The BIG day!

It’s here.. the long awaited day is finally here!

The wedding was at Assumption Church, Petaling Jaya at 10.30 a.m. Apps was the ‘thali’ (the wedding chain) bearer. As he was suppose to enter the church together with the bridal entourage, he might as well drive me to go fetch the bride at her place. So, he was the driver of the wedding car.. a 5 series BMW!

We arrived Sungai Long quite early.. about 8.45 a.m. We took a slow drive and reached PJ at about 9.30 a.m. My, we were so early. We led the rest of the troop (bride’s family) to the church while we roamed around PJ.. waited and waited.

10.15 a.m. - We parked the car a short distance from the church.. waiting for the cue to drive in!

We got the call.. and we drove in. It reminded me on how I felt when I was in SIL’s position 3 years ago. Hmmm..

I got down, straightened my tail (yes, I had a tail too) and waited for the time the bride has to get down..

It’s time. The bride alights the car, and everybody gets themselves positioned for the bridal entourage.

10.30 a.m. – The wedding bells are ringing. The wedding march is played in the church.. welcoming the bridal entourage.

Apart from the bridal couple, I realized I had a few glances.. that I looked elegantly *ahem*

Aah, I loved the walk down the aisle. It so much reminded me of my walk down the aisle as a bride..



I also had countless thumbs up for the church booklet that I had designed. Many made sure they didn’t leave their copy at the church. They wanted it as their souvenier ;P

After the wedding ceremony, we headed to the hall at the back of the church for brunch.

Later, we headed back to the bridegroom’s place.. lead by the bride’s family.. This was so called the 1st ‘alaipu’ (welcome by the bridegroom’s family).

So sad that I didn't take photos on my camera as I was too busy getting ready for the wedding and holding my post as the maid of honour.. Now, I have to wait for the photos from the official photographer :(

Due to the interest to view the wedding photos, I have just added the bride and bridegroom's photo :)

A day before the big day

Nalungu No. 3

Another nalungu.. the same ceremony again. I performed the rites and got another tray ;)

This time, apps got to act as a macha and bring thambhi to his seat for the ceremony. On both the previous occasions, he was held up somewhere doing some errands. This time, he said he wanted his role and wanted to see the ceremony too :)

We even did a 'kummi' (singing song while dancing and clapping hands .. moving around the person seated in the middle) with thambhi sitting in the middle.

After that, it was free and easy. We had many relatives at home.. all mingling with each other. MIL and aunty Kala cooked dinner for all.. vegetarian dishes to support thambhi who is supposed to be vegetarian till his wedding day :P

In the mean time, appa, amma, lil’ President and I left to thambhi’s in-laws house for SIL’s nalungu… reciprocating thambhi’s FIL’s visit for thambhi’s 2nd nalungu. After performing the rites for SIL, we left. We had guests at home and tomorrow is the big day. We had lots of things to do!

3 days to the big day

Nalungu No. 2

I actually wanted to do 2 kolams.. one inside and another outside the house. Due to time constraints, I only managed to do one.. the one inside the house. I got ideas from Visithra for some kolam designs. With that, I managed to come up with a 3-colour kolam with sequence for the tiny thin lines ;)

The start off the ceremony, three ladies; aunty kala, athai and I did the rites.. using the oil, ‘siakai’ and water. We rubbed the tumeric paste on his cheeks and arms. After that, thambhi went to have his bathe.

He came back dressed in ‘vesti’ (white cloth to be wrapped around the waist down, like sarong.. for men).

Again, a similar ceremony was performed by the ladies attending the function.. with a similar tray of gifts was given to each one of them.

Maama’s gifts for thambhi

Later that evening, Thaya maama, brought in thaai maama's 'siire' (gifts) for thambhi.

It was really a grand entrance with the Indian drummers and trumpets. I missed a shot of this because I was at the entrance welcoming maama and the rest of them..

