The Geek is officially a missus!

Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs T.

YL, D and I drove up in the morning for her church service at the St Andrew's Prebysterian Church (we left early enough to get Ipoh dim sum first). The church was beautiful with a grey stone facade. It's small enough to be a little chapel, and surrounded by a big garden with lots of shady trees. Such a cosy, intimate place to get married in! Too bad my camera batt is dead beyond resurrection, so no pictures :(

The bride was of course, hawt. And sexy with her peek-a-boo almost bare-backed dress all the way down to the curve of her back. The groom looked smart and was all smiles. What tickled us was how he quietly asked the pastor and Geek for permission to kiss her after the exchange of rings. It was a sweet peck on the lips. Gosh! Do a Clark Gable and Scarlet O'Hara already! :D

After all her months of planning for it, it's finally over.
And their life as a married couple is just beginning!
Enjoy your honeymoon Geek & Dork!

*brow *brow

Hee.

Confessions of a cough syrup junkie

I've been coughing really badly since last Wednesday.
And sounding like the love child of Darth Vader and Chewbacca.

I still do. But maybe less of Chewbacca now.
The cough still annoys me to no end though.
Only upside, I have good reason to take Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa. I love that stuff. I'm only suppose to take 3 tablespoons a day. But I finished one and a half bottles over the past few days. Mmmmm... and that doesn't count the Nin Jiom candy I pop into my mouth. Hehehe.

Then I was told Nin Jiom only relieves the cough. It doesn't fix it. So I went to the pharmacy to get a good cough syrup and something to get rid of my phlegm (cos the one given by my company doctor was crap). The pharmacist recommended Tussidex Forte Linctus (the nasty tasting, sarsi-flavoured syrup) and Mucolator, a powdered, dissolve-in-water orange tasting expectorant. After just one dose yesterday, I felt the difference. Ah... quick. I want my voice back! Arrrggh!

Anyway. My last band gig on Thursday (some young lawyers' trivia nite), I couldn't sing at all. I couldn't bleat Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, much less do an Amy Lee. The guys had to do all the singing that day, while I stayed behind the keyboards. We did pretty alright and there was even an improvement on some songs from SY&HM's wedding, so that was good. Hung out at a mamak after that to chat, then bitched about having to work the next day. Obviously the late night didn't help my cough at all. I zombied through most of Friday.

Saturday morning was LL & MT's wedding at Holy Rosary church. It was beautiful. I love that church. Classic mosaic tiles. Pretty stained glass windows all round. If I were to ever get married, I want my wedding in that church.

LL looked nervous with his smile frozen in place, while MT looked the part of the glowing bride. After meeting her dad, LY and I saw where MT got her quirky sense of humour. He's a riot.

Their dinner was held the following night in Cheras. Getting there was a navigation nightmare. Good thing we went early and arrived before it got dark and rained heavily. The highlight of the evening was the video they made to tell their 'story'. It was hilarious and so well done. I loved how they took a jab at typical wedding photo-shoot slideshows (you know, those with corny love songs in the background).

This was the second time I saw a 'video' of this sort. The last being at LN's wedding in January. That was really funny. It's always such a relief to see something different at a wedding. Especialy when you've been attending at least one every month for the past year.

Damn. I really need to get rid of this effing cough. Fancy Poultry (we now have a blog!) rehearsals for our Christmas show have begun and I'm not of much use until I sound more human. I'm starting to feel a little stressed out. Doing a show at a venue like Bangkok Jazz means the audience are more discerning. We really have to make our show work. God help us.

Wedding Jam

If I receive another wedding invitation in the next few years months, it'd be too soon. As it is, there are still 2 more weddings to attend until end of this year.

It's been coming at a steady stream of one wedding a month, culminating in the ultimate wedding overdose over the past 2 weekends. Just last week was BW & RT's wedding. Then it was WLY & CG's wedding on Saturday. And the day after, SY & HM's. Thing is, they are good friends of mine, and as good friends go, you become a 'sister' or ji mui. In BW & RT's case, BW is LY's brother, and her family has become like my own, so it was an occasion I couldn't miss.

