Banquet Briefing ver. 1

We had the first briefing today (19th Apr.).

Until now, all we have was a verbal communication of "We're gonna do our wedding on that day!!!!!" and no confirmation. Today, I went to the banquet place to do the actual "reservation" along with getting further information.

The person in charge of us (they call themselves "wedding planner") greeted me and first thing she told me was "oh, yappari if you're alone, you look samishii", which is a indirect complement saying we are lovely being together... Honestly, I being alone does cause some furiousness around. When I was approaching the banquet hall, and I see people staring at me with a big big question mark over my head...

Well, so I don't fit in this kind of atmosphere, mmm... But I came for a reason.

1. Make the official reservation of our perfect wedding ceremony.
2. Get further information from the venue so that we are absolutely sure of what we want, can be done.

Original plan was that we talk for about an hour and be done with. As such, I had made some errands immediately after then. What it turned out, was that the discussion went on and on, and by the time I left the hall, it was already the time for the next errand. I had to cancel my errand... (>___<; Well anyway, this is more important and is of the top priority.

I truly think what we have decided is indeed the correct choice. The planner is sooooooooo nice in her detailed preparation for us. She made a handmade schedule (nicely colored and due dates marked) which is essentially the master schedule for our upcoming preparation milestones. I'm sure this takes some time, and she was soooo happy (I mean, she had a big smile in her face when she handed this to me) to provide this information to me. I really thank her of making this step for us.

We were quite frank and discussed lots of items. I think I may have been too detailed and too focused, but I kept the integrity and was also looking at the big picture to make sure all of our care abouts are clarified. The discussion went on with no room for chit-chat.

However much I requested for lots and lots of answers, I did teach the planner what Carol's guests will be expecting from this "big event of life". Photo shooting is a very important event which we value alot. And she was quite frank about taking in our request. Her kind-hearted "listener" attitude made my conversation go smoothly and this is something to be appreciated.

All in all, we now know clearer of what they can do for our big event. From now it's going to be our turn to make the ceremony one-and-only perfect one. Tanoshimi danya-!!!

In search for our perfect wedding ceremony venue in Japan

Time is limited!!!

When Carol was in Japan for the photo shooting, there was another mission.　In fact, there were two missions, but here, we will disclose only one. It is to search for the banquet hall for wedding ceremony in Japan. It is typical that the banquet halls get filled about 12~18 months in advance. Since our scope is next Apr~Jun, we had to start looking for the banquet halls. And in some cases, it was even too late as the slots were already taken.

□■About wedding market in Japan
Wedding market in Japan is quite interesting. Japan is known for a Buddhist (Shinto-ist) nation, but quite frankly (especially generation after WWII), the nation has become more atheist. On top of this, the nation's westernisation created an "idolisation" of the western practices. Wedding market in Japan has indeed been influenced by such "idolisation". Especially, the Christian style chapel wedding with white dress and veil walking on the red virgin road has become one of the "must-do" item for recent Japanese generations. I think Japan is the only nation which the citizen cares about Western wedding but does Buddhist funeral.

Wedding in Japan can be chosen from one of the three styles: Western style chapel wedding 　（教会式）, Japanese authentic Buddhist shrine wedding （神前式）, and Non-religious wedding （人前式）. Amongst all, the Chapel wedding is the most popular. Chapel wedding in Japan is done by a Protestant priest and thus, anyone can request to hold the ceremony in this style. However, the vow made is not as strict as the Christian vow, but it is a vow. In this way, choosing the wedding style in Japan is quite free.

What is interesting is that after the big wars in the mid 1940s, Japan has become a pacifist country. Since then, the generations who lived through the wars feel that a "happy wedding ceremony" is a big desire for their children. This raised an awareness and more importantly, the focus of the wedding ceremony venues to be service oriented. Furthermore, the way this "service oriented-ness" comes true is consideration to the minor details.