Maama brought so many trays of gifts, I couldn’t even count! Psst, he did have a tray of gifts for apps and I, and another for appa and amma ;)



Don't miss the boys mischief during the ceremony.. captured @ d-championz and @ d-presidenz!
______________________________
thaai maama - mother's brother

5 days to the big day

‘Mugurtha kaal’

We started the wedding ceremony preparations with the ‘mugurtha kaal’ (a type of plant resembling a long pole) being planted in our house. I believe it is an indication that a marriage is going to take place..

Karu uncle organized the whole event, assisted by his wife, aunty Kala. They prepared the corner for the prayer, lighted the ‘kutu valeku’ (Indian light stand) and started the prayer. Appa, amma, aunty Kala, MIL, FIL, thambhi, Karu uncle, sinnamma, Jaya athai and I performed the rites.. (In picture - Appa performing one of the rites)

Then we proceeded to ‘bathe’ the ‘mugurtha kaal’ with water, milk and tumeric water. We started with 7 people holding the ‘mugurtha kaal’; amma, aunty Kala, MIL, thambhi, sinnamma, Jaya athai and I.

After a few minutes, guess who joined us? Who else.. our Champion!

He came and held the ‘mugurtha kaal’ as well. Hmm, then we had to add another member.. called in his cousin, Sharon (just to make the odd number).

And who didn’t want to be missed out? Lil’ President! He hangs onto the pole with FIL carrying him.. that makes 11 of us!

After bathing the ‘mugurtha kaal’, all 7 of us headed outside the house to plant the ‘mugurtha kaal’.


1, 2, 3 and it stood up... Real high!

It was really a tall ‘mugurtha kaal’.. it reached the peak of the TNB pole!

After that, there were more ceremonies.. watering it with 5 mineral elements. All 7 of us watered the ‘mugurtha kaal’.

Nalungu No. 1

We were gonna have 3 nalungu’s for thambhi.. so this was No. 1.

Thambhi came dressed in ‘vesti’.. (white cloth to be wrapped around the waist down, like sarong.. for men) He looked cool ;)

This time, aunty Kala, MIL, sinnamma, Jaya athai and I performed the ceremony. We were then presented with a tray each; containing ‘vettalai’ (sirih), ‘paake’ (comes together with the 'sirih', bangles, ‘pottu’ (red colour powder for the dot on the forehead for married ladies), a yellow string and flowers :)
_________________________________
Karu uncle / aunty Kala – my babysitter

Psst, I don't know whether I have defined the Indian terms and whether I provided the proper description correctly. If you know a better description for other to understand, do tell me ;)

Thumb licking good?

On Sunday, we went for food testing for the wedding reception dinner at Berjaya Times Square Hotel. The testing was provided for a table of 10.. just nice for 5 of us, appa, amma, thambhi, apps and me, together with Champion and lil’ President, as well as 5 of them from the in-laws side.

Champion enjoyed the first two dishes, the cold and hot appetizer and shark fin soup. I guess after that he was full. He wanted to roam around the room. AS it was a closed door and carpeted room, we let him on his own.

Just then, lil’ President woke up from his sleep. He had something to eat before Champion coaxed him to roam around too. They kept themselves occupied by watching the scenery out of the building; the outdoor lifts going up and down at the adjacent building, people on the street as well as the birds.

In between, both of them would come up to us for small bites of their favourite prawns. Then they will run off to the window again.


The meal ended with fruit desert. Champion found the desert too sweet, but lil’ President enjoyed it.. fruit by fruit. We found it amusing that he stuck the lychee into his thumb and was sucking it from there!

Sneak preview

On Saturday, Sinamma and Champion followed me on my hunt to look for a dress for the church ceremony.

Since we didn’t find anything nice at Nicci, we were going to try out in the bridal shops. But if I didn’t find anything nice, I was going to sew my dress!

The first bridal shop we walked in allowed us to look at the dresses. When we selected a couple of dresses for the try outs, the lady said we have to pay the deposit to rent the dress before we try out. Huh?! How do we know whether they have a dress that is nice on me? May be it looks nice on the hanger but not on me. We had to walk out of there..

The shop next to it said it is okay to try a couple.. but not many. Okay, that’s sounds fair. AT least they had the sense!

A brief walk through and we found this dress.. a 2 piece gold coloured dress.

