A Mind of My Own

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I am utterly bored by Chinese wedding dinner styles but won’t have a say in mine although it is mine. Because of face. Just that one word. I don’t think there is a need to show off the wealth since I can jolly well put all that money into better use such as good renovations and a further honeymoon place to have fun.

Unfortunately, the elders won’t be that easily convinced especially when the son is the eldest in the family. ARGH! Another reason why I dislike Chinese wedding dinners is because they always start late. As in 1.5 hours after the stated time on the wedding card.

Last night was the first time I saw people arriving only at 7pm. The card stated dinner would be starting at 7pm. DD and I arrived at the place only to see his tired friends resting at the sofas just outside the Grand Ballroom of Orchid Country Club.

They had been helping the groom in the morning and were busted for the rest of the day. The dinner eventually started at around 8.30pm. For my wedding, I will not care about late comers if I am forced to hold the traditional wedding dinner style. You jolly arrive on time.

The wedding album was another thing altogether. I liked the outdoor shoots as they were taken in China. I like the forest-like shots and the stream shots. Unfortunately, Singapore doesn’t have that kind of nature except for that Bukit Timah hill stream that is too tiny. I don’t want lalang shots for sure. I don’t want fake backgrounds of forests and stream shots either.

I don’t even know when I’m getting married either.

Boy oh boy do I need help from a dating agency. I never realised that I was so bad at attracting men such as the time I attended an electronics camp organised by the school where these two boys (from two different schools) wanted to help me complete the circuit board; one offered to drill the holes while the other offered to solder the components. Aren’t they sweet?

Then in poly, this cute guy I had a secret crush on gave me a handmade flower that was being sold. Aww. After that, the internet guys wanted to meet me because I sounded so lovely. I didn’t know I could project such positive vibes online just by typing words.

What I do know is that with the downturn, times have gone bad because nobody is using dating companies much these days. Everyone is tightening their belts so that they won’t have to worry about their next meals.

I never knew that dating companies do cold calls these days. She addressed me so personally and double-checked my marital status. Of course I said ’single’. She was so happy at the other line and provided some information about her company’s main services; to help singles with their dating preferences.

I should have done a Goonfather style.

After watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona by Woody Allen, I have only one conclusion to make. Spain is vivacious. The people are passionate about art and enjoying the finer aspects of life. The beautiful buildings, streets and the lovely houses have made me want to visit Spain.

The movie is about Vicky and Cristina who were in Barcelona for a 2-month vacation. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) was to complete her thesis in Barcelona while Cristina (Scarlet Johansson) would tour by herself at times. During the art exhibition, both girls met Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who was recently divorced from a violent marriage. Cristina was instantly attracted to him and couldn’t help looking at him most of the time.

During dinner, Antonio approached them and proposed a weekend stay with just the three of them. Vicky was apprehensive but Cristina was raring to go. During the stay, Vicky was slowly charmed by Antonio but quickly regretted her passion.

As time went on, Cristina started to see more of Antonio and chaos began when the ex-wife, Marie Elena (Penelope Cruz) sought refuge with Antonio. The trio had problems at first as they were living in the same house but soon warmed up to each other.

I like the cute song that is being played during the start.

Trailer is embedded.

This would not have been made possible without Blog Aloud.

Having followed Sheylara’s blog for quite some time, I was happy that free tickets were going to be redeemed for the lucky bloggers who email her the details. DD read about it first since my RSS Reader didn’t update her new posts.

Thus, I sent her an email about my interest and surprise of all surprises, I got my free tickets to Money No Enough 2. A lady who is the contact for the event called me in the afternoon, a day before the actual movie and we spoke for a while. Nice lady.

I waited for the email for details. With the details, I proceeded to the place for collection. I was way too early since I had sent in my brother’s mobile for repair. Strangely, the huge group I saw were mostly queuing for the counter to buy popcorn and tickets.

I saw a table with the huge poster but the person to collect from wasn’t sitting at that place. Instead they were standing. I must say, they prefer to be close to the bloggers rather than just sit at the table and mark the tickets as collected. I’m impressed with the personal approach.