As "holding the happy wedding ceremony" is the main focus, there are lots of variety of entertainments which these wedding venues can provide. The ceremony can be formed into as much customization as possible, but at the same time, there are "packaged" ceremonies to avoid the couple putting much efforts in the ceremony. In most cases, most of the items which I found in HK ordered one by one, are included in the basic package, and all the couple needs to focus is the originality of the show, which is the entertainment. As much options are available, each will end up in quite a lump sum of total fee. However, the wedding market expects the parents of the couple to pay a portion, and the red packets called 祝儀袋 pay up quite a percentage of the fee, the venues don't consider their product "expensive".

□■About the information gathering for wedding ceremony.
In order to retrieve information about the wedding venue, there are various magazines which contain information of the wedding venue. Moreover, there are homepages which accompany the magazines, so that the readers can easily access the pages, register, and become a loyal subscriber of the information the publisher provides them. Smart idea...

Of such a market, an impressive one is called Zexy. Zexy had established about 10+ years ago, and now has become the biggest bridal magazine publisher. Just look at the size of their magazine.....

Mind you, this is only 1640 pages monthly magazine which is only 500 JPY (roughly around 40 HKD). It contains practically everything: from banquet venue information to dresses, rings, after party, photo and DVD shooting, to even manners and budget management tips. Quite a fully fledged information package which hardly anyone can catch up every month... (Just as an fyi, the supplementary site is http://zexy.net/).

Each venue has an open house events called "Bridal fairs". Of course, anyone can reserve a slot at any time to get an overall information from the venue if they cannot attend these fairs. What I found interesting is that it is typical in Japan that these "Bridal fairs" are scheduled by the venues, and the couples find what they want. We hardly ever have any expositions where these venues come at once (which seems to be popular in HK).

Bridal fairs take up quite some time. Typically, they ask us to spend roughly 3hrs. Our attendance involve the following items which take up the entire 3hrs...

1. Filling out survey for the venue to learn our care abouts, preferences, desires, concerns, and needs.
2. Checking out the venue in detail - from external appearance to even washrooms...
3. Get our concerns after looking through the venue, and get the quotation according to what we want to do.
4. Chit-chat.

It seems to be quite common (it could be because of the time of the year when we attended the bridal fair) that there is a "same day discount". I think this is to attract the customer to get their deals, but the discount may be over several 100,000JPY. This is quite significant... mmm...
All in all, the bridal fairs take up quite some time and barely can fit 3 fairs in one day (this will make our day schedule so tight that we cannot even have a decent lunch...).

□■Searching for our perfect wedding ceremony venue
As stated in the first line of this post, time is limited. We had soooo many options to consider, but we narrowed down to several and filled our our schedule while Carol was in Japan. Below are the venues we went. Looking at the list and recalling what we had accomplished, I want to give both of us the "Yokudekimashita" chop!!!

6th Apr:
センター南：パルティーレ横浜ウエディングビレッジ
日比谷公園：フェリーチェガーデン日比谷
有明：パルティーレ東京ベイウエディングビレッジ

9th Apr:
新横浜：アクアテラス迎賓館

12th Apr:
白金台：八芳園
青山：コルディアーレ青山

13th Apr:
横浜バスツアー(Cancelled)
横浜みなとみらい：ベイサイド迎賓館＆ベイサイドガーデンクラブ
横浜元町：山手迎賓館

And just to give you a sneak peek, here are some shots we allow to disclose for your "imagination" :P Only those who are invited and can come to Japan can see the real thing... Hope YOU will be there ;-)

To the album

Photo shooting - the day God shed light on us - v(^^)(^^)v

~ April 8, 2008 (Tue)~

06:00 - Wake up
We jumped up only 1 second after the alarm clock rang...

J: It's going to be a loong day la...hope everything will be fine..Can I stay awake?

C: Ah, it's time! wake up quick! it's TODAY!

06:15 - Breakfast
We needed to make sure we store enough energy for the day, as we only prepared some bread for the day due to super tight schedule. It was a proper Japanese style breakfast with rice, miso soup +...oops, my belly! ><

07:00 - Make up start
We wished to had a pre-photoshooting briefing but were told by my "account mgr" in HK only to meet with the photo-shooting team at 7am, for styling.

