1st Step: Merisik, DONE!

Apologies for the delayed update, peeps!

 Had been busy with the merisik event, work, outings with friends and loved ones, upcoming holiday and preparations to update just one post. (PHEW! That is alot of things I have on my checklist.. :P)

Anyways, wondering about the photo above?

 That is a tanda merisik.

It is a gift given by the future groom side, to the future bride side, to denote that the lady has been asked for their hand in marriage. As informed by my parents, it could be a gift like the above, or even a ring! I was not even aware about this tradition as no one briefed me earlier when I had discussions with my mum or my cousin. But it is okay, at least, my parents were not expecting an actual ring! ;)

Back to the story,

I still had work on Saturday, so after work I rushed home to do what I had listed in the checklist before. As I was helping out with my mum and siblings at the kitchen, I asked the BONUS question (eitherwise known as SOALAN CEPUMAS!), " So, what am I supposed to do during the discussions? Am I supposed to help out? Hide out in the room? (which is the most common answer I get...) Can I sleep while waiting? (Perangai tak senonoh sungguh! =P)

And my mum answered,"Eh, you cannot sleep! What if the future groom side wants to slip a ring on your finger?"

My reaction: Eyes opened wide, mouth in the shape of an 'O' and if my life is in a comic strip, alarm bells with question marks and exclamation marks would have decorated all around my head.

I was really surprised. And my reaction: I just answered, "Oh, it's okay. I did'nt ask for a ring."

"WAH! Pelokek (Stingy!),"  mum replied nonchalantly.

Then, hell broke loose.

I was hurt 'cos I took it to heart about the comment she made about E. I still get defensive whenever my mum makes those kind of 'sarcastic' comments about us and sometimes, I really wonder whether the kind of treatment I got is especially just for me, or it is just my mum.

Anyways, I threw a tantrum, with my mum and then my dad, and I guess my mum is still reeling from shock. I know I am partly wrong, and I did apologise, but I am still alil bit sore about it.

(HAIZ. Story of my life.)

To cut the story short, I had to make sure everything is okay before the future groom side comes over. But once they came, I panicked. I guess, it is just me. From E's side, his parents, brother and family, Pak Ngah, Mak Ngah and grandmother came. Seeing my panicked expression, all my siblings pitched in and helped out with the preparation of the drinks and food (my mum cooked laksa! YUMMY!). I only helped out to serve the drinks before being shooed out to my room to wait until all the discussions are over. I still dunnoe why the routine happens that way, but like my cousin said, "It's good, what.. Can rest! Hee." But all the while, I was wondering whhheenn it would end, so I can find out all the JUICY details about the engagement. While hiding out in my room, I could hear my father chatting, E's parents laughing, but I couldn't see anything. I just enjoyed watching Dira, E's niece, playing with my siblings. And that is all.


Once I heard that all the details have been confirmed and everyone was moving out, I exited my room and started to 'salam' the guests - and got another shock when I saw my aunts and uncle also present! :) Alhamdulillah! I felt really grateful to have them present too, 'cos their presence was really assuring. After that, we had a short discussion, sharing of tips and of course, cleaning up. (Which I did. 'cos now it is my turn. =P)

So anyways, that is my experience of 'merisik'. I know it differs from person to person, so do you have anything interesting to share?
 Leave a comment on the tagboard~
For those who wanna know about the details of the engagement, stay tuned for the next post! ;)

It's His Birthday! (& Our 'Merisik' Day)

Today is THE DAY!

The day in which E's Family would come down to discuss on the upcoming engagement (otherwise known as merisik.)

Coincidentally, it is also E's Birthday!

Yes. It is E's Birthday and our Merisik Day. He planned it that way, 'cos the engagement would be early next year, so merisik has to be done asap. And, he said that our engagement is the best birthday present he could ever ask for! (So, I don't need to buy him any pressie! YAY! Perangai kedekut nak mampz. Heh! Anyways, his birthday present would still be given. Just not today. Heee!)

Preparations for today:

1.Clean the house from top to bottom

2. Prepare the items needed to serve to the guests

3. Get ready. Dress nicely.

4. Hyperventilate. (Okay, that one is just me being nervous. HEE!)

Hopefully the discussions would go smoothly, insha Allah ameen!

Anyways, what are the ladies and the gents supposed to do in such a situation?

I know that the gents are supposed to send their representative to the house while they wait somewhere, but for the ladies?

What are your opinions? Or what is your experience?

Please share!!

*twinklez

The Chosen Dulangs Are...

Like mentioned previously, I will update on the chosen dulangs..

So after considerable thinking, I chose these five items!
1. Watch
2. Chocolates
3. Fruit tart
4. Fruits
5. Bunga rampai

Seems pretty simple, right? But, now is the fun yet tedious part...

 The decorations!

So, where is the perfect place to get deco items?

I have one I reaaally wanna go..

