Only just

This weekend went by relatively quick.

On Friday, I was meant to go by the bank during my lunch break to deposit a cheque. I ended up next door, which coincidentally was a store called Tiffany & Co. I tried on some wedding bands. The sales consultant was quite helpful. Probably trying to cash in on 'brides to be'. She looked at my engagement ring.. and gave me various wedding bands to go with it. She said to me "If you don't mind me asking, what is the size of your diamond?" The innocent and humble little girl in me replied "Oh, its only just..." Before I could continue my sentence, she interrupted "Oh, you NEVER say 'Only just', NEVER, No no no!" And she was stern about it. Whoopsy daisies..

Lesson learnt. I walked out with some quotes, her business card and the Tiffany & Co wedding book.

After work, still in the mood of wedding-ness, I went by to Cartier.. Ahhh Cartier.. , only this time, I remembered not to say "Only just" and again, lovely sales consultant gave me some quotes and a business card.

While waiting for Grumpy to finish work, I also stopped by at Gucci, to check out suits for my very lazy groom. It was okay.. sort of have an idea of how much it will cost.

Finally he finished work, we went to a lounge at QV for a drink together. It has been a longggg time since we ever did something like this. The last time we went out for a drink, just the two of us, it was in Dublin, and it was really so enjoyable! Considering it was a warm night, think it was in the mid twenties, it was a lovely evening to sit outdoors and have a few beers and to show him all that research I did during my lunch hour and also after work. He was not too impressed with the prices, but I assured myself that was only because he was not in the store trying out the wedding bands. After drinks, we headed to Chinatown for dinner and then we hopped on the train home. It was nearly 11pm when we got home, and my little puppy, I thought it was a RECORD - 11pm!, he held his wee wee and poop (since early morning) until we arrived home at night and let him out to the garden. I was so impressed at this dog of mine, it must be torture! He was bursting!

Saturday night, we met up with some friends for dinner, and then we went for drinks at a lounge in the suburbs. Haha Coco lounge at Glen Waverley. It was actually quite nice.

Today, Grumpy and I went for yum char for brunch. It was my shout, only because I lost a bet to him the night before. And then... we took a drive to St Kilda. Walking on the very popular Acland St, there was a bunch of people cheering at us. At first we thought it was someone else, but it was actually at Grumpy, he was wearing Ireland's home rugby jersey I bought for him from Dublin. County St Kilda.. lots of Irish people hang out there. It was quite funny.

But the real reason we went to St Kilda, was to look at a wedding reception venue I am quite keen on. Seriously, it is the first time Grumpy has ever made an effort to look at reception venues! Maybe it was the weather, I don't know, but the sun was shining, and the place looked pretty decent. I liked it, he likes it too. But he doesn't love it or anything. But at least its a start.

After that, we drove to South Yarra, to check out a cafe which sells a specific cupcake I have been looking out for. You see, there is this cupcake company, and they make the most beautiful cupcake towers for weddings. I know, so cliche.. but I've tasted them at a wedding before, and it was absolutely delicious. Back to the story about this company.. they make cupcakes, but they don't have a retail store of their own. They supply to only 2 cafes in Melbourne, but if you want to order for a special occasion, you can go directly to them. So anyways, we went to this cafe and it was just like any normal cafe, but there was only one cupcake left. Grumpy was expecting like a cupcake megastore, with a million different cupcakes to choose from. Much to his disappointment, I bought that one last cupcake, and we ate it at home, while watching Wall.E on Foxtel. Yummmmmyy.

Anyways, enough of my wedding talk. While I am glad we finally had a bit of a kick start to the wedding preparations, I remind myself that it is 'Only Just' the beginning..

Arch Enemies

I was at the gym on Tuesday and yesterday again for my normal Body Jam class. The instructor introduced some new moves and it was really hard. I was struggling... I guess that is how the body of a lazy 26 year old copes! Anyways, was working out at the start of the week, only to ruin everything by having KFC just before heading home from work.. and this was before dinner too! Ah putain! And I also had some bubble tea! :(
Bubble tea was Dopey's fault. He bought it.

But I must say, I have been good all week in terms of the customary coffee which I normally grab on my way to the office each morning. I haven't had my 'regular latte one sugar' this entire week, I have been able to resist myself from the amazing coffee we get here in Melbourne..

Attended my cousin's wedding last weekend. It was a lovely wedding, don't get me wrong, but personally, I did not enjoy it at all. We were all family, but I felt like a complete stranger. There is a lot of family politics going on and I don't get along with this cousin at all. She and I started on good terms, but due to the betrayal of a friend (which I don't trust him anymore to this day - once bitten twice shy), we're arch enemies now. Why on earth did she send me a wedding invite???!

Anyway, this was where she had the wedding reception. It was a nice venue. I'm on the lookout for good venues...

