Pictures by Kuang

Got my solemnization pictures from Kuang today. Yeah, Kuang is the photographer I hired to shoot my wedding. Had a hard time looking for photographers because I only started planning my wedding one month before the AD (actual day). Thus, all good photographers were taken but thank goodness, the cream of the crop was still available and that is Kuang.

He was with Pentaserve Photography until he decided to venture out on his own. I love his western photojournalism style and I can assure you that he is the best photojournalism photographer in Singapore currently and I could not believe my luck when he told me he was still available. His company is called 39 East and you can view his portfolio at his website http://www.39eastimages.com/

He is not cheap, of course, but his good and friendly personality more than makes up for it. I just wish that my pictures in Indonesia turns out as nice. Only one regret, I should have smiled more that day........ Well, below are some of my favorite shots....

{Me doing make-up}

{Sharing a joke}

{Me, walking to the elevator.....}

{One of the guests, actually my parents' friend}

{Me and Dad walking down the aisle}

{Us, praying with the Pastor}

{My best friend, Jayne}

{Touching moment}

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Did my motivational gifts test yesterday during small group. Turns out, what they deem as spiritual gifts are actually split up into spiritual gifts and motivational gifts. There are 7 types of motivational gifts and it is given by God, our Father. 1. Prophesying 2. Giving 3. Exaltation 4. Teaching 5. Mercy 6. Leading 7. Serving It is no surprise that my gift is serving and mercy. I am soooooo good at behind the scenes work but if you want me to take up responsibility, I cringe, I stress and I breakdown......

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God bless SL's heart. SL was my facilitator when I first attended the Alpha Course as a participant. She was also the one who mentored me as I started small group and on Tuesday, I was telling her about RH's grandpa who was sick in the hospital. I shall talk about why he was in hospital later. So, wonderful SL suggested that she and another sister in Christ, DA, go visit RH's grandpa at the hospital the next day to pray for him.

DA, also happens to be in the prayer ministry at church and I just jumped at the idea. So, the next day, armed with SL and DA, both who are dear sisters in Christ, I went to visit Grandpa. the next thing I knew, DA asked Grandpa whether he was willing to accept Christ into his life and he said yes.......

WOW WOW WOW, was what I was thinking. Dear God, you are wonderful indeed. I really did not expect that to happen and I know that God placed these two ladies in my life for something.
So now, I just have to continue praying and trusting that God will heal his physical wounds cos spritually, he is whole.

Honeymoon

I think my nickname is gonna stay "Mrs Halim". Everyone is still calling me that. I guess it is technically not a nickname cos that is probably the correct way to address me formally.

Anyways, I am confirmed going to Koh Chang, Thailand for my honeymoon. Yeah! At least can relax before starting work. The place is suppose to be really romantic and the prices are quite cheap too. I am going to bangkok on the 24 June and probably to Koh Chang on 26 June and will be there for 3 nights.

I really do feel a little cheated because we were suppose to go to Europe for our honeymoon but RH has a project which will start in July. I think he did this on purpose so he can get out of taking me to Europe. Mr. Scrooge......

Anyways, I am glad that we are at least going to thailand.

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Its funny that my whole apartment's electronic stuff costs us about SGD $300. This is the breakdown:

1. Living room TV Free (new Lim Siew Leong gift for my sister)
2. Bedroom TV $50 (2nd hand from RH's old apt)
3. Home Theatre $100 (2nd hand from RH's old apt)
4. Home Theatre for bedroom Free (new given by Uncle)
5. Fridge Free (new given by Lim Siew Leong wedding gift)
6. Washer Free (new, use Best denki coucher to buy)
7. Dryer $150 (2nd hand from RH's old apt)
8. Microwave RH's
9. Iron RH's
10. Telephone RH's
11. Rice Cooker RH's

Hahaha, I feel like its really amazing.....thank God......

Life of Mrs. Halim

I can't believe that my last blog was in April.......

Anyways, my usual excuse comes to play. Remember that my solemnization was moved forward to the 13th May? I was so utterly busy planning for that. I was a single warrior with no one to help me. Ended up losing 2 kg and 1 inch off my waist and thigh. It was a blessing in disguise after all. I think stress is definitely more effective than any exercise I have ever done.

Anyways, all that is done and gone and everything went really nicely....not perfect but good enough. I wished that I had delegated more work though so I could really enjoy myself but alas, I was so worried about everything and I think it shows on my face.

Pictures are not out yet but the first batch will be done before the 1st of June which is soon.

