Together

It's been a little after 6 months since I've married MH. It has been quite a journey. People say that adjusting to marriage would take some time. Guess for me, it's a little different. MH and I have his brother staying with us. We're raising a teenager. It's like we skipped the whole kindy, primary, first half of secondary and tada, here we are.

We're also coping and adjusting to running a home together. Let's say that having your own home is no joke what with bills and more bills to pay. Also trying first hand at cooking (though this isnt my favourite part of the job). To cope with the financial responsibilities, MH and I give tuition, run an accesories blog and a one off time whereby I marked Sunway TES ACCA internal papers. So every week is such busyness, it's unbelievable.

Some people think we're being dished money to us. Some others just cant be bothered. And sometimes...just random moments....I am envious of the lives of others but then I am reminded that I am afterall, married to the man I love and I would not have wanted it any other way.

My couzy messaged me today and said, "1 envy u being home with family and have a man that adores u" and "u have a good life and u are doing a good thing by raising mh's bro".

Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes it gets overwhelming and I wonder whether I'll make it through till the end. Sometimes we cry together cos we aren't sure whether there is going to be enough. Sometimes we worry cos we wonder whether MC will turn out alright. Sometimes we wish we had a whole lot more. Sometimes we wish things were different.

However, I am reminded once again, we have much to be grateful for. We have each other. Reading MH's blog entry dated 05 February 2007 and it is entitled "Together" and it has this in bold " Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success". and it continues to with :

"I am glad that we are together and walking towards the same direction, Grace. =)"

To my darling husband:
I am glad that we are together, dear and walking towards the same direction.

We'll pul through this together.

Preview of my pre wed shots

Last Monday (4th August 2008), Meng and I awoke early with much excitement and glee for our pre wed shoot. Contrary to belief that pre wed shots are extremely exhausting and absolutely dreadful, we were on the other extreme whereby we were giggling all the way (with the occasional moments of Meng Hong dying of heat during the outdoor shots).

Special thanks to Joshua Yim for being there to accompany us, direct us, carry our million things ie towel, balloons, soft toys, and my shoes! We're sad that you cant be present on our big day due to being overseas for studies. However, we're eternally grateful that you were with us to share our candid moments captured. Love you lots!

We wanted the shots to be very us. To show how much we enjoy each other's company so we did not go for the posing shots la. Just shots doing our thing. We have other shots like eating together shots, reading together shots, but those will be posted later.

We're thrilled to have Alex Moi to be our photographer. Over the course of time, we are glad we sparked a mutual (I hope) chemistry and we love the fact you were so open to our ideas and we're able to bring life and who we are out in the pictures.

Last but not least, a hearty thank you to Julie Teoh for spending so much time on my pre wed shots make up, testing all sorts of colours, styles, etc to ensure I was comfortable and as natural as can be. Really appreciate the fact I wasn't dolled up =p.

I am over the moon and in much anticipation to see the finished product of the pre wed shots.

Soon to come......

P/S: do leave comments on my wedding photographer's blog as well if you like his work as an encouragement to him ya.
http://www.alexmoi.net/blog/

reasons for my smile

I suppose it varies for different people. I went to the washroom earlier and smiled. While peeing, I was amused of the things that make me smile hence this post.

• Meng Hong - of course, he does annoy me sometimes but guess it's also vice versa. But most of the time, he makes me smile.
  
• My family - goodness sometimes I think my family is insane.
  
• My bluff family - my brothers are super different. We have the uncool ones ie Kenneth and Min Ser and the cool ones ie Meng Yoe and Joshua. Soon the uncool ones will be shifting to different states. Sigh, we're gonna miss them.
  
• Toilet paper in the toilet......I get thoroughly annoyed when there isn't any toilet paper in the washrooms.
• People who stand up for what is right. I mean alot of people I know more or less are able to distinguish right from wrong but not many have the guts to stand up for it. Huge difference.
  
• Nice looking muffins. Not that I really fancy eating them but they are nice to look at la.
  
• BMW =)
• Bubbles
• Tons of huggies.
  
