still busy with stuff. it is one thing to be not-in-the-mood to blog, and quite another thing to be too busy.

anyway have settled 2 albatrosses around our necks. we have booked our wedding dinner thingy at Traders Hotel on the 19th of December. And our house renovations are schedules to start on the 24th of March and last until near the end of April. With both these issues more or less settled, we can start to work on the finer details as I alluded to in my last post.

feel sorry for my dar. she handed up her thesis to her boss sometime in january I believe, and the stupid bitch has yet to even look through it now.in march! If we had time and unlimited cash to spare then then would be one thing. But poor agnes has to continue to pay her school fees meanwhile, as her boss sits on her fat ass. We need to get the thesis issue out of the way as soon as possible. we still have a house and a wedding to plan for. not to mention agnes has a full-time job she has to go to everyday, a piano exam in september, see to our renovations and other stuff we need to do this year. Her having to write that bloody thesis takes way too much time as it is. we do not need this delay for no apparent reason.

all is silent on the home front as far as our new car goes. i know i told agnes that there was no real urgency last year, but this is getting ridiculous! I could easily just drop by any 2nd hand car dealer and pick a car myself if it is so much of a bother... :(

sunny is definitely on his last legs (or rather wheels), and i can feel and hear his pain each day as we head out from home. he is sure guzzling a lot more fuel than in his heyday. and he lacks the raw power that so personified (?) him before. funny how I refer to my car as a person. but in a way, we been together like forever and sunny has a personality all of his own. he is almost like family.

was on course the other day, and one of the exercises we did was to list 4 of the most important things to me. After eliminating the other 3, the one left was MY WIFE. for what it is worth she is indeed the most important thing in my life right now. only if she would acknowledge that every once in a while though....

have a salt crystal lamp in my room. bought it a couple of weeks back. and so far it has worked well to do whatever it was it is supposed to do.

a 'short' intro on what a salt crystal lamp does:

Salt Crystal Lamps possess the unique capability of generating negative ions in the air thus working as ionizers. These negative ions are very essential for human beings because they purify the air, and kill bacteria and other harmful organisms and increase overall air quality and well being.

Some of the Main Features of Salt Crystal Lamps are:
· Nature's air purifiers.
· Relieves Asthma symptoms.
· Natural source of negative ions.
· Get vitamins from the air.
· Humidity reducer.
· Decor your home.

Who Needs Salt Crystal Lamps?
Anywhere you want the air quality to be improved or preserved anywhere you want to create a cozy, relaxing, wellness environment anywhere you want to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Office workers
A lamp at work can help improve your concentration and refresh you, neutralizing the effects of stress, artificial light and air environment.

Massage rooms.
A lamp or two in the massage room will greatly enhance and create a natural lionizing calming, wellness environment and will also keep the air fresh.

Convalescents
While you recover from an illness, a Salt Crystal Lamp by your bedside will be a comforting and healthy companion.

Office desk, Computer users
Place a Salt Crystal Lamp near your computer to reduce fatigue, counter EMF (electro magnetic pollution) effects from equipment. The Salt Crystal Lamp will also minimize the effects of all that monitor radiation. Well accepted by Natural Health Practitioners. A Salt Crystal Lamp glowing in your consulting or treating room assists the healing process and adds to a calming environment.

Parents
Place a comforting Salt Crystal Lamp by your child's bedside. It is a completely safe and lovely night light, and will enhance your child's sleep, keeping the atmosphere clean.

Feng Shui fans
A few Salt Crystal Lamps placed at strategic spots will enhance and clear the energy of the room.

Meditators
When you repose in peace and quiet, a Salt Crystal Lamp near you is known to enhance your meditative experience.

