French Brid@l

Gerrie had wanted to go Chinat0wn for dim sum after her church service this morning. I took the wrong turn and entered Tanj0ng Pagar area. Then we chanced upon the French Brid@l boutique and decided to pull over for awhile to look at its dresses.

She seemed happy with its designs. =)

Pr0perty Part 2

Last Friday, another balloting exercise for flats was launched and I immediately fell in love with Pinnacle @Duxton, as well as the flats in Queenst0wn. However, after much consideration, Gerrie and I balloted for the one in Jur0ng. Since the flats were cheaper than the ones in t0wn area, we decided on the 5-rooms flat.





Still waiting for the Senja Green results next month.

Tape

This is going to be the most embarrassing post. Ever.


Cat and I went for a full day course today and it happened to end at 5ish. Hardly ever had we end our day at such an earthly hour and we felt so lost. But since the B@nk HQ is so near Central, I went to pick up a new BR box from Adrian. The ribbon of the existing box was a little crumbled, so thought a new one would be more presentable when I give it to Gerrie next month.

We then decided to roam around City Hall. We were walking aimlessly, until I realised I needed to buy something.

The red dress I had bought for Gerrie is low-cut and I thought I should get her nipple tape, covers or whatever you call that round-shaped plaster-looking thing.

Luckily, Cat was around. I would never imagine myself walking into the bra section to look for such stuff. We walked into R0bins0ns and the salesgirl showed us various types. It came in weird sizes, shapes, and different materials, such as silicon.

In fact, when the salesgirl showed us the first set, it came in a really big size. Cat then said, "This one for ang moh one."

-_-

If this was not embarassing enough, guess what happened next!

Cat asked the salesgirl to recommend the tapes. She finally took one and then turned and looked at me, "So how? You want or not?"

SO HOW?!?


You want or not?!?


Pengz. That casual remark must have made the salesgirl thought I was a freak or something!

I had no choice but to say yes, pay for it and leave. Pronto.


It had been a tramautising experience.

Pr0perty

April this year, Gerrie and I tried bidding for a flat but were unsuccessful. Then we waited for the launch of Senga Green, which only came out in September.

We remain hopeful, as we would only know the results next month. I pray the answer would be best birthday gift Gerrie would have.

from HD8's website

I could imagine how it would look like. I have went to the extent of mapping it out: converting the bomb shelter into a huge shoe/ bag rack, having my own entertainment room, a center stage for a grand piano...

Today happened to be Mark's last day with the B@nk. We went to HD8 to look at its showflats and we just felt so motivated to get our first pr0perty. We also had a consultation with an interior designer, whose office was in the same building as HD8 Hub.


from Max's Image site

Now, Gerrie's complaining I have planned too much and wants a share in it. She is admandant on having her own way with the design of the master bedroom, wants to limit 2 TVs in the house....

Oh well.

The Wedding Package

On 24th July, the B@nk organized a quarterly update party at St. James. Cat, HX, Mark and I were roaming around Viv0 as we were there early. There was a bridal event going on at that time and since we had much time to spend, we went to French Bridal and X-Zen to enquire on their packages. Both companies gave their side of presentations and I was confused which is better.

So, I asked Waikit to come along with me that Saturday. We had dinner at Thai Accent before enquiring the package at X-Zen. Two guys walking around the event sure didn't garner much approaches by any of the companies there.

The next day, 27th July, I brought Gerrie to the event and we shopped a few bridal studios. We took down some notes, compared the quality of the photos and the various designs of the dresses. However, at the end of the day, it was French Bridal's offer that we couldn't resist. We put a 50% downpayment and that 'locked' in the price.

The Dress

Going away on a holiday in Bangk0k usually means wearing tee, bermudas and slippers to shopping centers.

But the restaurants at lebua has strict codes.

Dress Code
Dress code is an important tradition at The DOME at State Tower. We appreciate the appropriate “Smart Casual” attire and footwear in our restaurants and bars area. Please refrain from wearing Slippers, Sandals and Flip Flops (For Gentlemen, shoes should be fully covered), Athletic or Sport uniforms, Ripped clothing, Short for Gentlemen, Sleeveless T-shirts for Gentlemen.

So I thought I would get her a dress as a surprise. And this dress could also act as a decoy, letting her think we are actually celebrating her birthday only.

