White Xmas ...

Am on a jet plane in a few hrs... a fortnight of bumps, bruises and hopefully no broken bones *fingers crossed!*

Mel > Sydney> Narita> Tokyo (by train) > Nagano (by bullet train)> Shiga Kogen (by bus) -

And on Xmas Day, I will be on the ski slopes *wheeeeee*

All work makes Jill a dull girl..

I have all these things that is playing in my mind and I do want to put it down on paper ..or on the blog but I am in want of time. It is now 10:32pm and I am still working. Yes, I might not be at the client site but I am still replying to my many numerous email correspondences that all seem to need attention like ASAP. I have been away from home for the past few weeks barr the weekends and boy aren't I glad that this is the last working week before the office shut down for the yr.

We are at the last yr to this decade *gasp!*

I am also very much looking fwd to our trip to Japan next week.. its a pure snowboarding trip, we are not spending any time in Tokyo at all, just a quick arrival into Narita, catch the train to Tokyo station and then catch the bullet train to Nagano. Then catch the bus to Shiga Kogen for 10 glorious days *whoo hoo*. Which reminds me, I need to get travel insurance.

I have my yr end performance review this Thursday. Will be interesting to see how they rate me this time around. I did very well last quarter but whose to say how they rate each person? We'll soon find out wont we?

Lots of gettogethers and parties this weekend - this Thursday is the office Kris Kringle and Xmas party, Friday is the company Xmas party and then on Sunday a mate is having a spit-roast party which he has already said will turn into a sleep-over *yay*

Ok, break finished. Back to work emails - 3 days more to go... *ohm*

ZZZzzzz

Its 3:43 am and I am still awake.

Sigh.

Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday

and I'll laugh if I want to

Laugh if I want to, laugh if I want to

You would laugh too

if it happened to

sung to Lesley Gore "It's My Party"

***********************************************************

Another year older ... another yr wiser?

This yr has been one of the best by far.

Plenty to be thankful for, plenty to be happy about.

x

Just a lil bit more longer..

Called in sick today - not feeling it at all. Fortunately, my scheduled appointments were easily moved to tmr and the day after.

Anyways - have around 5 more weeks to our snow hol in Japan. The heatwave last week really didn't help and even though its a bit cooler today, I do miss snowboarding (not that I'm great and all that).

I can't wait.

Scintillating Siem Riep, Cambodia

So its been several weeks since I've been back to reality - its back to work, back to the rat-race, back to the day-in-day-out.

Melbourne is experiencing a freak heat wave now - its the 4th day in a row that we've had >30' weather and it is still officially spring. We are expected to go back to 23' next Monday though which should be good.

Anyways, I was browsing through my pictures and I've realised that I haven't actually put up any pictures from Cambodia! It was a short trip, just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the wedding prep and what not and it cant be considered a honeymoon when you have 5 other ppl along - so it was literally 1 big party! Jaeger bombers and all...



1) Rheems of silk hammocks for sale - aren't they pretty?

2) Bayon temple ruins

3) Angkor Wat captured at 10am.

4) Buddhist monk from Thailand around Angkor

5) Pool side view from our hotel room balcony - this is the largest saltwater pool in Siem Riep.

The wedding after..

It is nearly 3 1/2 weeks since being in what most would call "newlywed bliss" and to be honest, things haven't changed between BF (should I call him HB now? hmmm). Have been busy busy busy with work (or the catching up of the workload after 3 weeks away) and naturally, getting into the rhythm and routine of the new place and lots of cleaning up and planning for potential D.I.Y's

Anyhow's - back to wedding day thought ...

I am blessed however to be surrounded (and loved) by great friends whom without them, the wedding would be a sedate and boring affair. My parents who live in a smallish town down south in Malaysia and I've always been a bit of a nomad. Thus I do not have any childhood memories from this town. My invite list was from all over and from all did my friends (and BF's) converge - and in a way, they were like mini-celebrities ala Paris Hilton. Oh behave!

I don't have the pics from the official photographer yet so all pics are stolen from mates.

