HaPPy NeW YeaR 2008!!!

Time flies... today is the last day of Yr 2007... & it seems just like yesterday that I was saying goodbye to the last day of Yr 2006.... & so forth.

Hmm.... what have I done over the entire year? Recalling back, I did quite a few major moves & new things; A new job, 1st biz trip, 1st holidays with two of moi buddies & moving house.

Guess Yr 2008 will be a very busy busy year, as we would be very preoccupied with our wedding prep, praying hard that everything will run smoothly. God Bless!

No events tonight as baobei is working night shift. Thus, I would sleep and wake up to welcome the new year! 1st Day of 2008! lolzz...

Not forgetting to make moi 2008 New Year Resolutions;

1. Save, save, save. (we would need lotsa of vitamin M, thus nxt year mz really save.)

2. Health. (A saying goes "Health is Wealth", how true it is...)

3. Beauty regimen. (Usually I don't really bother with it. Yes, I'm sure you won't believe it, but my skincare regimen only consists of wash & moisturize. Thats all. But next year, inorder to be a radiant bride, I must invest in a little time & $ liew...hmm...)

4. Enjoy the process of our wedding prep, after all it is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

5. No Procrastination. (Tough one, but will try my best.)

So, what are your NY Resolutions?

Wishing all moi dear frenz that you will have a lucky and enjoyable New Year's Day!!! See ya All Next year!!! haha... ;p

Wedding Venue Finalise!!!

Yeah!! Our wedding venue was finally decided, after much consideration. We went down to Intercon Hotel yesterday evening to meet up with the wedding coordinator, plus to view the ballroom. I was very impressed with the ballroom! Absolutely perfect! No pillars, spacious, enchanting chandeliers, long straight march-in, mesmerizing stage setup, beautiful foyer for the reception whereby we intend to hold the solemnisation there too (at NO extra cost!). I must say it is indeed the perfect venue for a grand, classy wedding dinner. Haha, Intercon has to pay me advertising fees liew for promoting ya. But I'm so happy about it. Maybe I'm easily contented... but there seems nuthing I dislike about the place... at least for the moment, hee... I want to have a dreamy wedding, lolzzz.... moi a typical pisces. ;p

(**Lots of of Pics attached for your viewing pleasure. (",))

(** Grand ballroom)

(**The Grandballroom with mesmerizing chandeliers.)

(** The reception table at the other end of the foyer. The staircase behind leads down to the hotel lobby.)

(**Foyer, whereby the solemnisation to be held.)

(** Staircase @ the foyer, nice right?)

(** Foyer whereby the cocktail reception will be held)

(** Cover of the wedding infor file Intercon gave us. Isn't it pretty?)

There was going to be a wedding dinner held yesterday night and the theme they chose was "Whimsical Magic". There was another theme which really catches baobei & mine's attention, named "Opulent Desire", oOh... just the sound of it is really sexy & classy. This theme has black table cloth and red items. But alas! After consulting baobei's father last night, he objected to it, as black colour deems to be unauspicious in chinese wedding.... Haiz... there goes our choice. Initially still think can have a really bold theme, as both of us were really sick of the usual white and plain setup of most weddings lor... wanted to have something special since its once in a lifetime event. But then.... we decided to compromise so as to respect the elderly wishes. Afterall, marriage is not only about ourselves. Its also about our family & making everyone else happy. Thus, most likely we will choose the theme "Whimsical Magic", as the other 2 themes we don't really like. One was "Charming Elegance" which was the type we loathe, all white & plain. The other was "Oriental Splendour" which was very red red, cheena kind, and does not suit our liking either.

So, this was our latest update of the wedding prep. We will be going down to the BOWS wedding fair held @ Bugis from 4-6 January 2008, which is like next friday! Ciao!

