Sharp nose, double eyelids, bigger eyes, slimmer waist, longer legs, slimmer arms, flatter tummy, smooth skin, fuller breasts, fairer skin and the list goes on.

Why would the majority believe the above traits constitute to being beautiful? Are we so influenced by the media that we failed to see more?

What about inner beauty?  For example, personality, intelligence, grace, politeness, charisma, integrity, congruence or elegance?

I grew up being on the obese side, sadly I did not have much friends. Less to talk about MALE friends.
Female or male, we judged one another with looks.  I was constantly teased and ostracized by friends in school. No inner beauty was considered when we were out making friends.

One particular Chinese New Year, I woke up and found out that I simply do not look good in any clothes.

And that was when I realized that I need to lose weight. ALOT of weight.

I started losing weight by controlling what I eat. Every single thing that I put into my mouth I had to think twice.
When everyone is eating around me, I had to tell myself that I am not allowed to eat.

In fact, I felt guilty that I am even chewing veggies.

Stress and guilt got into me so much that I started to throw up whatever I ate.

I was weighing 90kg and standing at 1.64m back in 2004 and by 2008, I was 52kg.

I looked into the mirror and I saw high cheekbones, flat tummy, slim legs and most importantly I did not have double chin.
Along with those, I had pale skin, I was lethargic and moody, and I started to slouched.

I had finally achieved my ideal weight but I feel empty. (Yes, it might be my empty stomach) But I can’t feel the satisfaction, because I still want to lose more weight!

And it suddenly strike me, when will it ever stop?

So, I started eating normally. I had my usual carbs, meat and even junk food. But I feel happier!

Although my size went from size 6 to Size 8 or 10 now, but seriously who cares? In fact, I love the fact that when I walk down on the streets I am different. I love my curves and rosy cheeks and I am damn proud of them.

And by the way, I wear the clothes, the clothes can’t wear me.

Cheers to any girls out there who are BIG, BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!

And… Chinese New Year was less irritating without him around.

We celebrated 11 years of friendship.

Moments where we had to be apart for a couple of months.

As usual, Mum usually have her way of finding out where I am.

Mr. K wonders what comes next after his MBA.

Never forget my darling, growing up strong and never fail to bring joy to the family.

My first visit to Macau, a heritage city.

A day where we sealed our promises.

Our first visit to Cameron Highlands.

What happened on 3rd December?

In 1818, Illinois becomes the 21st U.S. state.
In 1904,  the Jovian moon Himalia is discovered by Charles Dillon Perrine at California’s Lick Observatory.
In 1910, modern neon lighting is first demonstrated by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show.
In 1912, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia (the Balkan League) sign an armistice with Turkey, ending the two-month long First Balkan War.
In 1959, the current flag of Singapore is adopted, six months after Singapore became self-governing within the British Empire.
In 1973, Pioneer program: Pioneer 10 sends back the first close-up images of Jupiter.
In 1989, in a meeting off the coast of Malta, US President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev release statements indicating that the cold war between Nato and The Soviet Union may be coming to an end.
In 2002 , till today, this is still the last day where the USD was stronger than the Euro.
In 2005, Marilyn Manson marries Dita Von Teese in a lavish ceremony.
In 2007, Kevin Rudd is sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia by Governor-General Maj. Gen. Michael Jeffery.
In 2009, Nigerian farmers sue Shell at a court in The Hague over claims that the oil firm polluted their land in the Niger Delta region.
In 2010, Attacks against WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and The Guardian website.

So what will happen on 3rd December 2011?

I married Mr. K.

A small, simple and quiet event.

I would not be able to pull this off without the help of a few close sisters and friends. With lots of love and encouragements, you guys stood by me and guided me along the way. Today you guys rocked! Love you guys.

Family and friends who took out precious time and grace your presence today, I am grateful for sharing our joy and I will remember the blessings given.

Last but not least…

Thank you, Mr. K.
For E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

For the sake of him, I helped.
When tasks completed, not even a word of thanks.
When things go wrong, it’s my responsibility.

No. 1 You did not PAY me to do it.

No. 2 Even if you want to pay, I may reject.

No. 3 I am not free.

Get this right, I AM NOT YOUR SLAVE.

Rhythm that sets the mood right.

It was treasure hunting for me.

And I compiled my own wedding songs. I actually have 60 songs in all! But I would like to share my top 10 wedding or rather loves songs here. =)

My number 1 song:

Jim Brickman (with Wayne Brady) - Beautiful

Number 2:

Glee Cast – Endless Love

Although many great singers sang this song before, but I personally prefer this version.

Number 3:

Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight

Who can ever resist his oddly sound vocal and his slow hands?

Number 4:

Secrets in Stereo – Happy

Number 5:

Olivia Ong – You and Me

Basically I love all Olivia Ong’s songs, hence one of her songs would definitely be in my Top 10.

Number 6:

Elton John – Your Song

Number 7:

Train – Marry Me

Number 8:

George Strait – I Crossed My Heart

This has to be the my most favorite country love song.