Sumac at Docklands.

With 2 of my other cousins. They're good kids.

With my cousins, my aunt and uncle (parents of the bride). Love her cheongsam. Stunning.

And of course, a picture with my lovely Grumpy, who was so upset (with ME, and only ME) towards the second half of the night just because I said he couldn't have another beer. Jeeeeeesus. Somebody shoot me! You know you shouldn't be drinking when you're driving?!!

glamourpuss

Today at work, I was in the mood to make appointments. Sometimes I just can't be bothered. But today, I decided to ring the dog groomer to book my dog in for a haircut. The next available Saturday is sometime in April. I swear, dog groomers make so much money. And the next available weekday appointment is like in 2 weeks time. So fine, we'll do the weekday one because he is starting to look like a mess. A cute mess, but still, a mess.

Then I ring up my favourite beauty salon to get my nails done. I am attending a wedding on Sunday, and I thought I'd better hurry up and book in for my favourite manicure and pedicure. Then I thought, since I'm there, might as well get a wax done. The girl at the Korean salon was lovely and sweet, she said "What type of manicure and pedicure would you like?" 

"Just a normal manicure and pedicure please" I replied.

Then she goes "And errr what type of wax would you like?" 

*pause* 

*pause* 

*PAUSE*

This is me, very conscious of sitting in an open plan office, and surrounded by a team of men.. (I am the only girl in my team).. 

I say "Er... just a normal one please" (trying to avoid having to say the word 'wax' in the office too loud)

She goes "Err... what type of wax would you like?"

Me, "A normal one.."

She goes "A body wax?"

Me, "Yeahh... that one" (What on earth is a body wax? I want a Brazilian, but please don't make me say Brazilian out loud in an open plan office, and especially with so many guys around my desk)

Then I say "Look, I'll see you on Friday at 5.30 okay?"

I don't think she got the picture but she goes "Okay".

Phewww! Bet you the boys around me were dying to burst out laughing.

Six years later..

Recently got a gym membership from the cash cow Fitness First. I'm like six years late.. as everyone had their FF membership ages ago.

I was always one that refused to pay for a gym membership, choosing the local park instead. Fresh air... the smell of grass, trees, watching the kids play soccer, families with their pet dogs...

But the weather has been quite bad lately, and so I have now conformed and am getting my credit card deducted fortnightly some ridiculous amount of money!

I've been to the gym 3 times already. And I swear, there are no fat people in my gym. I'm dead serious. The people that run alongside with me on the treadmill are all either skinny, or have amazing bodies. They all look fit as a fiddle.. and I tell myself "Run faster Jules, run faster!"

Had my first Body Jam class today.. it was bad. And I thought I could dance!

My poor baby. He hasn't been too pleased about his new 'I-now-have-a-gym-membership' mum. I promise to still take him to the park.

average wedding

It puzzles me sometimes... how Grumpy picks the most 'suitable' times of the day to discuss wedding plans.

We did the guest list while having teriyaki beef with rice and salmon ramen at Wagamama before a movie. I was planning on a wedding of 50 people. Our list is now 75.

Sometimes he emails me at work with some random comments about the wedding.

Today, before he was getting picked up to go out for a drink with his mates, he talks about wedding cost. So I told him, the average Australian wedding costs more than $50,000. He was... not happy Jan!!

And then I showed him the article on news.com.au 

Here are some key points:

What Aussie couples are spending on their nuptials: 

* $49,202 on their wedding, up $10,000 from 2006

So okay.. where are we going to get $49,202... that will be a mystery..

* Average wedding costs 25 per cent more than in 2006, 76 per cent more than 2001

I guess we factor in the inflation and stuff..

* Couples spend an average $10,476 on reception, inviting 97 guests at $108 per head

This one, I sort of agree.. the venues I've been looking at, in fact, cost more than $108 per head.

* Average spending on wedding dress up from $1900 in 2006 to $2220

* 36 per cent of brides spend $2000-$4000 on wedding gown, while 12 per cent spend more than $4000. 

I still haven't got a clue on what type of a dress I want. Mum told me, girl, get something simple you can wear a few times.. What?! You want me to recycle my wedding dress? In fact I had a similar discussion with Dopey's friends and they were saying I should just rent one. They were B-O-Y-S,  of course. Might as well just buy something from Kookai and wear it for the wedding.

* Less than one third tie the knot in a church 

I don't mind this one, because I'm not a Christian.

* More than half opt for outdoor civil ceremonies 

Very risky, especially with unpredictable weather.

* Bride's average age at first marriage is 27.6, 29.6 for men

Yeah, that's us. Average. Average people. Pfftt

* More than one third marry interstate - nine per cent overseas

There have been many people here in Melbourne asking me "Where is it?" 

Me, "Where is what?" 

Where is the wedding? 

Of course I will have one in Melbourne and one in Malaysia. Everyone (especially friends at work) seems more interested in the Malaysia one. I wonder why. I start telling people now the Melbourne one is cancelled, then everyone can make their way to Malaysia for a holiday.... 

* One in five grooms have skin and hair treatments ahead of wedding

I hope Grumpy will be one of the five grooms. I call him Jimbo now, because he looks like Jim Carrey in Me, Myself and Irene. 

* Average engagement lasts 16.7 months

Okay, then what happens after that? The wedding is off? Oh dear.. But I have been warned about this. About people that have been engaged for 5 years... they're never getting married.

* Cost of a bride's engagement ring up 15 per cent, with average costing $5116

Plus Grumpy had to pay for an air ticket to Europe, 30 hours of travel (and transit), lost luggage and no sleep. Priceless. 

* Wedding band is up 25 per cent for the bride, costing an average $1507, and up 28 per cent for groom at $1096. 

I don't know, recently.. I have a tendency to look at people's wedding bands.. strangers in the train... at work, in meetings, I look at my colleagues fingers.. my bosses.. weird.

* Average spending on a cake is $387. 

My cousin had cupcakes for her wedding cake, and it was so delicious. Very common these days. I ate both my share and Grumpy's, and wanted more..

pilates with Carlos

CNY was spent with Grumpy's extended family here in Melbourne. This little prince charming is the son of Grumpy's cousin.

I absolutely love this photo. When he was playing the organ with his bum. That was before we all got told off by some horrible aunt. Haha note how gorgeous the girl on the right is.... She's so sweet, she gives all of us a toothache.

My package from Dublin arrived recently. It was some stuff I could not take with me at that time, because my luggage was well and truly over the 30kg limit. My old boss from Dublin also surprised me with a gift - the entire box set of Dawson's Creek. I know, I know, Dawsons Creek is sooo old. But I like it. She lent me Seasons 1-3 over there, and I watched them all in Dublin. When I got back to Australia, I bought Season 4. Cost me a whopping $50.. jeeeeeesus. I was contemplating to get Season 5, only because it was expensive.

And then she gave me the entire set, Seasons 1-6! I was very happy indeed. BTW, I waited for four seasons for Pacey to pop Joey's (Katie Holmes) cherry and while I haven't finished Season 4 yet, Dawson is still a virgin! And that is one of the little things I like about Dawson's Creek. It is nothing like that tv show which everyone is watching... what is it called again? Oh rite.. Gossip Girl...

Grumpy and I have been going thru some crazy highs and lows in our relationship. Seriously, we can't stop fighting. He blames my hormones, I blame.... him. But we're okay for now.

And while he attempts to pick up a new hobby called golf, I got myself a gym membership! So far I've only been to the gym once. Today at work, I told the guy next sitting next to me, that while I am very interested in attending gym classes, I am nervous at the same time. Reason being, I've never been to a gym class before, and I'm just worried I will look like an idiot. His response was "Jules, if you can go to Ireland for six months on your own, I'm sure you can manage an hour in gym class" Okay, so that's Thursday nights pilates with Carlos.

Work has been going quite well for me personally. While the message that is always being sent out is 'recruitment freeze' and cost cutting, smaller bonuses this year too, the good news is, I was recently promoted! I am quite pleased about it. This promotion is quite an interesting one as I will no longer report to the Absolute Retard.. what a relief! I will soon report to bosses in Europe and will be supporting the Asia Pacific region - Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Fingers crossed, I hope the new role will work out well for me.

throw up

Finally, the weekend is here, and I haven't really got anything planned, except to meet up with friends tonight for dinner. Mr Happy insists we go to this Japanese buffet place tonight. I had Japanese on Thursday night for dinner with Grumpy and Dopey. Then yesterday, Dopey and I had Japanese for lunch in the city. And tonight, Japanese buffet with Mr Happy. 

As of tomorrow, I will probably not want to have Japanese food ever again.

This reminds me of pasta. After Grumpy and I spent 7 days in Italy, we have been avoiding pasta since. But that was in August last year. So maybe we should start having pasta again.. 

I was telling Little Miss Drink-A-Lot recently that if I see one more wedding picture on Facebook, I was going to throw up. Seriously. Then I wake up this morning, log on to Facebook and find out I've been tagged in a wedding picture I attended recently.. 

I guess its not too bad if I'm in the pictures.. 

But while I was just browsing the Internet, I stumbled upon a wedding photographer's website.. and I saw this picture here:

Isn't it beautiful? 

No, I don't know her. Yes, she is a stranger. But I love how she's got her dog in her wedding photos..  and that is what I want for my wedding photos!

I pick up the phone and ring Grumpy immediately (he's at work) "You won't believe what I just saw!!! I want this photographer for our wedding!"

I don't really remember what his responses were, but there were many 'No's'. Such a party pooper.