Off The Checklist!

Hooray, two more things off my Wedding Checklist!

Recently, Mr R and I finally agreed on a date to book our marriage prep course. A few weeks back, I was checking out SuChi Success’ Kasih Sejati marriage prep course and waited for them to release their 2014 schedule. So happy that they finally did, and just so you know, their January and February slots were immediately filled.

Kasih Sejati 2014

I have read and heard from friends as well as fellow BTBs, that they enjoyed the 2-day course and found it to be very beneficial. So we went ahead to make the booking, but we chose a later date closer to the wedding, because Mr R thought that it would make the journey nearer to the wedding more impactful and transformational for us. So intense, my Mr! LOL So I agreed lah, and registered! Just need to transfer the payment, and we should be all set.

The other thing that we got done, that was so unexpected, was that we finally bought fabric for our baju nikah. Really unexpected, because we were not even planning on getting it so soon and we never really discussed it other than talk about what sort of colours we wanted. We were just out running errands everywhere and on a whim, decided to drop by Arab St. to view fabrics. We went to a few stores, but really liked the service given by Ilah from Princess Fabrics. She was really helpful and even suggested various kinds of fabric in the colour that we wanted, and other fabrics that complemented the whole look. Needless to say, we were hooked and I think we viewed quite a few variation of fabric before deciding THE ONE. Hehe. Loved the whole process, and if I could, I would buy the whole store and make many pretty dresses lah! Show me the kain, and take my money!

Mr R was patient enough to layankan my thought process around “why this kain does not go with that kain”, and “why this kain will not look good on photo”, etc. But at the end of the day, we agreed on one thing. We wanted a baju nikah that was meaningful to the both of us, something that is nice and tasteful and not so over the top that we cannot wear it again. Chances are, we would make it our next Raya’s baju. Hehe.

Then we went to Tanjong Katong Complex to recce Samping, and the Mr also wants his Songkok to be custom-made, lined with the same Samping so his whole outfit is matchy-matchy. See, I’m not the only vain one, ok! There were many Sampings but we want to take a bit more time to recce and find nicer ones. Btw, custom-made Songkok starts from $45 onwards, and we found 2 stores that does it.

Next on our list is to find a good tailor!

A Healthy Bride is a Happy Bride

At least, I think so! I am definitely feeling a little better after getting my workouts in, the past couple of weeks. Shaun T is really kicking my ass this week. If you haven’t heard of Shaun T, he is the creator of the Insanity Workout. It’s called Insanity for a reason – because the intensity of the workout is INSANE! He puts a whole new meaning to home workout videos. Anyway, after a long deliberation of deciding whether to sign up for a gym membership or look for alternatives, I found Shaun T, and also found Focus T25 – another workout program of his. The T25 program (also intense) is more manageable to my schedule because it’s only 25 minutes a day, for 5 days a week. Happy to report that I am almost finishing Week 2, and still alive!

This is me during workout:

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3s7nju

The workout is kickass – literally. It’s not at all a diet gimmick, or any flimsy workout apparatus – all you need is yourself and lots of motivation. I know, 25 mins doesn’t seem so intimidating right? That’s what I love about it. Oh, but when you’re on the floor doing the burpees and push-ups, a minute feels like ten! But after the workout, you feel so damn good. Hehe. And I love that I can just roll off my bed and do the workout in my room and get it done in half an hour. So far this program is really working out for me.

If you might be wondering what it is, here’s the infomercial:

This journey has also made me realize that I want to keep this up after getting married, and making sure that Mr R and I lead a relatively healthy lifestyle. And it has to be sustainable – something that we can both do together, and also something REALISTIC. The thing is, we LOVE to eat and try new restaurants/hawkers/cafes and so since we’ve dated, we’ve put on some love weight (haha!) and now want to get back to our pre-dating shapes. Over the years we’ve gotten comfortable and lazy!

On a side note, as a way to achieve overall health, I’ve also started to take these vitamin supplements:

http://www.blackmores.com.sg/products/nails-hair-skin

http://www.blackmores.com.sg/products/women-s-vitality-multi

In the words of Ms Eleventh October, I also don’t want to be a botak bride! You can read more about her Vitane adventures on the link. Hehehe. Hopefully they work – or at least help me grow more hair on my head. But overall, I just want to be healthier and feel better! Here’s to all BTBs who are on a health journey – wishing for motivation and determination for all of us!!

Kelam Kabut Kerana Kompang!