Number 9:

Jim Brickman (AGAIN!) - The Love I Found In You

I simply cannot resist NOT putting this song in my Top 10.

And finally ……….

Number 10:

Ronan Keating – When You Say Nothing At All

Who can ever forget Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the film “Notting Hill”?!

The unforgettable line in the film, delivered by Anna (Julia Roberts).

Anna: “I’m a just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her”
*melts…* 

Well, this is my Top 10 wedding/love songs.

What would be yours?

As the first and last European colony in Asia, Macau has more visible colonial history than Hong Kong. Briefly reminded me of Shanghai.

Day 1 – Visited Senado Square, a paved area in the centre of the former Portuguese colony, enclosed by the buildings of the Leal Senado, the General Post Office, and St. Dominic’s Church.

Did soulless shopping and hike up to Ruins of St. Pauls – facade of originally The Cathedral of St. Paul built in 1602.

Local products like – Portuguese egg tarts, Pork Chop Bun, Almond Cookies, etc can be found in Senado Square.

Went to a Portuguese/Macanese restaurant right outside Senado Square. Food is super yummy and EXPENSIVE.

Went to take a walk at Fisherman Wharf – supposedly a theme park, although the place is beautiful but it is extremely DEAD. Hardly anyone around the place. Restaurants and pubs look boring. And we guessed everyone should be in casinos!

Like hello? We are in the land of casinos!

Day 2 – Took a taxi to Long Wah Cha Lou 龙华酒楼 (Casa De Cha Long Wa) This old teahouse opened its doors in 1963 and has hardly changed since then… Dim Sum was not as good as they claimed, however we have a good eye-feast on how a super old-school Hong Kong teahouse should be like. It felt like I was back in Hong Kong where it was 1960s.

As the teahouse was right smack in the middle of Red Market (No. 3, Rua Norte do Mercado Almirante) we decided to walk around and experience some local life instead of the casinos.

We decided to walk back to Senado Square, as we do so we chance upon the Fire Services Museum of Macau. It is built with a European style edifice that dates back to 1923. It is a very imposing structure in the area, especially beside the Kiang Wu Hospital. I can really appreciate the museum as I used to take a module of Fire Engineering back in my polytechnic days. It’s hard to find government taking funds and efforts to commemorate those who fought bravely for their countrymen.

The Fire Services Museum of Macau is interesting because it’s one of the countries in the world that pay tribute to the volunteers who risk their life just to save others.

Next we went to Ou Mum Cafe, located right at the back alleys in Senado Square. (took us very long to find this spot.) Sadly, despite all the reviews this cafe is more of a tourist spot than their food. I felt disappointed as it wasn’t as good as I thought. The egg tarts was soggy and tasteless.

Comparing to the ones I had on the street on Senada Square? This is WAY OFF.

Next, we decided to head to A-Ma Temple (媽閣廟) situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated toMatsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen.

Instead of taking taxi, I decided to be adventurous and take their local transport – Bus.

And I realized that every trip cost me MOP 3.20(S$0.53) only?! And the network of public buses is amazing. We can easily find a bus stop, waiting time is 10 minutes (maximum), network of the buses are easily understandable and available in every bus stop, the buses are super clean/high-tech and the best of all we noticed their is no traffic jam in Macau. Well, take the bus people!

As it was a super warm day in Macau and I did lots of walking/hiking hence I sort of dumped myself in the mist of all the casinos. I did casinos hopping, took their free shuttle buses and roam around the casinos. The extend of their extravagance are outright and shamelessly slapped on the buildings itself. I felt like I was in another world.

Oh yes, I am Chinese hence I cannot resist GAMBLING.

*Yes, I had a little windfall at the Blackjack table.*

Day 3 – Mr. K went out for business meetings and I am sleeping in. Woke up with a note on the dressing table and I decided to hit Senado Square and do some SERIOUS shopping. I am not going in details on what I buy as Mr. K would be reading. But girls would enjoy cheaper beauty products and NARAYA!!!!!!!!!!

The highlight of my trip before I head back to Singapore – Housing of Dancing Water

THE BEST SHOW I EVER WATCHED! A HK$2 Billion Production!

OMFG!!!! IT IS DAMN GOOD! Whoever goes to Macau CANNOT miss this show! 

Well, I risked my life and recorded some parts of the show. And I was caught by the staff! *lower head*

So quick! THANK ME FOR IT!

Enjoy the photo slideshow and videos!

Lord Stow’s Café

Ou Mun Café

Litoral

António

Then, I will reduce my guilt by making my way to -

Ruins of the Church of St Paul

A-Ma Statue

Taipa House Museum

The House of Dancing Water

Figured out where will I be going?

Other questions following closely are -

“Is he THE ONE?”

“Why ME?”

“What if he regrets in a few years time?”

“What if I AM the one who regrets in a few years time?”

and so on…

No one ever prepared us this important moment in our lives. At least not for me. Before I know it, I was chickening out or rather I had the renowned and timeless fear – Pre-marital woes. COME ON! WHO WON’T?

Why do I have pre-marital woes?