DD finally arrived because his training ended late. We rushed into the cinema and got our seats. Good seats. Thank you Sheylara. The show started on time without any pre-movie advertisements. I love it! Unfortunately, DD missed the first 2 minutes of the show because he needed to buy popcorn for me. I was hoping he would be back soon.

The movie’s main theme is about filial piety and I love the way it is being portrayed. Families with more than one sibling and the gap between rich and poor were shown with clarity. It also spoke of how a mother would give away her savings even if they were meant for her coffin to her children. A mother who doesn’t differentiate between loving a child more than the other.

The common quarrels between siblings is often about money after they started working. They will argue who earns more and should pay more for looking after the parents while neglecting the parents’ feelings. Parents may dote on one child more than the others but there are parents who won’t hesitate to help their children in whatever way they can without being biased.

This movie is a touching story about a family who learns filial piety and money values. A movie made from the heart. This heart part is from his speech.

After the movie, Director Neo arrived to speak about his experiences with the making of the movie. He gave a deeper insight of how budget works and thus, without speaking directly, it explained the constant reminders of the sponsors’ products which marred the movie’s flow to some people who would have preferred a visual reference instead of talking about it constantly.

I didn’t ask any questions because I have absolutely no idea what to ask. A few people asked about a sequel, whether his future movies would consist of more CGI and why he took so long to make the sequel. A lively session, I must say.

Finally, I would like to thank Sheylara and Blog Aloud for the chance to watch the movie and meet Director Neo.

Time to officially announce my new project, Lovely Momentos. It’s about weddings, hotels, bridal studios and love. I try to compile articles related to wedding, hotels and most important, reviews of bridal studios whenever possible.

Getting married in Singapore or anywhere is no mean feat when there is so much to plan for, guest lists, wedding gowns, dinners, hotel selection and photographers. So, I hope this would help anyone who is looking for wedding ideas.

I hope that Lovely Momentos will help in your search to keep lovely memories from your wedding.

Starting to like this song despite the heavy breathing.

是非題
詞 曲:王雅君

每段故事　都有一篇劇情
每段愛情　都像動人旋律
一顆真心　卻只向著你前進　也許愛越單純越著迷

你是窗外　另外一片風景
在你眼裡　我是什麼關係
你的呼吸　存在我的愛情里　何時能誠實面對自己

我們從不開口那個原因
那一句　我愛你　永遠像少了勇氣
別人都說我和你之間的關係
沒有人相信　只有關心

我們從不證實那個問題
那一些是非題　總讓人傷透腦筋
我會期待愛盛開那一個黎明
一定會有　美麗的愛情

你是窗外　另外一片風景
在你眼裡　我是什麼關系
你的呼吸　存在我的愛情裡 何時能誠實面對自己

我們從不開口那個原因
那一句　我愛你　永遠像少了勇氣
別人都說我和你之間的關係
沒有人相信　只有關心

我們從不證實那個問題
那一些是非題　總讓人傷透腦筋
我會期待愛盛開那一個黎明
一定會有　美麗的愛情

我們從不開口那個原因
那一句　我愛你　永遠像少了勇氣
別人都說我和你之間的關係
沒有人相信　只有關心

我們從不證實那個問題
那一些是非題　總讓人傷透腦筋
我會期待愛盛開那一個黎明
一定會有　美麗的愛情

I first heard this song when YF sent me the MP3. I love the melody. Searching for the lyrics made me sad. It’s about grandpa who’s love for grandma is so strong that when she died, he wanted to go with her too. Enjoy the embedded video.

I read a note my Grandma wrote back in 1923
Grandpa kept it in his coat, and he showed it once to me
He said, “Boy, you might not understand, but a long, long time ago,
Grandma’s daddy didn’t like me none, but I love your Grandma so.

We had this crazy plan to meet and run away together
Get married in the first town we came to and live forever
But nailed to the tree where we were supposed to meet instead
I found this letter, and this is what it said :

“If you get there before I do
Don’t give up on me
I’ll meet you when my chores are through
I don’t know how long I’ll be

But I’m not gonna let you down
Darling wait and see
And between now and then
Til I see you again

I’ll be loving you
Love, Me.”