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So, what has me (new Mrs. Halim) been up to after the wedding. Yeah, people have been calling me Mrs. Halim.......yucks. Sorry dear, its just that I am used to my old name and Mrs. Halim just reminds me of your mom. Hee hee.

Anyways, I have been busy with......what else........renovations. Yup, my renovations are finally on the way. Bad news is that my carpentar, being in Indonesia, will only get my furnitures done 2 months after I give them the final design drawings and I have not even done that yet.

Anyways, decided to hack a wall from my Master Bedroom and took some pictures of the messy house on Saturday. Here they are. Hope that the house will be good.

Have I told you about the forum I started for Starville (name of my condo). Well, there are more and more neighbours joining in so I am really happy. Cos I started the forum thread and I really am glad to see so many neighbours. However, so far, we have just been complaining about how bad the design and workmanship is for Starville.......

Oh well.....it is Koh Brothers' first condominium project so considering that, I suppose it is not so bad. Hope that they improve in future. :0

RH pretending to inspect the renovations. My living room is pretty much the same. The contractors have placed cardboards to protect my marble flooring.

On the left are remnants of my shoe cabinet. The shoe cabinet came with my apt but it is not enough to contain 1/4 of RH and my shoes. It had to go.

Corridor....nothing yet.

The door leads to the master bedroom. I am so glad that Dad chose the unit facing the housing estates instead of the one facing the pool cos the units facing the pool happens to face PIE too and it is really very very noisy. Our apart also happens to be a corner apartment which faces the east on one side, our master bathroom....hehehe....I am glad that although our place is blocked by another condo, it is still bright and breezy. Mind you, we only bought the 2nd floor.

Bedroom 2, where most of the action is right now. I am hacking the wall between bedroom 2 and master bedroom. Its really messy!

My lovely wall is gone. there use to be a wall there and now I can see my master bedroom from Bedroom 2. My apartment actually feels like a third floor rather than a secong floor because our block is built on higher grounds therefore, our apartment is at the same level as the third floor of other blocks. Hurray!

View from master bedroom! Tot of getting something like this for my dresser. What do you think?

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What else have I been up to? RH's grandfather is in Singapore after being critically ill for some time in Indonesia. Yep, he is currently admitted to NUH, brought here by ambulance, plane, ambulance. Me and RH have been spending considerable time in the hospital.

Partly cos I would feel really guilty if not. Cos I kinda persuaded RH's mom to let his grandfather be treated here explaining that RH and I could take turns to look after him, not realizing that it is indeed hard work and virtually impossible for any employed person to look after him. Luckily, RH's aunt has taken leave to come to singapore to take care of him so I am more relieved.

His situation worsened the first 2 days he was in Singapore but I am truly glad to say that his palor has improved and he seems to be much better now. Thank you all for praying for him.

Updates

My bedroom is in a HUGE mess! With the invasion of RH and his numerous mining stuff.......URGH.

There is also lots of clothes hanging on my window. Apparently, my maid thinks that window grilles are for hanging clothes. Should I take a picture to show you? Still considering my privacy issues.

But seriously, my hobbies are taking lots of space unfortunately. Hmm, let me list down the things that takes up lots of precious space in my room.

1. Clothes!!!! (Yup, I am guilty of being a clothes-a-holic)
2. Shoes..... (became a shoe-a-holic after I realise I has lots of clothes so had to stop buying that)
3. Accessories (yeah, after I realise I had lots of shoes)
4. Cross Stitch (accumulated lots of patterns and threads but lots of unfinished work)
5. Beads (accumulated lots of beads and findings but too lazy to work on it)
6. Scrapbooking (my latest hobby.....)
7. Novels ( love to read but lazy to return)
8. Files and Documents (Yeah, this one kills me cos I love to keep for "just in case" times)

I think that I am a keeper/collector just like mom. Totally inherited this trait from her. Having "just in case" items are just so important to us. RH, like his parents (their 70's video recorder is still sitting in their living room under a layer of dust), is also a keeper. Can you imagine what our house is gonna be like? YIKES! I get shivers just imagining it.

I have to force myself to throw away useless stuff or else I am gonna be drowned in things.......

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Anyways, I made some progress with my scrapbooking. Went to a class the other day on how to create vintage looking scrapbooks. Love the Laura Ashley style and I made like 2 pages for NH, my cousin's cute son. Yeah, he is so lovable. Now, I gotta make one for ZH (cousin's other son) and JP (my nephew) to be fair......urgh! Scrapbooking for kids are just the best because they have tons and tons of cute pictures.

