I am in the midst of preparing for our 2010 wedding. It is a bag of mixture emotions. Exhilarating yet confusing. There are so many wedding forums, magazines, articles and advices telling the bride-to-be what to do and what to look out for. They just further confused me.
Right now, we are giving ourselves until oct to decide on our wedding venue. We have shortlisted a couple of hotels that can accommodate our 55 tables. Yes, you did not read wrongly. 55 tables.
Before, I have envisioned my wedding to be an intimate family and close friends only sort of celebration. Somewhere outdoor, surrounded by pretty flowers and greens, breezy, with a live band and a small dance floor for the couple's first dance.
However, looking at the Singapore weather and the sheer number and demographic of guests, I don't think my original plan is going to work. I watched too much Hollywood movies.
In reality, my wedding is going to be a big celebration, somewhere indoor with AC, maybe no dance floor and definately no more mama mia style. Either way, I am still going to make it work, make it an enjoyable time for my guest and an unforgettable memories for me and MArk.
That's what matter most.
Its not about getting my way and having my dream wedding. Well, they all say a marriage involved 6 people. I couldn't agree more. I really hope to make the event and the journey of planning an enjoyable one for us and our parents.
Coming back to the venue, I have shortlisted a few:
-Grand Corpthone Waterfront
-Hilton
-Meritus Mandarin
-Pan Pacific
-Fairmont
We have so far been to GCW for recee. We are happy with what was offered. However, the real haggling will start once we confirm on the venue. haha..
Next step will be to source for the wedding gown and packages.
We might decide to take our bridal shoot overseas. (That's part of the deal he made with me if I accept his proposal. I'm easily bribed.) :)We are planning to do that in Mar/April next year.
Next step is to go on diet. Its really hard for someone like me. Even drinking water makes me put on weight. :(
Anyway, more of that later.
Need some rest now. I'm actually on MC today. Think all the work and wedding plans taking a toll on me.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
of overcoming the odds one step a time
VICTORY is a process. It doesn't happen only at the finishing line. It is actually the sum of many small victories. And if in the process of obtaining that VICTORY, you give up, all the small victories actually counts for nothing.
The small victories come first when you decided to set your mind in obtaining that VICTORY, it is the small little steps along the way where you tell yourselves to take yet another step even when you feel that you cannot, it is banishing all the negative thoughts and fears that tell you that you are never able to make it. It is going beyond your limits one small step at a time.
I had that revelation when I was running for my virgin 21KM.
Negative thoughts hit me just at the 2KM mark. "Christine, you are not going to make it. You still have 19KM to go. Your body won't be able to take it as you have yet to recover from your flu". The mind get bombared by all sort of negative thoughts telling me to give up. I looked at MArk running beside me and decide to just go on another KM. - small victory
At 4KM, I told MArk I need to consume the power gel as I needed more energy. Never have I expected the sheer disgusting taste within that small silver pack. My stomach rejected that immeditately but I force it down with water anyway. -small victory
We started from opposite Fullerton Hotel, up Benjamin Shears bridge and all the way to East Coast Park. Once we reached East Coast Park, it was about 6.5KM. My body felt better, accustomed to the run. We stopped for toilet break and continue to hit the pavement. Along the way, we saw Angelyn. She is looking strong so I told her to carry on without us. Finally, we saw the U-Turn which marks the halfway point of the race. I felt stronger, I urged myself to go on.
Fatigue starts to creep in at 11KM. I told myself that 12KM will be a milestone for me as I have never reached that distance before. I continued another KM. - small victory
I continued for another 2 KM before I slow down to a walk. I looked up at saw that we were approaching 15KM. 15KM! One of my 2009 new year resolution is to hit 15KM. I did what I set out to do! On the other hand, my mind starts to do a mental calculation. "How am I going to complete another 6KM? My knees felt sore and the muscles are cramped. But I have come too far to give up now." -small victory
It was really challenging from 16KM to 19KM. My stamina is still on operative mode but my legs really give way. Every step was accompanied by pain and I have to stop every now and then. The point is I continue. - small victory
Upon seeing the 19KM sign, I somehow find the strength to pick up my speed. I told MArk that I want to run to the finishing line instead of walking there. My legs seem to grow a live of its own and I rely on pure adrenaline to carry me through. The last KM was the longest KM ever. Finally I heard someone shouted "350M to the finishing line". small victory
I am almost there.
