Shoe Shopping

I went around several shopping malls looking for wedding shoes. I need a pair of white ones for the photoshoot and the walk down the aisle. I wanted a nice off white pair, not made of plastic, possibly with lace work, semi-covered, with not too high a heel, no platforms, no wedges and not a peep toe. Kinda picky am I not? Haha... Well to sum it up, I just wanted something classy and reusable with normal outfits after the wedding.

Thanks to Mace, who saw this beautiful shoe at Metrojaya while shopping with Pin, I have now found a beautiful pair! :)

Next up, finding the right shoe to match my dinner dress in July. Fun, fun, fun!

cheryl

Engagement Ring

I love my ring. It's a stone of my own choice, certified by the GIA, classy and gorgeous set in a shiny ring..

cheryl

Proposal Flowers

My proposal flowers were white roses, white lilies plus babys breath with light pink and bronze accents. The light pink and bronze accents came from the wrapping and lace around the flowers. It also came with a little white teddy. I totally forgot to take pics of the flowers while they were still fresh but hey, it still looks good. :)

Here is the contact for the florist should anyone be interested

Pinetree * 75 Anson Road * 604 2281131

cheryl

Our Chemistry clicked when we first met...

This is the statement that Cheryl refuses to let me use to describe how we met. But hey, if I type it here and everyone knows about it... I may not need to verbally say it again! :-) This entry is birthed because I think it will be nice to highlight the part of our story that is less known to most.

Cheryl and I met in Materials Chemistry. I had noticed that she was a course mate that never really sat at the back of the room because she really knew her stuff... I on the other hand, took the class because there wasn't any other subject available for that semester to make up the units needed. Note: I did fail that subject - But managed to get a fiancee out of it... so that was no big loss!

Cheryl for some reason always hung out at the Students' Association of UC, a place I worked at for a stint during that semester. She loved the Women's Room. Supposedly it was to avoid a 'boy' friend who really liked her (I guess I won!). Anyway, the 'how we did got together' bit was when I was late for a lab one day and our lecturer Ian, made me work with Cheryl and her lab partner. Now her reputation in the class was amazing. She could be the last to start the lab but always the first to finish. So I thought, great! I can do this and get out quickly. How wrong I was... :( That day, we were last that day and she nearly killed me because of it. Well, after that I started working with her in our weekly lab sessions. Soon, I decided even to take her out to a movie, on the hunch that this could turn into something. The first movie I took her to was Phonebooth. (Note to all guys... NOT THE BEST FILM to take a potential girlfriend to see).

On other occasions, I took her around Canberra, to attractions like the War Memorial, Questacon etc. Here is the kicker... I drive an auto car. Once, we parked along Lake Burley Griffin, took a stroll and when we wanted to leave, my car wouldn't start. I made several attempts but the car stayed silent. I rang NRMA for help and after a 1.5hour wait, the guy came. With all his gear in hand, he checked the parts under the hood out. Batteries were fine, he told me.

Then he asked, 'So... How do you usually start the car?'
I thought to myself, what an odd question.
So I told him, 'Open the door, get in and start the car...'
He then said, 'You obviously don't check if you are in the right gear do you?'
Cheryl's first reaction was, 'Oh my goodness...'

It was from that day that I knew we would get along really well. Chemistry was happening! Since that event, I saw her pretty much every day. Once, I even made her wake up at 6am to take her to an airport so that she could meet Monica.

We've been emailling, smsing and racking up high phone bills ever since. Many ask what is the secret to a long distance relationship. Our answer: Honesty and being open about EVERYTHING. Yes, the girl may sometimes put herself in a shell but if we guys have the patience to push and probe, we can work through everything together.

So that's how we met. We still have debates as to the first day we started going out but we know it's either the 21st or the 24th. That's good enough! :)

No pictures this time...

Alex

Memorable Quote from the Guy's point of view... :-)

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly without complexities or pride. I love you because I know no other way then this. So close that your hand, on my chest, is my hand. So close, that when you close your eyes, I fall asleep." - Patch Adams

This is the quote that somewhat describes my love for Cheryl. My love for her has no complexities or pride, I love her so much without knowing how, when or from where. I am so glad I met this girl. A girl that is letting me be me and a girl that I am so in love with to the extent that her hand on my chest is my hand...

My birthday was yesterday. Yes, I am a year older. But I pass this birthday knowing that another chapter of my life will begin when we settle down. My first birthday with my wife is going to be next year and it is something I am looking forward to... so very much!

