear :)

Love;

Mrs Lee

wonder if I will have a dragon baby or not? 

Down Memory Lane

edit : FOUND MY ACTUAL DAY WEDDING VIDEO!! :D

Suddenly thought about sharing my wedding videos.

1) 7 Years and Counting produced by Hanzfoto Production.

Basically tells about the story on how me and Bear met. Really brings back fond memories as we were together for 7 whole years before tying the knot.

2) The Making of Our Pre-Wedding Photos produced by Red Bliss.

The actual proposal video taken by our friends was embedded into this video.

3) Actual Wedding Video produced by Hanzfoto Production.

And finally the actual wedding caught on video. Thank God we hired a videographer - it's nothing like re-watching your own wedding over and over again. *heart*

Have an awesome week ahead.

Love;

Mrs Lee

The BIG DAY (part 2) - Holy Matrimony

Saturday – 9th October 2010, Holy Matrimony.

The day started at 5:45am for me as my make-up artist (“MUA”), Ally was scheduled to arrive at 6-6.15am. Yes, I was the only one awake. Shortly after, my parents were up because my make-up session was to be at my parents’ room – bigger, cleaner, and more spacious. They proceeded to buy breakfast for my relatives and ‘chi muis’.

Ally was on time and simultaneously my photographer-cum-videographer, Jay and Jian from Hanzfoto arrived. Jay stayed behind and Jian headed to Bear’s place. Not too long, another photographer, Wilson from Red Bliss showed up.

Honestly, at that time I was still in a daze from lack of sleep and feeling very surreal that today was THE DAY. After 1 ½ years of planning, after all the talking, after all the waiting, the day has finally arrived! Again I didn’t feel excited or nervous (which I thought I would) – not too sure why. I was calmed and composed the entire time.

Everything happened so fast from there! My relatives and 'chi muis' came and all complemented on the make-up. I didn’t quite like the day make-up as oppose to the dinners’ because I felt I was too heavily made up. Always prefer to go natural. Always.

Walking down the aisle in church holding onto my Dad’s arm felt nostalgic – it was really a passageway to adulthood. It dawned upon me that I am not staying under the same roof with my Dad anymore. At that point, I felt sad that I am leaving home to be with my husband. I miss my Dad. I still do until now.

Reciting the wedding vows was surreal. I couldn’t believe that I was finally uttering the “I Do” words. I was again in a daze – it was almost an out-of-body experience. I was sitting at the side watching the entire process in awe. And then, suddenly it was over when Pastor pronounced us as husband and wife.

I was officially Mrs. Lee.

By now, the adrenaline rush was wearing down and I was really tired from standing in my 3-inch heels and lack of sleep. Photo session and tea ceremony flew by without a hitch.

We were supposed to put up a night in Marriott to relax ourselves before the dinner on the following day. But my dear husband had not keyed-in the guest list into Excel for my coordinators and there were a lot of last minute things that he had not completed yet. To cut the long story short, we only checked into the hotel at 2.00am. I was angry, frustrated, and extremely exhausted that night.

But when we saw the bridal suite, it was so inviting that all of the day's weariness melted away and I tried to let go of the stress. Slept like a pig that night.

Till then.
Mrs. Lee

The BIG DAY (part 1) - Day Before

Now that the wedding is out of the way, I’ve got to say that I kinda miss it (minus the preparations of course!). Honestly, I expected to feel lovey-dovey and to have a ‘floating-in-the-air’ moment on the actual day – like those you see in movies and in your friends’ wedding. Surprisingly, none of those happened. Strange… before I knew it, everything was over. I’m just gonna have a quick recap on what happened on the actual day, my feelings, and my thoughts on it as well. Hopefully my recollection and memory serves me well.

Note: I am breaking the wedding post into 3 parts. :)

Friday – 8th October 2010.

I only took leave the day before the wedding. My colleagues think I am crazy. My friends think I am crazy. My ‘chi muis’ think I am crazy. My parents think I am crazy. Heck, I think I am crazy too! With the amount of last minute preparations, I was still working my butt off. Yes, as expected Friday was a much stressed day for me – it seems that there are so many things not done yet for the wedding!

The guest lists, the table arrangements, the RSVPs, the flowers, the decors, the church bulletins etc etc. IT WAS OVERWHELMING!

The day started with my Mum making everyone stressed – her dinner dress which was sent for altering was wrongly given by the shop, it’s a size smaller!!! So she rushed and got it sorted out (Thank God!), whilst my Dad, I, and my brother went for lunch. Then, we headed back home to pick up my dog for boarding in the pet shop and at the same time my Dad dropped me off at the saloon for my 2 hours manicure and pedicure session. My Mum met me there straight. Gotta say, it was really a much needed relaxation session with my Mum.

Thereafter, Bear picked me up and we headed to Red Bliss to collect the gowns – and lo and behold, they got my size mixed up. ALL THREE GOWNS!! At that point in time, I was rather pissed because it was already so last minute! Having no choice, we gave them another 2 hours to sort out the mess.

Meanwhile, we headed to church to oversee the decoration and to set up the reception table as well as the favors. With the help of my Mum, everything was organized fairly quickly. Then, she had to rush back home to prepare the ‘tong yuen’.


We went back to Red Bliss and thankfully everything was settled – except for the white wedding gown for church (my chi muis will tell you that it was a tad too loose at the bust area which was quite noticeable on the actual day.. oh well..). Without wasting time, we collected the gown, ran through some last minute details with the photographers, collected our bridal bouquet and groom corsages (which sucks by the way – Bear’s white rose corsage was so withered it looked like a cabbage). We rushed back home to prepare for dinner with our own respective families.