I looked at my running pacer, gave him a small victory smile. Both of us know relish that special moment. We are there. I am there. My first 21KM.
I clocked 3Hr and 09min.
MArk told me that the distance (21KM) will never get further but I can.
Yes I can. :)
That is MY VICTORY. - The summation of all the small victories.
Don't give up. Count your small victories and eventually, you will see the FINISHING in the horizon.
P.S: Thank you MArk for your encouragement. Without you, there will not be any VICTORY. This post is dedicated to you.
The small victories come first when you decided to set your mind in obtaining that VICTORY, it is the small little steps along the way where you tell yourselves to take yet another step even when you feel that you cannot, it is banishing all the negative thoughts and fears that tell you that you are never able to make it. It is going beyond your limits one small step at a time.
I had that revelation when I was running for my virgin 21KM.
Negative thoughts hit me just at the 2KM mark. "Christine, you are not going to make it. You still have 19KM to go. Your body won't be able to take it as you have yet to recover from your flu". The mind get bombared by all sort of negative thoughts telling me to give up. I looked at MArk running beside me and decide to just go on another KM. - small victory
At 4KM, I told MArk I need to consume the power gel as I needed more energy. Never have I expected the sheer disgusting taste within that small silver pack. My stomach rejected that immeditately but I force it down with water anyway. -small victory
We started from opposite Fullerton Hotel, up Benjamin Shears bridge and all the way to East Coast Park. Once we reached East Coast Park, it was about 6.5KM. My body felt better, accustomed to the run. We stopped for toilet break and continue to hit the pavement. Along the way, we saw Angelyn. She is looking strong so I told her to carry on without us. Finally, we saw the U-Turn which marks the halfway point of the race. I felt stronger, I urged myself to go on.
Fatigue starts to creep in at 11KM. I told myself that 12KM will be a milestone for me as I have never reached that distance before. I continued another KM. - small victory
I continued for another 2 KM before I slow down to a walk. I looked up at saw that we were approaching 15KM. 15KM! One of my 2009 new year resolution is to hit 15KM. I did what I set out to do! On the other hand, my mind starts to do a mental calculation. "How am I going to complete another 6KM? My knees felt sore and the muscles are cramped. But I have come too far to give up now." -small victory
It was really challenging from 16KM to 19KM. My stamina is still on operative mode but my legs really give way. Every step was accompanied by pain and I have to stop every now and then. The point is I continue. - small victory
Upon seeing the 19KM sign, I somehow find the strength to pick up my speed. I told MArk that I want to run to the finishing line instead of walking there. My legs seem to grow a live of its own and I rely on pure adrenaline to carry me through. The last KM was the longest KM ever. Finally I heard someone shouted "350M to the finishing line". small victory
I am almost there.
I looked at my running pacer, gave him a small victory smile. Both of us know relish that special moment. We are there. I am there. My first 21KM.
I clocked 3Hr and 09min.
MArk told me that the distance (21KM) will never get further but I can.
Yes I can. :)
That is MY VICTORY. - The summation of all the small victories.
Don't give up. Count your small victories and eventually, you will see the FINISHING in the horizon.
P.S: Thank you MArk for your encouragement. Without you, there will not be any VICTORY. This post is dedicated to you.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
of unCOMFORT cab
I had a very bad encounter with a comfort cab driver this week. I was waiting for a cab for a good twenty minutes before I called the booking hotline. Like always whenever we tried to called a cab, another cab with the green-lit top hover over the horizon. I cancelled the booking even before the cab number was called and flagged that down.
Just when I reached home, I saw an unknown number calling so I picked it up. It was none other that the 'so-called cancelled' cab driver. I told him I had cancelled the cab but he refused to take my explanation. He gave me a good verbal trashing and stopped only when I asked for his cab number.
I never see myself as an angry person but this time he really hit my treshold. I called up Comfort Cab to make a formal complaint on this cab driver.
I thought to myself that I should not boycott Comfort as this is just one of the many driver. However after calling their customer care hotline, I don't see what they really care about.
First, they did not get back to me promptly. Secondly, only after the second call did they tell me that they are investigating the complaint.