1) Hand drawn kolum courtesy of my mum

2. Getting my mendhi drawn in for the next day.

3. Finished item

4. Of course, I had to get the rest involved! No point me being the only one.

5. Rice peacock kolum at the temple entrance

6. Hamming it up while waiting for my groom to arrive.

7. With the bridesmaids.

8. With the best mates in the world - 2 bloggers in there Kay and S.G. Aren't they all sweethearts for playing dress-up with me *mwah*

9. Well, not too many pics from the reception (we were well into the drinks by then), but I could not resist putting up the ever traditional bouquet toss pic in!

At the end of the day, I am hoping everyone had a great time and would have left with some great memories, everlasting friendship but last but not the least - left me with blessings and lots of love.

x

What I have been doing...

3 weeks of....

Break down of the next few weeks:

Fri/Sat (18 & 19/09) - Parents arrive from Malaysia/UK
Mon (21/09) - Move house
Wed (23/09) - Marriage registry
Fri (25/09) - Fly to KL
Sat (26/09) - Booked for hen day in KL (not sure what is happening..eeeks!)
Mon (28/09) - Stag week for the boys in Phuket and Kuala Gandah trip for the girls
Tue (29/09) - Back to Johor for last min prep
Thur (1/10) - Boys back and down to Johor, guest start coming down
Fri ( 2/10) - Dad's bday and Mendhi night
Sat (3/10) - D-day!! Traditional wedding and Reception
Sun (4/10) -Guest start trickling away
Mon (5/10) -Back to KL
Tue (6/10) - Siem Riep, Cambodia with mates!
Fri ( 9/10) - Back to KL and trip back home to Mel


It is going to be a very busy 3 weeks indeed!

Wedding stuff - pt..whatever

Should I be worried that I am not worried that I am getting married (the registry part that is) in 17 days?

Food cravings - Ayam Masak Merah (Red Cooked Chicken)

1. Pre cooked chicken that had been marinated in tumeric and salt

2. Simmering sauce so the sauce thickens..


3. Adding in the pre-cooked chicken

4. Adding in additional onions for the crunchy feel.

So I have been having cravings for Malaysian food recently and seeing that you cant get true blue Malaysian food unless one cooks it yourself, I decided to bite the bullet and try my own version of ayam masak merah. Admittingly, my original choice was to make ayam padprik but I didnt have the right ingredients in the pantry so opted for Plan B instead.

Ok - so here was what was in ...

INGREDIENTS :

Chicken - I used chicken breast cut into pieces but chicken thigh would do too (skinless)
2 tbsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp salt
Cooking oil - I used olive oil
1 cup red onions chopped
2 tbsp ginger grated
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can tomato puree
½-1 cup or to taste chili paste - I had some packet sambal sauce but have since got sambal olek
3 tbsp chili sauce (or as to taste)
1 cup tomato ketchup - I used Heinz
2 tbsp dark sweet soy sauce - Kicap pekat
1 large onion, cut into rings
½ tbsp sugar
salt to taste
2 cups water
3-4 kaffir lime leaves

How to cook:

Coat chicken pieces with turmeric powder and salt - keep aside for 1/2 hr
Heat wok, add oil to fry chicken. Fry chicken in batches till light golden brown, drain and set.
Pour off all but 4 tbsp of oil, add red onions, ginger, garlic, stir-fry a few seconds, add chili paste and stir-fry 1-2 mins
Add chili sauce, tomato puree, tomato ketchup, dark sweet soy sauce, sugar and salt to taste. Then stir-fry 1 min
Add kaffir lime leaves, 2 cups water, bring to a rapid boil, immediately reduce heat to med, simmer uncovered 10 mins
Add chicken, stir well to coat evenly with sauce
Bring to a boil again, then reduce heat to low, cover, simmer slowly for about 25-35 mins
Add onion rings, simmer 3-5 mins, onions rings should have a slight crunch
Serve with rice

Walla!!

Bride thoughts

Seeing that I have less than a month left - hmmm.... I think if I was to have a Bridezilla moment - it would have happened a long time ago.

As of yet - no dramas yet! (my parents aka the wedding planners would beg to differ however)

1 month, 1 week from the beginning of the next step in life.

Was watching a rerun of Nottinghill on Foxtel on telly earlier this morning and you know that scene where Anna and William scale over the gate and walk down a locked up park and there is this park bench that had the inscription

"To June who loved this garden, from Joseph who always sat beside her"

Well, I found myself tearing!