Smokers
A few Salt Crystal Lamps around smoky areas will clear away those lingering smells faster.

in other words it supposedly purifies the air around it and makes the room a more pleasant place in which to dwell. from my experience so far, my room air seems crisper and there is less odour from my hamster cages and such. as my door is often closed due to the pets, the air tends to be rather stale so i thought it be good to give this a try. and so far so good.



now that the wedding dinner is like 9 months away, Agnes has timely reminded me of some chinese wedding customs:

"...wedding details such as types and quantities of betrothal gifts, return gifts, bride's price 娉金, and number of tables at the wedding banquet provided by the groom's parents for the bride's parents' guest are decided on."

"Also included is gold jewellery from the groom's parents to the bride, such as the Cantonese Dragon and phoenix bangle 龙凤琢 or the teochew's four items of gold四点金."

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_pre-wedding_customs

and then there are of course eurasian and english marriage customs as well. but seems at this point no one seems to be unduly concerned with those.

I just hope that both sides of the family are able to come to a healthy compromise regarding the above, so that there be no hard feelings or resentment from all parties concerned. Have yet to formally approach the 'brides' family regarding the number of tables they wish to have. and likewise Agnes has expressed some reservations regarding the wedding gifts to her (and family). If history is any indication and based on the precedent set by leo's wedding, things should work out fine... i think....

this saturday we are both attending the Bridal Extravaganza at Traders Hotel, it is from 1pm - 5pm. the programme includes a Bridal Fashion Show, Chinese set lunch with buffet dessert, lucky draw and door gift.

Then on the 22nd we are to meet up with Mona regarding the tiles selection.
It seems like we will also be meeting up with Mona on 29/3 (confirm placement of electrical & air-con), 5/4 (final confirmation of paints & misc), 12/4 (confirmation for carpentry fabrication). in between we also have to go buy a microwave oven and an oven (?). and make arrangements with the lightings and kitchenware guys to deliver on schedule.

then on the 30th we are attending a marriage seminar at suntec as part of Marriage Convention 2008.
we will be attending 2 talks that day.

The First Five Years: How to Make The Love Investment That Lasts A Lifetime
The key to a long-lasting love is investing in your relationship at the beginning, in THE FIRST FIVE YEARS, so you will enjoy your journey together for a lifetime. Discover the secrets and learn how to create GIFT (a program for strengthening your marriage) for a lasting marriage at this humorous and insightful session.

when? 10:00am-12:30pm


Red-Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle
Did you know that the best sexual experiences are enjoyed by married couples? Bill & Pam are ready to ignite the passion fires in all marriages. With their trademark insight, humour, and candid personal perspectives, the Farrels reveal truths about the sexual relation in marriage and what you need to know to add spark and sizzle to your love life.

when? 3:00pm-5:30pm

both talks are conducted by Pam and Bill Farrel.

Pam and Bill Farrel are popular international marriage speakers and best selling authors of over 26 books including:

"Men are like Waffles; Women are like Spaghetti"
"Single Men are Like Waffles, Single Women are Like Spaghetti"
"Pure Pleasure: Making Your Marriage a Great Affair"
"Marriage in the Whirlwind: Seven Skills for Couples Who Can't Slow Down"
"Red Hot Monogamy"
"Every Marriage is a Fixer Upper"
"Why Men and Women Act the Way They Do"
"Love, Honor and Forgive"
"10 Best Decisions a Parent Can Make"

The Farrels help the individual nurture their significant relationships with their spouse (or person they are dating), their family and their communities. They are relationship specialists bringing practical insights to personal relationships and can reach diverse audiences. Their style and insights span age, cultural and denominational boundaries so that audiences of all shapes and sizes are impacted and encouraged.

The Farrels have been working with couples and families for over 26 years. Bill and Pam are also the co-founders and co-directors of Masterful Living, a non-profit organization that helps build successful relationships.

The Farrels are frequent guests on radio and TV and have a regular newspaper column on relationships appearing in several cities.

We both feel that there is a need to attend such talks to help us understand one another and hopefully prepare us for those bumps in the long road ahead as we set off on our lives together.
we also intend to enrol in marriage preparation classes and get some counselling in the near future for the same reasons.