Reflections of 08.02.14

Waking up on 08.02.14, my only thoughts were:

"Please let today's plan run smoothly and please, let time pass us by fast!"

Why?

'Cos I was a nervous wreck and I was totally exhausted. Same for my family too. We had been up till 2am in the morning to finish cleaning up. And still, it was not completed.

Tip #1: NEVER EVER think that you can clean up the whole house (especially mine) at the last minute. 'Cos that is just a recipe for a DISASTER!

So, anyways, I just helped with what I could, while my family members finished up with whatever that is left. I still had one more dulang to do and alhamdulillah, my besties came over to my rescue! Heh!

Actually, they had come over to help me with the bunga rampai, but most importantly, they helped me to calm down when I know that inside me, I was ready to BURST!

*THANK YOU SYAZ AND FINA!! <3 <3 <3 YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH!*

PS: In the midst of all the cleaning, please remember to also check whether all the fans, lights, air-conditioner, everything is working in tip-top condition!

(Apologies to those who were affected by this.. Really sorry!!)

Tip #2: Always call your caterer and arrange for them to come at least an hour before the event starts.

Why? My caterer came late! They came after the guy's side had arrived. Alhamdulillah, they were able to set up outside the house whilst the event was going on.

Tip #3: Just relax, enjoy, take loads of photos, mingle around with guests! Do all these 'cos the event is only about 3 hours long, so as long as nothing majorly bad happens, do enjoy yourself! Time will fly past and the next thing you know, everyone has left and only your family is there with you to help you clean up.. HEH!

<3 <3 <3

So anyways, to satisfy those who were curious to see the photos of my engagement, below are just some of them! Didn't want to flood this post with all my photos.. Hee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Magic Date: 08.02.2014

The Coveted Bling-bling!

With all the gifts arranged beautifully..

With both sides of the family arriving!

(PSST.. that is just one side of Erwin's family..)

Finally, the moment all ladies to be engaged are waiting for!

Erwin's Lady Cousins Only..

And Erwin's Adorable Aunts..

Besties: Syaz & Fina

Poly-Mates: Nazreen

Dearest Confidante: Hana!

Bestest, Oldest Friends EVER: Naq, Anum, Syim & Jann!

My two Oldest Friends, since 5 and 4 years old respectively: Syim & Nad!

Two New Besties!! Inah & Teetee (She is also my MUA!)

Of course, not forgetting my aunt who has been one of the biggest help to me!

She helped me with the planning and the doing of most of the gift trays!

Plus, her cake is OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD!

My dad's side's cousins. Come to think of it, all of them are my step-cousins.. HAHA!

The lady in the middle, my religious class teacher.. Who has been there for me also since I was young.. Pictured here is her sister and her mum!

And yes, my mum just loves being in the photo! ;)

Not forgetting, the one responsible for the gorgeous photos! SUFYYYY!

The talented photographer! =D

And last but not least, a family photo!

And with the ticking of time, may this new journey as an engaged couple brings us more understanding with each other, love, patience and happiness, insha Allah!

08.02.2014

IT'S OFFICIAL!

WE ARE FINALLY ENGAGED
ON 08.02.2014

More photos will be uploaded and there will be a recap for the event!

Stay tuned and assalammualaikum peeps!

=)

SURPRISE!

Saaaay...

Was it ever mentioned that I had kept the engagement a secret from families (extended) and friends?

HEE!

Yes! I had managed to hush up all the news regarding this engagement except for a select few who helped me for the 'merisik'..

Below is a pixelated copy of the invitation sent out to my closest friends on 1st January 2014! (Two were informed earlier, 'cos I met up with them! Hee.. You guys know who you are! *winks*) A simple invitation using AWESOME Android Mobile Apps: Instext and PicsArt!

To those who have been invited, I hope that you could grace the occasion and share my happiness on this day. For those who have not, it does not mean that you all are not in my mind.. All of my friends are, but, since it is a fairly small engagement ceremony, I have to take into consideration for my family too..

I hope that you all understand my position and that no misunderstanding would occur, instead, do shower us with prayers, ameen!

*twinklez*

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

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