In the blink of an eye, I am legally married for a year, this coming Sunday.
How do I feel? Hmm... Time waits for no man. That's what I feel. Oh, and I feel grateful to have such an understanding husband. He's no perfect man, but none of us are perfect. Guess I could never ever find another man that would take in all my craps willingly. Oops, correction: I shall never look for another man anymore. LOL!
Though we're married and been together for so long, there is not a day we feel less loved. We quarreled, threw tantrums, got angry with each other, had countless cold wars... But they all stopped the very next day. I've heard people said "don't sleep on an unresolved matter, solve it there and then". Well, that is bullsh** at times. Sometimes the arguments heat up, both parties just simply have to cool down and stop talking. Many times after a good night sleep, I simply just do not remember what we had argued or I'd realise it's just some small matter that needs no further attention. Why sweat over the small stuff when there are bigger things you have to focus on? One of the bigger things is, be happy.
After all, we've known each other for so long. The likes and dislikes, which buttons to push and which not to push further, we know them well. But "accidents" do happen. Hahahaha! Hey, we're no perfect couples. :) A lot of times we got pissed off at each other, but those are sweet moments too. Often we laugh out loud together recalling our reactions back then. Yes, we do talk about it later after we both cool down. :)
I do nag at him. Oh please, every woman nags, ok. Don't tell me you as a woman never nag. :p I too grumble about him with friends. No matter how happy we are, we tend to have things that we need to get them off our chest sometimes. Nope, nothing others can do or have to do. Listening will be more than enough. Don't you agree? By the way, Andrew nags too! You'll never believe me if you never see it. And you would never see it as he only does that to me when no one else is around. LOL!
So, how are we going to celebrate it? Well, being Ashley and Andrew, we ain't really into celebrating all these. To us, we can celebrate it any day we want. Everyday is a Valentine's day because we are still in love each and single day. And everyday is an anniversary, because we are still together every single day. Hence, no point to celebrate only ONCE on every 365th day. :) We shall celebrate love, not the DAYS.
The day we sealed the "deal". :)
It was few months ago, when I saw Mandy, my lovely cousin (actually, Andrew's cousin :)) posted on her Facebook wall that she was looking for a photographer who could help to freeze her dancing acts. I replied "ME" half-heartedly, expecting that she would want someone who has more experience rather than some amateur like me. My heart was jumping with joy when she asked me when!
We decided Sepang Gold Coast for our shooting location. I've never been there, I did not know how it was going to be. But ballet on the beach? That would be something different. The day has come, Mandy was so disappointed that she couldn't find her perfect white dress. :) When the session started, we all found that the moves looked more like yoga instead of ballet. So, I decided not to shoot any still poses anymore, more dancing and prancing and running, gracefully. I was feeling a bit guilty to have asked her to repeat so many times. Glad that Mandy was such a sweetheart to play along. :)
Happy that the photos came out Ok. But I could do better next time. There were some twisting moves which I couldn't get them right. All of us wanting to have another round in the near future. :) Can't wait!
I am happy with myself, trying many different things. 2009 is a good year, as I expected earlier this year. Seeing that it is going to end real soon, I am pretty anxious about the new year. Whatever it may bring, I'll have to gear myself up to face them. Like all the ballet dancers, no matter how nervous they are, they never fail to smile, hold their heads up and dance gracefully. It is similar to a swan, so gracefully floating on the water but nobody could see their feet busy treading under the water.
My favorite.
Here's the "working man", helping us with the bags and all, and not forgetting taking some behind-the-scenes photos and videos!!! I was laughing so hard when I saw some of my ugly 'working' pose.
This isn't my first time to shop online. I totally understand the risk of buying online and I can take the risk so long as I am careful in selecting my purchases. If the goods received were way too much different from what I saw on the website, it would then be the first-and-the-last time for me to buy from that seller. No point in cursing the seller for cheating my money. After all that is the risk I took and I have to manage it, not let it manage me.