**P.S I added the ticketing count-down to our Big Day just below moi header, hee... ;p

X'mas Eve

Spent a simple X'mas Eve dinner with babobei & his forum friends at Coca Steamboat buffet @ Ngee Ann City. Overall dinning experience was 1/10. Well, due to the service attitude! Just as we were enjoying our buffet half-way, we were told by the manager that we would have to leave by 8:00pm as there was a reservation by another guest. Alas! Have you heard of buffet dinner whereby they "chase" you out while you were half-way dinning? That is besides the point. Most vital of all, they didn't highlighted to us initially that there was a time-restriction during festive season. Not even so when we made repeated ordering of food. That tupid auntie waitress even argued that she did stated so when baobei made the reservation over the call. Where got? She only asked him what time he wanted to make the reservation, at 6pm or 8pm?! Worst, she even claimed that out of good will, she gave us a private dinning room... and asked us to give in and leave at 8:30pm. Come on, no one pre-empt us that we can only dinned till 8:00pm, sianz.... The guy manager's attitude was bad too, entering abruptly and asking us to leave soon. Is that how a restaurant treats a paying customer? Finally, when serene talks to him again and displayed our real unhappiness, he replied that we can stay as long as we wanted to and its ok. In the end, we stayed till about 9 plus, and continued our casual chi-chat and food. And just when we were about to foot the bill & leave, they decided to offer us a complimentary platter of fruits to appease our unhappiness. But we declined and don't gave a hoots for the fruits. And mind you, through out the entire incident, not even a word of apology from the manager, except that one of the "sissy" waiter whom tried to cheer us up asking us not to be angry etc. He was quite funny, making small-talks, jokes but not forgetting to "suan" us even. But we did the same to him, haha... Last but not least, guess this will be the 1st & last time to patronise this restaurant. The food selection was so so, not worth the kind of price we paid for per head which was about $40.
Not even worth the price for the kind of service attitude. This makes me think of recently, I've just attended a "Think-Customer" training organised by my company. Whereby one of the interesting topics was, there are generally 2 types of customers, 1. Talker - customers whom will immediately feedback their unhappiness at that moment. Which is infact good for the service provider to turn a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one. 2. Walker - customers whom will not show or tell their unhappiness at that moment. These are the dangerous ones whom will after the incident, tell of their experiences by "word-of-mouth" to another 10 of their friends. This makes it practically impossible for the service provider to make amends for complaints etc. Guess I myself is more like a walker, hee.... but also depends on the situation.

Ok, enough of this unpleasant dinning experience. After which, we went to look for a quiet location to continue our chit-chat, drinks and waiting for the count-down. Most important, to avoid the car & human traffic.

So, wondering how did you guys/ gals spent your X'mas eve? =) Sincerely wishing you all a very Happy & Merry X'mas!!! With boutiful gifts & wishes coming true during this festive season! And most vital of all, to be with your loved ones enjoying the moment. (",)

Awww... I'm so happy to hear a good news from my ex-colleague, Kitson. His baby boy, Shane was born early this morning. A X'mas Baby! Congrats to his bundle of joy & what can be more special than spending your christmas with a new little ones to celebrate together with. Can't wait to see pictures of baby Shane or IRL, hee...

MeRRy X'MaS 2007 To All Moi Dearest FreNz!!! (^.^)

Wedding Venue

Haiz, still has not decided on the wedding venue.... baobei said to wait till STS to get back to us by next week, as it is our ultimate 1st choice. But previously, there was some miscommunication by their "so-called" sales-director, XXXXXX. (P.S I decided not to indicate his name here so as to give him a benefit of a doubt.) But mind you, his title is "sales-director" leh... anyway, the story goes; after viewing the ballroom early this month, baobei called him up immediately the next following day and requested for blocking of the AD that we've wanted. But alas, he didn't do it, and he went on leave. Although he did apologised later on and admitted there was a miscommunication, but what is the use? Hmmph! The date that we've wanted was already booked tentatively by another couple. Thus, we were made to be on the wait-list, and he said he will check with the other couple if they are confirming taking up on that day. But unfortunately, that couple is away overseas currently... what a damn coincidence lor... I was quite pissed off by him and his so-called "miscommunication"... But baobei really likes the place alot, thus I was thinking, ok, give it one more chance. If its meant to be, it will be.

