Babies

Lately I have been thinking a lot about babies. Call it maternal instinct or whatever but I couldn’t shake the thought out of my head. Sometimes I have a strong urge to get pregnant and to experience the joys of motherhood.

Sometimes I feel that I am not ready to conceive, that I am not adequately prepared to fend for a child. Sometimes I am adamant to put pregnancy on hold for the next 2 years to further establish my career, hang out with friends, go clubbing, pub-hopping, watch movies, and travel without any commitments to worry about.

I’ve also been googling a lot on babies’ names (I’ve already decided the name for my babies), reading a lot about what pregnant mums go through, reading about painkillers/epidurals, on what to expect during delivery etc. Truth is that, I adore kids.

My colleagues have been telling me to not wait too long before conceiving – they said there is nothing like motherhood, it is an all-together life changing experience which is priceless. Then I have friends who told me to wait because there is no turning back the minute the kids comes into the picture – you can throw your freedom away. Then also there is the part of juggling between work, home, and kids which can be absolutely tiring and frustrating at the same time. Not to mention the finances part yet.

Then there’s the labour pain part that I am not too keen about… but that can be easily addressed with epidural (I don’t even want to think about the injection/poking part ok *shudders*)

What do you think?
Maternal instinct kicked in early?

Love;

Mrs Lee

My Travel Itinerary 2011

My travel itinerary for 2011 has more or less been firmed up!! So far two places have been booked. :) Am very excited!


January 14-16: Romantic Getaway – Pangkor Laut

Am going to Pangkor Laut for our second honeymoon!! *ahem*

Initially, I wanted to book YTL Pangkor Laut Resort, heard fantastic reviews and comments from colleagues, friends, and Trip Advisor. Plus, they have promotion for Malaysian Residence. Of course, luxury doesn’t come cheap (but it was still very much affordable for the both of us).

Common sense got the better of me and hence I’ve decided to lower our budget (so we can travel to more places) and proceeded to book Pangkor Island Beach Resort instead. For the same price we pay for YTL, we get an upgraded room with sea view, two meals a day, and a TWO HOURS SPA! *woots* *woots*

Can’t wait to just relax in the ocean, soak up the sun, and laze around on the beach. Perfect for a romantic short getaway. *heart*


August 21-29: Land of the Hakka – New Zealand

Thank God for Air Asia! The airline had just launched their inaugural trip to NZ and as usual the tickets were up for grabs at an amazingly cheap deal! I have to thank my Dad for waking up early in the morning to help to book. Our return tickets only cost us RM750/person! :) I am extremely happy! (Yes, I noticed I have been over-dosing on exclamation marks!!!!!!)


How are we gonna survive a 13-hour flight on a budget air is now a concern, but we shall worry about that later. :p

I have been hearing from people who have been there that NZ is a beautiful country to visit. And apparently our 7D6N trip (I discount 2 days off for traveling) is NOT ENOUGH! August is at the tail-end of winter (H 12C, L 3C) so it’s going to be nice and cooling. Best!


Our first visit to NZ will be accompanied by my parents and aunt’s family as well. We will be focusing more on the South Islands. Not too sure if we are going free & easy or following a tour but my Mum would be sorting that part out for us.

This trip will be a gift for me to my hubby. *grins*


September 16-18: Fun in the Sun – Pulau Redang

This will be my 3rd time going back to Redang. I just can’t get enough of the pristine beach and clear blue water. Heavenly~! Furthermore, the trip would be relatively cheap because it’s partly subsidized. Best part, we are flying STRAIGHT into the island! Shiok!

We’ve yet to make arrangements for booking but the trip is more or less firmed up.

Love love love beach holidays!!

p/s: Looks like my white Christmas plan for next year has to be postpone.


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

An-yong-hae-sae-yo from Seoul!

Yup.. I am blogging from Ibis Hotel in Seoul. Gonna keep it short and sweet cos its 12:35am here and I am already dead tired from the tour itinerary. Gotta wake up at 7:00am tomorrow.. urgh .. (Korea is 1 hour ahead of Malaysia time)

Its been 1 week since we're married and I've to say everything ran smoothly on the event day. More on that in another post ok. Felt strange to not be going back to my own parents house - something I've got to get used to eventually. :(

Korea so far has been ok. Jeju Island was kinda boring and the food was bland. Didn't enjoy it over there. It's much more interesting in Seoul I would say. Food has been getting better and better day by day. The group that we are touring with are fun - of course there are some weird ones here and there la. Weather is AWESOME! Cooling! High of 17c and low of around 5c.

Ok la.. better head to sleep already.

Nites!

Love;

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!!

Another Tradition

When a girl gets married in accordance to the Chinese custom, her parents will give out biscuits/cakes alongside the wedding invites to her relatives. It's called 'ka lui peng', or is loosely translated to 'marry-daughter-biscuits'.

My parents decided to give cupcakes. And here are the sample designs. So-so only if you ask me, but heck the price is good at RM1.70/piece and the box is thrown in for free. Plus, I have 6 different designs and I choose vanilla and orange as the base flavor. Actually, I can choose 6 different flavors if I wanted to, but I've decided against it. Don't want to be too funky and ambitious.