Well, the first 15 mins was no pleasure at all. Firstly, Jin was kicked out of the room for "girls only, pls come back again in 1 hour" (poor Jin, he could have slept for another precious hour and J: samishi nya><) Secondly, I was kind of blamed by the stylist for not showing up the previous night (come on, I was told NOT to make any contact until 7am...) ......ai, needed to suppress my fire and stayed clam, in order to build a positive relationship with them. But...my stylist was having a bad cold, kept coughing and complaining to herself...what an angry but straight-forward person...@_@

Anyway, we had ourselves dressed up in 2 hours... I was in wedding dress and Jin in Tuxedo.

So, without the "supposed-to-have meeting" the night before, everything was messy messy and promises from HK not fulfilled. Fingers crossed...

09:15 - Depart from hotel
All of a sudden, two guys grabbed our belongings at the entrance of hotel...they claimed themselves our photographers.

J: who are these guys? I have never seen them..where is the director? (note: we met a guy during the HK meeting who was "supposed" to be the director - who eventually did not come to Nara).

C: they look like gangsters and still not awaken!! I am soo worried!!

The first photo shooting spot - the closest temple to the hotel
Apparently, the photographers did not do their homework. None of our request was taken into consideration.

The photographer quickly tuned into his auto mode and brought us to his comfort zone - spots that they had been taking pictures for the past 2 weeks.

J: Why are we going here? I don't recall discussing such a thing. Didn't they receive the information that we have briefed so much?!

C: Oh no, this is not going to work. I need to stop and brief them RIGHT NOW!

While we were doing the short briefing, staff of the temple rushed out. It seems it was the Buddha's birthday and ceremony/festival will happen shortly. They did not permit us to take photos there. The photographer did not seem want to stop and the staff keep persuading/pushing us to leave...

J: I don't understand Japanese...I don't understand Japaneses...

C: @_@

I couldn't stand it and asked the photographer why we were there and what for. No photo was taken in that temple AT ALL. It's simply waste of time. Also, will all activities be stopped because of Buddha's birthday?

The second photo shooting spot - a nearby Sakura tree
Probably trying to make up for something, they brought us to a big Sakura tree and started our first round of photo taking.

J: Finally, the photo shooting started. But why this place? wanna go to places that we planned ...

C: Whatever you want to take...make sure we have good photos and I will tolerate only for 15 mins...!!

Wao! It was sooooo difficult to make good posture. "Head lower", "chin lower", "RELAX!", "RELAX!""look at wife" "look at head/hand" (???)...the photographer kept yelling at us...we had no clue...we thought we were already relaxed....aiyaya...I was a bit irritated for not being able to fulfill their request (but it's my responsibility to improve). Jin felt the same, too...(I hope my interpretation didn't make things worse).

At that time, a group of kindergarten kids went by....little kids kept saying.."kawaii~" at me...hohohoho...

Anyway, time's up, rehearsal done. We needed a "real place" to take good photos, we requested to move to a lake in the Nara garden.

The third photo shooting spot - 浮見堂
We got on the rental car and moved to the lake - 浮見堂.

Wao! It's a peaceful lake with an elegant pavilion, the whole area was surrounded by Sakura trees! Thanks Jin for locating this very nice location (sasuga Jin!). One surprise - the road along the lake was covered with Sakura petals which was brought by the strong wind and heavy rain yesterday!!! (Ha! we never knows! god purposely brought the rain to prepare for us!!)

I was totally drawn into that perfect environment, got into the mood immediately (poor Jin was still in the midst of communication barriers and could not relax fully). The photographers, too, was getting exited for the possibilities that he could create in that perfect environment ...we made a lot of postures, one shoot after the other, on a rock backed by the lake, along the bridge, on a small road inside the wood, etc. We started to enjoy it =)

(Jin took this from his mobile while he was told to "rest")

J: Finally, somewhere we have asked to take pictures. Goodo sakura trees!!! Lots of poses which we asked to do!!! yey yey!!!