It is at:
Sin Hin Chuan Kee Pte Ltd

Head Office
No. 796/798 North Bridge Rd S 198766
Tel: 62988000 Fax: 62965195
Or
Branch Office
No. 200 Jalan Sultan #01-08 Textile Centre S 199018
Tel: 62988622 Fax: 62986068
Or email them at: www.shck.com.sg

Opening Hours
0900 hrs to 1800 hrs on Weekdays & Saturday
Closed on Sunday & Public Holidays

This store is well-known (but only to those who are into handicrafts..) for the deco items that they have, from ribbons to buttons to fabric cloths to.... many, many more! I chanced upon this shop when I was blogsurfing and I could still remember how excited I was when I first stepped into the store.. Macam budak masuk candy shop! Heh! :P

But... the sad thing is just that the store opens from Monday - Saturday,
And with me working 5 1/2 days, it will only be on January 2014 when I can get a chance to visit the shop to get my deco supplies...

Ohh! And guess what? Merisik will be done in two days' time! Time really flies by when you are excited + nervous + stressed! Hee..

Will update more on this nerve-wrecking event!

Till then, have a good advanced weekend, peeps! ;)))

This Fabric, That Material..

Growing up, I never did bother about the different types of fabric/material to make an outfit or what need to be used for a certain purpose or item..

That is, until the preparations for the engagement and wedding is underway.

Finally, I know what is burlap, millinery netting, georgette, chiffon, 'Roberto Cavalli' satin, plus many, many more!

I am truly overwhelmed! *cringes*

So anyways, I do think that all BTBs have to do a thorough research on the different materials. Especially for the wedding outfits, 'cos it would be too HOT if you are wearing something made of a thick material in our tropical weather. :P

Or, if you are more into DIY, do research on the items you need to use and best if you try it out to see if the DIY item actually works!

Now, I feel like a typical auntie choosing the fabric to make Hari Raya outfits, or that 'macam-paham' DIY fanatic! Heh!

*twinkles

Preparation-Mania 1

Soo.. even before the dates of 'merisik' was finalised, my mind was going through 1001 things and I, sort of panic.
Hee.. i was panicking 'cos E insisted to get engaged within two months. And I was thinking of the expenditure.. isit enough?
Alhamdulillah, there is enough plus some, but still, I panic.
Until E had to firmly tell me to calm down and that all will be fine, if we rationalise, discuss, plan and tawakkal.
I panicked at first 'cos honestly I am afraid of what my mum would plan. She usually has the final say in everything and I was afraid that my mum would not agree to the plans I have in mind. (Lagi-lagi, it was because of my mum's insistence that we got engaged.. E and me did not want one, but as usual, mums would usually go, "What would others say, especially my friends and your relatives, when they see the both of you outside together?" Oh, and another thing, I am the eldest, so paham-paham je lah.. hee..)
Okayyy.. Being a Muslim, I know that it is essentially disallowed to go out as a couple alone due to modesty issues, so now, most of our 'dates' are out in the public and usually in a group. And also because of this, is one of the reasons why I accede to the request to get engaged..
Anyways, back to the engagement plans, E and me have finally decided on the number of dulangs - 5!
That is considered on the lower spectrum of extravagance but the headache is still there.. 'Cos I had initially planned 7 dulangs as I recently got to know that for the bride side, they have to give a higher number of dulangs than the groom side, (the reason why, please don't ask me why. The reasons I got just doesn't make sense.. heh.) so when he decided to cut down, I was wondering which dulang to cancel.
Originally, it was supposed to be:
1. A Watch
2. Wallet, Belt, Suspenders
3. Chocolates
4. Fruits
5. Cupcakes
6. Fruit tart
7. Bunga rampai
But now, it has to be changed. *sighs*
I will update in the next post on my final decision, but can someone enlighten me whether is bunga rampai considered as part of the dulang, or not?
Thank you much-much! *^▁^*

*twinklez

It All Began..

A marriage had always been on my mind ever since I had decided that enough was enough.
Enough of the drama had faced once upon a time, and that should I ever meet Mr Right, then I would know what best to do to avoid anymore drama - which is by having a marriage.

Fast forward to now, alhamdulillah, it has been more years than I would like to care since I have found someone whom I deem to be my Mr Right.♥

This relationship has been one heckuva roller coaster ride, and sometimes
I just wish I could press the stop button and get off it, but this relationship is too precious to just give up. :)

But, the serious topic regarding marriage has never been mentioned (apart from the rare, random, playful moments when we imagine how our marriage would be like..) and it was even considered taboo.

'Cos like E said, "I don't wanna promise you something which I might not even be sure of.." That is, until erm.. about a month ago.. 9 November 2013 when the dates for the 'merisik' was confirmed.

The feeling of excitement and fear started to creep in once everything was set out in the open. Excitement 'cos finally, "Aku NAK KAHHWIINN!!" Heh. But fear 'cos.. there is alot to do in only a few months ('cos someone really tk sabar. Nak tunang jugak in 2 months. =P) and I am afraid that the engagement would not be as expected..

Anyways, till here first. Next, insha Allah will post of the engagement preparations! ;)


*twinklez

HARLOW!

Assalammualaikum and HELLO peeps!

My newfound interest to restart blogging was rekindled when the thought of penning down my thoughts and rambles for a very special chapter in my life proved to be such a temptation. Hee!

I had wanted an avenue where I can share my thoughts, my mistakes, my trials-and-error, my progress for this journey. Also, as a guideline for other BTBs (and actually for my little sisters.. ;))

Throughout my posts, please do leave me comment, advice, tips, anything for me to learn from, just so that insha Allah, this journey could be a fruitful and smooth one, ameen!

*twinklez