• Money $$$$$
• Sophie Eu - Had her since I was 4 years old until now. She will always be my favorite soft toy. My confidant and the one and only soft toy that has been with me throughout my years of growing up.
• Stinky Eu - my late boaster. Went through Euthanasia as a result of my mother saying that my boaster had an incurable tumor cos its wool was coming out. Sigh. and he did not get a proper burial or ceremony. May you rest in peace.
  
• Chocolate banana milkshake.
  
• Potatoes.
  
• Li-Ann.....my best friend since Form 1. I can still remember the time we ran like mad gals down the lane cos we thought we saw a flasher. We have been through much of which one blog post cant say it all.
  
• Junie & Pritam - my college pals....the ones who went up and down for me getting my coffee and fries, and searching for me around the college, always ensuring I was ok and believing in me that I would be better.
  
• The sight and sound of water.
  
• A nice cup of coffee.
  
• The colour pink.
• My engagement ring - never fails to lighten up my day knowing I will soon be Meng Hong's wife.
  
• My animal comforter - mum bought it for me when I was 10 years old. I still have it and sleep with it. It has also wiped many of tears.
  
• When I have double eye-lids.
  
• Pillow fights.
• Japanese food.
• Italian food.
• Holidays.
  
• Snow.

Guess there are many more but these are the things I thought of today. I am truly blessed.

Thanks, God. Love ya.

Celebrating Meng's birthday

The 9th of March was indeed a significant day. Not only was BN denied 2/3 majority, DAP took over Penang, it was also Meng Hong's birthday.

Organised a surprise birthday party held at my home. Close friends from 365 and YA attended. Actually the fact that DAP took over Penang was a good gift already (according to the birthday boy) so the party was a bonus.


We had tons to eat from spaghetti, to lasagna to roast chicken. Had caramel pudding and jelly cheesacake as dessert.

Overall a great time of fellowship. Always good to celebrate life, don't you think.

A shot of the gang that came, compliments from dad the official photographer.


Thanks for coming, peeps.

Happenings of late

Well to say that there have been much updates in the last few months would be putting it mildly.

Proposal
It started out a pretty ordinary day. Went to work and then I remembered some time in the afternoon that I needed to buy some pressies for some friends, so called by and asked him whether it was ok if he picked me up from office and we head to One Utama for a light dinner and some shopping. After we bought our stuff, we headed home.

When turning into the road where my house was situated, he asked whether we could go for a walk at the park near my place. So that's what we did. We barely walked then we sat on a bench and chatted. Funny thing was he kept on and on about how we have shared much memories together and been through alot. All of a sudden he gets up and I distinctively remember punching his tummy and asking him to sit down and chat properly. Then he replied, "No, I don't want to sit down. I want to kneel down". That is when he proposed. Needless to say, I said yes.

Meng Hong is right. We have been through much together. Raising a younger brother of 14 years, saving money for our future home of 3 (him, me and his bro), church life, family responsibilities, career advancements/ crap, etc. It's gonna be more and more challenging and exciting as time goes by, I guess.

Promotion
Results of promotion came out on 30.08.07. Still remember feeling anxious and also psyching myself to remain unmoved if in the event I do not get the promotion. Anyway, took the official letter and went down to meet Meng Hong @ San Fran Coffee. Opened it and tada.....promoted to Assistant Manager at last! For those of you who know what has been happening in the last few months, you would know that it felt almost like hell was personified in a person.

Progress
Guess being in a new role, both at work and in the relationship, has pushed me to look at life in a different perspective. I am not only going to be someone's wife, I am also in a position to influence my juniors' work life balance. I also have a clearer picture of how much my partners mean what they say. Technically, I am also challenged to keep abreast with the ongoing developments in the accounting standards hence the abovementioned subtitle of "Progress".

On a physical note - I just turned 26 years old/ young. Guess this is also progress =)

Penang
Went up to Penang in October to visit MH's grandmas and also Meng Chern. Had a blast over there just pigging out and watching tele. Can't wait till the next pig out session.

Promise
Last Sunday, while driving to locate my client's office, we saw a rainbow in the sky. Firstly just like a blot of spectrum and shortly after that the full blown, clear rainbow. I am reminded of His promise toward us. He is truly a God of Wonders.

Pursuit
The year is almost over! And I am on my way in pursuit of greater things ahead.


Less than a year away from the BIG DAY!