C: This is so ideal...we are surrounded by sakura, sakura trees, sakura carpet, wind blows us sakura flakes...thanks god we are alive!

It was a hot season for 花見, many tourists were around for sakura appreciation. All of them were surprised at us - it is very uncommon to do outdoor and pre-marriage photo-shooting in Japan. Some took pictures of us (they thought it was an ? event and we were artists/ models! hahaha) and many of them sent their blessings to us...arigato gozaimasu! \(^^)(^^)/

Photographers got really excited, he kept pressing the shutter and went beyond schedule - we had an appointment at Kimono place at 12:00! We quickly called to delay but at that time the photographer tempted me to change to another dress for "just a few more photos". I did the change in the tiny rental car...and continue the photo-shooting....

I was really in the mood and it became easy at any poses that was required of me. More and more photos and more and more time consumed...it was already 13:40 when we left the lake...

13:50 - change to kimono at ふた藤:
Our apologies for being late m(_ _)m! That was so Japan - staff standby for us and kept their smiling faces. All our expectation was met (in term of time requirement, quality of service...everything!) We had 3 staff to help us. 1 of them was the student of the kimono master, it was rare occasion that people do such a formal kimono dressing like us!

While I took my washroom break, Jin had already gotten out of his tuxedo. After Jin was changed to 紋付袴, my hair was already half set. (it was only around 15 min!). Everybody then, focused on my kimono...in a total of 50 min, everything was perfectly done! I also received my Japanese style bouquet - how lovely! This is less than half of the typical amount of time taken!!! Thank you sooo much for the ふた藤 staff!!!

J: Each movement done by the staffs were very efficient and had not a single waste of time. However much they were efficient, their actions ended up in a very professional outcome. This was very surprising.

C: I want to clap hands...this is a magic! wow wow wow...........*o*

(taken the day after - my kawaii Japanese bouquet)

15:10 - full team again:
What a shame...the HK/TW team came late for the pick up (the photo shooting team went for lunch while we were changing). We went back to silence again...they were astonished at our looks and how serious we were for the photo-shooting. I felt the pressure of the photographer. His didn't react as sharp as he used to be and let us do all the instruction...

15:30 - The fourth photo shooting spot - 春日大社-夫婦大國社
This is a temple for blessing of all aspects to a married couple. We chose this place not only for this very meaningful aspect, but also for the fantasy of the heart shaped wish board called"絵馬".

(hehe..this is the wish that we made (^3(^^)

We made a request to this particular place, which was something unknown to the team. It supposed to be a 10 min walk from the car park to the temple, but we ended up taking almost doubled time... I could only take small steps in kimono and wherever we went, we caught people's attention... people amazed, congratulated us, kept taking photos of us, not only as a scene but also with us... we were like tourism ambassadors, waving our hands, smiling to the crowd. ahhhh, we needed to say no, walked quickly and avoided eye contacts to the people...sorry!

We were worried if we were allowed to take photos in the temple....especially it was the Buddha's birthday...Jin made a courtesy conversation with the staff at the temple and yeah! everything was alright.

We felt that the photographer was a bit nervous, did not know how to handle photos for kimono. No more sitting on the ground and everything had to be super cautious/ elegant. But gradually, he found his way, he focused more on the overall atmosphere of the pictures, instead of doing this and that actions, he wanted us to give more emotion and facial expression. Jin was 100% tuned into this photo style, we all were excited for involvement of EVERYONE! Jin even made surprises to us...he initiated a number of facial expression/pose for photos, HAPPY!!

J: Although I had to tell the staff some exaggeration, we were able to get an exceptional approval from the temple to take some pictures. This was a great thing!!! We even got a small gift (not on sale)!!! Thank you obasan!!!

C: My dream came true! I am in Kimono with Jin in an authentic Japanese environment. I used to be the tourists who takes pictures of kimono girls but I am taking opposite role...haha. We were also told that this is the one and only one temple for a couple's wellness in all aspects! We will definitely become "shiawase" yo!

