We are multitasker. We always think and take actions of various things at once. This time, it is the registration and the photo shooting. However much we can multitask, what I enjoy the most is our teamwork. We make efforts in updating our current status, and then determine what is required next. Then, we take the best effort moving forward, and touch bases. We are never alone, we always are together.
No matter how much we are multitasking and individual, we always are thinking (and needing) one thing. That is each other ( //▽//)b
31 March 2008
Countdown starto! tick..tack..tick..tack
Wao! It's already end of March !!!
Only a few days to count - our wedding photo shooting event on Apr 8!!!
BUSY is the key word for this week (sorry to our loyal readers who couldn't find new articles any earlier..haha).
For me, this is the last weekend in Hong Kong.
I gotta review the rundown and do the necessity check & final shopping.
And, finally, I got something for Jin:
Besides shopping, I really need to work extra hard at gym...I lost control last week and the needle of my scale turned right...>< !!!!!!
And thank you to my mommy, who cooked me light food these days and got me the healthy yogurt:
Only a few days to count - our wedding photo shooting event on Apr 8!!!
BUSY is the key word for this week (sorry to our loyal readers who couldn't find new articles any earlier..haha).
For me, this is the last weekend in Hong Kong.
I gotta review the rundown and do the necessity check & final shopping.
And, finally, I got something for Jin:
Besides shopping, I really need to work extra hard at gym...I lost control last week and the needle of my scale turned right...>< !!!!!!
And thank you to my mommy, who cooked me light food these days and got me the healthy yogurt:
My mommy bought this yogurt machine and made organic yogurt to me this weekend...THANKS! I always love yogurt!!!
I am determined(!) to go to gym everyday for the coming week...make sure I am not tempted to any food...add oil add oil!!
Also determined to do facial mask everyday - make sure I look good in those important photos! (our photographer uses film instead of digital memory...not much refinement can be done afterwards!)
Across the Japan Sea, Jin is also busy busy. So busy that he even missed the sakura gathering with friends ><.
Same for final checks and preparation. Jin is so much more busy than me as he needs to plan for the whole trip, inclusive of a series of banquet places visits.
Thanks so much to Jin's efforts and let's hang in there!
Look forward...
26 March 2008
Briefing session: photo-shooting
It took me some time to recap this event... breifing on March 26.
As Jin mentioned earlier, Romantic Life is our chosen photo-shooting company.
It was still too early to be impressed by the final product and we have not been very satisfied with their administration so far...this briefing was rescheduled twice, because of their internal mis-communication.
This also meant that we held up the momentum and busted off ... I was at the edge of being super irritated and not sure how I would react if there were anything else to go wrong...
Kind of stressful.
(I must say my standard has become so much higher since I started working with my demanding internal customers. My bar may even reach another peak now - with my partner coming from the place with the highest service standard in the world...who actually works with his emperor-like customers everyday...and who is actually one of my very demanding customer!! haha)
hmmm...how can we be more relaxed/ have higher tolerance to others?
(but...when it comes to marriage...how can we tolerate?)
In fact my "account manager" is a nice lady with strong human touch. You feel like you are talking with a friend who always excite for you on your marriage. It could be that she works part-time and that's why follow up was (I wish it's a past tense) always not thorough, not detail minded enough, too.
However, with her soft skill, the tension always released when I meet her in person.
Well, back to the topic.
We were supposed to have this briefing 1 month prior to the photo-shooting day. (but we ended up having only 2 weeks) It aims at clarifying what style, effect, venues we want for the photos, and confirm the logistics.
However, the photographers were already gone to Japan when we held the meeting. Presented in the meeting including my account manager, the "director" for photo-taking, me and Jin (via Skype video).
My account manager walked extra miles for me to pick the wedding dress, which was a good starting for the day.
Well... it was a very busy night. So many Taiwanese staff and other customers. Space was limited and noises kept inside the room. People started to yell..and not enough chairs...my account manager needed to knee down for the whole process...wao...it's such a big MESS.
In order to get Jin involved, we needed to use the staff's PC (with Skype). It was quite inconvenient as staff were actually working, busy in and out. One staff was bugging me for almost an hour for having occupied her PC....well...level of irritation kept rising.
One fortunate thing was...since we had so limited time with the preparation team, we thought it might work better if we prepare a super thorough "briefing sheet" for the meeting.
As Jin mentioned earlier, Romantic Life is our chosen photo-shooting company.
It was still too early to be impressed by the final product and we have not been very satisfied with their administration so far...this briefing was rescheduled twice, because of their internal mis-communication.
This also meant that we held up the momentum and busted off ... I was at the edge of being super irritated and not sure how I would react if there were anything else to go wrong...
Kind of stressful.
(I must say my standard has become so much higher since I started working with my demanding internal customers. My bar may even reach another peak now - with my partner coming from the place with the highest service standard in the world...who actually works with his emperor-like customers everyday...and who is actually one of my very demanding customer!! haha)
hmmm...how can we be more relaxed/ have higher tolerance to others?
(but...when it comes to marriage...how can we tolerate?)
In fact my "account manager" is a nice lady with strong human touch. You feel like you are talking with a friend who always excite for you on your marriage. It could be that she works part-time and that's why follow up was (I wish it's a past tense) always not thorough, not detail minded enough, too.
However, with her soft skill, the tension always released when I meet her in person.
Well, back to the topic.
We were supposed to have this briefing 1 month prior to the photo-shooting day. (but we ended up having only 2 weeks) It aims at clarifying what style, effect, venues we want for the photos, and confirm the logistics.
However, the photographers were already gone to Japan when we held the meeting. Presented in the meeting including my account manager, the "director" for photo-taking, me and Jin (via Skype video).
My account manager walked extra miles for me to pick the wedding dress, which was a good starting for the day.
Well... it was a very busy night. So many Taiwanese staff and other customers. Space was limited and noises kept inside the room. People started to yell..and not enough chairs...my account manager needed to knee down for the whole process...wao...it's such a big MESS.