They said I couldn’t fit in the skirt without altering, but I could try the blouse. When I tried it out, sinamma immediately knew that THIS is the dress. It really looked nice.. and the colour matched me too. It was simple yet elegant. PERFECT!

While we were discussing about the dress, Champion came up to me, every few seconds, telling me, "Ma, nice ma..". Wow! He’s got good taste ;)

That’s settled. Now, I only have to try out the dress after the alter works, before collecting it two days prior to the wedding.

It has arrived

The wedding invitation card and souvenir has arrived, all the way from Jakarta. It looks nice and unique.

Appa and amma has started distributing the wedding invitation cards to friends and relatives. Many have commented that the card is nice and unique. It has to be! Thambhi was adamant he wants it made in Jakarta ;P

A whole day's hunt

The hunt which started at 10.30 a.m. only ended at 7.30 p.m. During that time, we managed to get the tuxedos for the 3 page boys, dresses for the 2 flower girls, dresses for the 4 bride’s maid. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a suiting dress for the maid of honour, that’s me! :(

We met at Parkson, KLCC for the little girls dresses.
Not many choices and no right sizes!

We left to Sogo to look for the suits for the page boys.
Not impressive!

Argghh! We were already getting tired and hungry. We had 7 little children.. including Champion! We had our lunch at Sogo before we left to One Utama. It was a blessing that the kids were not fussy and happily obliged to our shopping and traveling around town. Needless to say, they were having fun with each other’s company too :)

Luckily, at One Utama, we found the dresses and suits for the kids. Then, we headed to Nicci, Fashion City along Jln Sungai Besi, hoping to complete our shopping. After nearly an hour of trying out dresses, we finally choose pink dresses for the bride’s maids. They looked sweet. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an impressive one for me. but I was pretty pleased to know that I could fit in a number of evening gowns and still looked good ;)

Now, I have two more choices.. try out at a few bridal galleries to rent a dress or sew one for myself ;)

As we already had a beige suit for Champion, we wanted to get a similar or matching suit for lil’ President. On Sunday, we headed to Madras store in Masjid India and managed to get an Indian suit just fitting for lil’ President (have to alter the length of the pants though). He looked cute during the try out. I can’t wait for him to wear it during the reception.

However, I am having some fears that Champion might fuss about wearing his suit, as it has a high collar. I hope he won’t mind it on that day when he sees his brother wearing a similar one ;P

Now, apart from my dress for the church, we have to sew apps a new suit for the reception and get the boys their formal suits for the wedding at the church. Arrghhh! Suddenly there seems to be so little time left! I need to do this fast, as we have nearly a month to go for the wedding.

It’s legal

Saturday, 1 July 2006 – Thambhi and SIL is legally married. They took up their oath and signed the papers at the St. Francis Xavier church this early morning. Family and close friends (about 50 pax) were there to witness this joyous and memorable moments. Later, everybody adjourned to Lotus Restaurant at Jalan Gasing for brunch.

Before leaving teh Registrar's room, we shook hands with the registrar and wished him “Thank you.”

Watching us, Champion waited for his turn too. He stretched out his hand and waited.. The Registrar didn't see that Champion was waiting for his turn. MIL carried his hand a bit higher and the Registrar noticed.. He told Champion, “I’m sorry, boy. I didn’t see you..” and shook hands with him.

Then, he looked at us, “Most of the time, only adults shake hands. I don't have little boys waiting to shake hands with me... He is very clever.” Champion not understanding what the conversation was about, humbly walked out the room.

Later, a relative of the in-laws asked me, “Is this the little boy who was dancing during the engagement?” “Yes” I answered him. “He is very matured and intelligent boy.” Proudly, I smiled and thanked him.

That’s my boy!

Just like me

We attended apps staff’s wedding reception at Sekinchan on Sunday afternoon.

We took the old road through Sungai Buloh, towards Kuala Selangor. The journey took us about 1 ½ hours, which included a stretch of winding road.

It was a hot sunny afternoon, and I was already having a headache. It was worse since I didn’t take my sunglasses from my car.

