And So The Planning Begins

JAN FEB MAR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT

Now that it is the end of January, it's about time to speed up the planning for our wedding. I still can't believe that I'm really going to get married this year! :)

A lot of some of the major parts have been sorted out so far, the venues booked, videographer booked, draft guest list prepared. Ninja Ryan has recruited his band of best-man and grooms-men, I have recruited my lovely team of MOH and bridesmaids, also the fabulous emcee.

At first we had to go through a little bit of disagreements and headaches, I mean who does when it comes to planning a major event, especially a wedding. Ninja Ryan always wanted a western garden wedding, couldn't deny that I too would love to have something outdoors. But knowing Malaysian weather and our date is around the monsoon season. However we did find a venue that he immediately fell in love with and I find is workable to accomplish close to how our dream wedding may look. The major headache was, that venue could not fit ALL OUT GUESTS!

I believe that God stepped in and planted the idea of splitting the wedding into 2 days. At first I was concern that this is going to cost most money, but Ninja Ryan assured me that it would be fine. So we sorted out which 2 dates to pick and the 2 venues to have it. A semi outdoor to create the outdoor wedding we dreamt of, and a Chinese dinner for the relatives!

And since the both of us never really thought about a theme to stick with, we decided to pick the colours that we both like. But we still have to search for a direction to head to without having the decorations and knick-knacks clashing with each other. Plus we are kind of lovers of DIY items, and my Bridal Party are the best in this field!

Then comes the part I fear the most, picking of the Bridal Gown! *whimpers*

The only time I actually wear dresses is for special occasion and dinners, so I obviously panic about this. I am not a very fun shopper to hang out with, I don't go digging for bargains and trying out every new trends. I opt to stick to my love of jeans, tshirts and converse. I don't even have the dream figure to fit into the type of dress I like. I blame it on my greedy habit when it comes to food. All my life I have a tendency to over-eat, and binge on favourite foods, imagining that I can't gain weight. And boy was I wrong........

Being born big boned with a big body structure, I believe it's not an excuse to not try to loose all these fat that I've gained since my college years. All that love for pasta, ramen, sushi has got to stop! I can't emphasize how much I love ramen and instant noodles! I love them so much I think I may kill myself just by eating too much of it. This month is the last month that I will have my weekly ramen and opt for more healthy weekend breakfast.

After my 1st round of Bridal Gown hunting, I have come to terms with myself..."Joanna, you need to loose weight! You only have 3 months to do it!" And having heard of so many types of diets out there, I think I have found the one that I am eager to hop into as I have seen the results with my own eyes. So I spent all morning reading up on it before writing this blog post, and I am getting all my reference from here and here

And I got my weight calculated here  Soon I may need to consult the sifu Nora for guidance .....

I am loving this gown design for now, I might change my mind again.

Being a bridesmaid

I was asked to be one of the bridesmaids for my schoolmate's wedding which was in the middle of January 2013. It was fun where I got to witness all the Chinese traditions and steps needed to go through to get married. Waking up before the sun to prepare for the Door Blocking games, while my responsibility was actually the decorations. So I was outside, at 6am, hanging up flower pom poms and lightbulb vases with the mosquitoes as my companions :p

One of the hanging lightbulb vase I made

Lookie I'm one of the bridesmaids, hiding in the back.

Honest to God, I was actually really clueless about being a bridesmaid. But my duties were pretty minor aside from the decorations for the front yard of the Bride's house. I just had to observe the games, run around and update the Bride on the progress of the games, and safe guard the angpows the Groom gave us. Teehee.

This framed guestbook with colourful bookmark-like tags tied on strings was made by the Groom! Love the idea!