Answer: I have no idea what lies beyond marriage. It’s a major question mark. And I seriously have no answer to it, this scares the shit out of me.

its like driving on e a dark highway without my headlights. I can’t see the road ahead of me.

I know some of us may think that we can see ourselves with our partners hence we settle down together. Think again, the “life” we tell ourselves are the happy moments spent, most time we forgot about the little things in life that can screw up marriages.

For days, I kept asking myself the same questions. And all I got was blank.

And I realized there are NO ANSWERS.

As simple as that.

I hate to do things without understanding but when it comes to love or marriage, its unconditional and there for there is no why.

I do not love him for his looks, car, house or career. That would be conditional.

Well, I am very sure he do not love me for my looks, career or money cause I obviously have none. HAHAHAHAHA! 

There I have it, I wasted 1 week of my youth pondering about questions that do not have any answers. And I am glad I got over this cause any more of this woes would have been damaging to any relationships or marriages.

With that, I shall now happily prepare for the special day.

http://www.ladyironchef.com/2011/05/master-crab-seafood-restaurant-salted-egg-crab/

Normally I will have my salt egg crab fix at a restaurant in Toa Payoh, but after going through the post above I thought I could be giving my tastebud an adventure. I was indeed sent for an “adventure”!

Firstly, my apologies for the lack of photos in this post. So I will try my best to describe what happened.

We ordered their famous salted egg crab and we requested for a large size crab approximately 1kg crab would be ideal. Followed by stir-fried sweet potato leaves and a stir-fried bee hoon.

While waiting for our dishes, our waitress told us that crab is $40/kg and that crab which they got for us would cost us $40 exactly.

At that very moment, I kinda think $40/kg is slightly expensive for Sri Lanka crabs as I normally have very good crabs for $35/kg. Well, I gave them the benefit of doubt and I trust the crabs should be really fresh.

The first dish arrived shortly and it was the stir-fried sweet potato leaves. Followed by the bee hoon. And lastly, the much awaited crab.

Bee hoon and veggie was fine but I find the veggies on the salty side. Mr. K took the claw of the crab while I picked the a quarter piece of carapace and legs. All I could say was: the crab was not fresh AT ALL. The fresh of the crab sticked to the shell and there was no sweetness, the flesh tasted powdery and foul. We cannot bring ourselves to eat it anymore. Hence we called the waitress and inform them that the crab was not fresh, however we were slammed with bad attitude from the waitress. Instead of saying, “Sorry, let me check with the chef.” I got, “IS IT?!”

I was furious.

Number 1: You doubted our taste buds?

Number 2: You think I am so poor that I am here to cheat ONE CRAB from you?!

Number 3: In customer service line, CUSTOMER is like your WIFE. WE ARE ALWAYS RIGHT!

We told them there is no need to redo the crab however we would like to have Cereal Prawns. They did not attempt to make amendments for the bad crab that was served and served us the prawns.

Prawns was overdone, the only consolation? The cereal was yummy.

Just when we had enough of the bad food and service, my nightmare had just began.

We asked for the bill and the waitress asked (AGAIN) if we would like them to redo the crab or we would like a refund. So we told them that we really do no like the crab that was served however, since we had consumed two pieces of the crab they should just charged us according. So she went off and came back with a shocking bill.

They still charged us $40 for the crab!!!!!!

They waived off the cost of veggie which is like $6?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So in another words, we consumed $34 of FOUL CRAB? And each piece costed us $17?! Allow me to repeat again, for FOUL CRAB!

We were really unhappy and we asked for reason. She was unable to give any reasons and hold out the bill to our face. We were mad! We paid reluctantly and she had the cheek to tell us to come back again and they will give us a fresh crab.

What the hell?! We told them that we will never eat here again.

If they knew the crab was not fresh, why didn’t they refund us?! Is that how to run a business? Let’s be realistic here, it’s very common accidentally served crabs which are not fresh to customers. If they were to refund or red0 according the customers’ requests, I would definitely patronize them again.

BECAUSE I KNOW I AM PAYING FOR QUALITY.

Why am I writing this down? For those who are reading, please take note of this restaurant. I am not saying you can’t eat there, but the risk is yours.

I am not rich, so paying $17 for one piece of crab is really crap.

And they are Master of CRAP!

Seriously? Go F**K yourself. I mean it.

I made a decision which isn’t, I repeat, ISN’T easy for me. Without my parents or Mr. K’s support, I would not have done so. The time which I am taking to achieve my goal are on their expense. Their hope and expectations are on me, what do you know anyway?

So what is YOUR problem? Don’t jump into conclusions and start labeling people. You are NOT ME, you do not know how I feel. Just because you are unhappy with your own life that doesn’t give you any right to do so!
WAKE UP! No one is genuinely happy with our own life! We constantly hope our life can be better or great, but in reality it suck to the max. Just pick up yourself and MOVE ON!

Don’t claimed that you are my friend when you know NOTHING about being a true friend. You are a disgrace to that word.

UPDATE on 26th Jul 2011, 12:44pm

Conclusion: The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side, but if you will to spend more time on your lawn rather than poking your head over to your neighbour’s lawn. One day, you might just have the greenest lawn ever.