Rainbow After Storm.

Went wakeboarding with Eileen, Derek and Cindy on sun late afternoon. To our unexpectation, it started to rain cats & dogs just when we boarded the boat. No choice, we ran for shelter at the coffeeplace at Marina Country Club. The funny thing was, our hot drinks were untouched and still steaming hot.... we were wondering why, thats when we found out that Cindy forgot to pay for her drink, and the auntie was waiting for her to come back, wahaha... we waited awhilez more, eating satays and talking cock before going out to sea. And the worst came, it was storming... with lighting and thunder not again. And I was worried that I can't get a chance to wb, but I managed to go for one ride, happy... hee.. But the weather was damn erratic and all of us were freezing with the rain and wind blowing at us. When the rain got smaller, we made our way back to the dock, and Eileen exclaimed that there was a rainbow! Both of us quickly snapped it with our Hp cam. Beautiful! To share with you here. Sorry for the lousy cam quality. But it was so so much beautiful to see it in real life!!! How true the saying goes "After the storm, its the rainbow".

In the evening, had a family dinner with Baobei's father, mother, Sharon & Marson at a seafood restuarant at Deful Lane. It was a satisfying meal indeed. Sharon commented that I've lost weight. Come to think of it, Cindy also commented the same thing too. Hmm... if its for others, it would be a compliment. But for me, whom is already very skinny, guess I gotta put on some weight inorder to look more radiant for my big day... Seriously, I wasn't on any diet deliberately.... perhaps I was busy with work and also preparing for our wedding stuff etc.

Nearly forgot the pic I wanna share. Really long time never seen a rainbow, makes me think of CareBears cartoons which aired on Sunday mornings when I was a kid... haha. ;)

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... Carebears Magic!!!" lolzz...

Wedding Prep - Bridal Studio

We've shortlisted a few bridal studios that we are keen in. Out of the five, 4 were choosen by me, heehee... Baobei were keen in Di Gio whom Kelvin & Madeline has taken up with and their wedding is this coming sun, 27 Jan 2008. Whereas Volans Couture was taken up by Serene & Billy, and their wedding was held on 02 Jan 2008.

1. Ritz Couture
2. Divine Couture

3. Di Gio

4. My Bridal Room

5. Volans Couture

Woww.... seems like lotsa of friends around me are getting married this year. I met up with Joleen for dinner last tuesday, and she will be holding hers on 22 Nov 2008 at M Hotel. Too bad that I can't attend her wedding, which I'm sure would be lotsa fun.

Went to Ritz Couture with Baobei last wednesday after work. The bridal studio was situated at No. 141 Devonshire Road, which is adjacent to Cineleisure. The last house of the row of shophouses along the mainroad. We parked at SP Bldg, which is the nearest carpark and crossed over the road. As we were early, we waited awhilez as Elaine was busy attending to another customer. In the meantime, we browsed through their wedding portoflio and find the photography not too bad. We saw one album which has alot of overlays and was wondering how much the couple topped up for the additional pictures, haha.

And in the meantime, Baobei sneaked a few pics with his hp, Jz D 2 of Us .... ;p

K, back to the bridal stuff. The place was quite a small cosy shophouse, decorated simply with white drapping curtains, fur carpet and a nice chandelier. Yes yes, I've a fetish for chandelier crystal lamps. So grand and luxury feeling. Elaine was friendly and she allowed me to choose a few WG to try them on. I tried on a total of 4 pieces. Didn't know that WG can be so heavy... lolzz. I thought I was skinny enough, but there was one particular piece whereby I've a hard time zipping it up at the waist area, haha... But it was really nice lor. As I look into the mirror, I'm starting to imagine my actual wedding day with my dream WG on... They have many nice WG OTR for selection indeed, and Elaine said that there will be new pieces coming in soon. And oh, I would suggest BTB to wear nude, strapless brasserie, as that will be more convienant for trying on.

Initially, I wanted something in a halter-neck style, but after trying decided against it, as it doesn't really suit me... makes me look flatter, if you know what I'm talking about, haha. I also don't really like the bustier (tube-kind) of neckline as I've seen so many brides wearing similiar cutting, kind of boring, hmm... In the end, I think I want to look for a sweet-heart neckline, something simple and elegant, with tulle/ organza instead of satin, which feels a whole lot heavier... I thought a bride is suppose to feel happy & light, walking on thin air, lolzz. Can't imagine wearing a very heavy material gown and dragging your feet, hee... But I guess I can't avoid the train behind the gown, which contributes to the elegant overall feel of WG.

I've browsed through the web, and saw some designs which appeals to me.

I love crystal adored tulle!

I like the ruched, embriodered bodice, even though its bustier neckline. Looks simple & modern.

This model looks lovely, like her hair style.

Back to the bridal pkg. The pricing is mid-high end range, and frankly speaking, not that comprehensive, with the number of photos given very little we find. Which means at the end of the day, we gotta top up alot of $$ for additional pics. Moreover, the outdoor prewedding shoot is only limit to 3 locations. Hmm... But Elaine did mentioned that she can throw in a few more pics and we can further negotiate if we are really keen in taking up with them.

After discussion with baobei, we decided to visit a few more shops before we finalise. Thus, next friday we are going to Divine Couture, which I've heard alot of rave reviews about their gowns. Hope both the WG and bridal pkg won't disappoint us.

And at the same time, baobei is busy searching for AD PG+VG by sourcing and comparing the individual packages. I shall leave the final choice to him. :)

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