In order to get Jin involved, we needed to use the staff's PC (with Skype). It was quite inconvenient as staff were actually working, busy in and out. One staff was bugging me for almost an hour for having occupied her PC....well...level of irritation kept rising.
One fortunate thing was...since we had so limited time with the preparation team, we thought it might work better if we prepare a super thorough "briefing sheet" for the meeting.
This worked especially well when time was limited and mode of communication was not 100% clear/ smooth.
With the briefing sheet in hand, things went so much easier.
For the 2nd half of the meeting, the director came. He is a Hong Kong(er?) and visits Nara every year in the same timeframe. He sounds familiar with the setting there and his idea easily merged with Jin's. This was a big relief - finally we found somebody (at least) looks detail minded and knows the actual thing.
His comment to our plan was: too many spots (we are creative, and in another way - greedy =P). It was a plan for a 2-day shooting. (!!!!!!) But he tried his best to work out the itinerary and backed up with options. With gives & takes, our plan was finalised.
Conclusion is: we need to start from 7am and all the way until night!
What a big challenge to all our physical tolerance!
We will make sure we treat them a nice dinner after the photo-shooting...hahahaha.
Sakura in Nara...
Once again, a sakura report. Today, the sakura in Nara started blooming. Hopefully, the sakura around our photo shooting area will bloom as our big day comes closer.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080326-00000192-mailo-l29
25 March 2008
Bridal shopping...Chapter N
$$ drain, $$ drain...keep draining $$$ for fancy stuff. ><
With "I want to be a pretty bride (pride) of Jin!" being the 1 and only 1 reason...this very powerful rationale charged me to become..less rational...hahaha!
The fortunate thing is...things that I bought today were cheap cheap stuff. (although they rolled up to be quite some $$)
Never say "never". I thought I would never go to 金都商場 for my bridal shopping becoz the image of the mall is just so-so, no guarantee of quality, etc... I accidentally passed by this mall yesterday and took a glance from the window...at least things "look good".
I was thinking to get a pair of fancy but not so expensive shoes for photo-shooting, with that "glance" in mind, I went there.
Indeed, many many shops, quality high & low. Need to be patient and spend some time comparing.
Got some good stuff (mainly hair accessories & the fancy shoes) and happily went home.
hehehe...another step to becoming a pretty bride of Jin (again?!) !!! hohohoho
Countdown started.
The sakura blossoms in the 関西 area started blooming. Starting with 京都 and 和歌山, slowly but surely, Japan is preparing for its pink pink season.
Current forecast shows the 満開 timeframe will be just right. However, we will have to see. It's even thunderstorming in 東京 area tonight. I hope they won't wash away the petals...
But, the temperature these days are pretty cool, so I think this is a good sign - more time to enjoy the sakura!!!
The sakura this year will be a special one for us two. I'm sure this will be the one and only sakura we will remember for the whole life, even if we were to forget all of the rest!!!!! (most probably, we won't forget any of them hehehehehe)
If you want to keep track of the sakura with us, please feel free to take a look from the following link: http://www.tenki.jp/skr/skr_6.html
24 March 2008
Smile!
I broke my record !!!
.................................a record of no. of smile in 1 night. (well, facial muscle gets tired, too ><)
hehe, what keep me smiling all night long?
I met another magician - my dentist!
My dentist is a fine art craftman, he detailly clean up, polish and did some make up on my front teeth.
Wao! I can now smile with full confidence!!
hehe, therefore, I kept sending shinny shinny big smiles to Jin all night long (via MSN video)...hohohoho
But I know, very soon I will build another record - the photo-shooting day! We are going to keep smiling....from sun rise until sun set.........@_@
23 March 2008
Friends, YOU ARE INVITED !!!
We are delighted to announce this - Friends, you are welcome to join us for this "phase 1" celebration*!
For the every little step we took in the preceding 1.5 months...the marriage ceremony is taking shape. It is going to be a humble yet solemn (?) ceremony in the government office and we need you to be there to add some fun =p !!!
In fact our expectation evolves...the original plan was to keep it a very simple one with the presence of our core family members + some "pseudo" family members (^w^). We hoped to keep it a surprise to friends until 2009 for the wedding parties.
Well, we were right in the sense that people all like surprise - we received soooo much high-pitched "Congratulations!" and a lot of exclamation marks from you, our dear friends....!!!
Obviously, our friends were excited about our marriage! Some even said it's a 電擊結婚 (for JP)/ 閃電結婚 (for HK) haha...
However, we underestimated the joy and eagerness of our friends (hehe...). Everybody was so nice and wanted to celebrate for us in person!!!
This is so warm and we are very thankful to receive all your blessings and kind words, and for the help that you provided us all along to prepare for our "long-distance" wedding.
We want you to be there - we want to share our joy with you!!!
And most of all, we want to THANK YOU all of you =)
*Indeed, this is only our "phrase 1" celebration. We are planning to have our wedding parties in Hong Kong & Japan around spring/summer time in 2009 - stay tuned !
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P.S: Technical hints reagarding "How to reply":
Thanks XX for introducing this website!
22 March 2008
Flower bouquet confirmed!
Yey Yey! Wedding bouquet also confirmed!
Having done plenty researches and sought friend's recommendation, I believed it worth a try at agnes b. fleuriste.
Indeed, in terms of price vs. quality (flower, design & service), I am happy with agnes b.
Today was a rainy stormy day...I rushed into the flourist with half of my body wet/soaked ><...this created such a contrast effect...as if I visited a paradise by accident - how peaceful the flourist was, and full of beautiful flowers.
With that very good mood, my sensitivity to beauty became sooo sharp...and I was finally able to make a decision for the long time struggle - whether to go with red roses or pinky bouquet, meaning to go with a mature image or a cute & gentle image....haha
My mind was 100% on pinky pinky when I saw the lovely hyacinth and tiny peony. Together with some creamy roses and bellwort, I am sure it will go perfect with my wedding dress (which has a ribbon around my chest) and my refreshing pink make-up.