SY & HM's wedding was especially fun for me though. Largely because I got roped into a band. The guys are HM's friends from legal practice (both SY & HM are lawyers) and boy, they are GOOD. The initial plan was for me to sing a song or two with the band backing me up. But IZ, the band leader, asked if I'd like to play with them. My itch to jam could not resist, so I took up the offer after warning them that I'd never really jammed with a band before. That my guitar fingers were way rusty. And that I hadn't touched my saxophone in 3-4 years.

Everything went well though. We were playing top 40 hits, songs from the 80s, Beatles and stuff. Nothing too overwhelming. And I was enjoying every minute of it. Before this band, I was (and still am) singing acapella with Fancy Poultry. It's great fun, and I miss them when we have no gigs in the pipeline. But I didn't realise how much I missed making music with a bunch of people until I started jamming with these guys. I was once again reminded me that I am happiest when doing this.

My favourite two songs from our performance last nite were Let's Dance (David Bowie) and Rio (Duran Duran). It was an 80s music reawakening for me. Never knew I would enjoy it so much. My limited sax vocabulary meant I could only play in limited keys. The guys were kind enough to accomodate my limitations though. Hehe.

Good news is, they want me to play with them long term. And they do get gigs every now and then. So I'm looking forward to more. We don't have a band name, but I think we are unofficially called The Backbreakers (IZ has a bad back from a slipped disk). IZ plays the bass, and he's got this beautiful Fender (I think) in a vintage case. We rehearse in the "mini studio" in his house (the living room upstairs), much to the chagrin of his wife when we create a ruckus in their peaceful sururban home.

MH and GL play lead and rhythm guitar respectively and both have great voices. These guys play and sing like they really enjoy it, simply because they do. And then there's CC, who's a treat to watch at the drums. I wish I had hand and leg coordination like that. I can't even shake a tambourine properly (confession: I have a weak sense of rhythm :P).

Anyway, the crowd enjoyed our music and danced late into the night, eventhough it was a working day today. I got home past 1am and I was still on an adrenaline rush I couldn't sleep until 3am. So it's me on autopilot, typing away right now.

Oh. And I'm so happy I bought a sax stand and this thing that looks like a feather duster to protect the inside from moisture. WOOHOO! Always wanted to get them but I thought, "What for? I hardly play it anymore." Now I have a good reason to. And IZ helped me get 20% off at Bentley's. Wah, good to have connections. Hee hee.

I'm so glad tomorrow's a public holiday.
Damn, I should've taken today off.

Oh, I was tagged by Mint Chutney for this meme. This one's quite free and easy. Let's see...

8 Things About Myself

1. I'm a pushover. I find it hard to say no to people I'm close to. Some say I should stop being "so nice" or I'd be taken advantage of one day. Sometimes I don't know how to draw the line. Some people call it 'giving'. Some call it stupid. I don't know. I just do what I feel is right. I don't think too much about it.

2. I love music. And I can't help moving and bopping and shaking my head to a song. Any song. Even in public. I look like a spaz when I do that.

3. I'm overly idealistic and optimistic. But that has decreased somewhat with age. Still, I never learn that a perfect world exists only in my mind and in fiction.

4. I can't sleep if I don't brush my teeth.

5. I'm a boring drunk. A cheap one too. Doesn't take alot to knock me out.

6. I hate the sound of running tap water. Long story. I also hate the sound of styrofoam rubbing against something. That, I can't explain.

7. While I'm generally bubbly most of the time, I have my dark and morbid days. I tell people that a comet should crash into earth and wipe out the human race. Let the animals rule the world. Being less 'evolved', they have an excuse for always trying to kill each other. Wait a minute. That sounds like a movie, doesn't it?. Oh, never mind.

8. I hate politics. I don't read the papers if I can help it. I also hate being ignorant. But it's less depressing when you are.

I tag Itchy Feet, Geekchic, Shryh, Yules, Spot and Snowie.

HONG KONG Day 4: TST, Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok & The Wedding

After 3 absolutely hectic days of seeing the sights and stuffing our faces, we decided to slow down a little today and stay on this side of the harbour.

