Mini getaway AKA pseudohoneymoon

GUess everyone wished they have more of everything ie money, time etc.. Well, I am one of them, that's no denial about it. Especially when you are a poor pre reg like I am now. Wished there were more leave so we could have gone somewhere further and "nicer" for honeymoon. Still, we make the most of what we have and well, what we are blessed with. Some months back in april this year, Andy tuned in to Class 95 to his fav Morning Show, send in an sms to ans a question and vola! he won a prize just like that! A 4D3N land tour to phuket. So, yes, phuket was the choice of destination for our mini getaway after the wedding.

My parents went with us.....no, dun give me that look of "WHAT!?now this is really no honeymoon at all!"..Lol.. And no, it does not remind you of Meet the Parents, whereby the dad tries to scare the son in law away, or dig into his secrets etc. My dad had wanted to visit phuket and thought perhaps he cld go with us and experience what we experience when we go to such places. He wanted to bring mum along for it also. As you age, you also want new experiences as well as time with family. Andy and I understood that and yup! so off they went with us. sAME HOTEL, different Room, different Flight if that is what you are dying to know =) It turned out to be a really enjoyable time since Erjie (my sister who migrated to Sydney) was back to attend my wedding and had some time to spare before she heads back to Sydney, was able to join us on this trip.

My parents and Erjie have never tried snorkelling and this time round, we headed for such a trip to Khai Island for a full day and much to my surprise, they love it! Darling and i simply loved those beautiful islands coz the water was just so calm and clear. Other than the snorkelling trip, we went for a full day tour to chestnut factory, elephant ride etc. Time just flies especially when you are enjoying every min of it. Still had time to buy some lamps and paintings for our future new home and was extremely satisfied by it. It was a rare chance for us to go on such a trip together, esp since my sister lives 6000km away from me and my fmaily now. Family outings like this have got extra value now. Andy's officially a family member now and that makes it even more significant. It is not just about the two of us when it comes to marriage. It is about people coming together, becoming family.

It may be only a pseudo honeymoon, but it was extra meaningful to me. Whatever it may be, pseudo, perfect, dream honeymoon.. As long as we are together, everyday can be a honeymoon (Even travelling from home to TTSH, with Andy just holding my hand while singing to the tune of one of our wedding songs, is a honeymoon) I am sure there are many of you out there with that sweet feeling in you everyday, with your loved one around.Cherish them =)

To Dajie and Jiefu: We will have a trip like this together soon!


Beautiful discovery- quiet part of the beach on Khai Island

Chestnut factory-only then we learnt its nut grew outside the fruit. To think we eagerly share with dad and he said he already knew it like a decade ago!Hahah

Us on the hilltop overlooking Phuket

"Sawadeekup.. Tips please" This was in our hotel and in Thailand, you got to know and practise the art of tipping and this figurine just a gentle way of reminding you

Us snorkelling. As usual, me in life jacket and Darling is not

A pose for pic before heading for elephant ride

On the plane, flying over Phuket and heading home

Flashback to That Special Moment

The year was 2005. It was a tough year. There were many examination casualties. Tears relentlessly flowed down for some of them, when they saw the horrid grades given by despicable and heartless examiners. Of course, for those survivals, grins and grins marked their faces when they were in favour of these examiners...yeah yeah...favourism...it was around in 2000 B.C. or even much beyond then, and it is still around even until now, 2000 A.D...no matter where we go, where we stay, this F word pierced right through our most fallible hearts...and sad to say, it's always here to stay...(Of course such things never happen in the grading system. Horrible grades occur because of bad luck, wrong choices and more bad luck).

Enough of bullshitting around.

