New Year Resolutions 2010

Well, hello from Tokyo, Japan...yes, my 1st blog for the yr is from the Land of the Rising Sun.. how ironic! My first 2 days for the yr has me burning the midnight oil albeit for very obvious different reasons. I wonder if this is the sign of what's to come?

Can you believe that it is the start of a decade? Where did 2009 fly off to?

Well, like all ppl - I have my string of resolutions to make (and break). Always interesting to put pen to paper (or on the blog for all to see) - for comparison purposes naturally.

I resolve to...

• Go back to gym ~ I am not at all impressed with what I see staring back at me in the mirror and my stamina is absolutely ridiculous as my recent performance on the slopes have shown me.

• Keep more active in a consistent manner ~ swimming, pole dancing classes if the classes are available on weekends, cycling, Wii Fit ~ basically not sitting on my arse 24-7.

• Buying quality, not quantity~ I have this very bad habit with purchasing items that are cheap-er. Quality leather items such are handbags and wallets from designer's are better able naturally stand the test of time compared to chain store leather goods such as Zara or MNG.

~BF has started me off with a gorgeous Cole Haan to replace my 5 yr old worn to the bone leather Next UK wallet. Don't get me wrong, the Next UK wallet has served me well, but I did get it as a quick alternative to replace my Versace wallet that was stolen in Rome and 5 yrs is a good period of time to keep a chain-store purchase.

• Look after my things - fullstop.~ This is something I am really shocking at. My trusty Speedy would be crying if it could talk. I have spilt things in it, left rotten fruit (by mistake) in it, I shove things into my bag without concern or care.. and that is just my bag. I don't have to even explain how my poor wallet looks like! Receipts and coupons everywhere - its filled to the brim with junk! My poor car is also not spared. As I live in my car, travelling between appointments - its been spilt with food and drinks and I don't even take time to give it its TLC aka vacuum... this needs to all change.

• Spend a bit more time cultivating my friendships ~ FB has made me lazy. *sigh*. Time to keep in touch with friends and not just use the "poke" function as a I think of you still shortcut.

• Travel less ~ Save more money. Travel is my major indulgence and has serious repercussions on my bank balance. 2009 saw me goto Japan twice for snowboarding trips (Japan is already rather pricey and snowboarding is not a cheap hobby), Malaysia twice (even though it was warranted, getting married and all) and Cambodia. I don't think this can be culled all that much seeing that I have already bought tix for Malaysia and Bali (same trip, different getaway) but lets see.

I'll add to this as the yr goes on but in the meantime - I'm keeping the list manageable I think...we'll see..

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!

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)

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.

$$$ 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. :(

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
  

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? :)

Broke - but celebrating ....

It is done. I am now a property owner.

My offer was accepted and I have received the signed contract by the vendors. Next will be paying the deposit (it was a private sale hence there is more time for certain things esp with all the holidays we are having) and then settlement in March 2009.

I am still surprised that my offer was accepted! The offer was slightly below what the vendors were after. Plus, I knew that the agent was going to the vendors with another offer at 6pm and when I did not hear anything from the agent by 730pm.. I resigned myself to the fact that I did not get it and had even started looking for other potentials.

Received the call from the agent around 8ish and he says that even though the other offer was higher, my offer was better in terms of settlement and long term rent-back etc so its mine!

Just got back from the conveyancer but there you go. Am officially broke - but in a good way :)

Home Sweet Home ...

If no one else puts in an offer come COB Monday - I will be the the proud owner of a 3 bedroom house.

Oh shit.

Cheesed off *somewhat*

I'm feeling quite irritated - things that are somehow outside my control but yet, I know its because some mates mean well.

But seriously, the last thing I want at this point is ppl being getting rubbed the wrong way.


Will just stand back for a bit to see how things go - 11 more months to go and the issues are cropping up already!


Off to Adelaide for a day trip on the red-eye. Work stress really isn't helping in this situation.Can't wait for the break!

Barcelona, Spain

I'm going here! So excited, tickets have been booked and paid for and all its awaiting are the departure dates and I am off!

Side note: It has always been my dream to go to Spain someday. It was suppose to be with my girls last yr but somehow or another, it did not work out. After all, trying to organise 4 ppl from 3 countries to meet in another country ain't easy. BF remembering my disappointment from last yr suggested a side trip to Barcelona whilst we are in England and I jumped at the opp.. :)

Also planning to go for a Barca match at Nou Camp.