We didn't rush to wake up (thanks to our already aching feet and bodies). But when we did, we went back to the same dimsum place at the corner of Haiphong and Canton Road. I shall not post up more pictures of what we ate, after some angry and hungry comments on my earlier posts. Hee hee.

So, we made the rounds, visiting shops we didn't really go into earlier in our trip. And like I mentioned previously, we stopped by Staccato again. I wanted to buy the peep toes, but they looked horrid on me. They looked nice on ST though. So she bought it. *sulk*

After some shopping and sighing over many things we decided not to buy, we walked up Nathan Road. And that's when I discovered this little 'milk shop'. It had a cute little cow logo and served all things milk. Steamed milk hot and cold, flavoured milks and so on. They had a double skin steamed milk served hot, which was their signature dish, but I opted for a cold steamed milk with ginger juice. More refreshing la.

It was smooth and creamy. Just like taufu fa (soy bean curd) minus the estrogen-producing enzymes. I also ordered a steamed egg custard (I always hear about it on those TVB Chinese soaps, I just HAD to try it), but I could only finish half. It was quite filling, and well, eggy. There were chocolate flavours and some pretty 'interesting stuff'. But not being a cow with four stomachs, I couldn't possibly try EVERYTHING. Did ST have any? No. Cos she was still too stuffed after dimsum. Sigh.

Soon we were back at the hotel. But not before we bought some breads and local goodies. The breads were from a funky bakery with lots of pretty looking buns and pastries. They didn't taste as good as they looked. The poot chai gou (red beans in rice flour pudding) and soong gou (caramel steamed cake) were nice, but way too much for me to take all at once. I only took a small nibble of everything to have a taste. Wasteful. Shame on me.

We rested awhile, then changed to go out again. It felt mighty strange to be all dressed up for a wedding and taking the MTR to Wan Chai. And then walking the distance (which looked hell alot shorter on the freaking map!) to the dinner venue at Dynasty Club next to The Hyatt.

It was a small, poshy venue. A members-only place, they were thrilled to get the venue thanks to a friend of the bride. The dining hall overlooked the harbour. And the food was more than fantastic. Sharks fin like they came from real sharks (as opposed to the melt-in-your-spoon-not-in-your-mouth gelatin variety). Personally I wouldn't order sharks fin at MY wedding (if and when that happens). But since the shark's already dead, it'd be a shame to let it die in vain. Er... right?

There were ELEVEN courses (not inclusive of Chinese tea), not EIGHT courses WITH tea like in KL. And all good quality stuff with wine flowing all night. Dinner started after the cake cutting ceremony and toast. Which was rather odd, but that's how they do it Hong Kong apparently.

CC and his bride, TL looked happy. It was my first time meeting her and I could see why CC's in love with her. Tall and elegant (she's 5' 10" at least), confident, gracious and she had no airs about her. Best of all, she actually succeeded in bringing him to church. It was strange to witness an ex-boyfriend's wedding to say the least, but it was a good feeling. We've been friends for so long, it's so nice to see that he has found love and happiness.

The thought did fleet in my mind very briefly. If we didn't break up before he went to UK to complete his studies, we would've been together for ten years (we were together for three). We probably would've killed each other at some point though, haha. Like a good friend of mine, CC was the typical Scorpio. Not that I believed in horror-scopes, but there were some uncanny similiarities. He was the best kind of friend and the worst kind of enemy. However, I noticed he changed a fair bit. The right woman does that to you, I guess *wink*

ST sent me an SOS SMS from IFC (an upmarket shopping centre like KLCC in KL) to tell me she was starting to spend too much money again. After dinner and the endless rounds of picture taking with his sisters and some friends, I was ready to leave. That's when my heels broke. Ooooh, good excuse to buy a new pair of heels AAARRGGHHH!!!

Luckily, CC's mom had a spare pair she could lend me. It was a size too small, but I managed to hobble into a cab to meet ST. With me struggling to walk and with her struggling to keep her purse in her handbag, we went back to the hotel. It was quite a sad ride on the MTR cos we suddenly realised our holiday was soon coming to an end.

