you and me in picture perfect pieces

Warning: this is a fully loaded with photo post which may annoy the hell out of you. And if you have low tolerance for mushiness, I suggest you not see/read further

So well.. in case you haven't heard (too bad you're slow), I am happy to report that Fariz and I had our pre-wed photoshoot over and done with. It was a great kick start to probably the most important year of our life. I finally manage to get my hands on the copies of the photos and now you just can’t imagine how giddy I am to share!

hello!

I even carelessly showed my mom who I knew since f.o.r.e.v.e.r would never approve such unseemly not-married-yet couple photos..

and worst, I made her watch the video too! *slaps forehead*

What?! Which video I hear you ask? Hah too bad, but if you're lucky maybe one day I'll show you too :p

The moment I realized I was actually digging myself into my own grave, her eyes were already wide and fixed on the computer screen and it was way too late..yikes!

it was the first time in her life that she has ever heard of PRE-wedding photos

but to my surprise she didn't faint nor did she made any snide comments. Maybe it is safe to assume that she has grown out of the conservative-I-am-not-a-cool-mother thing and she can now become my new best girl friend :) hehe

(I think she likes the photos herself too, except that she won't admit it of course)

I mean how can she not like it that I am as happy as a girl with a candy like this?:

So back to admiring the photos, I can't put my finger on exactly what makes me like them so much. It is probably the the whimsical, blissful feel about it on top of the breathtaking outdoor location combined with a healthy dose of fresh air. And there's definitely something about translating love through a camera lens that made the whole session great fun. l went absolutely dreamy looking at the photos just now (haha I am vain like that) and it was hard to pick my favorites.

and it made me stress when I can't decide-_-! Can't I just put them all here? like all hundreds them? I might even get banned by blogspot for jamming the system

I like even the ones (which is almost half of all the photos) with my eyes close and looking half asleep. and the ones in which Fariz went smiling from ear to ear? he is such a clown, you see. You can either love him or hate him, nothing in between. Myself on the other hand, tend to forget to smile and so had to be TOLD TO SMILE like..constantly -_-"

and that explains why I look sombong when I am actually not..pfftt!

Anyhoo for the job well done, we are overflowing with gratitude to Razali who'd managed to capture the essence of our happiness in such a truthful way. They turned out rather like how I hoped them to be. Light-hearted and not overdone at all indeed. Thank you!

p.s: I would like to keep the photos fresh and original. Also I don't really want to showcase my so-called 'talent' and lack of creativity in editing but I added hints of contrast here and there just because I think they make 'em photos look sharper..won't harm right? heh

Enough babbling and here's how the rest of the shoot turned out.

I can't decide which one looks nicer or in fact real because I was fake playing the violin with my non-existent talent/skill. Either this:

or this. Help me spot the difference :p

the quirks that make us perfect together :)

Isn't falling in love and being in love just the most fun thing EVER!

you get someone to take your hand and walk into the future together..

or run..

or dance..

into the future

I can imagine myself looking back at these many years from now and getting a warm and fuzzy feeling, just like today :)

but for now, I just can't wait to see what will our wedding pictures turn out like!

So if you like these, you know what to do. Judging from the look of these photos, I don't need to say much anymore. Suffice to say and most importantly, Razali and his mates are very comfortable and easy people to work with. But if you're still not pretty much convince, head over to to check out more of his work here.

life on the fast lane

The only time when time really flies is on the weekends spent with Fariz.

But I took a look at the ticker today and goodness gracious! where did all the time go? Blink after blink, time flew really fast in our lovely little world. On top of that, we are already living life on the fast lane, except that we're quite enjoying the ride too, so far :)

In a jiff, 16 months (since we first hooked up) and 6 months (since we agreed to bond) have passed by us, leaving us with as little as less than 90 days to go before the big day is due to come knocking on our door!

If you've noticed, my mojo hasn't been up and running these past few days that I haven’t been writing much about my soon to be knot. For one, I already feel like we've been preparing for this (in my head) since forever.

That said, my wedding wishlist is still not complete. Really, you have no idea how much mental energy all this is taking up. And procrastination certainly doesn't help. If I tell you now how much I HAVE YET TO DO, I will freak you out which will in turn freak the hell out of me too. See, there is no point telling you, no? So don't ask, shheeesh..

