World Cup fever

Yoz, guys!! i'm right here awake at 5 in the morning, not due to insomnia (luckily!)  but a World Cup fever that I am 'suffering' happily from..

It is the 2nd semi final tonight, with Netherlands playing against Argentina in the Brazilian land.

The Cup started with lots of disappointing performance by the hugely supported teams like Spain, England, Portugal, and Italy. None of them made it to the Quarter Finals. The whole world was spectulating that it was a year for the underdogs, when countries like Belgium, Costa Rica and Colombia advanced to the final 8 for their first time in the World Cup history! 

Well, my night (morning) ended sensationally with an emotional win for Argentina against Germany by a 4-2 penalty result.. I did not expect myself to be swarmed by such a wave of emotions as the Argentinans scored each of their 4 penalty kicks! I believe it was because of the dream that Lionel Messi has, to win the World Cup title for Argentina finally 24 years later!!

Dreams do come true, and I hope it does for Messi.. :)

Suay to the max!!

Ok, this is now not new since I already wrote 1 post previously with a dialect subject.

I am declaring that it is without a doubt that life has thrown a thousand and one challenges to me. Whether are these His plans for me, or I'm just plain unlucky (this is the official English term); it is hard to say. However, I am pretty sure that the whole world is panicking for me with just less than a week to the 2nd most important day of my life (Needless to say, the first being the day when Rianne was born!); n hear this, painfully sick!!!

It's not very fair to blame a young kid when you fall ill since adults should have better immunity than the little people. But, I am very certain that it is Rianne who has passed the virus to me! I am coughing in her footsteps, and have a nose runny like the tap! To think my husband-to-be can still joke about it. In his own words, "Nev'mind, you can be a coughing bride.." I'd be better off dead I think!

What now? Prayers? Medication? Miracle? Which exactly do I need? No cracking of brains required - I NEED ALL!! Please, please, let me be a bride who can say her wedding vow and thank yous in my best condition. 

AMEN!

Awful phase 2

If you can still remember, the most horrible looking me have to be the post child-birth moi.. Without a proper shower & unwashed hair for 5 days straight in a row, that has to be the grossiest thing a girl can ever do to herself! 

I'm not repeating this (phew!), but somehow, the me now feels as awful as back then; minus the smell! The facial complexion is at one of its worst ever, the hair while waiting for its snail-like growth has churned grey hair in the opposite speed! And may I reiterate, I am a B-T-B!!! How depressing this is!!!!!

The hardly lucky me, was desperate with time at my back, and no fortune so to speak (we were saving freaking hard for the wedding!! ) to spend on luxurious or technology breaking treatments. I had reached out to a very good friend who always have problematic complexion, and she referred me to an aesthetic doctor whom she said was good and inexpensive. 

There, I went, with huge hopes that my blemished face will look smooth and flawless after seeking treatment from the doctor. I was agreeable to everything since I was already desperate to the verge. The IPL treatment was the recommended solution. I have my taste of an IPL years back at the beauty salon I used to patronize. I had freaked out back then, on not only the process but also the results! But somehow, I was convinced that the IPL administered by the aesthetic doctor is different and quick, effective results are what I will get. 

The IPL was no less scary than what I had done before. In fact, I was so tensed that I could feel each light hit (like a rubberband snapping) with double impact on my face! It was painful, and it left a charred smell on my face. The whole process went on for about 10 mins, and before I know it, it was over and I was handing out 312 bucks for the entire session.

Conclusion: The effect was not as visible as the doctor and his nurses claimed. It gave me heart pain (over 300 hundred dollars for 1 time!!), face pain (I was weeping as the light rays hit my face each time!) and every blemish is still there! 

Of course, KL gave me a piece of his mind when he found out about the IPL. Later I found out that you wouldn't see results only until at least 5 treatments are completed. Also, the most awakening fact I learnt about IPL is, it actually thins your skin! 

Well, I decided, I am taking a step back and let my skin just be how it wants to be on my wedding day. Maybe I would look beautiful instead? But before you & I make that comparsion, you need to see my current state first..

Little zits (new) on forehead

Sides of the face too!

My lip wasn't spared too..

Whoever says only pretty, photoshopped selfies can be posted on blogs?! I am just being myself here.. Oops!

Gan cheong!!!

Hah, this is probably the one & only post that I have subjected it with a dialect header.. 

Guess maybe I'm just too 'gan cheong'? No better proper English word to describe that state of anxiety and uncertainty. My friends and my sister kept reminding me to stop stressing myself and be a happy bride! I wish I could, honestly.

With the wedding's just less than 1 month away, my facial complexion is still not better. Zits breakout everywhere. I'm not joking and sorry to sound gross, but there are pimples even on my scalp and inside my nostrils!