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>> NEXT: Central @ Little Manila, SOHO & Last Night in HK.

Another down. SIX more to go.

KC's wedding was pretty fun.
Most of our colleagues and ex colleagues were there. And it was nice to see the ensemble gang again. My acapella group's performance went pretty okay too (for most part), so that's a relief.

An important client presentation was over and done with this morning too, so that's another weight off my shoulders. Feel more relaxed (I want a margarita / beer / mojito RIGHT NOW!). But as always, it's just the eye of the storm.

Meanwhile, I better make full use of the calm. Haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks. Stood YL up twice last week (sorry). I wonder if I'll get myself up to speed in time for the Terry Fox Run on Sept 17. It's only 5km. Baby steps to test my stamina in case I die of cardiac arrest. Sigh. And I want to bake this weekend. Maybe cookies. Cinnamon cookies! Nyum nyum.

It's LASIK zap-zap day on Wednesday!
GULP! Pray that everything will go smoothly and I won't be part of the 'post-LASIK complications' statistics (10-12%). The majority walk out and heal without any problems. Keeping everything crossed (except my eyes).

Sorry LY, can't join you for Mambo Jumbo on Merdeka eve. I can't drive on the night of my surgery, and I need to be in a smoke-free environment for a week (and no late nights too!)

Meanwhile, a totally unrelated observation.
Some local companies have absolutely no imagination.
Check this out.



The logo on the left is for a cold cargo company. Saw the lorry driving past the other day and it got me for a split second. I thought it was a CNN news truck until I did a double take.

I hope it doesn't ferry frozen dead bodies.
Cold news, anyone?

Busy time ahead!

It's a whirlwind.
KC's wedding is this Saturday. And I'm on MC duty as well as singing acapella with Fancy Poultry.

Then of course, work had to come in at the most timely moment. And now I have a project to think about that's due on Monday. We were briefed 2 days ago and have barely a week to get a campaign out. I already missed one acapella rehearsal last night. Hope I don't eff up on Saturday.

That aside, I managed to get hold of the spare part for my oven. The broken part was a door key, and it was easily replaceable. At only RM8 too! Woohoo! I can't wait to start baking again. But only when I have some time to spare.

I also bought a Nonya cookbook from MPH the other day. I've always been enamoured with all things Peranakan. The culture. The history. And of course, the FOOD. I noticed most of my favourite Malaysian foods are Peranakan dishes. From Assam Laksa to Perut Ikan, my gosh, I think it's about time I learn to cook some of them myself. Especially after Snowie's advice about Baba boys. Hmmm ;)

My dad told me my grandma was pretty good with Nonya cooking too, cos her best friend was Nonya and taught her many of her family's culinary secrets. He is looking forward to my attempts at Nonya cuisine. I think he just misses my grandma.

Did I mention that I had and have at least one wedding to attend EVERY month this whole year?

Some months, there are even two weddings.
There's KC's end of this week. CC's end of September (in Hong Kong). LY's brother's the week after CC's. And SY's the week after LY's brother's (that's TWO in October). Then there's LL's in November. Eeeek. Going broke just attending weddings alone.

Back to work. Pffft!

When two doctors get married...

I missed E & R's (hmmm, ER, hahaha) KL wedding 2 weekends ago cos I was away on holiday. But thankfully, R's side of the family lived in a sleepy town up north, so another dinner was held the following week (last weekend).

The journey began with the customary bride pick-up where some girlfriends of the bride would give the groom some tasks before he could 'claim' his wife. It was quite a torturous one for R with weird in edible symbolic concoctions (sour lemon / lime juice, bitter gourd pieces, hot chili and diabetically sweet Horlicks with half a jar of sugar). He also had to eat durian, which he abhors (and he calls himself a Malaysian!). His guy friends were not spared, and some had to take the punishments challenges on his behalf. We would have been more lenient if they were more sporting, or if they were more willing to part with the bribesangpows. Hehe.