Outside, the traffic whizzed fast. Fariz's work, as always is showing no signs of slowing down (though I must add, I am proud of where you stand now, baby!). I, on the other hand have people to meet, places to go, things to buy and my bedroom to tidy. On the inside however, its just me, my fickle mind and occasional billion-dollar wedding whims. Why are we not billionaires? if we are then everything will come easy. why?why?why? okay, I don't need us to be billionaires for me to get my dream ring, dream dress, dream cake and all, but you get what I mean.

Money isn't everything, but it makes EVERYTHING possible.

Mind over matter, this is what I tell to myself anyway. Weddings are superfluous and pricey, yes. but when you're sure you've found the very right person to spend your life with (or at least you think you have), it's worth it! it's going to be worth it! (or at least it will feel like it is). I have dated enough men to confidently say that, this time I can't be wrong. This time, every second spent, every effort made, every little penny I put into making this happen will only make me even happier in return.

So far, this has been true :)

Ahemm so what say you? YAY to spending my entire life savings away~!?

okay, that just goes to show how little my savings really are, if there is at all, any..-_-"

PRE-Wedding jitters, go away!
come again another day.. Pffft...

January Eleventh

Do you know that today is the International Thank You day? Ok now you do..

How charming that a day like this exists in the world, don't you think?

It’s more of a habit for me to say thank you. It is like I say it, even when it isn't exactly needed. So I don't really need to be reminded by such a thank-you day, that is. It is one of my favorite things to say, to the lady over the phone, to the (rare) gentleman who holds the door, to the petrol pump attendant who helps me fill my tank, to the shop assistant for bringing me my shoes to try on, to patients who bother to listen to my not-so-skilled counseling/advice and by right should be thanking me instead, to doctors or shop owners who their premises I had to barge in for inspections, to agents for bringing in their consignment notes complete with all the documents needed, attached.

And of course a lot a lot of thank yous to Fariz (just because) too. I don't know why I do this. Coz I don't remember being like this in any of my past relationship. Perhaps I've just grown to appreciate little things more and show my gratitude.

Our baby talks almost always revolves around something that sound like this:

Him: I'm sorry baby didn't call you earlier. I wanted to but I had to bla bla bla, things keep piling up, I tak cukup tangan bla bla bla everyone is looking for me, wanting this and bla bla that, I was really busy (busier than president Obama), I feel bad tak dapat cakap dgn you but I want you to know that I love you, tau?

Me: Thank you sayang. I'm ok since I already know that you'll be busy today

Him:. I love you so much, baby

Me: hehe..Thank you sayang, I love you too

Him: Baik la you today hehe. Thank you sayang.

Me: Hehe. Thank you for noticing that :p

Him: Hehe..heh ..hehe. Thank you sbb tak marah..hehehe

of course there are bad days when I would flip when he forgets to call when he should ..but that's basically the reason Fariz is very thankful on the day I don't :)

and yes I know you might think its silly, but to us, it makes perfect sense~ to thank each other for being so lovely..

When I was in England it didn't take me long to realized that people over there pride themselves on their politeness and manners. They thank each other everywhere, all the time.

• For instance, it would be rude to ask for or receive anything anywhere (a favour, some help or information) without saying 'please' and 'thank you'.

• In a shop, they say 'thank you' several times at the checkout, simply for having being told how much they need to pay, for returning their balance or credit card and again before the leave.

• The store manager (my boss) thanks me for doing my job, as opposed to just think that paying me my well deserved salary is already enough of a thanks.

• When hoping off the bus, it is polite to say 'thank you' to the driver. but not expecting him to reply for he is merely doing his job.

• In reply to 'how are you?', they don't just say 'fine' or 'very well' but with 'thank you' too.

basically the thank yous over there are even for things that people in other parts of the world would never dream of thanking.

Having said that and on a serious note, I really don't get it when we say we Malaysians are polite and courteous (bersopan-santun? berbudi bahasa? and what not).