The fifth photo shooting spot - Japanese tea house 水谷茶屋
A Japanese tea house is a must! (I always like Japanese tea house and it has been a must-go place for my every visit) Thanks to Jin's extensive research, this tea house was the most gorgeous one in the area. It was in fact also an unknown place for us, we needed to keep walking to find this place and we were there!

Again, Jin made a courtesy conversation and got approval from the staff. This time we got an easy "Yes". This was a very cozy place surrounded by the nature. Nice contrast of green (trees) and red (carpet & umbrella) which serves as a perfect background for our kimono.

I couldn't stand the temptation of Japanese green tea and started ordering... We thought it might be good for the team to take a break, we treated them green tea and snack as well. They were melted by our "hospitality" and became so nice to us, we started some heart-to-heart conversation, how Jin and I met, how was the typical life of photographers, etc. They even took out their personal camera and took photos with us. It was no longer "work" but a "tourist fun" for them. This was really GREAT!

The photographer was really like a kid, explored something new (kimono and Japanese places) and was totally into taking photos of his real interest (which of course aligns with our requests). He jumped here and there and suggested many ways of taking good pictures. We finally reached this ideal situation of "ENJOYMENT FOR EVERYBODY!!"

(Jin's mom said we look like 七五三 kid's birthday dolls)

They also helped us to take private photos via Jin's mobile phone...hehehe (which was supposed to be restricted)

J: This tea house was very nice. It matched very well with the Kimono. It was worth coming here.

C: Yeah! This is so nice. At this point, I am already 80% satisfied.

The sixth location: Dawn at 奈良公園
We enjoyed the time so much that we forgot when it was...probably after 5pm. Time became so critical as sun was setting. We named a few and the photographers suggested a place on the other side of the 奈良公園 , for sunset photos. It was a huge pitch of green. So spacious and peaceful.

We prepared a number of props but it had been too busy and messy that we were unable to plan/structure any...here we go - prior to the trip, we decided to write each other a message card, expressing our feelings. We kept it a secret and read only on the photo-shooting day. We wanted the photographers to take our real, touching emotions.

J: The 奈良公園 is very huge but there are items in the 公園 which each is very attractive. The section we took the sunset pictures was an open area of lawn. Very large yet silent place which went well with the sunset.

C: hehehe...how lovable Jin is! we had a lot of sweet sweet moments together and the photo team said they really envy us...!

The seventh photo-shooting spot - 人力車
We planned a lot of scenarios for our precious kimono look, including 人力車. The team was very committed and quickly located 人力車 for us...Jin again spoke with the 人力車 "driver" about our request. It costed some extra money and we went for it. We had the "driver" pulled the 人力車, Jin pulled the 人力車...funny photos!

J: This was an interesting experience for me. I hope the pictures turn out well!!!

C: haha, do we look like 華麗一族? The photo shows not only the authentic Japanese but also thickness of history.

19:00 The eighth photo-shooting spot - Nara old streets
It was getting dark when we return to the Nara old streets, which is somewhere near to our hotel.

However, our eager wasn't fulfilled yet. Night pictures were extremely difficult...the level of light needed to be so well measured and tuned. A few trial and errors and photos became PERFECT! I mean Jin looked sooooooooo handsome in those dim photos (haha!!!) The photographer was really in his mood and fulled engaged to take good photos for us. Trying this, trying that, and showed us the gorgeous photos!! We mean it!! sooooooooooooo gorgeous!!! Yey Yey!!

J: The pictures he started to take were very artistic. I can't wait for the outcome!!!!!

C: Wow...it was so artistic and classy...like movies of the 50s...I mean ...again, 華麗! hahaha

20:00 Return to hotel
We were so content! (despite that fact that we missed Chinese costumes) We continued doing some private photos with Kimono...but all of a sudden! I felt soooooooo painful in my chest, the kimono was really tight tight...I was able to switch off the pain mode when I was 100% focus on photo-shooting but...when everything was done...it blasted out. Jin quickly undressed me. We folded a thick level of clothes (for return on the next day)...n layers of clothes that we wrapped ourselves in the kimono. Whoa?! it was sooo heavy!!! I couldn't believe we were wearing such heavy weight and walked (moved) all over!!!