Seriously, it's not really that of a tough year for me. For someone who could tie up with buddies and go hit some balls instead of attending some so-called important lecture, being able to pass with an average score was already the greatest achievement for me. I remembered there's this instance when me and one of my best buddies went to school, and 5 minutes just before entering the lecture hall, realised that it's most likely we would either go into the lecture hall with our eyes pasted with fake drawn open-eyes, or reading some novels or fantasy books, we decided to go hit some balls. Of course, not wanting to waste our time travelling so far to NUS and still pon-ten, we threw our bags (which are always filled with storybooks and storybooks and no lecture notes) into some lockers, deciding that we will come back for them to prepare for our next lecture. Off to the billard centre me and my buddy.

Piak piak pop pop....

2 hours later.................back in front of our lockers.................we took our bags, and back to the billard centre........

That was how crazy and boliao we were during our school days..........but come on.....if don't play now, when would we have the chance in the later parts of our lives to have such audacity to commit such crimes?

Anyway, cut the story short again, that's how I have spent life through my schooling days. I do not mind doing it again.

It was 2005. July. I met my future happiness. Location where I sealed my fate and redeem my soul? ------ Grand Copthorne.

It was a mixed up to be there actually...not I deliberately went there because some six sense fella told me that my future happiness could be found there, but my FYP supervisor indirectly created this chance for me....Disclaimer: This life story may resemble or remind of some characters and names. It is of no intention to create any misunderstanding nor offence to anyone...it's only for fun and laughter.

What happened was my FYP was supposed to be presented in a symposium instead of the Pharmacy Congress. Anyway, I ended up standing beside a poster. But I really want to thank my supervisor, as without her, my nirvana of happiness could never be attained.

That was when I saw her. Sitting a few seats away, was this girl with immense beauty and enveloping charisma. Charisma and beauty that can consume almost everyone's breath. This girl really lives out the lyrics of "Lady in Red". "Will I ever have such luck and fate to be with such a girl?" I threw my kim tun (gold coin) and it landed with a negative answer (Disclaimer again: I do not believe in such stuff, just adding in to build up the story..hehehe).

Flashback flashback again. I have seen this girl before. Many a time in NUS, and in fact conversed with her before in one of the events held many months back. I was already captivated by her charm then, but my skin isn't thick enough to cultivate any courage to talk to her more, and also circumstantial denial blocked my passage towards my future. However, this time round, as the chinese idiom described "Da2 Tie3 Chen4 Re4" (Direct Yim Bun translation: Beat the metal when it's hot")...for the rest of the story...please spare some of your precious time to watch the cartoon, that is only if you are interested. Parental guidance is not advised. Suitable for all ages. Sorry to disappoint some, but not rated. No nudity. No gore. No violence. No vulgarity.

(Due to some technical problem, cartoon will be put up soon after some glitches are fixed. So stay tuned!!!"

July 2005. The month that I will never forget. The day I met my love. The day I sealed my kiss. The day I made my decision. The day my life is complete...

...And also...The day my femme-detectora radar was programmed to malfunction. The day my eyes flickering towards oestrogenic-release in orchard road was cured and gone forever. The day my fourth finger on my left hand was reserved to be crowned with the Monkey God Ring (which is gona be put on by her and nobody else) one day. The day I contacted Other-Women-Fatal-Anaphylatic-Shock-If-They-Come-Near...hehe...

People to thank

Friends who must be specially mentioned and thanked
Media and Photogrpahy:YP, Terry and JingHui (for their professional work)
Cross stitch art work: Ching Hung
Reception: Xiaoyan and Jingyi
Justice of Peace: Dr Kwoh Chee Keong
Montage and Cartoon: Raudhah and her boyfriend (for the professional work)
Decoration: Agnes, Agnes' hubby and Pauline
Beer: Anderson (On the house from him)
Caterer: Kriston Catering Pte Ltd (Patrick in particular)

Jen's Wedding Thoughts

The Eve of Wedding
I do not know how many people out there organise their wedding without engaging a wedding planner. I guess not too many coz i stunned almost everyone i came across when i told them i have no wedding planner! Andy and I were the wedding planners and we run our own show and yes, that means to do some last min work even on the eve of our wedding. While I got a chance to catch up some beauty sleep on that day since I was off that day, poor Andy had to work at TTSH that Sat till 2pm. True, we are crazy enough to work through the whole week without taking any day off, but seriously, we do not really have a choice...All thanks to no $$$$$ and of coz miserably not enough leave days one can claim!!