God, I am turning so sappy. Maybe its because I am going to get hitched.

Despite my initial hesitations when we first started going out, (past rships had left its mark and I was truly a cynic when it comes to anything to do with l.o.v.e) - I am now well and truly committed into this rship especially seeing that next month is when we get married!

Yes, it is for keeps. 1 of the reasons why I let it off this late was because I never actually met anyone that I could see myself with for the rest of my life. Despite living here for several yrs, I still do not believe in divorces - once you get married, its for life. I still don't believe in having a soul-mate for everyone but I do believe that when you meet someone and you know, you simply do.

You know ....

You know ...

That spring is in the air when the daffodils start a-blooming! (and all these from the bulbs I planted last yr)

And not to mention my tulip bulbs that I planted last yr also start sprouting.

Pix taken with my Nokia E71 cameraphone thus resolution is kinda so so

To Board ...or not to Board..

So much has happened over the past few weeks that it feels like a whirlwind and I am caught up in a swoop of activity.

More so that I am actually at home right now, called in sick and am trying to recuperate. After all, I rather be healthy and doing what I do best than working at half strength and barely coping.

Anyways, over one of those weekends, BF had these urge of getting a new snowboard. Ok, I lied - it wasn't an urge. He has been wanting a new snowboard for quite a while. Don't get me wrong, our current Option snowboards work well, but then again - I am not as fussed. BF on the otherhand has been wanting a new snowboard ever since we came back from Japan earlier this yr.

So he's been browsing - and after much looking he knew that he wanted a specific type of board - some new technology Lib-tech technology on a banana board which apparently hugs snow irrespective of the type of snow it is.

At the end - it was between these 2 here - the black was a T-Rice board the green was a Park Pickle board - both not cheap as it was well within the 4 figure category and that is without binding! Oh well, the thing with BF is, he likes buying good stuff which in most cases screams "Expensive" but it keeps him happy and it would last him for a while ~ plus it keeps him happy and it IS his money after all.

At the end of the day - the final outcome is the T-Rice board and with bindings - should keep BF a well truly happy chappy when we hit the slopes at yr end.

As for me - I think I shall stick to my tried and true Option GT Girl board for at least 2 more seasons. Lol.

Theft in the neighbourhood

Things have been up-to-my-neck-busy and to make things even worse, my car got broken into last Monday!

Fortunately, I don't really keep anything of value in the car *I can read the Melways hence never had a need for a GPS*. My coin compartment was still intact but the glove compartment was ransacked and due to frustration most likely - all of my service records, KM claim book etc was thrown all over the road.

The funny part is, I noticed the shatter from home and at first glance, I thought it was just ice as it was quite cold the night before but on closer inspection, it was a bit weird coz only the drivers side window was "icy" - the rest were fine. Went in for a closer look and *yeah*, the drivers side window was shattered. Being tempered, it was shattered - but as it was windy - all it needed was a strong gust of wind for it to smash into smithereens.

Oh well, ran around to get the police report run and finally with the help of duct-tape and a clear sheet of plastic, I was on my way to Bendigo - albeit a few hours late.

post note: My neighbours sisters car got broken into last Sun (exactly 7 days after mine was), and it was parked exactly where my car was parked the week before. The scary part is - she was only visiting and was away for all of 10 minutes. Thank God I'm moving.

Adelaide - again!

Uhuh - I am in Adelaide - a.g.a.i.n.

Awake at 2:10 EST - not good.

ETA to wake up time - 4 1/2 hrs.

The implementation isn't going as smoothly as expected - which isn't really surprising really. Having a site that has directors arguing and treating their own staff members like sh*t ~ shouting at staff in front of visiting consultants (i.e. me) - what type of impression does that leave me? What more, very embarrassed staff members.

Have already been told off by a senior partner due to no fault of mine - extremely frustrating.
Just have to grit my teeth and go through 2 more days of it.

I can, I shall, I will

Yet another interstate trip.

In Adelaide - again.

T.I.R.E.D

Wont I be glad when I get to fly back home tmr and just take it easy before another start of the week.