No dress has caught my eye till 13 August 2008. I had spare time on my hand that Wednesday as Gerrie would only end her church meeting at 9ish. I was walking pass Ted Baker and chanced upon this beautiful piece.





I immediately walked into the store and enquired about the price.

"$219"

They only had a Size 0 in black and a Size 1 in red. I wasn't sure what size Gerrie could fit into and I wasn't about to spend that money on a LBD. Sure, every girl want a LBD but I reckoned I could get one at a fraction of that price from other stores.

Besides, I like that red colour.

I left my name and contact number and had them to call up the stores in London.

I didn't receive any calls that week, but I was determined to get that piece. I went to the store in Taka, but they said the same thing.

I went down to Vivo the following week to have dinner with Jon & Sam. At the same time, I went to enquire news on my reservation. Nothing still. I left Ted Baker disappointed. By that point of time, I had gotten Gerrie a pair of gold-coloured heels to match the red dress.

On 23 August, I went to Malaysia with my colleagues and entered this boutique in City Square. Every piece looks good and it comes in 1 size per piece. From my conversation with the staff there, the clothes are designed locally and are hand-sewn. Aspiring fashion designers, she said.

I managed to pick out 2 tops for Gerrie and another dress.




I made a mistake with my purchase. I realised the dress is too small, and decided to sell it off.

On 29 August, Cathleen and Huixian accompanied me to Ted Baker again. There and then, I made my purchase.




As for myself, a Ted Baker shirt as well. =)

The Preparation of the Proposal

Since young, I had always dreamt of proposing on a yacht. Lying on the deck on a bright sunny day, cruising in the sea, listening to waves...

I had gone to the extent of drafting the plan out, from renting a yacht at Raffles Marina, my guest list, to even when and how I should pop the question.

But, that would cost me $1000 for a 6-hour cruise.

I thought it would be more practical to choose to spend that money on a short getaway.

After much consideration, I chose Bangk0k.

"What? Of all places, why Bangk0k?"

Why not? Lots of places to do her shopping, and I get to eat my sharksfin soup... it's a win-win situation.

Lol... it actually came about when my colleague, Justin, was recommending must-go places in Bangk0k to Huixian in April this year.

from Lebua's site

He recommended me Sirocco, an al fresco restaurant, which overlooks Bangk0k. And there's pretty good feedback in Asiar00ms.com. Huixian, who later came back, told me how nice it was. Even my customer, who works in Bangk0k, told me it's a good place to propose.




That's when I decided Bangk0k would be it.

Despite checking prices online regularly, things did not materialise till 6th July when I booked the air tickets. On August 10. I had emailed them in regards to my reservation at Sirocco. However, Mr Pawarisa, the Reservation Supervisor, replied that he couldn't confirm the reservation and asked if I could change location.

Disappointing maybe, but its Mezzaluna, an Italian restaurant, seemed classy enough.



In fact, Mezzaluna is housed on the 65th floor of the State Tower. I thought to myself, "The view must be breath-taking."

Next question was "How to throw her off-guard?"

Simple. The Bangkok trip was arranged in October to celebrate her birthday. On August 28th, I made reservations at Baiyoke Sky Hotel for the first 2 nights, and the third night would be spent in Lebua's Riverview Suite Balcony. As its name suggests, the balcony offers the view of the Chao Phraya River.



That took care of the accomodation and the dinner on the proposal night. Then I began to work on the activities. I made payment for dinner for the second night. A private car would pick us up from Baiyoke Sky and we would go on a buffet dinner as we cruise the Chao Phraya River.



The rest of the meals need no reservation, thus I just had to write it down on an index card as a reminder. Fine, my memory's failing me.

All the plans have been carefully mapped out and are stored in the folder.




One more month to go.

The Jigsaw Puzzle Challenge Part 2

So the challenge, at least to me, continues.

I was with my colleagues at IMM on 12th April 2008 and came upon this Jigsaw Puzzle World. Knowing that I would have to complete the puzzles somehow, I convinced myself that I should pick out one.

I ended picking 2.

The first one didn't really count. But I thought it looked unique, using tinted pieces and somehow looked pretty when light beamed through it.



The second, a 1000 piece, jigsaw puzzle proved to be a daunting task for me. It took me 4 days to complete, with Gerrie's MASSIVE help.