After the tea ceremony, we drove up to Teluk Intan in C's car, with J, SY and HM. At R's family home, there was another round of tea ceremony to welcome E into his family. Then we checked into our hotel for a nap before the big night. Unfortunately for C & J, I was snoring like a pig (tired mah) and so was HM & SY. So C & J had to endure a sonorous symphony in the room (we got a triple family size one for 5 of us).

The food was great (and we heard much cheaper than KL prices too, of course), and it's such a small world because LY's godsister went to uni with E (also a doctor) and was seated at our table.

It was quite funny to read the guest list. Anyone would think that the whole Teluk Intan medical fraternity was there. Of course, R's father's speech was peppered with 'doctor jokes' (you guessed it, he's a doctor).

After dinner, we went to R's place and had the famous Teluk Intan chee cheong fun. Yummy... I was so stuffed. When we got up the next morning, it was more food (a seafood lunch), followed by shopping for Teluk Intan's local Chinese pastries. Finally, E & R and some friends took us to a quaint little old coffeeshop for some local coffee. We even got a little goodie bag each of some biscuits from another friend. So sweet hor?

Thanks E & R for being such gracious hosts.
Here's to a lifetime of happiness and well-being, "white hair until old". At least you know you'll never get sick of each other.

Arrrgh, corny joke, corny joke. Shoot me! Hehehe.

My childhood buddy gets hitched

We've known each other since we were seven, and grew into our awkward teens together. Even though she went to a different high school after primary school, we still hung out during the weekends, and I got to know her friends as well.

Some random memories (not quite in chronological order):

- We were 8. Gem and the Holograms were really in. And we would role play as characters in that cartoon. Outrageous! Truly truly truly outrageous!

- When we weren't role-playing, we played getah, kinda like skipping rope, but made from rubber bands.

- We played the piano and sang together in her house. Alot.

- Picnics at the padang (field) near her house, with Benji, her cocker spaniel.

- Sleepovers, and we would talk about boys, our crushes, dreams and hopes.

- We had a crush on the same boy once, KTC. What were we thinking! He wasn't interested in either of us anyway. That was so funny.

- Our swimming classes when we were 12. The swim instructor was this really hot guy who wore white trunks that left nothing to our pre-pubescent imagination.

- We started dating at about the same time, so we double dated quite often.

- Cookouts with her mom.

- A holiday to Penang where she plucked my eyebrows for the first time.

- I learnt how to smoke from her and her friends. Never enjoyed cigarettes very much. Don't enjoy it now. Thank God.

- That lime citrus cake she made me for my 16th birthday. It was sweet and sour and so yummy.

After high school, she left for Sydney to further her studies. I only saw her once a year whenever she came back for the holidays. And we would always pick up where we left off. Although we did kinda drift apart over the years, she would always have a special place in my heart.

-----



Last night was her beautiful wedding at the Saujana, where I was also Master of Ceremony. The wedding was kept simple, fun and meaningful.

It was surreal to be at the wedding of someone you've known for over 20 years. Her family was like family to me (in fact, I think I learnt most of my table manners from her mom, hehe). Before the night was over, her mom said she thought of me as her second daughter. And made me promise not to disappear from her life.

I guess I was guilty of visiting only when LS was home from Sydney. I shall make it a point to change that.

Congratulations babe.
Here's wishing you 'bak tao dou lou' (white hair till old) with SN, who's a wonderful guy, by the way. And a great start to a new life together.

I was a witness.

I've known Aivonne since I was 13 (high school). And Kenny since I was 17 (tuition). In fact, Kenny was my prom date in 1995 (ok, that's another story). I still remember Aiv's comment about Kenny that night.

Aiv: He looks like a kid-lah.

She would have to swallow her words three years later because the boy blossomed somewhat. And one night she told me,

Aiv: Eh, he's cute-lah.

When she wasn't looking, I kepoh.

WN: Eh, she said you're cute.
Kenny: She DID? (and starts grinning like an idiot)

The next thing I knew they were dating.
And Aiv had to leave for Australia.
And Kenny back to the States.

A few trans-Atlantic trips were made.
A few years of courtship after that.
And now, they are Mr & Mrs Kenny Chin.