I read those words just hours before my Grandma passed away
In the doorway of the church where me and Grandpa stopped to pray
I know I’ve never seen him cry in all my fifteen years
But as he said these words to her, his eyes fill up with tears

“If you get there before I do
Don’t give up on me
I’ll meet you when my chores are through
I don’t know how long I’ll be

But I’m not gonna let you down
Darling wait and see
And between now and then
Til I see you again

I’ll be loving you
Love, Me.”

[Lyrics via Lyrics 007]

Been watching 樱野三加一 (Ying Ye 3+1), starring Ming Dao and Chen Qiao En. They used to star in 王子变青蛙 (Prince Turns into Frog). Below is my favourite song that’s being played throughout the series. 16 episodes. I rather loved the fighting scenes although through halfway, they didn’t show them fighting the bad guys anymore.

我到底是谁
在你心中占有怎样的地位
你不说清楚
你让我们的爱坠在七里雾

爱 很讨厌
总是忽近忽远的让人追
追半天 你连抱歉
一句抱歉也不给

我向前走 低着头 眼泪不停向后流
一直走 不回头
希望你会找到我
但是始终不如愿
希望都落空
我仍相信 其实你懂我（其实你爱我）

我发誓千遍
我这一走你就无法挽回
虽然心会痛
总比受尽委屈还要更好过

我 等了等
脑海始终浮现你对我的好
好半天 你连Babe
一句安慰也不给

一前一后
你跟在我的背后沉默
Yeh……Yeh……Yeh……
前前 后后
希望你握住我的手
Yeh……Yeh……Yeh……
Wo……Wo……Wo……

我向前走 抬起头 擦掉眼泪向前走
一直走 不回头
相信你会找到我
梦里寻他千百遍
希望都实现
我不想走 无法心不动

我向前走 抬起头 擦掉眼泪向前走
一直走 不回头
相信你会找到我
梦里寻他千百遍
希望都实现
我仍相信 其实你懂我

Ah, the big day is here. No, I’m not getting married. Yet. It’s Valentine’s Day and we see florists having a field day selling to couples with exorbitant prices. It seems that love is being shown only on this day. Sometimes, I love/hate this day.

[via 3D Screensavers]

So, does that mean that we don’t show our love on other days? Restaurants and hotels having a good day because couples have booked the slots way much earlier to ensure that they will have a romantic day complete with flowers, dinner and finally, bed. Definition of bed is up to your imagination.

The soft toys often used in this gift giving period are teddy bears and more teddy bears besides cute dogs. To think bears are ferocious animals when provoked. It would also seem that ladies find Valentine’s Day as important as the date they started dating, wedding, ROM and birthdays.

Men find it a chore to remember so many things and prefer to just gift the ladies something and that’s the end of story. No wonder women find such men unromantic and dull. However, there are other ways to make it special, without spending too much money.

In addition, love can mean love for your family and friends too. It doesn’t just mean boyfriend or girlfriend love. Likewise, no one wants to be left alone.

Do note that it’s also the best day to propose to her if you have been meaning to.

Attended a wedding at Furama Riverfront Hotel last night. I late but in time for the 1st march in. My first impression of the ballroom, Venus at level 3 was, cramped. I think there were more than 40 tables being squeezed into the ballroom.

The tables were just enough for 10 average sized people. Seems pretty small to me. While the greeter at the lobby was polite, I wasn’t really impressed with the toilet either. The 1st level toilet had the flush button missing. It won’t flush at all. So, I left it like that. Not my fault, right?

Come to think of it, I didn’t manage to look at the wedding album in the end. The food arrived at odd paces. It didn’t feel timely. Each course was served but the plates were never replaced immediately. The drinks were not refilled fast enough either.

The servers weren’t that polite except for a few which is rare but I don’t have high expectations of servers except they should refill the glasses in a timely manner. The decoration of the ballroom was rather simple.

Overall, I wasn’t impressed with the place. Not that I had a terrible time but I felt that the service wasn’t up to par with a hotel whose name is supposed to be synonymous with quality service since it’s a 4-star hotel. Oh, it was formerly known as Novotel Apollo Singapore. Apparently, the name change did little difference.

Now, the slide show was done in animation format which is a difference from those photo montage I’ve seen. A nice change. I like the 3 projection screens though. The lighting wasn’t too dim. I guess the saving grace were the screens.