Got my clothes on Tuesday. I was so excited opening the package! Hahaha. Ooohhh...... They look nice! Oops... One little problem with the clothes. First sweater, it was supposed to be grey with PINK trims, but it is white. Second sweater, it was supposed to be open-button sweater, but the one I got is a pull over sweater! Okay, they may be big problems to some people. To me, well, I'm okay with it, they're just small details that varied from the photographs. Other than those details, I find that the quality is good. Well, that kind of comfort me. :)
So, people out there, if you ever wanted to purchase online, make sure you can handle the risk and the possible discrepancies later. If you can't, online purchasing is definitely something which you should not even TRY, or THINK.
Here's some photos on the differences.
Where have the buttons gone? Who ate the buttons? LOL!
The one on the right is what I received. See the different?
Many of us remember Phuket as an island of paradise, shopping, relaxation and tranquility. After the tsunami hit in year 2004, a day after Christmas, many now are in awe of how a small town could rebuild in such a short time.
My first time to Phuket, with my colleagues. It was a company trip, kind of to motivate and reward every one of us as we did not get any increment or bonus this year. Every one was excited about this trip, except me. Anyway, I'm glad that I went. Didn't enjoy much of the sea and beaches, but I did enjoy the Phantasea show and the shopping. :D The snorkelling trip was nothing, corals are all dead, fishes are of not many variety and it was crowded. You are bound to hit on someone wherever you swim.
Had our lunch in Koh Phi Phi island. The tour guide told us 3000 people died here. I couldn't believe that this is the place where more than 3000 people died in the 2004 tsunami. Looking at it, you wouldn't know that it has such a tragic history. The island is still full of people. Most of the buildings are newly built after the tsunami. There is even a tsunami evacuation route now. Too bad I forgot to take a photo of it. The tour guide told us he was on a boat when the tsunami hit, the sea receded about 1km and he found it weird. When the wave came, he could only feel the boat rising up and down and nothing much. He didn't know what happened on the shore until he returned at a later time. He said he was lucky to be on the boat and survived.
There is still a lot of development going on in Chalong and Patong beach. You can see that most of the buildings are freshly painted. Well, 5 years after the tsunami, they basically rebuilt everything from scratch.
On the second night, we went to Jung Ceylon shopping complex. We were late, they closed at 10.30pm. So, we wandered along Bangla Road. So many things to see, but not much that you could buy. Then we were in this street where all the pubs and discos are there. Thai girls dancing on the tables, pole dancing, men asking you to visit their clubs...... It was so happening there!
We then walked all the way back to our hotel, Andaman Beach Suites, all of us felt our legs were giving up on us. LOL! That was a long way to walk! We nearly got lost too. Fortunately saw our tour leader on his way back too. :D A tips to share, do not ever walk alone in Bangla Road, walk in a group! Not even if you're a guy.
We all woke up early on the 3rd day, to go to this Premier Outlet in Phuket town. Geez, Nike is cheaper by 30%!!! Got myself a pair of shoes. I regret now that I did not buy the backpack which is selling RM80++ here and it was selling at RM60 there!
Am thinking if I should go Phuket again middle of next year with Andrew. Just for shopping and walking around. :P
In LCCT airport.
Gems Gallery
Chalong Temple
Mind FM!!!!
The giant durian in fruits market.
It's a pity that I didn't get to go for a ride on that, no one wanted to go with me. :(
View from our hotel room! Nice!
Going for the Phantasea Show.
The buffet dinner in this restaurant was awesome! International standard. No regrets!
Getting ready heading to Phi Phi Island.
At Koh Phi Phi Don.
Sunset at Promthep Cape, we were late and it was cloudy, missed the sun.
Last dinner in Phuket.
When we reached the Phuket airport, we were shocked to see all the queues!!! The security check at all 4 entrance were full of people and the queue was so long even by the road side. Crazy!!!