{Please disregard my patterned yellow comforter in the background....ain't he cute?}

{You can't really see the white squares properly but I created a tiny car there using chalk}

{Made pockets to hold his other pictures!!!! Notice the title?}

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The new car is finally here. Came in on Friday night! I just took some pictures of the car this morning! It is actually quite cool for a Honda civic. I really thought that it is gonna look like really ugly and traditional but alas, the car actually looks kinda sporty especially with its silver exterior and black interior. Kinda regretted my choice of having cream interior. Anyways, I should take some interior pictures later to show you. Meantime.....

{Look at how much better it looks than the car beside it.....hehehe!}

{Front view..}

{Back view....}

File Marriage Application

I filed our my marriage application with ROM today. FINALLY! You can file online now, no need to queue at the ROM (Registry of Marriage) I am just so glad that my marriage certificate will be in English and that there is at least something significant to the wedding dinner in Singapore.

As you can see, I will be having my Singapore Reception at Pan Pacific Hotel. I have gotten Pastor Lilian Ang to be my solemnizer and both my dad and RH's dad to be witnesses. Cool eh!

It was rather short notice, I tell you. If I had filed it next week instead, I might not have made it in time for the solemization to beheld on the 13th May because ROM requires us to file the marriage notice at least 21 days before the wedding date. Overall though, it was really very fuss free as compared to registering your marriage in Indonesia. All I needed was our IC numbers and our witnesses' IC/passport number. If I had decided to register in Indonesia, I would need birth certificates and like tons of other forms.

Hmm, just realized that RH and me would be officially married in about a month's time. so, when I celebrate my wedding anniversary, should I celebrate in May or June? My siblings will all be here except one. That's ok though. Happy enough!

By the way, Panpac is going to charge me for the additional room required for solemnization......help! $350+++ it is practically daylight robbery.

Still lots to do though!
1. Photographer
2. Meet with Pastor
3. Confirm ROM venue
4. Bouquet and Flowers
5. Ang Bao Box & Ring Pillow
6. Printing

Starville

YAHHHHOOOOOO! I got the key to Starville today......

I think I am more crazy about the apartment then my own wedding.

Hmm, can you imagine? Finally my OWN home. Somewhere I can set all the rules and decorate anyways I want. Although it is not big but at least it is my own. The apartment is actually in better condition than I would have expected. Maybe because I was already trained in USA. i could not spot more than 10 defects which is considered little.

Anyways, we got our home owners kit and will bring my parents to view the place tomorrow, hopefully. Also need to set up appointment with Momo to pass her the keys.

PANIC

Starting to panic now that my ROM is only 1.5 months away and my AD (actual day) is 2.5 months away. Anyways, all my wedding dates have been confirmed after so many ding dongs.

ROM cum Singapore Dinner
Date : 13th May 2006, Saturday
Location : Pan Pacific Hotel, Ocean Ballroom
Time : 5:00 pm

Church Ceremony
Date : 16th June 2006, Friday
Location : Gloria Kristen Abdiel, Pacar - Surabaya
Time : 11:00 am

Customary cum Surabaya Wedding Dinner
Date : 18th June 2006, Sunday
Location : Supermall Ballroom - Surabaya
Time : 6:00 pm

Now that all the dates are set, I have tons of things to do and no one to help me. Die Die Die!

Things to do for Singapore:
1. Find Printer for Invitation Cards
2. Create guestlist and call up friends to confirm
3. Find Pastor
4. Register for ROM
5. Find photographer
6. Make up Artist - Done (Hee Hee)
7. Choose Flowers for Deco
8. Choose Gown
9. Make sure that Montage is ready
10. Look for Wedding Favors
11. Address and send out Invitation Cards
12. Find guestbook and hong bao Box
13. Choose songs
14. Look for live band

Anything else I missed out? Not sure!

Luckily, Su Li reminded me the other day that I have to leave everything in God's hands. Yes, God will work on my tight schedule and just pull everything together by his mighty power.

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At the same time, my new apartment has already TOP and I have made arrangements to pick up the keys tomorrow. Oh dear, everything is coming at the same time. Serves me right for procrastinating. Anyways, I have decided to engage MOMO because they are the only design firm which can do classic/vintage design style at a cheap cost. And it is cheap because they only provide design and drawing services. I have to engage a separate contractor to do the actual renovation works.

Hope to get all the wet works done before my ROM so that my PIL (parents in law) can stay there when they come in May. I figured that the furnitures would not be completed in time but since I already have the mattresses and sofa, I think they will manage it fine.

Anyways, Momo's website is www.momo.com.sg. No point accessing it though because the website is currently under construction. The lady boss, Pam, is very nice and friendly. I recently found another designer that does classic designs but too bad, I have already signed with momo.