I am naturally ill-blessed with an awful complexion.. Never have I seen myself with a clear face. But neither have I been in this horrendous looking state. I wish a miracle treatment/product could bring my face back to how it was before. Never mind it is imperfect. At least it would be better than it is now. Of course I have already dialled the SOS number (my beauty conscious friend), and the advice was to invest in a good skincare product. Believing this is my best bet now, I bought the most expensive skincare product I have ever purchased in my 30+ years. It may be inexpensive to some people, but the stingy me was still reluctuant to part with that sum of money at first.

My friend is like a living example of how good the Clarins Double Serum is. But to have results like she has experienced, you would have to at least use 4 bottles to see the proof. I can't wait for 4 bottles to see results, I need the result in 3 weeks.

Oh dear, oh dear. 

Clarins Double Serum, please do your magic and take my troubled skin away from me; far far away!!

Full steam ahead..

This is like what I remember and find it apt to call 'our final trimester'.. 

We are less than 2 months away from officially becoming Mr & Mrs Lee! Gosh, the excitement of the wedding happening and me finally hitched, is taking me to a whole new level of adrenaline!!

To be super honest, we are not very much ready yet! Wedding preparations are probably 60% covered, honeymoon plus plans after our marriage; not started yet! 

Working and planning a wedding concurrently is tough. Especially when you are highly committed to delivering deadlines at work! Both me & KL have busy work schedules, and with Rianne; it makes it even harder for us to take time off.

We, or rather more I, spend a great deal of time planning our wedding via the internet. I check out wedding essentials on the go using my ipad, snap a picture to send it to KL or my planner, and subsequently email the vendor/seller on further queries and orders. This has become such a regime that I follow every day now. Even my marriage solemnizer was found online, and corresponded via emails! 

Our solemnizer aka Justice of Peace is kind enough to provide guides and checklist on our wedding planning and also marriage tips. Pity that the advice came only now, otherwise I would have known better than to assign tasks to my better half who's overly 'laxed' and needs constant forceful reminders to get his tasks done!

Yes, it's ranting time; and I reckon I am still allowed to complaint about a boyfriend whom I'm only going to marry a couple of months later. So here goes..

On our wedding bands - we started looking at designs a long time back, and when I say 'looking', I meant browsing online. KL's favourite online site for rings has to be Blue Nile. He found the design of my proposal ring there, and now he's relying on the same place for our wedding bands. Seriously, buying wedding bands online? How big that risk is? He simply refused to walk into any (and I mean, really none!) jewellery store, until I needed to polish my propsal ring and we were at the jeweller who made my ring. We had our first look at the potential wedding bands, and it was after much persuasion that KL was willing to put on the rings to try. You thinking what I'm thinking? Yeah? Weirdo, I know. But that's him. Of course we didn't get our rings at the first store we went. In fact, we didn't continue our search at all, until I found out that most jewellers need at least 1.5 months for resizing, and 3-4 months if you custom-make the rings. I felt the fire on my butt already (literally!), and began dragging him into jewellery shops every weekend! Still, he could tell me that he don't need to buy an identical ring as mine from the local jewellery stores as he prefer to order online. That was like the final straw, and I got so mad and told him to reconsider our marriage! Hah!

Guest list - I have lost count of the number of messages I sent KL on getting him to finalise the guests on his side. Our wedding venue (for luncheon) could accomodate 60 persons. Instead of fully utilizing it (60 for my side is not even enough!), he kept the cap to 50 pax for both our guests! I was damn pissed as I had earlier informed my best friends that their spouses & children are invited to our wedding. He had only informed me this late when all the spouses have already adjusted their schedules (some travelling) to make it to the wedding. I had to then swallow the guilt and embrrassment telling my friends that their family can no longer attend our wedding. This have to be the hardest ordeal in the whole wedding preparation, I'm telling you! 

Oh wait, no; that's the 2nd hardest. The toughest one I had to deal with, no doubt have to be about the wedding dowry. You would have guessed so since it has to do with money.. I find it a bit hard to swallow the fact that KL finds it ridiculous to be giving dowry to my mom, even when I explained that this is a tradition that all Chinese practises and that it is also a form of respect and appreciation to my parent for bringing me up. He asked what about his parents, shouldn't I be giving dowry to his parents who also brought him up? I want to faint, really. Aside from fainting, I felt super hurt.. KL told me if my mom refused to take a smaller token amount, he will have to reconsider our marriage. Those were his exact words, to his wife-to-be.. the one who's going to bear him children and share parenting and financial responsibilities with. I was surprised I actually did not storm out and leave him there looking bad and stupid. I should have done that. If you are curious to know, I have only asked for $2,888 as the dowry. 

Anyway, our wedding is still pending as per KL's own words; if my mom don't lower the dowry amount and he will not marry me. I'm not going to give in, the money's for my birth mother who you do not want to live together with in our marital home. The money is for her to take care of herself when I'm no longer there. 