Just as we finished the winding road stretch, I was telling apps that he better get ready with a plastic bag. I told him I might throw up, but he did not believe me!

I thought I have successfully passed that stage of throwing up during winding road journeys?!

I remember how I used to throw up when I was younger on most of our trips down south (no proper highways back then).

As I trying to occupy my minds with other stuffs, I noticed Champion didn’t want to sit by himself, and was trying to find a comfortable position.. and was extremely quite.

Before I knew it, he started gagging.

*blink*

He threw up!

Just in time, I was able to hold my palm under his chin and asked for apps to get me a towel.

But by the time apps stopped the car by the road side, next to an oil palm estate in the single lane road and got me the towel, Champion was already trying to push my hand away from him. He didn’t like the contents of vomit right in front of his face. This is the first time he is throwing up. He started crying.

I gave in to him, and I got myself messed up! *sigh*

Seeing anna crying, thambi decides to cry! Huh? Why?!

Apps brought Champion out of the car, cleaned him up. Champion threw up a bit more..

While I was trying to clean myself and the car, lil’ President was wailing away. I guess he was afraid to be alone in the car.

Only after we all got back into the car, lil’ President stopped crying.

I told apps to get both of them something to munch on for the rest of the trip so that they can divert their mind from the journey.

At the nearest restaurant, we got both of the ‘kaya’ pau and some snacks. Yeah, snacks.. this time they are excused ;)

On our way home, we took the route through Klang since we were going to my parents place. Most importantly, we wanted to avoid the winding road. Luckily both of them dozed off during our journey back; one in the car seat and another in my arms.

He made it easy

Last weekend, we managed to get our sarees. Apps had warned me earlier that he won’t follow me for my saree shopping. He said we would take too long.

But somehow, on Sunday he got stuck with us. Since thambhi was at home, we dragged him thambhi for the saree shopping in Klang. At least he can accompany apps ;P

After 10 minutes looking through the variety of sarees, I knew I cannot decide on which one is nice for me.

I needed help. I turned to apps. With apps help, I selected my saree within 5 minutes. Fast choice, but a good one (in picture).

Hmmm, I wonder how guys need less time than ladies when it comes to shopping. Why we take ages to decide on a dress but they can just walk in and get something of the shelf and pay it within ½ hour?

Knowing this point, I always insist on apps to follow me when I go shopping, whether to buy a dress, a gift or a curtain. His comments really help speed the shopping, coz’ I don’t seem to be able to decide on something easily.

Luckily, all this while, he has been nice enough to accompany me during each shopping sessions. He has been really patient with me. Thank you sayang.. I appreciate it a lot ;)

The blunder at check-in

After finalizing the hotel, we officiated the wedding preparations with an AGM.

Everyone is busy with their own duties. As I am in charge of the finalization of the wedding card, I was supposed to go to Jakarta with appa and amma. Yeah, thambhi wanted to print the wedding invitation card in Jakarta. He was insistent because he was impressed by his friends wedding invitation cards which were done there. May be he is right, coz’ I haven’t seen such a design here yet!

I booked the flight through AirAsia for June 2 and to fly back on June 3. Bags packed, all set, apps drove us to the new LCC Terminal for the morning flight. After the goodbye kisses, appa, amma and I proceeded to the check-in counter.

I was not aware of the disappointment which was awaiting me..

At the check in counter, she examines our tickets and passports and looks at us again, "Ma’am, you cannot travel. Your passport is less than 6 months to expiry." *slap head*

Arrgghhh! How careless can I be. I didn’t check the expiry date nor did it occur to me that the passport has to be valid for at least more than 6 months. Hmphh! This is the second time. Previously, I got the time to my friend’s wedding wrong.

At the end, only appa and amma boarded the plane. I immediately I called apps to come back and fetch me.

On the way home, I called thambhi and informed him. He was speechless. Hehehehe ;)

Upon reaching home, thambhi calls me and asks me whether it is advisable for him to go to Jakarta. He said he was afraid that appa and amma might choose a colour out of the theme or something like that. I suggested him to go as we don’t want him to be upset with the card after spending so much.