Oh wait - maybe not - have to clean house - did I forget to mention that we are selling our current place and our home is open for all and sundry every Thursday evening (5:15pm to 5:45pm) and Saturday (12:15pm to 12:45pm)? So because of the mere 1/2 hr twice a week open house, we've got to clean the house so it looks like its a show-house ready for strangers to peek into how we make the space, our own? Just realised - house goes to auction next week!

T.I.R.E.D - need sleep - most prob will snooze before attempting to head to the gym (3 months to D-Day, room service and lack of activity isn't helping!)

Ring around a rosie

I am so sad..

Lol - well, maybe not "sad" in the truest sense of word but my blog- world pretty much revolves around:

1. My work trips
2. My holidays a.k.a travels
3. Everyday reflections

Anyone who reads this (for the 3 random readers who pop by occasionally) would think that I don't do much with life!

Up and Down the hill she went..

So its happens.

BF and I went to Mt Buller as we did last yr but the rush feeling just isn't there anymore. I blame it on being "spoilt" by Hakuba Japan. The snow fields didn't feel as fluffy - instead it felt more like boarding on a sheet of ice.

Furthermore, any falls simply sets the bones a-jarring and I came out with a sprained wrist and a slight neck-ache after taking a rather nasty spill on the simplest run there was! Blame it on whats-so-not, I fare better on the intermediate runs than on the easier runs where newbies try their luck.

I don't think we will be going back to Buller, at least not for this season - or the next either. We are planning a weekend trip some time in Aug with some mates up to Falls Creek which ought to be fun but depending on how things pan-out, we might head back to Japan - to Shiga Kogen this time.

For now, my board and snowboots are put up to dry and into storage.

Whirlwind courtship

In one of our more relaxed weekends chilling in front of the telly and with a nice cuppa mocha + Baileys in front of us, I mentioned to BF that ours is a whirlwind courtship.

All in all, BF and I have started dating, moved in together and are getting married all in a span of less that 3 yrs. Breakdown being

Met BF - Jan 2007
Inform our respective parents of each others existence - May 2007
BF ask me to move in - July 2007
I unofficially move in i.e I spend most of my time at his but keep my things at my own place - Aug 2007
I move in with BF - Nov 2007
BF meets my parents (officially and face to face; not by phone or Skyped) - Dec 2007
BF ask my parents for my permission to ask for my hand - Jan 2008
ENGAGED - Jan 2008
I meet BF's first relatives - Feb 2008
I meet BF's parents (officially) - Nov 2008
SET THE DATE - Nov 2008

It is now less than 3 1/2 months before we do actually get married and the fact is, BF and I are already like married. I wouldnt really condone the whole living with someone before getting married thing, well - not in Asia where it would be very frowned upon anyways but BF and I had discussions way before and it was with a very strong understanding that our rship was to head somewhere that I moved into his in the first place. Moving in with someone was a very big step for me ~ as much as I claim to be Westernised, I still am quite the Asian at heart - and I hold these same Asian values dearly the more I get and live here.

The thing is, here I planning to say my vows of commitment and forever-after.
The thing is, I've been a nearly-wed - being with a someone long for so long that ppl think that you are bound for the alter - and enough that you yourself think you will be with the person - but at the last minute, it never materialises and you are left in the lurch and trying to pick up the pieces of a broken relationship.

In less that 3 1/2 months, I will be with someone who does want to be with me.
And for that, I am thankful.

p/s: Yes, this is a sappy blogpost - but I am entitled to these moods occasionally.

Racism in this country

I know that most of my blog post has always been very me-centred ~ after all, the purpose of my blogs has been in part to be like a diary of sorts - a place for me to pen down my thoughts for the moment and perhaps when I am much much older, a place for me to come back to and reflect on what has been said.

This is my first ever post of a somewhat political nature and is a result of the recent spate of incidences in the country that the media are portraying as racial or hate inspired.

It is because of this

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER INDIANS, SRI LANKAN STUDENTS ATTACKED IN AUSTRALIA
Fri at 5:54pm


MELBOURNE, June 12 (NNN-PTI): After Indians, a group of students from Sri Lanka have been allegedly attacked in Australia, with three men smashing the windows of their home and taunting them with "racist insults" in capital Canberra.
Police are investigating allegations of attacks against a group of Sri Lankan students at their home, ABC News reported.

It is alleged that three men smashed the front windows of the students' house in Macquarie in north Canberra after an unsuccessful attempt to crash a party.