In the meantime, we went down on friday, 21/12/07, to Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel (GPPR) to meet up with the wedding coordinator, Zach. He showed us the grand ballroom (Its pillarless, YES!), and even offered us a smaller function room for our solemnisation. (FOC!) I must say that their package is quite comprehensive. The ballroom doesn't disappoint me at all, it looks very well maintain, and pillarless, except for my only concern that the ballroom will be kindof cramped if we squeezed in 30 tables. There was a wedding to be held when we went down for viewing, and they were having 33 tables. Seems kindof cramped to me.... but the plus side is, I really like the reception area alot, whereby the whole level will be for our guests to mingle around during the cocktail session. Alot of privacy and most important is there will only be one wedding held per night, which means we have all the undivided attention, unlike STS whereby several weddings will be held on the same night, and you've to share the foyer (reception area) with other weddings holding at the same time. Plus, wondering if the service level will drop due to that. Anyway, overall experience at GPPR was 9/10. Zach was very professional and genuine in explaining to us the package and smaller details such as which lift our guests can take directly from the carpark straight to the ballroom level etc. He was quite thorough with his introduction without hurrying through, despite that there was another couple whom was waiting for him too.

I personally feel that the wedding coordinator at the hotel plays a very important role, as they know the hotel operation inside out and can really assist us in making things run smoothly on that day itself. This is also part of the cost we paid for the wedding banquet. Call me a demanding customer. Yes, for this round, I admit that I'm very demanding, even to the extent of being a perfectionist, hee. But usually, I'm quite a non fussy customer who will take things as it is without much questioning. But I guess, I'm not the only one around. Certain things I can give and take, but some I can't. Attitude counts for alot of things, I guess.

Hope to settle on the venue before end of 2007. Because, Jan 2008 onwards will be a real busy period whereby we need to source for bridal package, photographer, videographer etc. And we would also be attending a wedding fair held at bugis area, can't remember the date. Talking of wedding fair, baobei asked me to go Sgbride to register for another one, nearly forget... hee.. better go now, and in the meantime, I can put on a nourishing face mask. (",) Need to have a good rest as well, as been having bouts of diarrhea the entire day... :s

BTB 2008!!!

I'm getting married soon! Moi will be a Bride-To-Be in Yr 2008. And my actual date will most probably falls on the 19 December 2008. (^.^) Yippee!!!

At the same time, Shirlin has already fixed her Big Day on the 05 December 2008, and I shall be her "jie-mei". Wow, this is "Double-happiness" indeed, hee... Happy for her.

I'm feeling both excited and nervous at the same time, some mixed feelings initially... excited because this is a once-in-a-life time event, and so many things to prepare, plus I'm excited about my wedding gown. Nervous because, well.... just can't believe this is coming true after 4 years plus. So much things have happened during this 4 years plus, and at one point, I thought we would never approach this stage of our life, but well.... life is full of the unexpected, isn't it? And that is what I Love about Life.

Right now, I'm focusing all my energy on the preparation & only of the happy things. After all, I would want to appear radiant on my big day.

The thought of sharing with all my friends about this good news is what prompted me to create this blog, and thus in the forth coming months. I shall be updating on the wedding preparation itself and this will definately be a very memorable keepsake for many years to come. Afterall, its every women's dream to be a bride... & I feel so blissful.

Currently, our most crucial task is to finalise the AD and get the hotel venue confirm. So far, we've only viewed the ballroom at Swissotel The Stamford, and my baobei was very impressed with the high ceiling ballroom and lighting technology. When we went down to view, there was a JC D&D held in the night. But we managed to view it before the event starts. I personally also like the ballroom alot, as its pillarless and it seems spacious. Whereas before that, I've went down alone to Holiday Inn Park View Hotel for viewing. It was not too bad, but it seems kindof weird that the ballroom has a high ceiling in one portion whereas the extension part has a lower ceiling. But I must say that I like the gothic style crystal chandelier that gives out a romantic vibe.. which is the only reason I'v decided to go down for viewing. The wedding coordinator that I met up with was a pleasant young lady. And overall, the perks was not too bad, and they are having some promotion of discount of $1,000.00 of the overall bill if we sign up during this month. But I was thinking... we should not decide in a haste, and to keep our options open, despite that we really want that particular date. Haiz.... wedding banquet preparation is indeed a headache at times....

This coming friday, we will be going down to Grand Plaza Park Royal to view the ballroom too. This particular hotel has some rave reviews at the SgBride forum, hopefully it will exceed my expectation and give me some surprises afterall, as I'm pretty pleased with the wedding package perks compared to STS, as the latter doesn't have free beer & wine for perks. Which I forseen this as an additional costs to our wedding. Anyway, keeping my fingers crossed.