2 July 2005
It is a beautiful garden wedding at Ciao's. The rain made the night cool and the guests late. I give Aiv a hug and a fuzzy feeling hits me. Like WOW, she's married. Tears well in my eyes, so I skittle off on the pretext of getting my abandoned wine glass. Sentimental sap.

The girls (Shih Yee, Chris, Kuin, Eve, Marissa, Laykha and Suzi) are here, giggling, laughing and talking like we used to. Suddenly we are teenagers in turqoise and navy blue uniforms again.

We are still the same people. Yet, so different now.
We don't talk about boys and exams anymore.
But about jobs and who's getting married next.

We don't gush over boy bands (I swear I was never an NKOTB fan), but wedding bands (the bigger the diamond, the better).

That night, I see flashbacks of Aiv playing Princess Jasmine in an Interact Club IU Nite, lip-synching to A Whole New World with our cutie pie president-to-be (that was back in 1992).

And Kenny's I've-never-slow-danced-with-a-girl-before look on his face on the prom dance floor.

I laugh to myself and eat some very nice wedding cake.

Aiv & Kenny, congratulations. Love you both.

Club me over the head. Drag me by the hair.

Many of my friends have started ticking the MARRIED box in application forms. In the next few weeks, more brave ones are set to follow.

Last weekend, the girls went to PD to celebrate Aiv's impending move to Mrs-dom. Apart from having a girly good time (food, booze, reminiscing, self-pampering), we talked about what married life would be like. I never had fairy-tale notions of what marriage is, but our conversations affirmed my belief that it's not a bed of roses (I'd personally like an elegant combination of white roses and white-green orchids or a loud circus of multi-coloured gerberas with stalks of sunflowers thrown in.)

The following conversations are excerpts from stories told by married or soon-to-be married friends. Any similarities (or exaggerations) in situations and characters are fully intended.

Domestic bliss... oh, really?

Wife: Have you cleaned out the pot yet?
Husband: (watching TV) Not yet.

Half hour later.
Wife: It's still in the sink.
Husband: (watching TV) Ya. Ya. Later.

Wife washes pot.
Husband: Hey, I said I'll wash it!

----

Husband: I'm out of underwear.
Wife: Didn't you throw them into the laundry basket?
Husband: Yeah. Where are the clean ones?


It seems most boys need house training. Especially if they've had their mommies / grannies / maids / ah-chi to pick up after them all their lives. So you can't help but to remind them to do certain things (in other words, NAG). Before long, you realise you're becoming more like your mother. No wait, you ARE your mother. Jeepers!

In-Law By Laws

If you live with your in-laws, some responsibilities may automatically be yours. Like making sure he has clean underwear.

Or giving them grandchildren.
"You're not getting any younger you know. You're not still using contraception, are you?"

Some mom-in-laws may even tell their sons that certain duties are to be performed by the wife. Like ironing / cooking / washing / cleaning / making sure there is clean underwear / all of the above.

My girlfriends and I are not averse to the idea of housework. But for roles to be clearly defined, hmmm.... (note: This generally happens with mom-in-laws who are Martha Stewarts in their own right, minus the lawsuit.)

Bundles of joy

From what I've observed with my married friends, they totally take over your lives. Not just for 9 months but for a good 21 years (if you're lucky).

Yes, they may be the cutest things on the planet (simply because they're yours) and a source of immense joy. But you'll wonder if you can bring them up to be useful, God-loving citizens. And look at the state of the world right now... what if they become _________? (fill in the blank with every possible mother's nightmare).

Even if they are the sweetest angels on earth, imagine this.

Gal pal: Hey, we're planning to trek Nepal. Wanna join us?
Baby: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Mom: I'm still breast feeding. Maybe when he's older.

3 years later.
Gal pal: Hey, we're planning to trek Nepal. Wanna join us?
Baby 1: Mommy! Barney! Barney!
Baby 2: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Mom: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

-------

You're on a romantic holiday and the kids are with your parents.

Wife: This is so romantic.
Husband: I wonder how the kids are doing.
Wife: I'm sure they're fine with mom.
Husband: Ok. Let's go for a romantic dinner.
Wife: I wonder if the kids are eating.

