Wednesday, February 08, 2006

My Wedding Celeb




As promised in my earlier posting, I turn my attention now to my 'Persandingan' ceremony which is equivalent to The Big Bash Wedding Day throughout the continental world.

After a surreal experience of officially becoming someone's wife the previous night, I was so exhausted that I quickly passed out on my bed as soon as I cleansed off my heavy make-up.

I still didn't sleep in the 'wedding boudoir' since my husband didn't spend the night - customarily, the husband would only do so after the Persandingan so he would be able to get acquainted with the bride's family.

My parents' bedroom was transformed especially for the special day since other bedrooms were not amply spaced for decoration and beautification purposes. In a sense, it's awkward having to sleep in that fancy boudoir, knowing quite well despite its festive and merry feeling, it was still your parents' bedroom.

Anyhow, I am digressing.

Following a refreshing shower, I tried to eat some breakfast but found myself getting nervous with the Big Day. Around me, the hustle and bustle of people - caterers, tent decorators and relatives - since early morning added to the euphoria of weddings.

A constant worrywart, I was also anxious whether my make-up artist would turn up late again. As this thought crossed my mind, I got a phone call from him. "Kat mana dah ni (Where are you now?)?" I asked. "Alamak, pukul berapa I patut datang? (Oh gosh! What time I'm supposed to be there?)" he responded. I was aghast. How could he forget after our frantic rush to finish up last night?!

He then hanged up promising to be at my house as soon as possible. I was about to get all worked up again when he (and a friend-in-training) suddenly showed up at our front porch. He was toying with me! He just wanted to test me! Luckily, I HAD my sense of humour that morning. This was coupled with the fact I needed a make-up artist. So I had to behave and watch my mouth. But to tell you the truth, I was too dazed to care.

As for the make-up, I was glad he came extra early since we did finish quite later than expected. Overall, I was pleased with his meticulous and professional work. It was everything I had wanted and didn't mind having to part with a large sum of money for such impressionable results.

Thereafter, I waited for the groom and his entourage to arrive. It was nerve-wrecking. I'm quite aversive to large crowds and didn't really like the idea of being on a dais (or 'pelamin') for display which is wont for traditional Malay weddings. The only thing that appeased me was that the fact it was our BIG day and to be lavished in such vainglory was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

The groom et al had arrived early but their accompanied 'kompang' group (kompang is a traditional hand-held drum and played in a manner similar to the tambourine) had yet to show up. My mom's cousin who was in charge of bringing them was not doing his job properly! The kompang group finally showed up after a half an hour's worth of wait. As my husband was about to set foot inside my parent's house compound, the rain miraculously started to fall. It was more like a rainstorm! Strong, tempestuous wind and torrential rain!

Like it or not, the show must go on. The kompang's percussive, melodic beat heralded the blissful reunion of the newly married. Amid the cacophony of heavy rain and crowd taking shelter from the rain, the ritualistic 'union' of bride and groom, however, was in disarray. On the bright side, the elements of nature helped to conceal the flaw. Now I understand why in some cultures, they have wedding rehearsals.

We were then ushered indoors to sit on our fabulously adorned pelamin where relatives would take turn to bless us with ceremonial rose water, flower petals and 'bunga rampai' (or finely sliced pot-pourri of fragrant plants used for Malay weddings).

Before this took place, a relative (that mom's cousin who was late with the kompang group) offered a short prayer for the newlyweds. Okay, for such a beautiful tribute, you're off the hook. :-)

Funnily, perhaps through divine intervention, the rain stopped soon after we settled onto our seats at the dais.

Following the pelamin ritual, it was time to eat at our 'meja beradab' or newlywed luncheon table. But no one came to usher us to the table. We just sat there at the dais, looking at each other and being dumbfounded. Momentarily stumped, we decided to take things literally into our own hands as my husband grabbed my hand and we walked hand-in-hand to the table unescorted.

Of course, at the table, we were not supposed to eat to our hearts' content. We must behave according to decorum. The beautiful food presentation was too nice to be eaten, my mother-in-law commented. But I was famished and wanted to eat more than what was deemed appropriate. Alas, my husband stopped me. He didn't want me to ruin my make-up. Hehe.

To mollify my desire to eat, my husband humoured me by assenting to my inquiries of who's who at the VIP tables. His boss was one of them. While sitting at our luncheon table, the emcee entertained the crowd with a brief on our personal lives (how we met, where we went to school, etc) to which he liberally embellished some truths. We couldn't help but laugh!

As the day wound down - around 3-4 p.m. - we were more relaxed and got the chance to talk to some friends who stayed behind to chat and wish us well.

After retiring shortly to our boudoir to wash out the make-up and getting out of our ceremonial clothes, we opened our wedding presents at night, surrounded by my close relatives (My husband's entourage had left earlier following the wedding luncheon but before they took pictures with us via the professional photo-op service).