Another factor is time - and we are running short of it. My parents need to drive down to Seremban to deliver the cupcakes to our relatives. And Bear need to distribute to his over this weekend. Come to think of it, our invites is not even fully given out yet!! And RSVP is supposedly on the 18th September *cough*my birth date*cough*

Bawa bertenang, Geri .. at this point I shall go with the flow la.. don't want to get too hyped up and stressed out.

Love;

Mrs Lee

B.E.K

B.E.K = Bridal Emergency Kit.

Actually my trusted Chief Bridesmaid aka Florence had already warned reminded me to prepare my BEK. It will definitely come in handy. Of course the BEK will be solely in the custody of the maid-of-honor/chief bridesmaid/bridesmaids on the actual wedding day because I will be too busy looking pretty stressed out.

A BEK is very vital because things will go wrong on the actual day - that I can guarantee. And it is good to always be prepared when that happens.

Listed below is my BEK:

1. Small sewing kit (in case gown koyak)
2. Safety pins (in case strap koyak)
3. Bobby Pins (in case hair koyak)
4. Tissue paper (handy to wipe tears away)
5. Wet Wipes (handy to wipe sweat away)
6. Lipstick (touch up)
7. Compact Powder (touch up the make-up smudges)
8. Concealer (also for smudges)
9. Perfume (in case if BO due to cold sweat :p)
10. Baby Powder (good to remove/hide stains)
11. Hairbrush (in case hair goes out of place)
12. Mints (in case mulut busuk before saying I Do)
13. Water (thirst quencher)
14. Medication [Flu/Headache/Stomach Cramps] (better be safe)
15. Program Sheet / List and Contact of Vendors (be organised!!)

Yup.. so these are my BEK. And I shall pack and leave it all in the hands of my three lovely bridesmaids.

Love;

1-Month-Away!!!

Bring it on!

Recently, I have been doing a lot of online shopping - simply because it is convenient and clothes are way more cheaper compared to retail stores. Not only that, the styles/designs that I like can only be found via these 'online boutiques' instead of malls. Very sad, I know.

So far, my online escapades has been nothing but fun and pleasant. Clothes were delivered on time and in good condition. The people whom I buy from are accommodative, nice, and sincere. And most importantly, they are honest and they don't cheat ... until recently...

I never expected I would be cheated by this scumbag (I am being extremely polite by addressing her this way). Initially everything was fine and dandy until I made my payment. Then the emails weren't replied and when I posted on her Facebook wall, she DELETED THEM OFF! DELETED!!!!! How many more buyers she intend to con??????? And my clothes have not even been delivered to me yet after 2 weeks!!!

PLEASE IF YOU ARE READING THIS, BOYCOTT WAWA HOUSE AND TEE SQUARE. THEY BOTH ARE THE SAME!!!!

And just so you know MISS CHAN SOOK LING, I have filed for a tribunal complain. See you in court biatch!

~Never mess with a banker. They know their rights.~

Quote: Geri, 01/09/2010

Rule #1: Do Not Look at the Camera at ALL Times!

We finally shot our pre-wedding MV today with Hanzfoto. It was almost a whole day affair! We started at 10:30am right up to 4:30pm. Very very tiring indeed. Thanks to all our friends who helped out playing cameo roles and of course our main supporting actor, i.e. my cousin Kelvin. :) All in all it was pretty fun I would say. Friends were laughing and being their natural self (despite Flo always wanting to look at the camera).

Despite that, the MV is still not finished yet *sweat*. We have scheduled another time for part 2 in September. Hopefully everything can kau tim on that day and again will need my friends and my main supporting actor to be there too. So heart them all to take time off for the wedding MV. *hugs*



Love;
The-Bride-To-Be

Pre-Wedding Photos (Sneek Peak)

After almost 6 months of waiting ... here is my pre-wedding photos from Red Bliss. Am quite pleased with the outcome although I can't say the same for their service. We always have to call them for updates. Even when they promised to call, they never. Hmmph ~

If you ask me, the thing I love about Red Bliss is that all of their photos are very natural - no funky touch-ups with bedazzled stars and fairies flying all around. Even the photoshop is tailored to be as natural as possible. Of course, I heart the make-up too - if I have not hired one, I wouldn't mind hiring the one in Red Bliss who painted made me up for the photoshoot.

In FRIM - there is something very serene
in the photo which I like.

Traditional kua. I think I look good in red *perasan*

This is one of my favorite shots - Nice gown,
Beautiful make-up & hairdo, Perfect ambiance & lighting.

With Bear looking dashingly hot :)
Some say I look Victorian, Some say I look like a Nyonya.

Being made-up in the studio

The piano series which I absolutely heart also.

In conclusion, I have nothing to complain about Red Bliss. In fact, I never had any expectations as all which is good - the higher your expectations, the more disappointed you'll be. And being a stressful and worrywart bride over petty issues is so not worth it.

Love;
We-are-less-than-2-Months-from-the-BIG-DAY!!