The students said a car window has also been broken and that they have been taunted with "racist insults".

One of the students, Dijula Wijesuriya, said he has been threatened with a knife. "This guy comes up and takes out a knife and says 'get out of our streets'," he said.

Wijesuriya said they have been living in fear, especially considering the recent violence against Indian students in Sydney and Melbourne.

"We really didn't go anywhere else, we just stayed at home, just go to uni and come back home straight away and lock the doors and stay inside." India Australia Association of Canberra president Madhu Kalia said she is surprised by the incidents.

"So far Canberra, it has been alright, there have been no attacks on students," she said.

Police said they have investigated several incidents but have not received any reports that they have been racially motivated.

-NNN-PTI

--------------------------------------------------------------
My 2 cents worth is that - They, the attackers most prob mistook the Sri Lankan students as Indians.

From a non-bias opinion tho, the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Racism is prevalent in every country.

The funny part is, Australia is a country of migrants. the most recent case of a spat was between the Lebanese Aussies - and the Indians. And all these cries to get the Indians out cause they are not assimilating. Well, there are heaps of Italian and Greek Aussies esp of the older generation that still can't speak decent english.

Assimilation? But of course! It IS however an easier said thing that done. One catch-cry commonly heard here is "If you don't like it, then leave" - doesn't this sound familiar? Hell yeah! We hear it often enough in countries that "pride" itself in its multi-cultralism. Any country that has at one point encouraged or encourages migration is bound to have this problem. The issue is, how deep does this racism and ignorance go to?


And at the end of the day, if all these migrants left Australia - whose left? This is a convict nation .. Get rid of the English, Greeks, Italians, Russians, Chinese, South Americans, South Africans etc migrants and whose left?

On a more personal note, I've not felt any tinge of racism and if I am to compare Australia and Malaysia, well..lets just not go there shall we.

$$$ blues

Have been feeling blue re: my current state of finances.

I get logged online to check my account balances and it is just too bloody depressing!

Am just wondering where is the cash trickling to? Its been quite a while since I've shopped (last major spree was back in KL during the Easter break) and most of my larger spend goes on the CC - so where does it go???

Its been that bad that I am resorting to jotting down every single cash spend so I get to know where it goes - sigh.

So far, my cash spend has indicated that the cash goes to:

1. My occasional cuppa mocha/skinny latte on the days I work from the office
2. Hot chocolate fixes during weekends

Thus, nothing fancy really... so WHAT THE???

On top of that, I have both the rego and yearly car insurance due early next month so there goes a big chunk of this months salary. There is also the other bills that I offered to pay this last month (as opposed to going halves) as BF has home content insurance and the body corporate fees this month.. I also have to transfer money home as my CC bill in due - it just keeps getting better doesn't it - not!

Maybe the reality that I am now paying mortgage is still sinking in. Yes, I am renting my place out now but the rent is not covering my full mortgage and I am still paying 30% of the mortgage and that is taking a chunk of what was savings.

BF sensed my doom and gloom and cheered me up buy getting me a pair of Calvin Klein jeans when we headed down to Chadstone last weekend and I got myself my tried and true Levi's (the mid-year sales are on now and we were just doing our bit for the economy - all on the CC of course) but that was only a temporary perk up and its starting to hit me yet again.

With the wedding looming, an impending house move on the same month and the expenses to keep the house in tip-top condition as we are selling our current place - it doesn't seem like I am going to see any substantial increase to my bank account anytime soon. :(

Winter weather is here!

Now that winter is here... I am ever so wanting a good pair of UGG boots to keep the tootsies warm and cozy (wool socks simply don't hack it am afraid and my current choice of indoor footwear has been with me for eons thus needs a change!).

I was browsing through blogs and guess what I do see? A write-up on what looks like a GORGEOUS set of UGG boots that looks toasty warm and fashionable as well (is there such a thing when in comes to in-house footwear?)

Anyways - its my current want on my list now.. lol. :)

Stuck...STUck...stUCk...StUCK.. sTUCk

• Having to catch the red-eye to Adelaide at 7am - bleh!
• Having to wake up at 530 am to jump onto a cab at 6 am to get to the airport at 630 am for the 7am flight - double bleh!
• Seeing your flight being marked at CANCELLED when you arrive at the airport at 620am for the 7am flight - triple bleh!!
• Being told that the best available flight they can put you on is the 100am - quadruple bleh!
• Being stuck at the airport for 4 hrs (when you are suppose to be at the clients at 9am) - infinity bleh!