Money money MoneY

I'm feeling very guilty.

In this recent months of dire straights and financial difficulties (where depending on the bank ) the standard variable rate home loan is at 9.58 per cent , BF and I have been spending like there is no tmr.

Things spent over the past few weeks -

1. Golf set - for him (from me)
2. A golf putter - for him
3. A golf driver - for him
4. Snowboarding boots - for him
5. Snowboarding pants - for me
6. Snowboarding hoodie - for me
7. Snowboard bags - from me for us
8. Flight tickets to Japan for 2 (from him for us)
9. Accommodation deposit for Japan for 2 (from him for us)
10. Leather boots - for me
11. Snowboarding trip - Mt Buller for 2
12. A Hugo Boss suit - for him (I'm expensing 1/2)
13. A Hugo Boss shirt - for him
14. 5 sessions with the personal trainer - for me
15. Some beauty products purchase - Kose, Clinique, Benefit

This does not cover my unexpected trip to Malaysia and the medical and other miscellaneous expenses that came with.

On top of that, my best friend is coming to Mel later on for a month, a mates wedding, a few more snowboarding trips, our trip to Europe coming up in October, trip to Malaysia next Easter for the wedding preps and the trip later the same yr for our wedding.

On top of that we both want new snowboarding jackets and have yet to finalise our tix and accommodations for Bruges and Amsterdam and football tix for a Premier League match in England. OMG!

Don't get me wrong - it is not like we are strapped for cash and we have all this debt on credit - we don't. The credit rating is still pristine and we are not struggling to pay the mortgage + bills. We also put away money monthly although saying that, without all these "expenses", the bank balance would have been much healthier if you know what I mean. Yeah, yeah - I know that we can't take it to the grave yadda yadda but perhaps.. mayhaps.. hmmm..

Yeah it will be nice to have a bigger place but that means getting a bigger mortgage. Or if we go down the other track of saying it will be nice to go out on every weekend like what I used to do before, it literally means drinking the money away PLUS most probably feeling like shit the next day.

It is a lifestyle choice now isn't it?

The hunt for the"perfect" ring

So BF and I started on the whole wedding prep by looking for the appropriate wedding bands this weekend. Fortunately, BF is not so fussy with the rest of the arrangements (he is leaving it up to me and my wedding planner aka mum), but he has in his mind very definite ideas on what the wedding bands should look like. We have also decided that we would not mind spending a little bit more on the rings which is fine by me as we are going to be using it for the rest of our life (touch wood - esp as we both are very anti-divorce).

Well, taking advantage of the long weekend holidays, we went around the Mel Little Collins area in the CBD and started on our research.

The aim - Wedding bands

Budget - Up to $5000 for 2 (around RM 14000)

Outlets visited - George Jensen, Tiffany & Co, Canturi

BF has taken a fancy on the Canturi "Comfort Band". The prob now is, my engagement ring is a solitaire and being a single stone, the wedding band has to be equally complimenting. I personally do not fancy a plain wedding band esp if one is paying quite a bit for it. I did try and liked their white gold "Upswift Band".

Next stop - Tiffany & Co. We immediately fell in love with their "Sheamerice" white gold band for him and it does come with a female version. However, the feminine version was overshadowed by my current band and we started looking around. The "Channel" 2mm complimented mine precisely (oh the sparkle!) but decided to head up to Georg Jensen ... but not before I eyed this gorgeous diamond 0.1 pendant which is on my "wish list" for the mo. ;)

At Georg Jensen .. we both liked the "Fusion" collection. BF doesn't want any diamonds on his, I am still contemplating my options but the 3 tone effect looks good on him whilst the 2 tone effect (yellow and white gold) suit me better as I have (and I say this without sounding like a vain pot but all of the sales ppl say it), long delicate fingers.

Heading to Chaddy tmr to look at more rings. Rather we do the research early than be stuck later on. Furthermore, it gives us more time to budget!

p/s: Yeah, BF and I are engaged. We got engaged over new yrs. He asked my dad for permission first. Its a good thing that he did too.. as apparently my dad was going to have a 1-on-1 if he didn't.. so he got brownie points for that.

Proposal venue - At my parents - His original plan was to do the whole she-bang thing back here but as he wanted to show them the ring, the wasn't any hoopla on it. :)

The ring - Platinum set, "Love Diamond" single solitaire from the C-Club (formerly Carat Club), Pavilion - KL