The most anticipated movie is finally here. I personally think that most of us love all these armageddon movies. Guess deep down inside, there's this part of us wanting to look for some comfort and heroes-of-the-day in the movies.
When I saw that man in the movie, I thought "can't be him, he's not this old and fat". I managed to convince myself that it is NOT him in 2012 movie. Didn't look at the cast and credits at the end of the movie, I finally checked out the cast on the web. Gosh, it IS him in the movie!!! John Cusack!!! When did he become so fat and old?! I still remember the lean and charming John Cusack in "Being John Malkovich" and "Con Air". But now...... :( Of course we all grow old, and Con Air was 10 years ago. Sigh...... I myself am fat and old too. Hahahaha......
The movie, I guess it did leave some impact in all of us who watched it. If I remember it right, there was a news about the rich will be travelling to the space in some space craft. It's going to be some kind of "vacation trip". There's a price to it, only the filthy rich can afford it. I wonder if it is something similar to the arrangement in 2012 movie. I just can't help but think that way.
The only thing I think differently from the movie plot is, the destruction of mankind would not be caused by some solar flare. We are the ones who bring the end of the day upon ourselves. The depletion of resources, the global warming, the imbalance of food chain...... Just like what has been shown in the video HOME which I've blogged about earlier.
With all these cataclysm movies going on, supposingly it should create some kind of awareness among us. But look around us, not many of us are bothered with the environment. People are still taking things for granted, that the mother Earth could never go empty or sick.
It is so easy for us to start that little step that could make a big difference. Don't use plastic bag when you go shopping, recycle the plastic bottles, don't print your documents if it could be read on the computer, off the lights or switch off the appliances that are not in use, wash your clothes in bulk...... The list could go on and on. How many of us are really aware of doing them in our daily lives?
Sometimes I feel helpless when I see the people around me wasting the resources without feeling guilty or remorse. They normally shrug it off with a reply "never mind lah". Sometimes, I myself have forgotten too. Holding a plastic bag in my hand and realised it only much later, often left me with a tinge of regret.
Enough of my craps. Let's watch some trailer. :)
Planning a trip is not easy, and what's more, when you're planning for the company trip, all alone.
A year ago, the bosses and management had approved the proposal of a company trip. Preferably local. Early of the year, there were 4 of us planning and brainstorming for it. After some surveys and search, the cost of travelling overseas in a group is about the same as travelling locally. Finally they bought the idea. Phuket, they chose.
Towards middle of the year, I was doing it all by myself. Liaising with the tour agent, discussions with my boss, deciding on the hotel, the air tickets, the dates...... Planning, organising, coordinating, negotiating...... They're no fun and no joke. Made some mistake too. I'm not bragging about I could do so many of them alone. It's just that now I understand how those people do it and I could appreciate more now.
The trip was postponed once, paid some penalty! What the...... Finally the day has come. I feel numb, after all the hard-work and efforts. I don't feel excited, I don't feel the thrill. I couldn't find a concrete reason not to go. So, I've got to tag along. I've never been to Phuket. Wanted to go with Andrew, but that plan has sunk deep onto the ocean floor the moment this trip was confirmed. And now, I am not looking forward to going to Phuket. I just want to get over it and done with, soonest possible!
My luggage is sitting beside my bed now, waiting to travel across the borders and seas with me.
With Andrew's snoring as the background music, I am feeling sleepy now. I have to wake up at 3am on Friday morning. Geez...... I'll be walking like a zombie in Phuket on Friday. HA! That would make great headlines, "Malaysian Zombie Crossed Border, Found Strolling On Phuket Beach"! Hahahahahaha...... LOL!!!
These are the photos taken on the same day I did Vivian's photoshoot. I didn't publish them before because I didn't have many of them. It was the other Vivian Tan that I took most. Now, here they are.
This is long overdue. I am so sorry that I dragged this for so long. Really sorry to Stanley. He has never rushed me and I really took all the time in the world to finish all of the photos. Guilty as charged.