Immediately after his work, we drove around to send out the last few invitations and then off we went for quick dinner and then to meet one of my decoraters: Agnes to decorate the wedding car. It was a sibeh long procedure at the multipurpose carpark at CCK. Ended at 10plus and I was super pleased with the results and so was Darling and MY dad armed with his camera and shooting away. I do not know why, but the decoration of the car marks the beginning of my excitement and anxiousness.

In view of the wet weather, we decided not to tie the cute wedding bears onto the car tonight. Of coz other then weather, we are also afraid the drunkards near Andy's blk wld rip them off. So, poor Andy learned how to tie them and promised to wake up early to tie them on our big day. Or does he have a choice? Hehehehe

I stood there for some time watching Darling drove the car out of the carpark heading home. I thought: this is it. tmr is the BIG DAY!!I murmured a payer for the event to run smoothly tmr and for Darling to arrive home safely and be able to have some good sleep.

Then, i rushed home to change into the nice nightie erjie bought for me, specially for the wedding. I closed my eyes and tossed and turned. Damn! Cannot sleep! That means darker eye circles and tmr i wun be pretty! The solution was...*no not some SK II eye mask* It was Dimenhydramine 2 Tabs ON PRN!! It surely worked and knocked me out till the wedding day itself!

Wedding Day
Dimenhydramine works wonderfully and almost too perfectly! I woke up just 15mins before Darling came to fetch me. I jumped out of bed when Mum woke me up. It shouldnt be that way! Oh dear! Now which bride wakes up late? Nobody! I thought, as i rushed through brushing. Die, this time, sure look very ugly! I cheong into my room and Mum, Erjie very quickly combed my hair saying the nice, auspicious words. As i was going to change out of my nightie, Darling appeared at the door step. Sucks! My hair still in quite a mess coz it was still not properly combed. Which groom sees his bride on the wedding day looking so lang1 pei1? Andy lor.. Poor thing. He, however, smiled so brightly and in his ever teasing tone said: "just woke up ar..hor hor..I woke up at 5am leh! ANd yet, no dark eye bags nor circles...hehehehe....and still got pleeeennnnttttyyyy of time to comb my hair" Cannot tahan, what time le, still got time tease me and show off..

Well, later on his car, i started to miss the teasing coz his cursing and swearing began.. Coz it was drizzling and it looks like it will be a heavy downpour.With our videographer JInghui with us, we carried wedding albums, cross stitch frame, suits, gown etc all in the rain. A tour group of Jap tourists happen to be there and when they saw us and the wedding car, they clapped and cheered! That lifted up our spirits and somehow helped us braved the rain and brought all the stuff nicely into the museum.

Then off we went, me to undergo some major "construction" under the good hands of Ferene ,my makeup artist. Coz my original makeup artist cldnt make it, so Ferene stood in. I was full of worries since I have never seen her works, never gone for a trial with her, only a few phone calls to finalise where to meet, what time etc. But, I was very blessed. She was superb and made me looked fabulous! As Benny said: :"Wah, managed to cover the panda eyes! That got to be the hardest thing to do and the greatest achievement! Very good and nice. Amazing work!"

Darling was busy coordinating while i was having my makeup done. Friends who came to help out started to arrive and I must say it was chaos at first coz we weren't sure who has time to brief yan, ah bee etc. Thanks to my sisters and bro in law Nicholas, together with yan and ah bee, things were well taken care off and running smoothly after a while. You got to have such reliable friends and loving family members to make sure the event can be carried out if you do not have wedding planners like us. I am telling you, the coordination before, during and after is really no joke. Imagine setting up your own bridal table, running up and down the stage to start and stop the cartoon on your own. It turned out to be pretty hilarous to some guests and well, haha, luckily we managed to keep our cool and the event was splendid. While i was standing at the hallway with Dad waiting to march in, we watched the cartoon and laughed as the guests laughed while watching it. I was touched, really very touched. I counted my blessings that my friends and family are here and they seem to be happy and enjoying themseleves too. It was our hope when planning for this wedding, that guests enjoy themselves and truly immerse in the blissfulness of the wedding couple.