Can the day get any worse???

Shall I stay - or shall I go?

Here is the million dollar question...

How do you know whether the guy you have just went on a date with -really likes you; or if he is simply playing games?


Well, my gauge has always been what happens after the date.

• If he calls or leaves a text message after leaving you - he is a keeper.
• If he calls within 2-3 days - he is a .player.
• If he calls after the 3 days (or non at all..but most do ..lol) - he is a loser.

Yeah, I know my gauge mark is quite high and not all men will be able to live up to it but you know what? In these time and days - there ARE still some men who take the time send a simple text - a text to thank you and perhaps say that they enjoyed your company. It is little things like these that makes a girl feels special.

Fortunately, BF did - and he passed the "first" test effectively.

And see where his simple gesture ended us up at? :)

Putting on my dancing shoes

I went out with a fellow migrant mate and her boy on Sat and over hot pot and drinks, we were discussing how lazy things have been since moving here to Melbourne.

Perhaps it is the lifestyle thing where most everything shuts down at 5pm and all you want to do is go home and veg (or head to gym for those who are keen). I can still remember the energy I had back in KL - after heading to gym after work, then head out for dinner and only be home at around 11pm or so - and this is done nightly! An age thing? Hmm.. I dunno - I still FEEL young, not too much creaky bones yet - its just sheer laziness I reckon.

Well, things will change - I have been wanting to take up some fun energetic activity and apart from the body combat class at gym on Thurs nights, the Tues pub poker night, and the start on the golf lessons on Sat mornings - hopefully this would get my ass into gear and out of the slump of being a coach potato on weekdays.

Does anyone want to take up Ceroc classes on Wed? Its at Smith St, Fitzroy. The more the merrier hey!

The making of a Traditional wedding pt 2

WIP List - 4 months to go and counting...

• Wedding cake - yes/no?
• Accommodation arrangements for KL (for hen and stag nights pre-wedding day)
• Accommodation arrangements for guest
• Travel arrangements for guest (only if notified)
• Shoes - for reception
• Sandals/Kitten heels (?) for temple
• Traditional garlands for temple
• Bouquet for bride
• Bouquet for bridesmaids - yes/no?
• Liquor - quantity- for reception

Others

• Send out wedding invites (must wait for the good month)
• Ensure weight doesn't go up so can fit into dress and sari blouses :p
  

Writers Blues

It has been a bit of a struggle of late. I have things on my mind that I want to put to blog, but on the otherhand, I do not know whether I really want to make it all that public.

Don't get me wrong - everything is still well and fine but it all boils down to finding time to actually sit down and type it up. Furthermore, when I do sit down and decide to get to it - its more like a thought of the moment and I have forgotten what I wanted to write about! Lol.

Fat - or flab?

Well - with 4 months or so left till D-Day - the pressure is on to start exercising to look freaking good for the wedding and the subsequent pictures that comes as part of the day.

After all - *shock horrors* - one CANNOT look ugly and heaven forbid gain WEIGHT before the day can we? What would ppl say?

Let me say that exercise and I are like oil to water - we simply do not mesh! Not these days anyways - I am just too simply knackered by time I get home to even worry about changing and rushing to the gym.

Gee whiz.

Thought of the moment

I am going to get married in 5 months time - EEEKSSS!

The making of the wedding pt 2

Just some items I got for the bridal party.

1.Some sexy shoes for the bridesmaid. The pic does no justice to the actual item. To be used for the dinner reception

2. Sari for my future mum-in law (groom's mum).

3. Sari for my mum (bride's mum)



4. Sari for the bridesmaid - yes Shirly - this is yours.

5. The other sari's for the bridal party. There is suppose to be 4 in all - but 1 was already given to the primary bridesmaid. The other 2 are for my cousins who are part of my bridal party who will also act as usherers/flower girls.

Back from Malaysia - the making of the traditional style wedding

I've been meaning to start jotting about the wedding prep (or lack off) but have been putting it off for heaven knows how long. Gosh! I am getting married!