As with customary traditions, both sides would have dinner with their own respective families. For me, we had a simple dinner and then everyone adjourned to my parents’ place. The minute we stepped into the house, the aromatic smell of ginger from the ‘tong yuen’ waffled through the air – it smelt good! My Mum has prepared the ginger soup earlier in the day.

Then, it was when the excitement began! While waiting for the ‘tong yuen’ to cook, all aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends roped in together and helped decorate the house in red. It was FILLED with red ‘hei’ stickers, ribbons, and of course the red cloth to hang outside the door. There were shrieks of laughter, screaming, instructions flying across the rooms, upstairs, and downstairs. I was also busy preparing for my own last minute stuff – the ‘chip san leong’ games, red umbrella, tea ceremony items etc etc.

And when all the red stuff was up on the walls and staircase, we proceeded to head upstairs where my Mum was preparing to ‘hair-combing ceremony’ for me. Traditionally, this is to bless their daughter who is leaving her childhood home. The Chinese believe that a person only becomes an adult after marriage. The first combing signifies that the couple will be together until death do them part, the second is for closeness and harmony in the married life until a ripe old age, the third combing is for the couples’ home to be filled with many children and grandchildren, and finally the fourth is for the couple to enjoy long-life together until our hair and eyebrows are ‘white’.

Then, my Dad fed me with the ‘tong yuen’ – it symbolizes a complete and sweet marriage. Mind you, I had to swallow SEVEN balls ok!! *gulp*

At about 12:30am, I excused myself to head to bed while the rest was still ‘hu-ha~ing’ in the living hall. Just before that, Bear dropped by to send all the flowers (i.e. family corsages, bridesmaids’ bouquets, flowergirls headband etc etc) which he had collected earlier from the florist to my house.

In case you are wondering, no I didn’t toss and turn trying to sleep in my nervousness. I just … slept like a log as I was already exhausted from running around tying up the loose ends before the big day.

Till then.
Mrs. Lee

18 days ....

Last year, when my brother's wedding was 2 weeks away, I always wondered what was his feelings at that time? Nervous? Excited? Elated?

Flash forward a year later, my own wedding is only 2 weeks and 4 days away. And what are my feelings now? Close friends also has been asking me the same questions. Am I excited yet? Unfortunately, not really. I am very stressed-out actually... right to the point of breaking down.

Never knew there were going to be so many last minute detailing to be sorted out. And it doesn't help that work in the office has been pilling up steadily. Should've gave a serious thought about hiring a wedding planner. It is really an overwhelming task to plan and execute things on your own.

It seems like as though there are still so much that is yet to be done. I have delegated some of the task to my girlfriends (you know who you are) and I am sincerely thankful for their help.

Right now, it comes to a point whereby I don't care anymore. Because there are just too many things to worry about. I have done the best on my part and will just go with the flow. I shall stop sending reminders and following-up on things that are beyond my control.

Whatever glitches that happen on the actual day as a result of it will be completely ignored and shrugged off.

Sometimes ignorance IS bliss.

3 WEEKS AND 6 DAYS FROM THE WEDDING!!!!!

Flower Girl Dresses

I have decided to use both my nieces as the flower girls for my wedding. And since now is the mega sales, I took the opportunity to shop around for their dresses. I didn't know that kids clothes are so darn expensive nowadays its crazy ok!!! One dress can fetch up to RM200!!

I was walking around Mid Valley in hopes of finding a suitable one at a cheaper price because I am on a budget - so have to be practical about things. Plus, children will outgrow their clothes very fast. Of course, I don't intend to be so cheapo to get those cheesy puffy sleeves ones with big ugly flowers and horrible synthetic material. They are after all my nieces so I don't want to be too kiamsap also.

Alas, couldn't find anything so I gave up. Today, during lunch I went to One Utama to check out the Flower Girls Shop (opposite FOS) and quite immediately found what I wanted. It's a simple green dress with pink fuchsia ribbon at the waist. And the price was within my budget too.

Yup, I've bought it .. another item off the wedding list ticked out. *phew*

p/s: Photos are ugly cos taken with my BB in a dimly lit room. Trust me the dresses are real pretty.

Love;

Mrs Lee

Food Tasting

Went for our food tasting in Putrajaya Marriott last Saturday with our parents and Bear's relatives. And I must say, the food had way exceeded our expectations. Of course, the common perception is that hotel serves rather lousy food as compared to a restaurant. It is always at the compromise of the ambiance and decor of the hotel.

Well, put it this way ... I hope that whatever that we've tasted will be consistent on the wedding day itself. Don't want to disappoint the guests. :)

Love;

Mrs Lee

Invites - Settled! (Finally)

Since we have given out most of our wedding invites and you have read part 1 and part 2, I think it's time to post the design that we had chose from Storybo*k.

Without further a due, I shall talk write less and let the pictures do the talking. Partly also because I am kinda lazy to type out a long post and it's past my bedtime.

Yup.. there you have it.

The church invites in pink with flowers and butterflies.

And the dinner invites in white and red motifs.

Dinner invites before being improvised by my dearest Mum.

Tada! She painstakingly tied the ribbons to each cards.

Mind you we have about 300 pieces of cards ok!

So heart her for her efforts. :)

The worktable.

So far the feedback that I've gotten was that the invites were simple, nice, and elegant. Exactly the impact that we would've wanted! :)

Love;

The-Bride-who-Hearts-her-Mom-and-Storybo*k!!