Order confirmed.
agnes b. also provides floral decoration at banquet. Worth further exploration for my wedding party next year!
Sakura in Tokyo...
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080322-00000005-maiall-soci
(sorry, Japanese link...)
Today, the sakura of Tokyo area started blooming. The announcement typically reported from a specific sakura tree registered by the government has more than 20% of it's sakura bloomed.
As for Nara, there are no updates, but since this weekend will be warm and sunny nationwide, forecast is expecting such announcement around the country.
I just hope some cold weather would come in the following weeks, since when there's some cold time before the cherry blossoms bloom, it will lengthen the time sakura is blooming.
20 March 2008
Sakura weather forecast!!
This is JAPAN!!! They afford the efforts to go into details...and very precisely, make prediction for what people is eager about - the SAKURA blossom day!!!
Weather this year is really weird...the cold cold snow stom and we were kind of worried...whether we can catch the sakura season during our photo shooting trip. (It's all about SAKURA yo!!!)
Our photo shooting will take place in Nara 奈良 on Apr 8. Jin has been checking website to keep track with the updates....
The answer is - it's going to blossom on Apr 6! Perfect timing!!!
However, it's too early to relax....let's pray...it keeps the schedule and good weather!!!
Look forward to taking our beautiful photos under sakura trees, with sakura flakes.....sakura~~~~
18 March 2008
FITo! FIGHTo!! WiiFit-o!!!
Since the WiiFit has revolutionalised the way games are to be played, it has been over three months. Jin was not planning to purchase it anytime soon, since he thought he didn't have much time to consistently do it.
Well after all, we bought it...
It was when we were talking about how Carol can keep herself fit fit when she is in Japan. Unlike her Hong Kong home, Jin's home does not have a fitness center nearby (or, even if there are, they are extremely expensive).
In order to keep herself fit, Carol requested any other ways to proactively exercise. This was our answer ♪
I also took this chance to add on a game which I had wanted to play "Family Ski" hehehe (//▽//)b
Well after all, we bought it...
It was when we were talking about how Carol can keep herself fit fit when she is in Japan. Unlike her Hong Kong home, Jin's home does not have a fitness center nearby (or, even if there are, they are extremely expensive).
In order to keep herself fit, Carol requested any other ways to proactively exercise. This was our answer ♪
I also took this chance to add on a game which I had wanted to play "Family Ski" hehehe (//▽//)b
15 March 2008
Chop chop chop!!!!!
There is one common way we praise ourselves. That is to have a virtual chop (stamp, called "hanko:判子" in JP) and chop on the forehead (looks like we're punching in the forehead from a third person's view) to appraise his/her efforts.
Well, a request for funny picture was to do this virtual "chopping" to appraise both of our efforts in putting this project together........
Well, ...... it's no longer going to be a "virtual" chop la!!!!!
The actual design has been mosaic'ed to keep a surprise effect. Gomen nasai （^┳^）
And this chop isn't a regular small one, ........
It's almost as big as my big hand yo!!!!! Hehehe......
So, one more step advanced towards our perfect album la.
Well, a request for funny picture was to do this virtual "chopping" to appraise both of our efforts in putting this project together........
Well, ...... it's no longer going to be a "virtual" chop la!!!!!
The actual design has been mosaic'ed to keep a surprise effect. Gomen nasai （^┳^）
And this chop isn't a regular small one, ........
It's almost as big as my big hand yo!!!!! Hehehe......
So, one more step advanced towards our perfect album la.
13 March 2008
We are who we are!
I am super (too?) curious at times.
I used to study Astrology, learned Tarot, had long chats with Chinese fortune tellers during my late UG to Sosc/ Humanities time...
Due to the long time span of our marriage project (across years), we thought it might be good to have some external advices to pick the dates of critical milestones for us...
It's been a while I haven't been in touch with those "mysterious" topics, until last month we met Master Koo (http://www.komanhei.com/) for "picking good days" or 擇吉 in Chinese.
Master Koo is indeed my mommy's old friend. She has become a popular fortune teller on TV and radio broadcast in recent years. It was like meeting a "long time no see" auntie and we received not only a number of good days but blessings & happiness from her. So warm!
At the end, Master Koo asked if I had any question for her. I briefly asked "is Jin the right guy to marry ?" (hehe...sorry Jin, it was in Cantonese..haha) Master Koo started to tell....
- We are in fact a loving couple, we value each other. We will be fine.
- Points to remind: Jin is always stubborn and Carol is always sensitive/ emotional. We have to overcome these weakness in our characters for a better future.
- Japan is a suitable place for me to live. I'd better be a working lady (than housewife) as I will gain more satisfaction from my profession.
- I need to give birth soon, for physical constraints that I have.
To our big surprise, Master Koo was even able to tell our past, the way we grew up, our family, and past relationship, etc...
I was so amazed at her power and recommended her to some of my close friends.
The feedback I received from my friends was- she is the best fortune teller that they have ever met! For her honesty and frankness, true feedback was received that woke my friends up and move forward to a better direction.
My friend shared so much details of the fortune telling...which I started to feel uncomfortable. Too much details, so realistic, as if we were players on the chess board. Everything is desintinated.
This could be true but I still want to live my life independently, with our own efforts. I told myself & to Jin that I won't seek advice from the Master. My friend echoed. She said "You already have an enviable relationship! It is one of the ideals that most girls have been dream of! Why bother?!"
Yes, let's keep our relationship always an ideal one and not to be affected by other opinions...!!!
I used to study Astrology, learned Tarot, had long chats with Chinese fortune tellers during my late UG to Sosc/ Humanities time...
Due to the long time span of our marriage project (across years), we thought it might be good to have some external advices to pick the dates of critical milestones for us...
