Touchdown China - 12th Feb 2010

Flight time was to be 0115 but it was delayed and we took off around 0145. After a long flight, we finally touched down at Shanghai's airport.

Arriving at 0630, it took us another hour before we finally cleared the immigration checks, collected our luggage and headed away from the airport.

Then it took another long drive (5 1/2 hours) before we finally reached Wenzhou. I was dead tired and super hungry. Thankfully, the first place we went to when we arrived in her hometown was to have lunch. That was my first time eating their local food ... not quite what I expected but still food is food. I was famished !

We reached home, settled in and both of us went to bed. I'd had thought I'd end up sleeping till night fall, but I was up right around 5ish in the evening ... hungry again :)

This time, it was home cooked food ...

After dinner, we headed out for a walk in the neighbourhood. As you can see, food was everywhere !

The Night Before The Flight - 11th Feb 2010

Thursday, 11th Feb 2010

- Heading for a holiday soon + going to propose + gonna spend my CNY in China !!!
- 2 great pals (Brand n Cat) picked me up from home and sent me to the airport.
- Poor dear had to go to the airport alone cause of timing issue ... :P
- Security check was horrible at Changi Airport, had to remove shoes n belt ! Really don't get the logic !?!
- Hand-carry luggage was treated like soft toys, I had to snap at the staff who almost threw my bag
- People were piling up at the queue and the security staff was totally rude. (So much for service standards)
- Seriously, do all travellers look like criminals ?

Well, enough of that. We got over it in the end and was waiting for the boarding call. Off to China we go ....

The Power of Sony CZ 24-70 F2.8 Lens

Right on the first night in China of a week long trip, my camera (lens attached) with an estimated weight of 4kg went diving from an estimated height of 1.5m straight to the road. The distinct sound of glass breaking shot thru my heart like an arrow instantly.

The lens took the impact, with a major dent to the filter and causing the glass to break. Due to the weight, the lens frame was also dented slightly but lucky enough, the front element didn't break, thanks to the filter.

However, the front element was not entirely spared. It suffered a huge crack but thankfully it was around the rim so the lens was still usable.

The camera absorbed the after-shock so there's some damage to it internally as well.

The Proposal (Part 2) - 14th Feb 2010

14th Feb 2010 is a date to remember for us both. At midnight, I proposed and she said "Yes".

We had our reunion dinner at a restaurant nearby - That will be yet another story to tell :)

I was a little high by the end of the dinner, having received several toasts and having to toast the family members in return. I was constantly keeping my fingers crossed that I could stay awake till the stroke of midnight to propose. Fortunately dinner ended around 9 I think and we were back home by 10. 2 more hours to go and I was already feeling worn out. I kept myself awake by watching tv and chatting with the other cousins. We had planned to light up firecrackers later that night so I took the chance to hint to the rest (Hui Hui, Jia Jia and Cheng Yang) on my plans. Thankfully, they played along and kept mum although Jia Jia almost had a slip of tongue (she confessed later haha).

Right about 2345, Cheng Yang came with the "goods" and we headed down to prepare the fireworks. It had begun to drizzle but that didn't dampen the mood. A few other households had already started their own fireworks. Not as grand and colourful as I'd expected but nonetheless, the ambience was great !

At the stroke of midnight, fireworks continued and on my knees I went, asking "Will You Marry Me". She was stunned I think ... but she nodded her head and said yes and onto her finger the ring, the token of my love went and so this marks the beginning of our journey together.

The Proposal (Part 1)

Many people have been asking me how I'm going to propose and when.
Many people have been asking her too if I have proposed.
Well, I don't blame the paparazzis around me, since we've already set a date even!

Isaiah even offered to help me with the proposal -
He suggested a Big Big Banner and said "She sure cry one!"
Hmz ... I'm certain of that, after all the "Gang" has been her closest group of friends all this years.
I'm truly thankful for all of you, for showering her with love and warmth -
(In no order) The Kuans, The Tays, Ms Heah, Mr @sterix & Ms JY
And when I intruded into the "Gang", you folks gave me the same love n warmth as well
You guys are the best! And certainly it would've been very meaningful to propose with all of you around.

BUT ... after a long thought, I decided to do it on 14th Feb 2010 instead.

Not that I'm into the Valentine's Day craze, but it is a special day on its own after all.

14th Feb 2010 - Valentine's Day, back in her hometown on the 1st Day of Chinese New Year.