I called AirAsia to book for the next flight at 1.15 p.m. and they said we have to buy the ticket at the counter since its less than 24 hours booking. There were 25 seats left at 10.35 a.m. So, I fetched thambhi and we headed to LCC Terminal. It was 12.05 p.m.

Thambhi had to queue up at the counter. A very long queue indeed. When he reached the counter, the system failed. But he managed to buy the ticket manually for the 1.15 p.m. flight at 12.55 p.m. Phew! So close..

And off he went to Jakarta, all because of my carelessness :)

The card was finalized and it will be ready by the end of the month. I can’t wait to see it myself.

The AGM

The wedding preparation continues with the first AGM, attended by the committee members (parents, MILs, Maya akka, Sinnamma, thambhi and SIS, and of course, me).

Before the meeting, we had a dinner as well as satay. Initially we planned for a barbeque, but due to the rain, it was cancelled.

I found it difficult to feed Champion and lil' President, as they were both so excited with the crowd. Champion was so friendly to everybody, and lil' President was excited to be venturing around.. by walking!

When Sherene and Tasha came, he was excited to see them. He went to Sherene, faced her, smiled, turned 180 degrees with one jump, and asked her to carry him onto her lap. Later, he even ran up to Tasha, slapped he arm, and shouted "Hi!". We were shocked. But Tasha was even more shocked, as she was not fond with children. The best of all, Champion seemed to like her!! Hahahaha!

Maya akka reminded me that it will be almost impossible for me to control my sons that night, and she was right! For a moment, I was wondering who was older; Champion or Morvn (both 2nd cousins). Champion was bullying him, holding him tight, etc. Many times I had to interfere to make sure nobody gets hurt.

After dinner, the AGM started, while the guys had their drinks in the cold night. The discussion was fruitful; assigning tasks to people, making sure the order of the events, finalizing everybody’s ideas, etc..

Even though Champion and lil' President was not feeling well, they were actively joining us in the meeting, and didn’t sleep until everybody left at 2.00 a.m.

Now, with all those assigned tasks, the wedding work starts!

I am in charge of the ...

finalizing of the wedding invitation card (the card will be finalized by end of the week, and sent for printing);

wedding book for the church (includes choosing the songs and bible passages for the readings);

programme book for the dinner (timeline of the wedding reception).

______________________________
Maya akka : My cousin
Morvn : Maya akka’s son

Wedding preparation starts

We have started on the wedding preparations already. Luckily the big decision has already been made.. where is the reception going to be. Considering the available hotels, Berjaya Times Square hotel was the preferred one.

Last weekend, we were invited to the hotel to check out the deco of another wedding reception happening that night. Amma, appa, athai and maama, Maya akka and sinnamma had previously checked out the decorations and layout of a wedding reception last month.

As I was not able to go the previous time, I couldn’t make a comparison. Yet, I found the decoration quite simple. The others agreed with me, and said the previous decoration and layout was better. Still, not satisfied, athai said she will call for the florist/internal designer to check the place out again (on our next visit on May 28th), so that she can compliment the decoration based on our requirements.



On this visit, Sherene came with Sinnamma. Champion was so attached with her.. playing, running, chasing, and smacking her!

@ boys playing together while the others engage in a discussion on the decorations

We had to wait for thambhi and SIL to arrive. They wanted to check out the hotel deco too. So, while waiting, Champion had his chance to check the place out. The place was so big and open, Champion ran all over the place, running around the circle beam, chasing taatha, while the ladies were having a short chat. Champion found an interesting cabinet.. and soon after was calling his brother to join him!

@ Champion's hideout while at the hotel
@ Lil' President joined in the fun

After Sherene left, SIL came, and Champion got stuck to her! Held her hands and walked all over the place.

When we parted to our cars, Maya akka was following us, and Champion got stuck to her. At the car park, when we separated to our own cars, Champion looked very sad. I think he was too sad to leave all the pretty girls!