They are investigating i) for technical failure on why is it after I cancelled the call but the cab driver still received the booking. ii) the attitude of the driver. They will need FIVE working days to get back to me.
Their reply really disappoint me. i) whether if it is a technical failure, the cab driver should not call the customer and verbally abuse them. ii) why do they need FIVE working days to investigate such a straight-forward complaint?
You know sometime you get those feeling like the company is backing up their employees no matter what wrong they did. You felt that you have no choice but to bring this to external parties like CASE or even the forum in order to get your case resolved?
I felt like that.
That is just one very bad incident that I recently encountered. Anybody can just be in a custiner service line and there is nothing 'customer service' about their body language. There are no passion, only full of attitude.
I don't think I am the only one finding it. I will make it a point never to return and also employ WOM to make sure my friends and relatives do the same.
However, not all are like that. I do find some very helpful customer service personnel. One particular one is a lady from Robinson Centrepoint ladies department. I can see she really love what she is doing. Kudos to that.
Well... hopefully FIVE working days later I will hear from comfort and see what they have to say.
Just when I reached home, I saw an unknown number calling so I picked it up. It was none other that the 'so-called cancelled' cab driver. I told him I had cancelled the cab but he refused to take my explanation. He gave me a good verbal trashing and stopped only when I asked for his cab number.
I never see myself as an angry person but this time he really hit my treshold. I called up Comfort Cab to make a formal complaint on this cab driver.
I thought to myself that I should not boycott Comfort as this is just one of the many driver. However after calling their customer care hotline, I don't see what they really care about.
First, they did not get back to me promptly. Secondly, only after the second call did they tell me that they are investigating the complaint.
They are investigating i) for technical failure on why is it after I cancelled the call but the cab driver still received the booking. ii) the attitude of the driver. They will need FIVE working days to get back to me.
Their reply really disappoint me. i) whether if it is a technical failure, the cab driver should not call the customer and verbally abuse them. ii) why do they need FIVE working days to investigate such a straight-forward complaint?
You know sometime you get those feeling like the company is backing up their employees no matter what wrong they did. You felt that you have no choice but to bring this to external parties like CASE or even the forum in order to get your case resolved?
I felt like that.
That is just one very bad incident that I recently encountered. Anybody can just be in a custiner service line and there is nothing 'customer service' about their body language. There are no passion, only full of attitude.
I don't think I am the only one finding it. I will make it a point never to return and also employ WOM to make sure my friends and relatives do the same.
However, not all are like that. I do find some very helpful customer service personnel. One particular one is a lady from Robinson Centrepoint ladies department. I can see she really love what she is doing. Kudos to that.
Well... hopefully FIVE working days later I will hear from comfort and see what they have to say.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
child-likeness
I had a quick catch up with the ladies at East Coast Big Splash earlier this afternoon. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Xueli brought her cutie Elly along but I think she is in a bad mood today. Whenever me and MArk tried to get near her, she will pout her lips and look like she is going to cry anytime. Other times, she will laugh. Talk about unpredictable.
The thing about children is they can behave as how they felt and get away with it. If they are happy, they play with you. If they are cranky, they just ignore you. If they are tired, they will just go to sleep.
You know, how I wish I can be like them. To be able to express my emotions plainly without being critised.
Children never take anything personally and never hold grudges. They will not judge or get angry at you for long. They are basically UNOFFENDABLE.
Each day presents a clean slate for them and a new adventure.
We should learn to be more like children so we can enjoy each day as it is.
How I wish I can dance like nobody is watching, live like there is no tomorrow.
Xueli brought her cutie Elly along but I think she is in a bad mood today. Whenever me and MArk tried to get near her, she will pout her lips and look like she is going to cry anytime. Other times, she will laugh. Talk about unpredictable.
The thing about children is they can behave as how they felt and get away with it. If they are happy, they play with you. If they are cranky, they just ignore you. If they are tired, they will just go to sleep.
You know, how I wish I can be like them. To be able to express my emotions plainly without being critised.
Children never take anything personally and never hold grudges. They will not judge or get angry at you for long. They are basically UNOFFENDABLE.
Each day presents a clean slate for them and a new adventure.
We should learn to be more like children so we can enjoy each day as it is.
How I wish I can dance like nobody is watching, live like there is no tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)