Family Tea Ceremony

We had a simple tea ceremony to my family at Alisan Restaurant, Wembley, London on Saturday, 24th January, 2009 to mark the start of our engagement.

We welcome Tim (my husband to-be) to our family. It was the auspicious time for us...according to "Tong Shiang" (Chinese Astrology References) as read by my father. We are not superstitious but respect my culture and tradition. We were blown away by how relax and enjoyable everyone with the ceremony.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Historically,it was in England that many of our most enduring Western European wedding traditions got their beginning. The ancient nursery rhyme about something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue is now an important part of most Western European weddings, even though many brides and grooms no longer know the significance of the rhyme.

Something old is symbolic of continuity. The old item was often a piece of lace or a grandmother’s scarf or an old piece of jewelry. My mother-in-law to be gave us a centennial family ring. Tim wanted something special and tailored made by jeweller to mark our unity, a set trilogy diamond engagement ring.
Something new signifies hope for the future, and can be anything from a piece of clothing to the wedding band itself. Absolutely,wedding band for us.
Something borrowed is symbolic of future happiness and is often provided by a happily married friend of the bride. I reckon something borrowed from my sisters or mother.
And finally, something blue. In ancient times blue was the color of purity and often both the bride and the groom wore a band of blue cloth around the bottom of their wedding attire.

It was the knights of yore who gave us the Western European tradition of the groom wearing a single flower. It was customary for a knight to wear a flower or a colorful handkerchief belonging to their lady fair when they entered a tournament. The tradition later evolved to the groom wearing a flower from his bride’s wedding bouquet.

Just a like announcement

We are about to start a new chapter in our life. My dearest have proposed to me on Monday, 12th January, 2009...a fresh start of the year. Ohh gosh, how did I feel...very emotional, exited, nervous, touching and yes...tears rolled down my face. That was the most unforgetable moment in my life...Tim asked "Siew Fun CHIN, will you marry me?"....I replied.."Yes, I do" rather than "I will". We have gone through lots of happy and sweet memories as well as hiccups. We promise to grow old gracefully together. We will go through all obstacles in life together.

We haven't decide venue and date yet but things need to be done eventually..! We will compromise between two culture...Western and Oriental, tea-ceremony in my family as a tradition.

Good luck to us...Bless!

My 2008 Christmas and 2009 New Year

My Christmas was the best so far...spent with my dearie and family...an unforgetable experience. Eaten lots of traditional home cooked meals by Pat, best ever roasted beef, turkey, etc. Ooopps...overindulgent...! Lots of pressies from Pat and Cecil's family after Christmas lunch, even one from Father Christmas! Sight seeing at Portsmouth and Gosport, visited Mike and Becki's family. Absolutely fantastic.

Back to London, need more walking...never mind...sales may help to shed few pounds( actually the currency rather than fat/muscle from the body).


My New Year day was ordinary and spent with family...visited Kew Garden 250th's Birthday...hip..hip..hoorah...freezing cold and crowded...free entrance!

Christmas Countdown...6 days..nope 5 days to go..! X'mas Eve

This will be a very busy Christmas countdown...
1) Brother family ready to move in new house..literally next door in 3/4 days for Christmas :-) Lots of stairs climbing...2 storeys each house...trim and flat out for Christmas :-)
2) Panic....busy packing and clearing my clutters...lots of stuffs and massive clear out...some goes to charity, few nostalgia things, etc ...junks that I keep for the past 10 years here :-)
3) Looking forwards to heading off to Tim's parents on 23rd December...for a proper English Christmas do :-) Then, we can relax after all the hustle!
4) Pressies....unwrap but almost done all shopping...so feel bits relax now
5) Help babysitting nephew, Nathan.. he is very cute and staying with us for few months :-)

Finally, wishing everyone "Merry Christmas and Happy 2009 New Year"

HOT 'N' COLD

Kathy Perry's song "HOT N COLD" have been playing in my mind recently. I admit that I like that song for a reason...especially this :

Someone call the doctor.. Got a case of a love bi-polar... Stuck on a roller coaster... Can't get off this ride.. *You* change your mind.. Like a girl changes clothes

*Decision, decision, decision, etc...sometime I hate to choose either moving on or staying put. I need clear mind to eliminate clutters.

Lots of things been bugging me such as worries about my future, career, relationship, health, etc. Please give me strength to make up my mind and I'm tired of procrastinate further. Though, I hope I'm a superwoman but that's unrealistic!

Stop pressing my button!

I know my limit when someone tried to pressure me until I scream "STOP" mentally. I wish I have argumentative and logical reasons to defend myself. I can't please everyone but I wonder why don't people be more considerate to others and leave me in peace. I respect others and I hope I will be treated the same in return. I hope I am not being demanding and always like to maintain diplomacy in any awkward situations. I keep myself to myself and treasure my privacy very much. PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE!