Remember the moment

In five days from today, it would be exactly one year from the time when Grumpy proposed. I still remember the moment vividly. It was in Venice and it was amazing.

In eight days from today, it would be exactly eleven years from the time when Grumpy and I officially started dating. I still remember the moment vividly. We were back in Malaysia, we were talking on the phone, and I could not sleep that night, I was very happy.

Over the years, there were many highs, and many lows. Many challenges. Compromise. Sacrifices. Understanding each other. Accepting each other. Learning about each other. Loving each other.

Am I terrified of marriage? A little, yes. Am I scared that it will change things? A little, yes. Am I scared that it will change us? Yes. 

No, its not cold feet. I am just preparing myself for the next chapter. I know I want to be married to him. I love him.

Six years ago..

D4

Every once in a while, I like to reflect and reminisce of my time back in Dublin. 

These are pictures of where I used to stay during my six months there. 

This is at the Grand Canal Quay in Dublin 4. On weekends, I would go for a run here, along the canal. Before I go home and make myself some pancakes for breakfast!

There were swans in the canal. They were friendly, they would come up to me as I took photos of them. There's something about swans that I absolutely love. Hmm.. I think it would be their grace. They are such graceful creatures. 

This is Dublin's O2 stadium, it would house concerts of the biggest stars. It was not completed yet during my time there. They get more rockstars, popstars over there than we normally do here in Australia. All we get is Pink over here. Seriously, she has a concert here like nearly every 3 months. Enough of Pink already...!

These are the little bridges I would normally have to cross during my runs. The big black wheel would be what you would have to turn (in circular motion) to open up the crossing to allow boats to go through. 

I will post more pictures of Dublin soon. Good night. 

most money

Do you know the 3 jobs that make the most money here in Melbourne?

1. oral maxillofacial surgeons

2. dog groomers

3. wedding photographers

Well, number one.. is the surgeon that will be taking out my three remaining wisdom teeth. I can't believe I've locked that in already, amongst all the wedding preps. I'm nervous as hell. The surgeon spoke about worst case scenarios that scared the living daylights out of me. Not only will I be in a lot of pain after the procedure, I will be very poor too. I'm getting it done at a hospital on the 21st of August. I will need a week to recover, so I won't be able to go to work. And I hope I will be in good form on the 27th, which is my birthday. 

Number two, each time I ring her, she's already booked out for the next 8 weeks. Its winter, for crying out loud! Who sends their dogs for a haircut when it is bloody freezing (apart from me)? Well, many many other people, Jules! But it is worth it. She does a great job on Emm. He smells nice now. He looks less of a mop, and more of a dog.

Number three... I took a long time to decide on some wedding photographers, because they were so expensive. And just when I've made up my mind, that I am willing to lose an arm and maybe a leg for these photographers, I have been receiving 'I'm sorry' responses as they are already all booked out on the day of my wedding.  That can't be true, I tell myself... but it is! Although, I must admit, as these popular photographers are booked out, I do more and more research for others. Looking at their work, I am now trying to steer away from cheesy cliche wedding photography, and instead finding some others that are more unique.

Maybe it is time for a change in my career!

him

I bought two tickets this week. Both very expensive tickets. Therefore, I think I should just eat beans and mi goreng from today onwards.

The first ticket is for Britney, bitch! Haha. People tell me she lip-synchs. Well so does Madonna! You don't go for a Britney concert to hear her sing.. no.. you go to see her show! And since Michael Jackson is gone now, I have decided I will appreciate my current popstars more! I am very excited, indeed!

My second ticket.. is to go back to KL in November! Before my trip in May, I have not been home in more than 3 years, and now I find myself going home twice in the same year! Well, this one is wedding related. I'm going to collect my wedding dress, made by Grumpy's very talented mum. I am quite excited. 

I get to see him!

As he grows old gracefully, he becomes more camera shy.. and more stubborn too. Despite that, he is still an angel to me. He is loyal, loving and gentle. 

pineapple

Helloo..

The past week went by quite quick, yet slow in some ways. I know, doesn't make any sense. On Monday night a bunch of us went to watch Transformers in the city after work. Sorry, say what you want, but it did not impress me at all, especially on a Monday night after a longgg day in the office. In fact, I am more excited about Bruno than anything else. Sacha Baron Cohen is absolutely brilliant. I watched the trailer of the movie, and then I youtubed his Rove appearance, and also heard him on the radio. I said to Grumpy, "He might have revealed way too much of his movie already!" Despite that, I still want to catch it when it comes out.

On Thursday night, Grumpy and I went for a drink and dinner after work. Just the two of us. I had a massive chicken parma, and a pint of Kilkenny. Felt so much like a bloke.

Yesterday, we ended up at a Korean restaurant with one of our close friends, Mr Happy and his girlfriend. It was a new restaurant at Boxhill called Su:T and Wine. The food was not too bad, but this was my favourite, check this out. Pineapple soju. To be honest, I'm not a fan of soju, I think its revolting, but this had pineapple juice with it, and it was soo yummy..


By the way, I've also put this up on twitter, if you have twitter, follow me here http://twitter.com/julee_ng

This morning we met up with a celebrant. He was decent, easy to talk to and we like him. Haha I don't wanna go down the path whereby we take all the first ones we talk to, but he was nice! So I'm kinda glad that bit is sorted.

I have to run now, out to lunch.

venue

Good news for this week.... is... *drum roll* we finally have a venue!!! A venue for our wedding reception, of course! Its a nice restaurant, I've read about it. We requested for the menu, checked out their requirements, it ticks most of 'my' boxes, arranged a time to see the restaurant, and we liked it! Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch goes to me "Jules, try the food first, then only book it!" Nahhh can't be bothered. Seriously, I'm OVERRRR it!

I paid the deposit today, so fingers crossed, it works out and stuff. Its not a grand ball room, not a reception hall, it doesn't come with the round tables with white chair covers and coloured sashes, nor does it come with a parquetry floor.. hence, it is exactly what I want! Its looks pretty contemporary, and I like it. I think poor Grumpy wanted the grand ball room, with round tables, white chair covers, coloured sashes and wooden parquetry floor.. but thats not me.. no no no. That is an American suburban wedding you see on Bridezilla.. or on Youtube! hahaha

I missed gym today. Damnit. I didn't leave work early enough to make it for my Body Jam class. Bummer. And Grumpy and Dopey are out. So I eat dinner alone.

As I was eating, I started texting my friends "How do you wake Lady Gaga up?"

Here are the responses:

Sydney boy: What? We saw her on Sunday night!
me: *answers*
Sydney boy: Ha ha ha

Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch: Take her to Britney's concert?
me: *answers*
Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch: Lame Jules!

I am not lame! I am bored, thats all!
hahahaha

Little-Miss-Drink-A-Lot: What? Huh?
me: *answers*
Little-Miss-Drink-A-Lot: hahahahah stupid!

Is she calling me stupid?

Mr Funny: Er.. Just dance?
me: *answers*
Mr Funny: Jeez, haha you must have learnt it from some year 2 kid

Not bad, at least his answer was Lady Gaga related.. compared to the Britney one. haha

The only friend that got it right was Little-Miss-Curtains (formerly known as Little Miss Fun, because she got a boyfriend, bought a house, and has been sewing her own curtains since). And when she texted me the answer, I reckon it was Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch that quickly texted her the answer, but she said it was her boyfriend instead! haha

And the answer is.. poke-her-face!

quite over it

Finally its the weekend again. Two days ago I had shitburger at work. It was not the best, but I told myself that it has been a while since I've had one, so take it easy.. On top of that, I service the Asian offices, which is challenging as it is, and in order to get help or a resolution, I have to go back to my European colleagues in Lux. While they are nice and good people, they can be quite rude and instead of moving a step forward, I find myself going three steps backwards. 

Grumpy and I are torn between venue locations for both our wedding ceremony and reception. We have seen a few places, and we are juggling between minimum numbers. Be it persons or $ spends. We are well running out of time. Its just so hard, I have not really started on the wedding preps, yet I am already quite over it. Also, I got into a fight with Mum, as she insists that we are spending too much money on the wedding. She has an opinion about everything and she drives me mental. When I tell her how much, she says to me "Then where do the 'Not-so-rich' people get married?!?!?!?!" But Mum, its not even a luxurious location or anything, I find them pretty average. Maybe a bit more than average, but still average!

Anyway, Grumpy and I are both quite pleased and touched by some responses we've received from our close family and friends about our wedding. A friend from Dublin has applied for time off, awaiting more finite details from myself, while yesterday we found out Grumpy's sister has already booked her flight from KL. 

A funny story is, when we were back for Grumpy's brother's wedding, they organised a buck's night for his brother, the groom. When Grumpy told me that his mum, dad and both his sisters will be present at the bucks night, I said to him "I quite like the idea of this bucks night, lets make sure you do the same for yours", much to his dismay. Yesterday Grumpy was on the phone with his best man, Mr Funny, I overheard them talking about Grumpy's bucks night. I asked to speak to Mr Funny, and I said to him "You make sure you have his bucks night, exactly like his brother's". Then was a short pause, and then he went "NOOO WAYY!! NOT WHEN I'M THE BEST MAN!!!!" 

I end my post today with a pic of Dopey. We were both in the car this afternoon, about to head out for lunch, a Food Fair organised by the buddhist society, and then Dopey felt his car was sort of leaning towards the left. I put my head out the door, and there it was, a flat tyre. It is too funny, he only got a ticket a few days ago when he parked his car on the street at our house, also his lights are broken, and now he has a flat tyre. He has never changed a flat tyre before, we rang our Dad to ask for advice.