Solemnization marked the beginning of our journey as man and wife together and it was an incredibly meaningful moment. "From this moment, life has begin" It would have been even better if Darling acted in acordance to Dr Kwoh's instructions to give me a nice long kiss. Disappoint me and the guests! Lol. What happened was he jokingly said he paiseh and photo album got alot of kissing scences le, and Dr Kwoh thought he was for real and so moved on with something else and it turned out as though the groom refused to kiss the bride!

The thank you speech was the most emotional one for me. I had tears in my eyes when i said thank you to all of my friends, family and my dear husband (though this drew some more laughter from the crowd, was it so funny to thank him? hahah..perhaps..)It was not easy to have come this far had it not been the support of family and some very very faithful friends who provided listerning ears and lending arms 24/7.

The wedding went on within a blink of the eye. Before i knew it, people were coming up, shook our hands, hugged us, took pics and left. The group photo taken with our fellow pharmacists were exceptionally unforgetable. I thought it was pretty chaotic and feared for the worst- the photographer cant fit everyone in. Much to my surprise the photos turned out well and one pharmacist's remarks remain fresh in my mind and will always bring the smile on my face. "Wah, like congress. Whole pharmacy population here liao" Lol.

The happiness and blissfulness i felt sunk in deeper into my hearts, especially when i started to read the cards, the well wishes written on the ang pows and the gifts friends gave to us. We are truly blessed and i wished for all my family and friends to be blessed always.

It was my dream wedding. Every part of it,and though it was hard work and nerve wrecking planning it from Melbourne photo shoot, flavours, invitation, catering, to planning the program etc , it etched deep memories in my heart..




The JC gang! The babes and hunks.

My gown. Thanks to Emerald I got my dream gown which Darling and I love

March in. The dry ice had some effect thanks to the men and women fanning it!

Exchanging vows and rings

Daddy handing me over to Darling

Gifts to Dad and Mum to thank them for their years of love and care

Pharmacy class of 2007!

Pharmacy Class of 2005

Hurrying up to the ballroom right after tea ceremony. Darling trying to help me w my gown

Exchanging rings

Wedding in the Fall 2007

9th Dec 2007 5am:
With a sky strongly overcast, and a week full of blizzards and storm, my heart is pounding with utmost anticipation for the most important day of my life.

Nope, it's not an interview with your prospective father-in-law who is thinking what the hell you are going to do with his daughter, nor is it with the infamous shrewd boss that makes you grind your flabbergasted teeth in misery, but rather on the contrary, it's the happiest moment of my life...the once in a lifetime union with my most beloved wife-to-be ----- Jennifer

5am...my God, what am I waking up so early for? The last time I woke up with such a timing was all the way back in army days. Those were the days where I couldn't kiss the sun when I left my home and neither could I curse the sun when I'm back home. I live in the east, and I do not know how did I end up serving my NS in the furthest west. I was cursing and swearing during those period that I will never ever step into CCK again after my NS...

A FEW YEARS LATER...(scroll down)


















I met my future wife and she lives beside Lot 1.........................

Yeah yeah I know....it's my fault for living in the east...

With the smiley teddybear in my arms, I flip-flopped to the carpark, still in a daze from the half-awaken 4 hours of sleep.

Number 128 (Lexus Wedding Car Plate NUmber aka Winning Number)
As I was walking towards 128, I could feel the unforgiving rain drops against my unshaven skin. Sheesh...the relentless nights of praying for a clear day do not seem to work. I gaze at the sky above the dimly litted neighbourhood, and I was thinking to myself..there goes my ang pows.