I may not have been who you had in mind as a life partner

But to you, I happened to be there at the right place right time

I was truly worried at first, for I know myself well

Will I be able to meet your expectations

Will I be able to be a good husband and father in future

But you accepted me for who I am & not who I was

You believe me for who I can become

So hand in hand we've walked this journey together

Spending moments of joy n pain, in laughter n in tears

There's more to come, this I promise

And for as long as time shall take, I will always love you till the very end.

Will you marry me?

(The above was blogged before I proposed)

How did it turn out ???

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*Drum Roll .....*

Well it turned out to be quite different in the end.

But that will be another story to tell :)

Before The Big Day ...

It started with a plan, to propose to her and capture the moments.

I realized, that's not going to happen.

There's no where in Singapore at all where I think is suitable.

She's not a fine-dining person, so restaurants are out (Heng Ah)!

I've thought of several places, shared them with my buddies Brand n Jon.

Star Cruise, Universal Studios (Sentosa), well actually that's all we thought of haha.

So you see, Singapore ... I can't think of any place at all !!!

That aside, I decided to work on my proposal script first.

Here's what it looks like ...

It started with a first draft at home on 20th Jan 2010.

I only managed the first line then hehe ...

It went "I often wondered if I'd make a good husband and father ..."

My mind left me after that.

26th Jan 2010 - Service at JW with Pastor Tan, I was early so I continued with my unfinished task.

I thought the Church will be a good place that can give me some inspiration.

I managed to finish it, but it seemed a little too long I think.

And finally ...

I hope it works, I think it should work, ok I'm sure it'll work ...

At the airport now, eyes drying up, tired, stoning ... see ya.

Just For You

A little a day time passes by
At one glance how quickly everything seems to fly
Through the years I have grown
Spending most of it all alone

Along you came, the one God sent
Filled with joy and love our days were spent
The journey's still long with many trials
But hand in hand it'll be all worthwhile

To my dearest, I know you're under tremendous pressure with so many things happening all at once. But God is faithful and He hears our cries to Him. As surely as I say this, He will provide our needs in His time. And I too am here, with you, for you till the very end. I love you dear.

Meet The People Session (Part 2)

Today was another first for me and us... In a bid to hasten the process for her PR application, we've prayed hard and with advice from the friends around us, we've decided to see my MP.

We've never done this before so just like a typical Singaporean (that's me lar), we met for dinner around 1730 and was sitting outside the room by 1800. Frankly, it wasn't that bad to be early. The skies were still bright with the sun slowly setting from the far horizon and the strong breeze that blew across simply cast away the tiredness from a long day's work. Kids were running around the park playing (n screaming), happily being ignored by their faithful but not too watchful maids, while early commuters were making their way home.

Some kids were playing with the rope from the flag pole in the park, flinging it all over and under the very watchful eyes of their maid. Pretty much got on my nerves that I walked up to the maid and politely asked if she was looking after those kids. She feigned ignorance at first but when I spoke about the dangerous activity that was happening before her, she reacted quickly by shooing them away like little chickens and tying the rope back to the pole. One smart alec kid actually came to me and asked "Are you a police ?" I replied in my nicest tone "No, but I am here to tell you what is not safe". The immediate reply was "That aunty ask us to play one !!!" Kids ... But well in the end, they disbanded and that's more important. I really didn't want to witness flying arms or heads on a flag pole.

Anyway, the rest of the evening went on as we chatted and people-watched. Kinda fun, seeing the clothes people wear, the things they carry, rushing too and fro like little ants scurrying to their next destination. That's life, we rush everywhere we go, we rush in everything we do.

Slowly, the crowd started to form outside the room while waiting for the MPS to start. It really felt as if I was at a clinic waiting for my number to be called. Thankfully, we weren't the only blur ones cos there were many others who were there for the first time, based on tell-tale signs from their behaviour. Of course, there're also the "hall of fame" ones, who casually sit back and wait for their turn, saying "Hi" to almost every committee member that went into the room. They obviously knew the drill well enough.

To end the story quickly ... I'm really impressed by the staff on duty. I'm sure they've seen countless number of people, complaining about all sorts of stuff from the time they started this. The chap that "interviewed" us, was pretty young but very professional and polite. First words "How can I help you" ? My words "Appeal". His words "Housing or PR". I think those are the hot topics these days ... Anyway, everything went on smoothly and I felt a wave of peace as we left the place after thanking him and that pretty lady with him (I think she was doing her OJT bah).

I'm certain blessings will flow for Cherry to have a successful PR appeal this time !

Meet The People Session (Part 1)

Cherry: Is the MP single ?

Peter: Duh ... shall I arrange for an introduction ???

Peter "What are we doing here ar ?"