Being put in a position where I had to propose twice to my love, I realise that we now have many stories to tell our kids, and their kids. I mean, who in their lifetime actually gets two wedding proposals when they are getting married for the first time? :-)

Ironically the movie Hitch is on at the moment but let's just say I didn't use any of it's tactics to win over this girl...! :)

Nice Love Quotes

I found one of my favourite quotes today. I read this somewhere before and only managed to commit parts of it to memory. So I'm immortalizing it here to be used by everyone if such a need arises.

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Here is another which I find is so true for Alex and I. It speaks to us because of our experience with a long distance relationship.

In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged.
-Hans Nouwens


cheryl

Ring

Here is a picture of the ring that I proposed to Cheryl with. There are more to come but here's just one picture to let you see what the ring looks like. I only buy the best for my girl so yes, only the best. Pity I don't get anything though as part of proposing... Except the girl... But I guess that's more than enough! :)

Alex.

Setting the Wheels in M-O-T-I-O-N

So after the big activities going around this week, I suggested to Alex that we should take a look around the bridal houses while he was still in Penang. A short visit would help clarify lots of stuff and I wouldn't have a difficult time trying to describe and explain how things are done here.

I suggested heading to Aspial first. I have always liked Aspial for their simplicity in design and photography aside from the fact that they have plenty of dresses to choose from without any divide in category. Most bridal houses categorize their dresses and each change in category sees an increase in prize as well. The basic categories normally don't look too good hence the couples are forced to pay more in order to try on a nicer dress.

We spent about 2 hours in Aspial talking to what turned out to be our sales person, Chrystal, negotiating packages, freebies and trying to negotiate a good deal for us. In the end we did put a downpayment with them and things are confirmed for our photoshoot and bridal book!

I'm excited :)

Alex on the other hand............ He just went, " I thought we were here to take a look and explore bridal houses. How did that become a downpayment?? "

Hahaha. Well I think its good to get things moving. I'd rather be a well prepared bride than a stressed out one closer to the date. And since my groom is going to be 4000+ miles away, its best we make plans for when he next comes so we don't miss anything.


We got a pretty good deal with Aspial. I will have 6 dresses for the shoot, 20 big pics and 20 small pics. Now the tough part is keeping to the given 40pics. If we exceed that, it will result in $$$.
I have resolved to be firm about this! :)


Saturday, Jan 5 - Dress picking!
Monday, Jan 21 - Photoshoot Day!


cheryl

The Proposal Part Two - Her version

Before I begin this, let me just say that Alex is really sweet, nice, caring and the bestest boyfriend any girl could ever have. But when it comes to creating surprises and keeping it to himself, sigh..... boy, is he left wanting
:) Many times throughout the story below, I had to turn my back and pretend I didnt notice a LOT of things in order to not spoil my surprise..... Story time!

My infamous 5 words, "Let me think about it."
So the task of making the proposal a surprise was left to him.

On Sept 5, we headed down to KL, had a nice day walking around and we met up with my sis Debbie & Ying Kai for lunch. During lunch, us girls headed to the ladies room after which the guys took their turn. Sis and I chatted and drank and chatted some more to a point when I realized 20 minutes had passed. The one time Alex took this long to use the men's room, he came back with a gift for me. So this time, I was wondering if I had a surprise coming. Well when the guys came back, Alex wasn't holding anything but Ying Kai had a bag in hand. So I asked if the guys went shopping. Ying Kai then sneakily took out a nice furry pink pencil case, something which my sis had liked and wanted. He had bought it as a surprise for her. We ooh-ed and aah-ed over it for awhile and my suspicions were appeased.

On Sept 6, we were back in Penang and I was folding some of Alex's shirts into his suitcase when I saw a box with a small white pillow in it. (The kind they use at weddings) Immediately my mind started wondering why Alex would bring a pillow all the way from Australia and why I hadn't seen it there before. There and then I put a stop to my thoughts and told myself,
"No.. stop thinking. Don't spoil your own surprise."

So I put a shirt over it. Then I saw a translucent box with a ring dish in it. Again my thoughts started wondering why a dish was there.

"Wait, stop thinking. Don't even take a closer look at it," I told myself.

I then turned away from the shirts and right there sitting on my table was a card bearing the name of a florist. I don't have the contacts of a florist! Much less on my table! I have never even seen that card on my table before! Sigh... AGAIN I told myself, "Stop thinking!"

On Sept 7, I knew something was bothering him because I could feel a slight tension in the air. This feeling was probably also brought on from the many items I 'accidentally' spotted the day before. I was watching morning tv when Alex walks over and says,
"Do you mind disappearing for 30 minutes or so?"