- - - o o O o o - - -

Before leaving to the hotel, I was at appa and amma's place. Thambhi just brought SIL back from JB for her mum’s surprise birthday party. As she was really tired (after a post-call), she wanted to take a nap. But Champion didn’t let go of her. When she went into the room, Champion followed behind her.. sat on the bed and played with her. After a little while, he held her hands and brought her to the living room again. She had to dodge him and go back to the room for a short nap!
____________________
amma and appa – my parents
maama and athai – thambhi’s in-laws
Maya akka, Sherene – my cousins
sinnamma – amma’s younger sister

A birthday, an engagement and a wedding

Suddenly there seems to be little time left. We will be celebrating Champion’s and lil President’s birthday in April. A week after that is thambhs engagement. In August, thambhs is getting married. Phew! There’s lots of things to do.

First of all, we have to plan for Champion’s and lil' President’s birthday party. We actually gave up Champion's 1st birthday party. We only did a simple one, among close family members. We had no choice, as I was expecting lil’ President and I was having many false contractions. We didn’t want to plan the party, and on the last minute be at the hospital.

So, this year, we thought we should give him what is due. Since both of their birthdays are in April, we’re going to celebrate them together.

Let me see. I have to look out for the caterers, prepare the party bags, get the boys their suits, etc. Hmm, I was even thinking of having a clown...

With thambhs engagement being just a week apart, I will have to source out their suit for his occasion earlier. I think I am gonna buy them ‘jippa’. They look cute in it. Oooh, did I mention? I am going to be the brides maid. Am I too old for it? Can’t help it. I am his one and only sister. I plan to wear my wedding saree for the engagement. Its not always we get to wear grand sarees. That means I need to re-sew the saree blouse. I had put on weight since my wedding three years ago.. and after two pregnancies. I must not forget hubby. I plan to get him a ‘jippa’ too.

Then I have to help amms (my mother) to prepare the trays that we will be bringing to the bride’s house on the day of engagement. I can't remember how many trays we are bringing, 11 or 13, or was it 15? Must check with amms.

Phew! That’s is a lot already.

And now, we have less than 6 months to the wedding. The church has been booked. Now we have to decide on the place for the reception, and we need to do it real fast. For other matters, thambhs said we shall have a meeting among close family members. He said, then we can designate the work to everybody and they shall be held responsible for it.. Fuyoo! So canggih ah?!

Its all so exciting. I can’t wait.

______________________________
thambhs : my younger brother

How irresponsible!

What a long come back. I missed my blog. I missed blogging.

I had caught the viral fever from Mr. President. I was on MC last week, with high fever. Now, lil' President and I are recovering from flu. Luckily we sent Champion off with my parents. So, he didn't get it. However, yesterday I noticed him having slight flu. May be due to the exposure to us, Champion has caught it. I hope he recovers fast.

During the weekend, we had a couple of wedding invitations. But since lil' President was not feling well, we left it at MILs. After the lunch reception, we went over to MILs to check on Mr. President. Then we headed home to prepare for the night wedding. While we just 'lepaking' on the bed, with Champion jumping and 'manja-ing' around...

Apps : What time is the wedding ah?

Amms : It says 8.00 to 9.30 (Why start so late ah? Normally it starts 7.30, isn't it? *wonder*)

Apps : Yalah. But you said the wedding is gonna be held there right, at the hall? So, sure late wan. Where is the card? I will know the best time to reach there.

Amms : There. Go check it yourself.

Apps goes over to the table to read the wedding invitation card.

Apps : Hey, it 8.00 AM lah!

Amms : Don't joke. Really ah?!

Apps : Yeah. You see.

Amms : Oh my goodness! I missed the wedding.

Apps : Hahahaha, luckily we didn't get all dressed up and drive to the wedding hall!

Amms : Yaloh....

How could I have missed it? Hmmm, no wonder it states 8.00 instead of the usual 7.30 lah. How careless! I even have the wedding present ready.

After that we just headed back to MILs to pick lil' President. They were shocked to see us there instead of attending the wedding. Hehehe, I just told them that I was not feeling well, which was in a way true.. But, if I told them that I missed the wedding, I will definitely 'kena' from them for being so irresponsible ;)