With such a "weight training" and after the undressing of kimono...I found myself lost the belly created from the breakfast (for time concern, I only had 1 bite of the bread for lunch)....we became soooooo hungry and rushed out for food. Due to door restriction, we needed to come back in 30 min, we bought some food convenient store and kept eating eating eating like refugees. ><

P.S: We had our own way of showing appreciation...it was a loong day with so much achievement, we really deserve something! It is our habit to "chop" a "well done" stamp on the other's forehand if something was done brilliantly. We both awarded this stamp!

It was sooo content..and we were full full....drawn into bed and a deep deep sleep.....

A few words from us:
J: This was an interesting experience for me. I had known that taking pictures is very much an important aspect of life for the HK people, but everything was new to me. I think the camera man was very tolerable to me since I could not understand his instructions. However, I think the outcome should be awesome!!! Because, Carol was soooooooo lovely and cute and kawaii and kirei and and and .......!!!

C: Jin, I know it was not easy for you. Thank you for tolerating everything...HK/TW service level, communication barriers, my temper....hahaha. For me it was a mixture of everything, but the happy memories with you and the excitement of anticipation (for the final products) worth everything! Let's keep our fingers crossed, hope everything will turn our perfect in our album!!!

J: hehehe. Thank you ne, Carol, for all your tolerance in smoothening out the communication. The outcome of the picture and my expressions are solely because your care was there. Although there were lots of efforts, money, and time spent, I think we did put EVERYTHING into this big event. I just cannot wait for the outcome already!!

P.S.#2: this is a bonus photo...thanks for reading this lengthy article...>w<

(This was the 'dorayaki" or "叮噹豆沙餅" as we call it in HK, it was of the size of my face! hehehe, so yummy and I finished it up at that night...)

1 day before photo-shooting...

It was SUPER WINDY and RAINED cats & dogs (or 'rein deers'?) in Nara!!!!!!

(my new bf? Jin shaved! looks so different. hehe)

................................hmmm, we were so worried and my mood went really bad...it would be a great disappointment if it kept raining like that - the shooting will be cancelled (!) and I wouldn't know how we would end up with...><

Not much we could do but kept praying for a better weather. We planned to come this 1 day earlier for a mini sight-seeing but it rained so bad that we could hardly move around.

( I must say Jin has higher EQ than me to certain extent...especially under an uncontrollable situation like that. He never shown bad temper like I did and tried really hard to relieve my tension..arigato nya)

We visited the kimono place and got final items confirmed. What next was return to the hotel for check in and thought that would already called the day.... things changed after dinner!

It was still windy but rain became smaller. We managed to did an enjoyable walk after dinner, checked the busy street and walked all the way for night sakura.

Weather report in Japan was even able to tell the eact weather forecast in 3-hour intervals of a day. Forecast for tomorrow became no rain from mid night to morning, a bit cloudy in the morning and sun would start to shine from 12pm onwards! Yey Yey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was gonna be alright!

I was so hyper...and we had a happy exhausting walk all night long. Returned hotel later than we planned and fell asleep - charge charge for our big big photo-shooting day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(yey! this is one of the props we specially prepare for the photo-shooting...hehe) Photo-shooting day, tanoshimi danya (= look forward)

Our bonus day

Today is a bonus day for us!

(My flight to JP moved 1 day ahead ^o^v)

We decided to make today a relax and enjoyable one, so...we woke up early and started the day with a Sakura walk nearby home!

Yey yey!!! so beautiful!...it's another great great sakura season for us. Jin said the best has yet to come...hohoho, look forward to our Nara trip!!!

Sakura had propably lifted up our spirit...we became so energetic and accomplished so many things today, wedding related were:

1. Checked marraige ring:
At i-primo, one significant local jewellery shop which operates in chain and has alliance with many marriage-related business(e.g. banquet place). We were quite well received (maybe too much?) and learnt the '3 main catergories' of marriage ring! The sales lady is one of the very aggressive I have ever met, proposed so many temptation (discount & coupon) to urge us to confirm today...sorry, we will keep looking around.