Argh.. Did I mind?? There goes my surprise! But to cut the story slightly shorter, after giving it some thought I decided to cut the guy some slack and I went for a long 30 minute bath. Did a convenient disappearing act. Took my time cleaning the bathroom so he had ample time to do what he needed to do.

After a shower, I normally blow dry my hair in my room. But after exiting the bath and entering my room, I spotted my CD player plugged in. I did not leave my player plugged in. I never leave it plugged in! I realized he was gonna do something in my room so I headed out to blow dry my hair instead. Just as I started, I heard a few honks at the gate.

Take a guess who was at the door?

The florist! Making the delivery for my flowers! Yes, I had moved from my room to avoid the CD player but I ended up facing my flowers. To do the right thing, I turned my back around and pretended I didnt know who was at the gate or what was about to happen. All this pretending! Haiyo... Sometimes I wish I wasn't so observant.

Alex took me into the room and on my bed was a row of folded paper planes. Why paper planes? Well, Alex is a huge plane enthusiast. In each one was a message and I was to find the right paper plane. Unfortunately, Alex didn't know that it was in my character to go down the row of planes reading the messages. He thought I was going to select the planes in no particular order. Big mistake there.

1st plane: No darling, wrong plane
2nd plane: Come talk to me. (I take a look at him.. I'm already talking to you. I don't get it. Oh well, I shall keep looking)
3rd plane: Keep searching
4th plane: You guessed it, wrong plane.

This went on and on till the last plane. It still said KEEP SEARCHING.

I'm like "??"

Alex then says, " Actually.. it was the 2nd plane. I didnt know you were going to search down the row!"

Then he goes down on one knee and proposes.

No, I won't share the many other things he said while down on one knee. But let me say this. He didn't use the white pillow nor the ring dish. Why? Well, he saw how his shirts were neatly folded on top of them and figured I had seen them.

Oh and when the boys went to the men's room, Alex and Ying Kai made a 15 minute detour to buy the pillow and the ring dish. So I was right. There was a surprise there for me.

I don't have to mention what my answer was to his second effort at proposing. :)

The Proposal Part One - Her version

Alex first proposed on September 3. He was rather anxious all day because he intended to speak to my dad and have the 'Dad's stamp of approval' or better known as my dad's permission to marry me. Yes, I knew he was going to talk to my dad and yes, I knew his trip to Penang this time was to make things official. However, all the planning and talking about it prior to his arrival was just head knowledge. Why head knowledge? Well, more of this in a bit.

Alex tried to find time alone with my dad which granted was kind of difficult since I was around him most of the time and I didn't want to be around for this 'man to man' talk. So he had to try find a good time and get my dad alone. Finally at the end of the day, he managed to get my dad out for supper.

When they got back, I started asking Alex how things went. We had a good 15 minute chat or so when Alex suddenly said,
"Wait, wait.. let me just get it out."

For a minute I was stumped.

"Get what out? What are you looking for?"

"Wait, don't get up. Let me try and get it."

Suddenly realization hit me and I said " No.. no no no. No no no no no.. you are not doing this now. NO!"

I was kind of frantic then because:-

1. This was my room! (Guys, its every girls dream to be proposed to at a romantic spot, sunrise/sunset, beach/hilltop, with music/singing and etc. Again, this was my room!)
2. I was in pink polka dot pajamas! (How will this factor into my proposal story that I'm to tell my kids and grandkids in the future?)
3. Where's my music? Where's my flowers? Where are the birds singing in the trees? Where is the beautiful breeze? Where's the 'sweep me off my feet, memorable forever' moment? (Ok I admit I have high expectations but hey, which girl doesn't?)
4. I was scared.

Yes, I was scared. All our talks before that, all the discussing and planning like said was just head knowledge. At that moment it hit me that this is it. This is the big moment. The yes or no answer that will change lives. Both ours and our direct families. In that space of time, so many thoughts raced through my head, part elation and part soberity. Granted, this was not yet the wedding day with the 'I do' but its almost the same thing.

Alex being Alex, even though I had obviously voiced my disapproval with the time and place chosen, still went on with the full proposal. I was really touched by everything he said but hey, it did seem a little convenient that he proposed right after we were discussing how his talk with my dad went.

So I said, " Let me think about it."

:) I know, I know.. this is every guys nightmare response. But really, I thought that more effort could have been put into the proposal and I wanted something special. I wanted a surprise.