Biting the bullet and all - and taking advantage of the long Easter weekend this April, BF and I headed back to Malaysia to assist mum and dad with some wedding related decisions.

As a tick list

Things completed:

Purchased:

1. Wedding sari
2. Reception sari
3. Groom's salwar khamez
4. Wedding bridesmaids/usher's sari's
5. Groom's best man and bride's brothers Nehru jacket
6. Sari's for bride's and groom's mum
7. Brides wedding dress
8. Wedding rings (his and hers)

Picked:

1. Mehndi designs for bride and guest
2. Menu for lunch - Banana leaf
3. Menu for reception (6 courses)

Booked:

1. Mehndi (henna) night specialist for night before wedding
2. Wedding photographer for pre wedding/wedding and reception
3. Temple - for wedding proper
4. Temple hall - for lunch after wedding
5. Hotel restaurant - for night reception
6. Caterer for lunch
7. Dias and temple decorator
8. Accommodation - after wedding for self and future HB (now BF)

To be honest, I have heaps I want to put down on the blog. Something for me to look back to perhaps once this is all done and over with. However, I am still somewhat getting back to "Aussie mode" after spending 10 lovely days with the folks and catching up with some selected mates.

Coming from a mixed background - but seeing that I am marrying to a completely different one, I wanted to incorporate some of these things in but trying to coordinate things from across the seas really doesn't help esp as mum is hindered by the fact that dad is not really doing very well with his recovery (more on that later).

Never mind, this is just the beginning eh.

Deep in Debt *and loving it* - somewhat.

Well, it is all done - all official - no turning back.

I can see a very VERY big DR when I login into my Netbanking and my account balance looks soooo measly!

I have now entered into the big Australian dream and am now officially a property owner! To add the cherry to the cake, I am also now a landlord *gosh*. The landlord thing is temporary though - a mere 6 months until the previous owners finish building their own property. Will then move further out into the suburbs but then again, I like suburb living.

I like the fact that

• I have the space to call my own
• I am not sharing a small area with 8 or more other dwellers.
• I am able to walk and savour my cup of coffee in (small) garden.

I do not like the fact that

• I am now in debt for at least 25-30 yrs
• I am unable to take my (3 X ) yrly trips away
• I am stuck with a atrocious bank balance (even if it is suppose to be good debt)
  

I am so screwed aren't I? :)

How you see yourself...

I was trawling through the usual hitlist of blogs of reads and came upon this rather interesting quiz - and I could not resist.

Best part is - it is quite accurate! I wonder if somewhere deep down, your answers reflect the subconscious? Hmmm.. give it a go and tell me how it came out!

http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

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Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are not looking merely for a girl/boyfriend - you are looking for your life partner. Perhaps you should be more open-minded about who you spend time with. The person you are looking for might hide their charm under their exterior.


Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship.


The seriousness of your love:
You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.


Your views on education:
Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.


The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.


How do you view success:
You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed.
Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.


What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.


Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

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I tag :
Mary J
Ms Pinky
Stockholm Gal
Rani
Mala

Holiday snaps - Japan 2009

Just figured its time for me to upload some of my favourite snaps from last months snow bound trip in Japan.

We opted out of Tokyo this time around, seeing that we spent the yr before in the city. Moreover, some of our mates kept raving about the excellent ski conditions in Japan and BF was simply itching to try it out esp as the snow conditions here are rather more icy than powdery most times.

As we only had a week to spare, we decided to stick to the main island of Honshu rather than go up to Hokkaido which would have mean at least another wasted day. After weighing our options, the destination was Hakuba which was in the location of the 1998 Winter Olympics.

I'll get into the details of how and what we did over there but in the meantime - my snaps are below!

Me doing my "thang"

After a bruising week, we decided to take a day trip to relax and we went to Matsumoto. This is the main tourist attraction and the Matsumoto Castle also known as "Crow Castle" due to its dark exterior.



Snow all around seeing that we had a gala choice of 12 ski resorts to pick!

Imagine waking up to this every morning.Yes - this was the view from our bedroom - we stayed in a B & B which was a lot more personal.

Mt Fuji - that towers over Tokyo scape - as taken from the bullet train (shinkansen) on the way to Nagano.