Owh and do you even know that Malaysia was once ranked the third least courteous country in the world, according to Reader’s Digest? YAY, not! -_-"

Clearly, related to driving, we are at our worst on the roads but even at a more personal level how often do you come across shop assistants who do not just look at you stone-faced as if you owe them something, and how many actually greet you with a hello and say thank you, bye, have a nice day? We don't even say our salams enough anymore nowadays, not to strangers at least, don't we?

are we just too shy and reserved? or maybe I'm saying this coz I simply haven't been to Mumbai yet (apparently the rudest city in the world, again as rated by RD)

Anyway, be nice people. This part of the world we're living in right now, is lacking so much of that.

If you ask me, why not start with saying 'thank you' to the lady at the checkout for packing your shopping bags for you, or 'thank you' to the waiter who brings you your drinks? or how about to the cab driver who drove you safely to your destination? These two small words of gratitude can mean a lot. At a closer look, one thing you will soon notice is that Malaysians are quite receptive and wouldn't hesitate to reciprocate. I know that because I've tried :)

and owh of course, THANK YOU for reading!

the way I am

I like music that speaks to me in a personal way, just like a story with a tune and like reading a book but having it told to you..that speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it a rest, heals the heart and makes it whole..and flows from the ear straight to the soul..

like this one
a simple song..but with lyrics that stand out to me

If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.

Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.

If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.

Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.

I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.

Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.

p.s; Rogaine is Regaine in the UK. but what is it in Malaysia? Fariz is going botak! but only in some small areas of his head..such a think-er he is..

and because the Jackie Chan's bawang shampoo errr..sounds disgusting :s

like lock and key

Well I haven't been keeping my new year resolutions sadly :( because I had NONE haha (read previous post). I am still stubbornly stuck with my 'don't make them, can't break them' idea and mind you, because I am a woman, hormonal and all, I am allowed to (depending on my mood) set a goal ONLY when I feel like it and achieve things ONLY when I feel my best. Don't argue.

and Fariz said that I may still shop as I please, as long as I don't mind that we will be eating my tops and shoes, instead of food when we are really left with no more money -_-"

naaaah...

we can still sell off your properties for money, right? ;p

anyhoo..that doesn't mean that Fariz too doesn't do resolutions..In fact I made him do his. After all, men are supposed to be so much more goal/mission-oriented anyway...

Me: So sayang, what are your resolutions? New year resolutions? I WANT five!

although I don't know what I was expecting, he'd better say something that I wanted to hear..hehe

To me, its a form of 'mind-games'. but clearly it isn't always fun for Fariz. Even from the way he chuckles, I know that it's always a challenge for him to come up with answers that do not fall short below my expectations.

urrmm tricky you think? but I swear I gave him enough clues to help him find his way!

So he must somehow miraculously without lying or sounding fake, figure out what I wanted him to say (instead of the truth) haha!

Otherwise, he is doomed.

Me: Tell me, tell me, whats your first one?

Without another second of thought he goes..

I want to make you happy

wait.. scratch that . It sounds better in Malay, which for some reason made the cheesiness factor a notch higher

I nak buat you bahagia, I nak layan you lebih baik bla bla (everything that encompasses bahagia)

Me: Wow thats a spot-on!? Really! that's your number one? (how sweet that I am always on the top of everything, right?..) *flips hair tudung*

Me: Number two? (I asked quickly before he changed his mind)

I nak lebih banyak beribadah (praise and worship God). I tanak tinggal sembahyang, I wana be more thankful bla bla bla

Me: (in my head) Wow... my heart warms and melts at the thought that we will have a blessed marriage life and he'll be successful (with loads of $$$) because he never forgets to be grateful and he'll make a very good husband and all one fine day.

and I made a mental note: to encourage him to make this resolution his priority instead. When you love God and He loves you back, every other thing you wish for after that then, will follow....right?

Me: Number three?

I nak bawak you masuk my family and nak make sure you selesa dengan semua orang bla bla bla..

A marriage? I found myself feeling good about such affirmation he was giving whilst dying with anticipation at the same time..hemm

I zoned out a little after that. Wasn't really paying attention to the next two ones..coz the cupid's arrow struck me right across my heart again and I already heard what I wanted to hear.. hehe

sweet nothings really make me happy. I call them the food for my soul :)