Teddy Bears:
With the number 128 standing out conspicuously among the rest, I was tying the teddy bears with half-opened eyes. Each knot that I had made, I uttered a word of prayer again for a smooth event later. Looking at the teddy bears who were going to be drenched, I kept myself in cheonging mood by thnking of the happy moments that I would have in forever bliss with my dearest.

9th Dec 2007 630am:
Yes. Tying the teddy bears took more than an hour because I realised that the strings were not long enough. I was really hoping I could complete the job in half an hour's time to save me from the kapo neighbourhood who will practically forget that they had to rush for the train, bus, market, just to see what you are doing. Think I'm living in close proximity to India thats why. Anyway, left with only half an hour to get dressed and to CCK, I sped up the stairs.

Oh man...it must have been ages since I last moved my muscles. My lungs seemed to have shrunk so much that I was already panting after the 3rd floor. I looked at my tummy, and nodded to myself....yeah....I really have forgotten about my exercise regimen...

730am:
CCK - The land where my love resides. The land of beauties...so as to say...hehe, though i once hated it so much. It's weird to have no gatecrashing, no chaffeur, but hey hey, why should we always follow the norm? Wedding is for us to be happy and for us to do whatever we like it to be. Well, that probably means happy moment also for my brothers, who do not have to eat wasabi, test their vocals etc, or lay on the ground blowing some party-gimmicks. And of course, it means no extra ang pows needed to be given out as well.....hehehehe....however, I must say it's a bit quiet in a sense not to have gatecrashing, nor much laughters. But you should have seen my big big smile when I saw my soon-to-be-wife, who had just woken up from her beauty sleep with the hair still in a mess. But to me, she's ever so beautiful. I'm really fortunate to be able to marry such a girl despite me being only a so-so average joe, or probably below average.

Fast foward:

830am:
Raindrops falling on my head...

Bigger raindrops falling on my teddy bears...

Biggest and loudest cursing and swearing came out from my mouth...

Then came the melody of people cheering and clapping when we drove pass Raffles statue.

With one hand hovering the wedding photos, and one hand hovering my suit, we scurried to the shelter after manually opening the carpark gates. And one of my brother even lagi poorer thing, who had to carry the one-ton video camera.

Think the security guard even more pissed... "Blady hell Sunday and yet had to come so early to open the museum for some kookoos"...Well, this was the sentence that was portrayed when I saw his darken gloomy face, with a twitch in his mouth. I do not even dare to really smile at him and asked him how was his day as I'm sure his reply would be "what's so nice about today?!!!"

900am:
Still hoping the weather would be kinder later, my dearie set off to her make-up while I went on to oversee the decorations and arrangements

Okay, so to cut the story short...

THE RAIN JUST GOT HEAVIER!!!!!!NB!!!!!

But thankfully, really really blessed...eventually...most of the guest turned up and both of us were really touched and happy and joyful to see our most beloved friends and relatives wishing us the best, despite the rain also giving their best.

Friends for life...and the world will not be as beautfiul if it is without you...or course, to my dearest wife and to our friends, wbo braved the cruelly casted hurricanes and twisters to attend our wedding...


Killing time before the guests arrive= taking photos on the beautiful stairs

Showcasing my gown

Couldnt be happier =)

A family picture after putting our signatures and names down on paper, marking the day we begin our journey as ONE

Moments like this are unforgetable, Thank you Jo!

You light up my life(and in this case, the hallway as well)

Sec sch friends rock with style!

Solvay frens and Lily's little angels

Indebted to you- My sisters and Dr Kwoh, for making the event possible & significant

NUS Pharmacy Class of 07. All of you gd! Play me out! Ask me throw flowers in the end all siam!I will rem all of you =p

Yam Seng!!Everybody so high and LOUD!Kam Tong...

Tea Ceremony before wedding ceremony- To my beloved Dajie and Jiefu

Sec sch pals and their partners!

Happy friends and guests = Happy bride

It's official!

The river room- the ambience was terrific, bringing warmth and spreading love

Azhar and Victor- all the way from Australia