Back at work today, but so cannot focus lah! I have two screens at work, 1 with work e-mail open, but actually I’m really focusing on the other screen with BTB blogs open and doing my research on Kompang groups. Feeling a bit out of sorts today, because Mr R still haven’t booked a Kompang group for our Sunday wedding!

Actually, I managed to snag Kompang Zapin Berdendang for our Saturday event, but alas, they were not available on Sunday. So, the hunt begins. I managed to ask a few groups already, so yang buat panic is when they reply that they’re not available on my date. Why?! Why?! Hehe ok lah, I know I’m not the only one getting married in December! LOL

I enquired with Andika Prak Bing Bing – no luck. Enquired with Kompang Azzumalaa’ – also no luck – and actually I also like the bowties and the hats (no idea what they’re called lah) on these guys. Hehe.

Waiting for replies from Kumpulan Kompang Syabab and also Kumpulan Kompang Nurul Ihsan. Any other suggestions or recommendations, ladies? 😀

I’m Still Here!!

Hello dear BTBs!

It seems so long since I’ve updated anything here, and I so miss catching up on all the posts by fellow BTBs and getting all excited about getting married! I don’t even know where to start reading now. So many good posts and pointers to take note of! The past 6 months have been nothing short of madness. Work has officially taken over my life and I have had zero time to do anything wedding-related. The good thing is, my decision to not DIY bits of the wedding is working out for me time-wise. Not so great for the pocket, though!

I wanted to share bits of the past 6 months in a nutshell, and also a quick update on wedding vendors 🙂

Work has been crazy and I’ve been in too many different timezones, making me super tired to do anything else. My crazy schedule finally ended 2 weeks ago. Never thought I’d say this, but it’s so good to be home! So let’s see… I’ve been in and out of the country, and I need to add that Mr R has been so supportive of my work and so patient! God knows what little time we’ve spent together over the past months. What a journey this has been for me, and so glad to have Mr R’s support in everything that I do, which makes me appreciate him even more 🙂

Between June and December 2013, I’ve left my footsteps in these amazing cities, and want to share some photos too:

Bangkok – Seattle – Portland – San Francisco – Kuala Lumpur – New York – Philadelphia – Washington, DC – Vermont – Ipswich – Boston – Bangkok – Kuala Lumpur

Seattle Space Needle

San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf

Top of the Rock, New York City

Liberty Bell, Philadelphia

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC

Ben & Jerry’s Factory, Vermont

Russell Orchards, Ipswich

Quincy Market, Boston

On a side note, I managed to successfully book a Mak Andam for the wedding. This has been a tough one. We shortlisted 5 vendors that we wanted to work with and contacted them. Long story made short, only 1 vendor was available on our date. Bear in mind this was more than a year from the wedding date – and so many vendors booked already! On the bright side of things, it made our decision so much easier and since a friend of ours had booked them before and had positive feedback, we felt good about it. However, sometimes my mind goes “What if…”, but I should stop that. Obviously, this is meant to be, and we trust that all will go well, Insya Allah. Of course, we wouldn’t have made the decision if we had not been comfortable with the owner, but we love that she is super friendly, honest and straight with us, which I so appreciate, because sometimes vendors like to butter things up and I don’t like that. So, we paid Kak Mul a visit and made a deposit with Merah Jambu The Bridal Room. 🙂

On the catering side of things, my Mum and I will be visiting Aunty Zizah soon to discuss our package and the FOOD! My favourite part, obviously. 🙂 I blogged about Noza Wedding Services previously, and know that their food is delicious. They were also our caterer for my brother’s and sister’s wedding, 7 and 6 years ago! Hopefully our meeting goes well, Insya Allah.

Lots more to do… looks like I need to re-visit my Wedding Checklist, and start working on it, again!

Greetings from Fog City!

Hello babes! Greetings from San Francisco! 🙂

I realize I have SO MUCH to catch up on – all your awesome posts – and comments and emails! Apologies for the delay in reply as I’ve been so caught up with work and have not updated my progress on the wedding planning! I have been busy with work, and traveling on biz trips lately, which means not a lot of progress on wedding planning BUT good enough for now 🙂

I’ve been in the US for the past 2 weeks and realize I got an email from Ms Eleventh October! Thank you babe for sending me a reminder that I STILL have a blog to update! Hahaha

I will have to postpone updates on my bridal selection and catering – that should be saved for a longer post – plus it’s late here. I will also share photos from my travels in another post!

It’s been lovely weather here but missing Mr R. so much! FaceTime will have to do for now.

xoxoxo