It's been a while I haven't been in touch with those "mysterious" topics, until last month we met Master Koo (http://www.komanhei.com/) for "picking good days" or 擇吉 in Chinese.
Master Koo is indeed my mommy's old friend. She has become a popular fortune teller on TV and radio broadcast in recent years. It was like meeting a "long time no see" auntie and we received not only a number of good days but blessings & happiness from her. So warm!
At the end, Master Koo asked if I had any question for her. I briefly asked "is Jin the right guy to marry ?" (hehe...sorry Jin, it was in Cantonese..haha) Master Koo started to tell....
- We are in fact a loving couple, we value each other. We will be fine.
- Points to remind: Jin is always stubborn and Carol is always sensitive/ emotional. We have to overcome these weakness in our characters for a better future.
- Japan is a suitable place for me to live. I'd better be a working lady (than housewife) as I will gain more satisfaction from my profession.
- I need to give birth soon, for physical constraints that I have.
To our big surprise, Master Koo was even able to tell our past, the way we grew up, our family, and past relationship, etc...
I was so amazed at her power and recommended her to some of my close friends.
The feedback I received from my friends was- she is the best fortune teller that they have ever met! For her honesty and frankness, true feedback was received that woke my friends up and move forward to a better direction.
My friend shared so much details of the fortune telling...which I started to feel uncomfortable. Too much details, so realistic, as if we were players on the chess board. Everything is desintinated.
This could be true but I still want to live my life independently, with our own efforts. I told myself & to Jin that I won't seek advice from the Master. My friend echoed. She said "You already have an enviable relationship! It is one of the ideals that most girls have been dream of! Why bother?!"
Yes, let's keep our relationship always an ideal one and not to be affected by other opinions...!!!
11 March 2008
The magic of make-up *o*
One more item checked!
I still remember how enthusiastic Erica was when she learnt of my need for bridal make-up - quickly picked up her mobile phone and called Helen, her stylist for the big day!
I have full confidence in Helen as Erica looked soooo pretty pretty that day, almost perfect!!! (Jin agreed, too!)
Trial make-up done last Sunday. (Jin was so interested and he watched me doing the make-up from MSN video..haha)
Prior to the meeting, I had been flipping over magazines to get an idea of bridal hair style. Not quite sure which one fits me well...because I have a difficult facial outline and the bottomline is...I never think I look good in physical terms.
I could not tell Helen what exactly I want her to do on my hair/face, the only message I conveyed was "I want a basic/simple and sweet look".
She agreed that I look good in pink, so the make up was a light one with pink eye shadow and cheeks.
Helen is defintely a magician! She turned my eyes into big big round eyes...and highlighted my facial features.
Wao...I am like a different person. Can my friends recognise me on the registration day?
(hehe...I want to keep a surprise on THAT day. No close up/ direct pictures for the moment...=P)
Jin was very serious looking at my make-up and Helen said "how sweet! I never saw a groom who is so caring/serious in the girl's make-up"...hehe
Jin said he really liked the style. hehe, 1 more step closer to become a pretty bride of Jin.
I still remember how enthusiastic Erica was when she learnt of my need for bridal make-up - quickly picked up her mobile phone and called Helen, her stylist for the big day!
I have full confidence in Helen as Erica looked soooo pretty pretty that day, almost perfect!!! (Jin agreed, too!)
Trial make-up done last Sunday. (Jin was so interested and he watched me doing the make-up from MSN video..haha)
Prior to the meeting, I had been flipping over magazines to get an idea of bridal hair style. Not quite sure which one fits me well...because I have a difficult facial outline and the bottomline is...I never think I look good in physical terms.
I could not tell Helen what exactly I want her to do on my hair/face, the only message I conveyed was "I want a basic/simple and sweet look".
She agreed that I look good in pink, so the make up was a light one with pink eye shadow and cheeks.
Helen is defintely a magician! She turned my eyes into big big round eyes...and highlighted my facial features.
Wao...I am like a different person. Can my friends recognise me on the registration day?
(hehe...I want to keep a surprise on THAT day. No close up/ direct pictures for the moment...=P)
Jin was very serious looking at my make-up and Helen said "how sweet! I never saw a groom who is so caring/serious in the girl's make-up"...hehe
Jin said he really liked the style. hehe, 1 more step closer to become a pretty bride of Jin.
09 March 2008
One month past...
It has been one month since we officially started our commitment of life: Engagement Proposal. This past thirty some days had been one of the busiest time of our lives. However much rambled each day was, we both have a common goal which focuses our attention, mentality, spirituality, and integrity... Our Marriage Project.
One of the project item was creating this blog. Others, which we slowly share to our friends through this blog; all take much time, efforts, research, discussion, think-together, agreement, disagreement, tolerance, acceptance, and finally confirmation. Each step we made has been very time consuming, but very fulfilling. Each topic we discuss make ourselves closer, and this is a good thing since we get to know each others' tone, value, thoughts, interest, focal point, careabouts..... Having these discussions is very valuable for us. This is the chance we decided to take in order to accomplish a common goal, but at the same time learn each other as a side effect.
Today, we had another random conversation and we felt it is very important to "realise". The busy days keep us focused into the details and arrangements, and tend to take for granted of lots of things. This busy-ness takes our focus from the realisation of both of ourselve's existence and preciousness. However, the realising that all of what we do is because we exists, makes ourselves precious and valuable. Without this "realisation", everything becomes so "ordinary" and our actions are taken for granted. This is a pithole of a longlasting happy relationship...
So, we both agreed to "realise" from time to time; and take a timeout from our busy busy daily lives and "realise" in ourselves. We both felt good about this.
We have a long life ahead of us, but we feel these discussions are making a very solid foundation of whatever we build on top of it. We feel good to have discussed about this "realisation".