Couple takes first flight home.

-------

Love is amazing.
It makes you do the unspeakable.

Congratulations to the soon-to-be married:
Aiv & Kenny and WaiYee & her Darren.

New photos

Just uploaded more pictures of recent events! Click on my Yahoo Gallery on the right panel to view.

Or click on the links below:

Phaik Cheng and Christie's Wedding 11 Dec 2004

Rhinoceros, Panggung Bandaraya

Christmas 2004

Kuin and Simon's Wedding 1 Jan 2005

A wedding and almost a funeral

The past month was near madness. Rehearsals every other night and every weekend. But it was all well worth it cos Rhinoceros opened first week December and it went pretty well. The turnout wasn't that great, but the cast and crew had fun. More importantly, we felt we really grew as an ensemble. Next year, there's alot more to come. Exciting stuff. But I really have to start reassessing my priorities. Nearly killed myself from exhaustion. But more on that later.

The wedding

On 11 Dec, Phaik Cheng (my godsister) and Christie got married before God at Assumption Church. It was a nice simple wedding followed by a beautiful garden reception at Cafe Citron, overlooking the Twin Towers. Everybody had a good time that night. The MC was hilarious. The food was good. The bride looked gorgeous in her sari. Colin came back from UK for the wedding and her family came down from Ipoh... it was so nice to see them all again. Especially her nieces. Darren was kept busy all night playing Spiderman with the two little monsters.

I can say it's the nicest wedding I've been to so far. So happy for Phaik Cheng and Christie cos they've come a long way. And the journey wasn't an easy one either. But the fact that they're now husband and wife, with a relationship that's built on their love for God and a wonderful friendship, is very inspiring. May they always be blessed.

Near extinction

The following day was the last day of Rhinoceros' run. Had 2 shows that day. The last show was probably the best we had all week. It was followed by a cast party with fantastic food as usual by Sabeira and a briefing on what's to come by Chris. I drove home, met Darren half way and he tailed my car back. I guess I didn't realise how tired I was, with all the buzz and excitement of the week. As I turned into Subang, I fell asleep on the wheel and crashed my car.

I hit the curb on the left quite hard. The front left tyre exploded and threw my car into a spin smack into the divider on the other side. The collision woke me and when I realised what happened, I was strangely calm. Survival mode took over and I checked myself. Okay. Nothing broken. No blood. But @#$%!! The car's screwed.

Darren ran over and I guess I was still in shock - couldn't understand why he was so alarmed and making such a big fuss of things. All I wanted to do was see how badly damaged my car was while he struggled to pull me away from it. He brought me to a safer place in his car while I called AAM for the tow truck.

How bad was it? The front left side of the car smashed all the way into the left passenger side. The front left door looked like a crumpled aluminium ball. The roof on the left side twisted. The bonnet and engine area collapsed. The windscreen shattered. All tyres went out of alignment and stuck out at weird angles. It seemed the only place unaffected was the right side. If there was anyone on the left side of the car, the person would be dead. I got out of it with a little whiplash (thank God for the safety belt though) and some very small superficial scratches from broken glass. For that, I'm truly thankful (thank you God). Moral of the story - don't sleep and drive. Microsleeps are extremely dangerous, no matter how 'OK' you think you are. With drunk driving, you're still somewhat conscious. But blacking out on the road even when sober is suicide.

Through this, I really must thank Darren for keeping a clear head. Like stopping me from beating up annoying workshop vultures who hung around at the scene, hoping to make a buck outta me. And for taking me around to make the police report and stuff. But we must be really jinxed this week cos just 2 days later, his car got stolen. Geeezz. Funny we could still laugh about it. Really, what next?

And I must also thank Li Yen for lending me her other car for the time being until I get mine fixed (if it's salvagable) and that would probably take a few weeks. Or until Darren gets another car which will take a while. Sigh. What a way to end the year. Guess it's just another reminder about how vulnerable we really are. And how we shouldn't take our lives for granted. Lesson learnt. Glad to be alive.