Let's wait and see..

BTB Breakdowns!!

Hah, you'd think all BTB & GTB are the happiest people, beaming radiantly every day leading to the time they get married; and likely even into the first few weeks/months of married life.. You are wrong!! Let me share with you the stress and breakdowns from the BTB, due to wed in 2 months!!

It was such a close shave for us on our wedding decor planning and our PWS. If you remember, I had already started researching on the perfect wedding decor more than 6 months back.. I was hit so badly when the wedding planner I wanted, could not take on our wedding project. Rosette Designs & Co. was very apologetic, and very professional in the way they handled my request for an alternate recommendation. However, I was panic stricken, as I didn't think I was able to find another planner as ideal as Rosette. I was reading wedding forums all day, and checking out recommendations from other BTBs. Eventually, I wrote to a couple of planners whom I have shortlisted in great hope that they are available on my wedding day. 

I was optimistic again when 2 of them came back with positive replies, indicating their availability on 17 May 2014. I had to make a decision between the two. One is an established wedding planning co. whom has done big scale weddings, and the other is a smaller start up owned by a bride turned founder of the company. I thought the chemistry with the latter was great, probably because she was a BTB herself before. However, it took her eons to present an estimated quotation which was only available after my persistent reminders! I decided that, service response/level is gonna be a critical factor in the coordination of the wedding decor. Thus, we decided to place all wagers on the former company - Butterflies & Cakes. 

It wasn't long before the designated wedding planner from B&C and I put our thinking caps into action, and we were sharing ideas, pictures that we both seen and have found them suitable for my wedding theme. Things were going on fine until Jan this year when I thought it was about time to launch full force into the preparation of the wedding decor. But, we have yet to sign any agreement from B&C. Turns out that B&C has decided to wind up their business, and will not be taking on anymore projects including my wedding! 

Apart from completely taken aback and at a loss on next steps, I was emotional. I felt that maybe it wasn't meant to be, that marriage is indeed not my thing! :(

I was so grateful that the wedding planner from B&C had offered to continue planning our wedding on a free-lancer status. The only thing is, can she do the job well?? Does she have the required resources (including manpower) to deliver and execute my wedding decor envision? Apparently, she manged to convince me & KL with a partner who used to be an ex-planner of B&C too.

The biggest meltdown had to be when my mate informed me at the eleventh hour that she has fallen ill badly and cannot assist with my PWS! I needed a friend (girl) to help me change in & out of my gowns (4 in total) at toilets in outdoor locations which may either be small, squeezy, or dirty and wet. Any one of them just mean inconvenience for me to do it on my own. Thus, I broke down crying when I received the news! I was desperate for help on the eve of my PWS.. 

With God's grace (really, I do think its His grace!), my ex-colleague offered to help me after learning about my predicament! I cannot be any more thankful to her! 

All thanks to my ex-colleague and cousin who chaffeured us to the 4 outdoor locations, my PWS went smoothly without a glitch! Even my photographer for the shoot adores my ex-colleague. She's such a sweetheart, who could resist her?! Without her, our PWS photos wouldn't have turned out so well that we added a couple more pictures than required into the album! 

Signing off with one of my favourite makeup & hairdo from my PWS.. 

Xoxoxo

Best of 2013

Every now and then after watching a really good movie, my movie critics instinct begins to sting.. It is as if telling me, "Go on, share with the world your two cents worth on the film. Let everyone knows how many popcorn ratings it deserves!"

So, i'm just gonna answer to my inner calling now with a look back at the Best Movies in 2013.

A controversial film about love, survival and fatherhood, starring Eve Mendes and Ryan Gosling. 'The Place Beyond The Pines' has Ryan in a never seen before role of a bank robber and a father. An extreme bike stunts performer, Ryan is both to love and to hate in the unfortunate life choices he has to make to provide for his newborn. Co-cast Bradley Cooper shows us how impartial and non-corrupt his role as an American cop is, when bribery and authority are pressured onto him. I have to say, Bradley looks especially good in the clean shaven look, minus the tinted shades and the gang from 'The Hangover'. A 8.5 popcorn-worthy film is 'The Place Beyond The Pines'.

Of course, how can we forget the last; and most probably the best of the sequels from the novel 'The Twilight Saga' (the best theme song, at least in the series). This last movie 'The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 2' features the duel between the Cullens with friends from all over the world, and the entire royal vampire clan (the Volturi). All because of a human vampire child named Renesmee, offspring of Bella & Edward. Highly entertaining to see the newborn vampire, Bella, learning and controlling her vampire powers and urges. Plus a computerised baby turned kid in just weeks. The 'Breaking Dawn Part 2' gets 7 Popcorns for the entertainment factor!