The gifts ranged from personal (lingerie!) to mostly domesticated items (like toaster, barbeque set, DVD player, electric kettle, bedsheets, etc).

Looking back, it was a hectic but worthwhile day. I finally ended up with my beloved anamcara!

Monday, February 06, 2006

To Pacify or Not to Pacify?





I have never been a fan of pacifiers. To me, the pacificier serves as an elementary tool to literally shut the traps of babies and toddlers and mold them into submissive, meek creatures.

This was evidenced by my first-person encounter with the usage of pacifiers (dummies, soothers or comforters if you like) whereupon the babies are forced into a state of artifical stillness by shoving these grimy contraptions into their mouths.

I also don't like the fact that the beautiful, cherubic facial features of a baby to be concealed and obscured by the dreadful pacifier.

A baby's face is an image to be admired and cooed at.

My strong disapproval is further reinforced by the knowledge that my husband's 10-year-old nephew is still a heavy user of the pacifier. To make matters worse, he is using it simultaneously with a trusty, worn-out small pillow that he carries everywhere!

He does look like a placid young boy whenever he is around me and my husband. Shy and coy. But I've heard otherwise when we are not around. Always getting into fights with his siblings.

His elder brothers - a set of twins - had also relied heavily on dummies when they were growing up. And they only stopped at the age of 11! That was solely thanks to my husband's 'bribery' in the form of scooter bicycles which were the rage at that time.

Now 14-year olds, they look much better without those ghastly things hanging out of their faces. (If only we could instill some fashion sense into their choice of clothes).

Their youngest sister is the latest addition to succumb to this dummy culture.

Their mother, in my opinion, largely depends on soothers to get the children off her back amidst her busy schedule as a restaurateur cum caterer. This has also aided in bringing peace and quiet to the household - well, some of the time.

However, like any normal children, 'raucous' and 'rambunctious' are the adjectives that aptly describe their behaviour whenever adult supervision turns minimal.

So probably my impression that kids with a pacifier affixed on their faces are not so meek after all. Or, they become disruptive as a sign of protest for being unduly imposed with such a formidable gadgetry?

As a truce to my keen opposition to pacifiers, I present this impartial link http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/565729.html so as to enable would-be parents, young parents and old parents to re-assess their stance on this ancient yet highly-contested issue.

As for me, I'd be the last person whom you would see having a pacifier near her baby. So no pacificiers as baby gifts! ;-)

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Holiday Languor


It's been a long time since I last wrote onto a blog template.

The reason being was the lack of access to an internet connection which was in turn attributed to a very, very long holiday we were given here in Malaysia.

Starting 28th January, I officially got a 7-day off from work due to the Chinese Lunar New Year the Chinese demographics were celebrating. This was on top of other holidays which include the First Day of the Islamic New Year on the 31st January and Federal Territory Day on 1st February which commemorates the anniversary of Kuala Lumpur being proclaimed as, well, a Federal Capital.

And yesterday, 4th of February, I had to report for duty, so to speak, on a Saturday for a Chinese New Year 'Open House' celebration at my company's showroom. Like the year before, it was a disorganised affair and the food was mediocre.

The public holiday was a nice break from the whole routine of work. Actually, my company by default, should commence work last Thursday but since it's a Chinese-majority corporation, we were given extra two days of leave (Thursday and Friday). Unfortunately, one of the extra two days is deducted from our annual leave. Not that I am complaining since my hubby was off from work until Thursday (since he works in Federal Capital of KL whereas I'm situated in another state, Selangor) and took an extra day off Friday so we would be able to see my gynae for that crucial appointment - the estimation of our baby's due date.

I find it rather interesting that this year we in Malaysia, usher in three different types of new year celebrations on the same month - January.

There is the Roman Calendar new year, followed by a Dog-infested Chinese New Year which fell on 29th January and finally the Islamic calendar New Year on 31st January.

I wonder if there would be a time in the future when all the new years will align themselves and fall on the 1st of January (in accord with the widely-recognised Roman Calendar).

After 9 days off work, more or less, my husband and I will sorely miss our non-work routine which involves amongst others, cooking dinner for 4 nights ever since we were on leave. If it were a normal working day, we usually eat out or pack something from outside than cook a decent dinner meal.

Other fun things on the agenda were going to bed later than usual, napping in the afternoon and vegging out in front of the tv, watching movies on DVDs or making fun of B-grade movies (and then some) being regurgitated on our local cable service here.

Alas, the much-needed respite will come to an end. Tonight, to mark such an ending, we will scour our favourite mall for the latest bargains and offerings, eat out and sleep early (just to make up for the lack of hours beginning tomorrow).

It is also a great excuse for a soiree, because in about 2 more weeks' time, the stork is expected to arrive.

So, by all means, let the daily grind begins!