2. Checked marriage gift:

Not much info obtained, will keep searching.

3. Went to nail salon:

Since I could not afford the time to Shenzhen for nail make up (thanks Kate for searching info for me) and cancelled HK appointment on Apr 4 (thanks Stuare for searching & sharing info, I thought I will just skipped this.

However, Jin said "nail make-up will make you pretty pretty, right? Why not? let's do it in Japan". Jin proactively did online research for me to check availabilities in Yokohama, and we bought magazines to get to know nail make up (yes...it's my first time in life...I NEVER keep long nail nor put any nail paint...). This morning Jin called to arrange booking, obviously the staff was surprised to receive a booking request from a male...hahaha....thanks so much for all you did for me!!

As a beginner, it's never easy for me...I don't even know the basic...not to talk about design. The nail artist was patient but not very creative. She only takes order than gives suggestion...it took quite some time for me to design the nail art. And Jin was there helping me to translate...thanks so much for your patient!

Finally, it took 3.5 hours to complete my nails and it costed.....over JPY 20,000!!!! I almost screamed out - so expensive!!!! It's very true that labour cost is super high in Japan..hmmmm, really guilty for draining money like that ><

Anyway, the final result is goodo. It's the masterpiece of our team work, we both like them a lot. (I also have sakura on it!)

4. Beauty for Jin:

It's not just for me, but also for Jin! He went to hair salon today and got a good new pair of glasses. (in fact I also got my glasses, too....glasses...is probably the only thing I found is cheaper in JP than in HK).

This is what I chose for Jin, looks good right? yey yey!!

Ok..I guess we are done with the diary for today. Gotta sleep to prepare for another long day tomorrow!!

The 'Typhoon Family' !

This is referring to the Takamura's...

Jin's mommy was the origin...who is always efficient and manages packed schedules...comes and flash off...like a typhoon. hahaha

Jin has inherited this character for sure...he is always grab and go type...

It seems I am infected...within a confirmation within 20 hours, I AM NOW IN JAPAN!!!

My original flight was scheduled on Apr 5 but I was called by CX that I could move ahead with a morning flight on Apr 4!!!!!!!!

Wow! Can see Jin 1 day earlier- how GREAT? However, I have scheduled so many things on Apr 4....facial, final fitting of costumes for photo shooting, making my nail for the 1st time in life...and packing, preparation, etc...
I quickly asked Jin and we both couldn't find any reason not to meet any earlier - it was 1 of the longest seperation we have had so far..over 55 days...!! Able to get on the flight sooner was definitely a super news!

Therefore, I rescheduled and canceled appointments...rushing here and there, compressing 1 day's activities into 3 hours. haha..

I was fully charged this morning at 6am, ride on the plane, landed happily and travel all the way 'home'. I didn't make myself sleep...it's already half a year I haven't visited this place. So fulfilled and feeling bright!

And after 12 hours. We are seeing each others!!!

(Dinner @ Okinawa place)


Yey yey!!! Finally, our happy reunion!!

Just imagine, ..... part 2

Carol in ...................

such a hair style?!!!!

It was the courtesy of the 着物 shop that made a sample of hair style which may fit Carol. The staff there was worried that since Carol is not from the country, she may not have an idea of what kind of hair style she would be. And so the staff made such an out-of-the-box action to have make a clearer image!!! Furthermore, .....

Some arrangements with accessories!!!

We'll fine tune with the rest on the day before so that we get the best combination that matches Carol the best that she likes to be in!!!!!

Just imagine, .....

Carol in................

Carol in such a nice nice 振袖!!!!!! Yey yey!!!

The Kimono rental shop was generous enough to provide us a preview of the kimono in its "dressed up mode". This way, we will have a more realistic view of how it will fit on the bride. It was such a proactive move by the store, and I just want to give them a "yokudekimashita" chop!!!!!

Just for your information, the belt of the Kimono is also gorgeous. We received a preview of that too, but let's keep that for a surprise (^-'b