Another movie of a trilogy, 'The Hangover Part III' did not fail to induce laughter, lots of them; just like its earlier releases. The Wolf Pack struggled to resue Alan's brother-in-law (always the unlucky one who got kidnapped!), stay sober, not lost (the hardest!) and away from Mr. Chow, the little mean Asian villian of all-time! This final episode saw Alan finding his true love in the mistress of a pawn shop they chanced upon. For the incredible chemistry among the entire cast (through all 3 episodes), I am awarding 'The Hangover Part III' 6 popcorns!

Never a hardcore fan of the horror genre, I need to award all my compliments for this Malaysia-directing horror movie of the year - 'The Conjuring'. Nothing less suspenseful and horrifying is the storyline which claims to come from a true story. Leading actress, Vera Farmiga gets all my praises for her brilliant and convincing acting. Vera who's also the face to watch in the new drama series - 'Bates Motel' plays a paranormal investigator aka spiritual medium in this movie. I decided not to be a spoiler to those who have yet watch 'The Conjuring', so am not gonna reveal any synopsis of any sort. But all I can say is, be frightened, be really frightened of what you'l find in the closet.. A must-watch in whichever year it may be! 'The Conjuring' gets the title of my "Fave Movie of 2013 & all time"! 10 out of 10 popcorns, and upsize please; coz you end up spilling most of them when jumping off your chair from the terror.. 

Remember the not so attractive movie title called 'Despicable Me'? In 2013, the film returns with a sequel that excites both the young and the young-at-heart!! Personally, I did not watch the former (I remember at that time the movie was screened, I was still caught up in an entwingly painstaking relationship with Mr K), so I bore no expectation of how incredibly funny this animation would be. You'd love the adorable little yellow creatures in blue overalls. They sing, dance, impersonate the siren of a fire engine (the part I laughed all my guts out!), and enjoy cos-play! Basically, they are just like the 3 lovable little girls - Margo, Edith and Agnes; impossible to get angry with them for long.. even when they turn purple and become the evil fuzzy-haired prisoners of the super villain "El Macho". Now that I have watched 'Despicable Me', I can assure you that 'Despicable Me 2' far surpasses the original film. Pure entertainment for the entire family! It is so good that you just wanna watch it over & over again just for the laughs!! 10 popcorns as well, please!

I know it is hard to comprehend how someone who's a complete scaredy cat, is so turned on by zombie movies. Trust me, you'l understand when you watch 'World War Z' starring the most dashing man of the century - Brad Pitt (I wanna add that Brad never once loses his attrictiveness and popularity despite the most talked-about breakup with Jennifer Aniston & Gywenth Paltrow). A simple but strong storyline, I must commend. 'World War Z' is a movie you wouldn't miss, unless you are surrounded by zombies who prounce and devour you in seconds. Needless to say, please give Brad a 10 out of 10 popcorns!!

Onto some light-hearted movies I caught in 2013. You'd love the animated film "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2", with its lovable characters and a larger than life purpose, to keep things human! (No punt intended, though it's living creatures we are talking about here; so keep it real!) Princess Rianne enjoyed the movie so much. So did us the adults. Overall, this film cannot be called bad but neither can it be named the Movie of The Year. It is here because I knew you will enjoy it as much as we did! A 7 popcorns wouldn't hurt here.

My last movie watched in 2013, and undoubtedly one of the best ever watched is "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". Directed by Ben Stiller who plays a middle-aged white collar worker in one of the biggest magazine publishing company facing restructure due to the advancement of technology. A day-dreamer and kind natured guy, forced to deliver photography works of the renowed photography played by Sean Penn for the last issue of the company's publication. Through Mitty's day dreams and aspirations, you learnt that you don't have to be a successful high management executive to feel and experience the meaning of life! Definitely worth watching, and go on, shed that tear in the last 5 mins of the movie; coz I did and it felt great! Another 10 popcorns, please! 

For those who enjoy a serious biography, you may like to consider the most-talked about movie made based on the life story of Steve Jobs. Be warned though, I heard the film 'Jobs' turned out to be a flop despite casting Ashton Kutcher as Jobs. That said, I would still like to see how Ashton is looking all geeky and tech-savvy.

A movie buff like me gets the underlying message when a movie gets a handful of oscar nominations and or awards,  regardless of the movie being shot entirely on a single location - a boat or outer space. It means that it is a highly invested film and a must-watch to create that the ice breaker conversation with strangers. 'Gravity' and 'Captain Philips' are 2 such movies. 

I only managed to catch 'Gravity' in 2014, and I am damn glad I did. Nothing more needs to be said when the movie bagged the Oscars for 'Best Film', 'Best Director' among many other more awards. You should be released into outer space if you do not watch 'Gravity' after reading this post! Unfortunately, you will be floating alone without Sandra Bullock & George Clooney tethered to you.. Good luck in space!!