One of the project item was creating this blog. Others, which we slowly share to our friends through this blog; all take much time, efforts, research, discussion, think-together, agreement, disagreement, tolerance, acceptance, and finally confirmation. Each step we made has been very time consuming, but very fulfilling. Each topic we discuss make ourselves closer, and this is a good thing since we get to know each others' tone, value, thoughts, interest, focal point, careabouts..... Having these discussions is very valuable for us. This is the chance we decided to take in order to accomplish a common goal, but at the same time learn each other as a side effect.
Today, we had another random conversation and we felt it is very important to "realise". The busy days keep us focused into the details and arrangements, and tend to take for granted of lots of things. This busy-ness takes our focus from the realisation of both of ourselve's existence and preciousness. However, the realising that all of what we do is because we exists, makes ourselves precious and valuable. Without this "realisation", everything becomes so "ordinary" and our actions are taken for granted. This is a pithole of a longlasting happy relationship...
So, we both agreed to "realise" from time to time; and take a timeout from our busy busy daily lives and "realise" in ourselves. We both felt good about this.
We have a long life ahead of us, but we feel these discussions are making a very solid foundation of whatever we build on top of it. We feel good to have discussed about this "realisation".
07 March 2008
FITo! FIGHTo!
I am known for being very fond of good food (in fact Jin, too!). One fortunate teller even said I have a tie/fate/blessing to good food throughout my life...haha (brought by Jin?)
I always think..people who like to eat is happier, simply because the source of happiness is so easily available and 3 times a day! There is a multiple effect if your partner also likes good food! (indeed, we both gained weight since we have started dating...)
Obviously, I have difficulty controlling my input....><
But I want to look better (slimmer) for the BIG DAYS to come! Yes..it's a plural and the interval between the registration & wedding parties drags on for a year...it's tough...I need to lose weight & sustain over time...
There is one keyword, one & only one - BURN! Burn burn the fat! Controlling the OUTPUT!!!
As many of you already know, the only sports I do is swimming. However, chlorine hurts. I don't want to end up having "wire" hair & rough skin...and the swimming pool at my place (outdoor) closes in winter..hmmm.
Believe it or not, I started doing GYM! A new club house has opened recently at my place, sooo convenient! And I am disciplined to go there in average 3 times a week!!!
With the hard work (my legs sored for the first few days), I am now able to offset all calories I gained from all the "Happy for you!" & "announcement" gatherings. (while keeping the enjoyment of all get-togethers) Yeah yeah!
These are the evidence!!!! (hehe..receipts for each entry to the gym gym)
Besides, Jin said, all matters are "OUR" matters - so...he wants to share the pain I have for the hard work...including this:
I asked Jin what kind of exercise I can do to in order to get my arms slim slim...He researched online and found the above exercise - arms at the back and shaking like "bye-bye". We are doing it together for 1 min per day...hahhaha
Last week I went with Stuare & Sandy to check yoga places but couldn't find any good ones yet. Any recommendation?
hehe.it's all about fitness!! add oil add oil!!
I always think..people who like to eat is happier, simply because the source of happiness is so easily available and 3 times a day! There is a multiple effect if your partner also likes good food! (indeed, we both gained weight since we have started dating...)
Obviously, I have difficulty controlling my input....><
But I want to look better (slimmer) for the BIG DAYS to come! Yes..it's a plural and the interval between the registration & wedding parties drags on for a year...it's tough...I need to lose weight & sustain over time...
There is one keyword, one & only one - BURN! Burn burn the fat! Controlling the OUTPUT!!!
As many of you already know, the only sports I do is swimming. However, chlorine hurts. I don't want to end up having "wire" hair & rough skin...and the swimming pool at my place (outdoor) closes in winter..hmmm.
Believe it or not, I started doing GYM! A new club house has opened recently at my place, sooo convenient! And I am disciplined to go there in average 3 times a week!!!
With the hard work (my legs sored for the first few days), I am now able to offset all calories I gained from all the "Happy for you!" & "announcement" gatherings. (while keeping the enjoyment of all get-togethers) Yeah yeah!
These are the evidence!!!! (hehe..receipts for each entry to the gym gym)
Besides, Jin said, all matters are "OUR" matters - so...he wants to share the pain I have for the hard work...including this:
I asked Jin what kind of exercise I can do to in order to get my arms slim slim...He researched online and found the above exercise - arms at the back and shaking like "bye-bye". We are doing it together for 1 min per day...hahhaha
Last week I went with Stuare & Sandy to check yoga places but couldn't find any good ones yet. Any recommendation?
hehe.it's all about fitness!! add oil add oil!!
06 March 2008
Delight
Today is a great day.
The alarm clock kept yelling for unknown minutes...when I opened my eyes, two catties were looking at me, annoyed - obviously the alarm was no music to them...
What a deeep deeep sleep! I forgot when was the last time I felt so content with a good quality sleep. It was a hibernation. Like the loong sleep after exhaustion of a 72-hour O'camp.
Exhaustion? Indeed. It was such a relief..to the accumulated worries. Trying so hard to get a good dress and hope deminished as time goes by.
Checking this blog becomes the first thing I do in the morning. Jin always writes me something in the mid-night, it's like opening a gift box to see what's the " surprise for today " =))
Jin's wrote a thanks-giving note for today , for the dear friends around me - Jin knows how much I value my friends and he dearly feels thankful for everybody's support during his "absence"... I am so blessed to have a partner with a merci heart!
The alarm clock kept yelling for unknown minutes...when I opened my eyes, two catties were looking at me, annoyed - obviously the alarm was no music to them...
What a deeep deeep sleep! I forgot when was the last time I felt so content with a good quality sleep. It was a hibernation. Like the loong sleep after exhaustion of a 72-hour O'camp.
Exhaustion? Indeed. It was such a relief..to the accumulated worries. Trying so hard to get a good dress and hope deminished as time goes by.