After the long fun and tiring day of waking up before the sun and only going home at almost midnight, I'm actually not shy to say, Thank God I have decided not to have any Door Blocking games! Ninja Ryan can just cruise over with his car and pick me up. :)

The Clueless Bride-to-be

It is pretty much natural for every girl to start planning and dreaming of how their perfect wedding will be like. Well maybe it wasn't that natural for me because I spent most of my time thinking about which rock concert I wish I could go to, what movies have I not watched yet, or what food shall I eat next. What a girl I am! :D

After having the great honour to be part of my dearest friend, Kel Li's wedding. Getting involved with the preparations as part of her bridal party, it did make me wonder "When is going to be my turn? I'm like in my late 20s already!" I also did my fair share of indirect hints to him but he keeps saying that he has a plan and told me to chill.

Little did I know that just not too long after Kel Li's wedding, I got engaged! So, now what? Aside for letting the parents and close friends know, so what do I do next????? I am such a clueless bride-to-be!!!!!

So we started out with baby steps, first off was the parents and future parents-in-law to officially have a meal together. Then came the part of how many guests can or should we invite! Oh my jelly beans.....knowing that my dad, ninja Ryan and his mum have A LOT of friends....this is going to be fun.

Well it's been about 3 months now since the night he proposed, I'd say that we pretty much checked off some of the important things that require blocking the calendar for.

All of this also could not be possible or be able to settle smoothly if it weren't for the world's bestest friends that I have! You know who you are! *wink wink*

And so the journey of planning R+J's big day begins!

We have survived 2012! Hello 2013!

It's the beginning of a New Year and a new Chapter. So what kind of "trouble" have I been up to in 2012? Being the somewhat quiet reserve not so little girl I am, my day to day or month to month is not really much to shout about. Here's a recap with pictures :)

January

I dressed up for Company's Annual Dinner

February

First successful attempt in making a amigurumi bear head

Made a cotton pink cupcake bear, it was a special order for Valentine's Day

Ninja Ryan and I decided to cook together on Valentine's Day instead of going out. It was Fun!

March

St Patrick's Day at Changkat Bukit Bintang with Ninja Ryan, Jin Ho and Sim

April

After the months and months of preparation together with the team from church, we have finally brought our master pieces to live! You can read the whole post here =>  A.G.E. 2012

Part of the cast of A Glimpse of Eternity

The Sisters that works best when creating monsters, together with the demon dancers and their victim

Ninja Ryan as head demon

I bumped into this crazy bunch while out window shopping. Look at my scary big eyes contact lens, I look like a vampire!

May

I had fallen to the dark side of Diablo III

Going a little too crazy on my Birthday with Ninja Ryan and good friend Mei Yuan

Cosy Birthday Japanese lunch at Tenjin

Ninja Ryan's baby had an accident :(

June

We finally got to go to Universal Studios Singapore! One the most fun I've had!

Attended my dear Cousin's Wedding in Singapore. He had 3 weddings!

July

I got to meet Boys Like Girls! And their new dreamy bassist!

We actually got to spend a couple of minutes chatting with them. It was cloud 9 7th Heaven! Happy!

Paid a visit to myBurgerLab not long after they officially opened

Oh what a beautiful mess. Yup, that's the name of the burger.

August was quiet....too quiet... Also we just shifted our office..... Oh wait!

DIY Session for Kel Li's Wedding Deco... I don't have a photo :(

September

Kel Li's Hen Night!! Felt like it was just yesterday!

Are you enjoying yourself sir? The lovely Jamie and dearest Kel Li

KEL LI AND NIGEL GOT MARRIED! WOOHOO!

Love her to death!

October

I finally got to give Kel Li her Rainbow Dash hoodie on her birthday, never did I have to keep a secret for so long!

We went to conquer Taipei, Taiwan. With Ninja Ryan and family.

I bet you know why this shot was taken :D

Took the fastest elevator to the 89th Floor of Taipei 101

Aaaaaaaaand we got engaged :p

November was pretty much filled with discussions and early planning for The Wedding and deciding on the colour theme......

December

Christmas Party at "The Hamptons". How I wish the night never ended. :)

And there you have it boys and girls. The happenings of 2012 in sillyjoanna's life. Bored yet? Teehee. And now let us continue to explore more adventures in 2013!