Checking this blog becomes the first thing I do in the morning. Jin always writes me something in the mid-night, it's like opening a gift box to see what's the " surprise for today " =))
Jin's wrote a thanks-giving note for today , for the dear friends around me - Jin knows how much I value my friends and he dearly feels thankful for everybody's support during his "absence"... I am so blessed to have a partner with a merci heart!
05 March 2008
Wedding dress confirmed!
Ahhhhhh...finally!!!
Starting from Mar 1, I keep looking for wedding dress almost every another day.
Thanks Stuare + sister & Sandy, for the search in TST again on March 2; with Mavis the other day in Central & Erica for today!!!!
The more shops I went, the more frustration I had. Bad experience, over budget, time is running out...stress level went all the way up and thanks Jin for his comfort & tolerance...><
I was so desperated to a point that I also checked Shanghai air ticket...just 1 step away from going to Suzhou for tailor-made dress. (even though we will still go and make it in May...).
Starting from Mar 1, I keep looking for wedding dress almost every another day.
Thanks Stuare + sister & Sandy, for the search in TST again on March 2; with Mavis the other day in Central & Erica for today!!!!
The more shops I went, the more frustration I had. Bad experience, over budget, time is running out...stress level went all the way up and thanks Jin for his comfort & tolerance...><
I was so desperated to a point that I also checked Shanghai air ticket...just 1 step away from going to Suzhou for tailor-made dress. (even though we will still go and make it in May...).
Today is the watershed. HK rental vs SH purchase.
The answer is .....HK rental!
In fact we only checked 1 shop today - Anovia, the sister shop of 浪漫一生 (my photo shooting company). It is a new shop, opened only for 2 months, new dresses & fashionable.
Staff were nice I would say but the bargaining process was not easy - probably the shop is just too new and they have yet been able to cover the cost...? Anyway, we found a gorgeous dress, priced at HKD 3,380 and made it a deal at HKD 2,000. Thanks so much for Erica's support...I did insist this time. (I thought we were not tooo aggressive but Jin said it's indeed...ha..ha..)
All in all, I am happy with Anovia and the dress I chose.
Want to take a look of the dress? hehe..I want to keep it a surprise on Apr 27 - I won't post it here =p
Erica is really a good friend of mine. She was soo busy at work but still spared the time with me. We both like rice noodle (河粉) a lot but for my diet, she accompanied me eating 米粉...no cold drinks, too. hahahaha, although they were just small things but that meant a lot! (Jin said Erica is a good mentor for me on this marriage project..hahaha)
Thanks again Erica!
02 March 2008
Kimono rental store reserved.
The whole story started when we were looking at the photo shooting agent... The typical wedding photo shooting takes place in HK, TW, ... but the recent trend is in JP and SE Asia, and even EU. Since I being a Japanese, would be both convenient for me and is also good for Carol to shoot under the cherry blossoms (櫻), we decided to go with an agent - 浪漫一生 - who had gave us a pretty good deal for shooting pictures in 奈良. Carol gave a good idea, "It'd be goodo if I can dress in Japanese Kimono n shoot under the trees..."
Well, ... a good idea became a desire for both of us. She too started wanting to wear the Kimono, and I also want Carol to take the Kimono pictures and be included in our album.
So, the search for Kimono place started from searching "where I can find a Kimono rental stores around the 奈良 area...". The main problem I had was that I hadn't been to 奈良 before. Thus,
I don't know how many stores are available around the city, since I had no idea what the city has around. Secondly, I did not know how much the Kimono rental would cost... So, having Internet as my main source of information, I started searching on the web over and over and over and over again.
I do not know how many sites I had looked over... Using Google, Yahoo J!, goo.ne.jp as the main portal, I think I had searched over 300 links of the terms 奈良 振袖 レンタル etc... I recall finding over several stores, but most of them are extremely expensive... Even taking the average, the typical ones are from 80,000JPY just for Carol's furisode (振袖**). However, just by having the 振袖 is not enough, since she cannot wear it herself. Helping Carol wear the Kimono, called ki-tsuke (着付け) is a requirement, and this can be done typically with the Kimono rental, or a Japanese hair salon can also do so. Next, during the 着付け, the Kimono itself requires all sorts of accessories. The Kimono belt, called obi (帯) requires strings to hold itself. This is called obi-dome (帯止め), other small accessories called komono (小物) is needed, as the Kimono is worn with all of these small accessories. Furthermore, Kimono requires a special hair arrangement (ヘアーアレンジ), along with hair accessories (髪飾り). Then, small prop to accompany with the kimono, like the bag. Finally, Japanese socks and sandals for the Kimono - ta-bi (足袋) and zo-ri (草履). All of these as a total, would cost over 150,000JPY - 250,000JPY.
By the way, since we need to take pictures of BOTH OF US, it's not only Carol who needs to wear Kimono. I also need one, so I also looked for my Kimono, called mon-tsuki-hakama (紋付袴). Men's Kimono is a lot more simple, and I only need ta-bi and zo-ri to accompany the Kimono. Even such, mine is still around 100,000JPY.
Just as an information, it takes typically 1hr - 2.5hrs for lady to wear a Kimono and set the hair.
However, men only take 15min... mmm, ...
Well, in all sense, lady's fashion costs more time and money... Thus, a "dress" always has an implication of feminine focus... So, it's an important mission for me to search for the "best" Kimono for our best memory. My mission starts at my desk.....
Just as an archive of sites searched, here are some sites in consideration....
http://takazen.jp/fct/leah/index.html
http://www.kirara-n.com/frs/20hkm.html
http://www.watabe-wedding.co.jp/dress/list_waso.html
http://www.premiere-grp.com/s03_guidance/longsleeved/index.php
http://www.premiere-grp.com/s03_guidance/longsleeved/index.php?page=3
http://www.a-steady.com/comming_of_age/furisode/index.html
http://www.c-claire.jp/dress/gallery.html?mode=uchikake
http://www.recycle-kimono.jp/rental/
http://www.kyo-roman.com/
http://www.japankimononet.com/new/01/index.html
**Aside: I even found a parody of Yahoo called Wahoo, named because the Japanese character "和風" is pronounced this way: http://www.wahoo.info/
All in all, there has been lots and lots and lots of good Kimono. However, most of them were out of our reach at this time (if the time were to be a bit later on, then we could have afforded more budget in this project), thus we had to balance out the budget amongst all of what we needed to do. Hence, it was our decision to make a reasonable price range that we can be satisfied of.
So, long story made short, we decided to go with one store which takes recycled Kimono from very authentic and well known places. Their philosophy is that through their own connection, they were able to get once a very precious and costly Kimono at a low low price. So, they have a stock of very precious Kimono, however they had no use in the stores, since they were just sitting in the warehouse. They take these Kimono, arrange them, and make them affordable for us at a low price so that we can "enjoy wearing Kimono". Their price range - below 100,000JPY for both of our Kimono, with everything but ta-bi included - is reasonable as well as the quality of the Kimono were acceptable for us. The affordability and the location of the store (being just several minutes from the hotel we will be staying) also made our decision (although we had to discuss over and over and over again, asking the store to provide lots of information so that we can make this decision).
Here it is, the "reserved" furisode at this time.
They will be providing us with further update if any new stocks are available. Since March is the graduation season for Japan, there may be lots of newer design kimono's ready... We just have to cross our fingers.
**Furisode (振袖) is a Kimono which the sleeves drape down to the toes. This type of Kimono is a sign of pre-married lady often is worn on a special day. This is typically used nowadays for Graduation ceremony, Coming of age day (成人式), for friend's wedding, or for photo-shooting for wedding arrangement by parents called "omiai" (お見合い).
Well, ... a good idea became a desire for both of us. She too started wanting to wear the Kimono, and I also want Carol to take the Kimono pictures and be included in our album.
So, the search for Kimono place started from searching "where I can find a Kimono rental stores around the 奈良 area...". The main problem I had was that I hadn't been to 奈良 before. Thus,
I don't know how many stores are available around the city, since I had no idea what the city has around. Secondly, I did not know how much the Kimono rental would cost... So, having Internet as my main source of information, I started searching on the web over and over and over and over again.
I do not know how many sites I had looked over... Using Google, Yahoo J!, goo.ne.jp as the main portal, I think I had searched over 300 links of the terms 奈良 振袖 レンタル etc... I recall finding over several stores, but most of them are extremely expensive... Even taking the average, the typical ones are from 80,000JPY just for Carol's furisode (振袖**). However, just by having the 振袖 is not enough, since she cannot wear it herself. Helping Carol wear the Kimono, called ki-tsuke (着付け) is a requirement, and this can be done typically with the Kimono rental, or a Japanese hair salon can also do so. Next, during the 着付け, the Kimono itself requires all sorts of accessories. The Kimono belt, called obi (帯) requires strings to hold itself. This is called obi-dome (帯止め), other small accessories called komono (小物) is needed, as the Kimono is worn with all of these small accessories. Furthermore, Kimono requires a special hair arrangement (ヘアーアレンジ), along with hair accessories (髪飾り). Then, small prop to accompany with the kimono, like the bag. Finally, Japanese socks and sandals for the Kimono - ta-bi (足袋) and zo-ri (草履). All of these as a total, would cost over 150,000JPY - 250,000JPY.
By the way, since we need to take pictures of BOTH OF US, it's not only Carol who needs to wear Kimono. I also need one, so I also looked for my Kimono, called mon-tsuki-hakama (紋付袴). Men's Kimono is a lot more simple, and I only need ta-bi and zo-ri to accompany the Kimono. Even such, mine is still around 100,000JPY.
Just as an information, it takes typically 1hr - 2.5hrs for lady to wear a Kimono and set the hair.
However, men only take 15min... mmm, ...
Well, in all sense, lady's fashion costs more time and money... Thus, a "dress" always has an implication of feminine focus... So, it's an important mission for me to search for the "best" Kimono for our best memory. My mission starts at my desk.....
Just as an archive of sites searched, here are some sites in consideration....
http://takazen.jp/fct/leah/index.html
http://www.kirara-n.com/frs/20hkm.html
http://www.watabe-wedding.co.jp/dress/list_waso.html
http://www.premiere-grp.com/s03_guidance/longsleeved/index.php
http://www.premiere-grp.com/s03_guidance/longsleeved/index.php?page=3
http://www.a-steady.com/comming_of_age/furisode/index.html
http://www.c-claire.jp/dress/gallery.html?mode=uchikake
http://www.recycle-kimono.jp/rental/
http://www.kyo-roman.com/
http://www.japankimononet.com/new/01/index.html
**Aside: I even found a parody of Yahoo called Wahoo, named because the Japanese character "和風" is pronounced this way: http://www.wahoo.info/
All in all, there has been lots and lots and lots of good Kimono. However, most of them were out of our reach at this time (if the time were to be a bit later on, then we could have afforded more budget in this project), thus we had to balance out the budget amongst all of what we needed to do. Hence, it was our decision to make a reasonable price range that we can be satisfied of.
So, long story made short, we decided to go with one store which takes recycled Kimono from very authentic and well known places. Their philosophy is that through their own connection, they were able to get once a very precious and costly Kimono at a low low price. So, they have a stock of very precious Kimono, however they had no use in the stores, since they were just sitting in the warehouse. They take these Kimono, arrange them, and make them affordable for us at a low price so that we can "enjoy wearing Kimono". Their price range - below 100,000JPY for both of our Kimono, with everything but ta-bi included - is reasonable as well as the quality of the Kimono were acceptable for us. The affordability and the location of the store (being just several minutes from the hotel we will be staying) also made our decision (although we had to discuss over and over and over again, asking the store to provide lots of information so that we can make this decision).
Here it is, the "reserved" furisode at this time.
They will be providing us with further update if any new stocks are available. Since March is the graduation season for Japan, there may be lots of newer design kimono's ready... We just have to cross our fingers.
**Furisode (振袖) is a Kimono which the sleeves drape down to the toes. This type of Kimono is a sign of pre-married lady often is worn on a special day. This is typically used nowadays for Graduation ceremony, Coming of age day (成人式), for friend's wedding, or for photo-shooting for wedding arrangement by parents called "omiai" (お見合い).
01 March 2008
Dress dress...stress
I thought I could keep the registration day simple...
I thought I would be satisfied with a plain dress like this -->
(Goddess long dress from JCrew)
Well...obviously, I underestimated my desire to become a pretty bride (pride?)of Jin.
The story begins with the voucher I purchased at the wedding expo in Feb from 藏愛婚紗 for Jin's rental suit for the registration day. I went to the showroom to check out the suits today...and.... I FOUND KAWAII DRESSES!!!!
The staff was really nice, in the enojoyable 2 hours, I checked out many dresses and suits & looked at the wedding photo albums & package.
藏愛婚紗 is so proud of their dresses, they design them, they hand-make them. They use crystal instead of just shinny flakes you could buy from any stationery shop...the lace was of high class quality, too.
These are the 2 dresses that I really really like:
1) A shinny white dress with Austrian crystals on it..."J class" dress that costs HKD 3,000. (they offer me a discount at HKD 2,4xx.
I spent another hour chatting with the staff for photo shooting in Taiwan...they were so patient & friendly and I was convinced that 藏愛 provides the premium of goodo dresses and supreme make-up.
Well..still more expensive than 法國巨星 as I explored at wedding expo... put it aside for the moment first...
We then went to a few more shops, mainly HK's. The staff at 現代經典 was patient & helpful but their wedding dresses were not as good as 藏愛, not cheap, too. Thanks to Stuare's help, I also checked a shop recommended by her sis but unfortunately couldn't find anything.
Others are not worth mentioning...Ah, there was 1 cheating shop (黑店) that I need to bring your attention - "La Mariage". They had really nice dresses, European style, very classy. However, I was forced to pay HKD 300 after I tried on the dress (which I was not told before hand)!! It was totally @#$#@^%$& !!!!!! Anyway, we was able to leave the shop without paying a cent.
This unhappy experience drew an end to today's wedding dress window shopping day....SO TIRED.
As the very last stop, we checked "裕華" for Chinese dress.
There was a tailor corner and it costs HKD 2,900 simply for workmenship!!! Making a dress would cost HKD 3,xxx!! Luckily, my size is quite standard and I was able to grap 1 dress (very fit!) after I got the jacket for Jin.
For JP photo shooting maybe? Then we will be able to get both JP style & CN style in our album...hehehe
I thought I would be satisfied with a plain dress like this -->
(Goddess long dress from JCrew)Well...obviously, I underestimated my desire to become a pretty bride (pride?)of Jin.
The story begins with the voucher I purchased at the wedding expo in Feb from 藏愛婚紗 for Jin's rental suit for the registration day. I went to the showroom to check out the suits today...and.... I FOUND KAWAII DRESSES!!!!
The staff was really nice, in the enojoyable 2 hours, I checked out many dresses and suits & looked at the wedding photo albums & package.
藏愛婚紗 is so proud of their dresses, they design them, they hand-make them. They use crystal instead of just shinny flakes you could buy from any stationery shop...the lace was of high class quality, too.
These are the 2 dresses that I really really like:
1) A shinny white dress with Austrian crystals on it..."J class" dress that costs HKD 3,000. (they offer me a discount at HKD 2,4xx.
2) A cute & sweet light pink dress...look at the details...so nice...it's a "K class" dress that costs HKD 5,000!!! *o* offer to me at HKD 4,000.
(sorry Jin...I didn't take any pictures of the men's...despite it was the primary purpose for the visit today...=P)
I spent another hour chatting with the staff for photo shooting in Taiwan...they were so patient & friendly and I was convinced that 藏愛 provides the premium of goodo dresses and supreme make-up.
The 高雄 plan seems to be something for us...studio, Greek style blue & white houses, flower sea, forrest & lake...the manager offers me HKD 9,888 [official price at HKD 11,288] for 30 pics in larger album size + upgraded (larger size) paint photo + tiny photo album (3R size) for 20 pics + thank you card x 100 + assessories, etc. Price exclusive of hotel & air ticket.
Well..still more expensive than 法國巨星 as I explored at wedding expo... put it aside for the moment first...
We then went to a few more shops, mainly HK's. The staff at 現代經典 was patient & helpful but their wedding dresses were not as good as 藏愛, not cheap, too. Thanks to Stuare's help, I also checked a shop recommended by her sis but unfortunately couldn't find anything.
Others are not worth mentioning...Ah, there was 1 cheating shop (黑店) that I need to bring your attention - "La Mariage". They had really nice dresses, European style, very classy. However, I was forced to pay HKD 300 after I tried on the dress (which I was not told before hand)!! It was totally @#$#@^%$& !!!!!! Anyway, we was able to leave the shop without paying a cent.
This unhappy experience drew an end to today's wedding dress window shopping day....SO TIRED.
My companion today is Kate - an always excited & curious colleague. Thank you so much for Kate's advice all along, her support & caring. Hope it was a good exposure for Kate & provide market info for her planning =)
Conclusion is - still, 藏愛 is the best among all....!
As the very last stop, we checked "裕華" for Chinese dress.
There was a tailor corner and it costs HKD 2,900 simply for workmenship!!! Making a dress would cost HKD 3,xxx!! Luckily, my size is quite standard and I was able to grap 1 dress (very fit!) after I got the jacket for Jin.
They are the trophies of today:
For JP photo shooting maybe? Then we will be able to get both JP style & CN style in our album...hehehe
Thanks again to Kate and hope she can take a good good rest tomorrow!
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