We are married!

Alhamdulillah.

It has been about a month now since we've been married. It feels great to finally get it over and done with. Not that getting married is a tedious thing to do, but maybe the thought of having the ceremony perfect and all made it more adventurous than what it sounds like. But you know what, all the drama, rush and tears were all worth it. After all, we need to look forward for 50 years or more to make this work, not only that one night occasion. And I'm happy I'll be going through the many more years to come with the guy I've fallen in love with every single day, insya Allah.

A week before the actual day was critical. There's no room for mistakes, every second counts. Yeah, that's what I was hoping for - no mistakes. If you're an alien maybe it'll be true. But since I'm a plain human being, I have plenty of rooms to be filled in - with flaws and hiccups. Let's just focus on the positive things, ok? I wouldn't want to give bad ideas that'll make other bride-to-bes to change their mind. It'll be wonderful, trust me. :)

While busy settling the preparation for the ceremony, don't forget to get yourself prepared, personally. I mean, your beauty and health. Make sure to have a good rest a week before the event, at least. I know it sounds impossible, but just try your very best. Eat well. Plenty of water is essential. Imagine you not having enough sleep, skipped lunch and dinner 2 days in a row, panic, and worse... DEHYDRATED! Gosh. You wouldn't want the guests to mistaken you for your maid! I have friends who went for manicure, pedicure, a trip to the salon, and other self-grooming necessities which would be a little extra for that lucky guy. As for me, I did a little something that might still be a taboo for Malaysian - waxing.

Of course, since it was my first time, I was hesitated at first. Or second, might be third. It's a hell scary thing to even think about getting it done. I'm talking about Brazilian, here. I did a lot of research on my own, surfing the internet, watching videos on YouTube and plenty of thinking. To cut things short, I did it and glad with the outcome. It's difficult to explain in detail, but a simple advice I got from some anonymous on the net; Don't think too much. They've been doing it to many other people everyday and the last thing they would think about is how embarrassing the whole procedure is. Just let them do their work and you'll achieve the expected result. Be professional because THEY ARE. And don't worry, inform them that you are a first-timer and they WILL assist and tell you what to do.

I did it at Strip Ministry of Waxing in The Curve. I first called them up a day before to secure an appointment and ask them few (stupid) questions on what to prepare for a first-timer. Well, it's better to ask foolish questions than becoming a fool on the day itself, right? But fret-not, they won't be laughing at you, instead they'll guide you and explain in detail on what are the dos and don'ts. I also had my legs waxed and did a little 'cleaning' on the eyebrows (as suggested by my makeup-artist). I don't fancy the idea of having a one pencil-line on top of my eyes, so she advised me to inform the lady not to thin/shape, just reduce the messy-ness of my brows. Heh. Again, this was also the first time for my virgin-eyebrows, and I would say that I'm glad she got me did it. :) I don't know about other places but for me, Strip:MOW is highly recommended in terms of hygiene and professionalism and I'd probably pay another visit soon! Of course, I've heard stories about how they like to persuade customers buying their post-wax care products. But the truth is, that's the truth! LOL. Make sure you've set your mind not to agree to any 'other' things they offer while waxing, because your mind might be thinking elsewhere while someone is stripping off a warm harden wax from your body. Also, I was offered for a RM500 advanced deposit that could be converted into points and claim-to give me better benefits for my next visits but we politely declined since the total bill for that day was only less than RM200. But hey, on the bright side, if you agree to pay the RM500 deposit, you're entitled to get discounts (I think 20% off) in the month of your birthday! Weeehee.

As for my henna, it was a very last minute thingy. I almost didn't want to get it done due to the time constraint, but lucky for me to have such wonderful friends who helped me went through all the panic attacks. They waited patiently next to me the night before my solemnization. I actually got the henna leaves accidentally while having my lunch about a week before in SS19. The soon I saw the henna tree, I quickly asked the saleslady if it's OK for me to get some henna leaves and luckily she was kind enough to let me slashed some branches. I got my aunt to mush-mush them into a paste and am satisfied with the result, eventhough I would be happier if I could put the paste on another time. But still, I'm happy with the result! :)

Ok, that'll be all for now. I'll be updating more about my custom-made shawls and my overall feedbacks on the vendors - trust me, you WANT to know my feedbacks on them!

-,-

Permohonan untuk kebenaran berkahwin

Salam and good day. As you've seen in previous posts, DrummerBoi has elaborated very well on how are the procedures to apply for marriage registration (for men). Today, I wanted to proceed for my part, but encounter few problems.

First, thanks to the groom's side, the forms are well done BUT they left out one small thingy at the very last part. By right, after all the things (mentioned in the previous post) have been done, the groom (without the 2 Saksi) is required to apply for Kebenaran Bernikah and this need to be approved by Pegawai Nikah/Rujuk/Cerai from JAIS (in my case, because I'm staying in Selangor). After getting that 'green light' form, only the Penolong Pendaftar Nikah (PPN) is allowed to support bride's application. Lucky me, I've known the PPN since we were kids, so since my Wali, and 2 Saksi were already there, he just proceed for my application and I promised to get it to JAIS soonest possible. FYI, marriage registration can only be done from Monday-Thursday, up to 4pm at your nearest Jabatan Agama. So without wasting anytime, I rushed to JAIS in Shah Alam, guided by my BIL. Thank you, Dilai.

I reached about 10 to 2. So I waited with many others, to get our visitor pass. Go straight to the 2nd tower, on your right from the car park, OK? I went to 6th floor, submit his forms, and get the approval from Ustazah Zanrinor. Paid RM10. Went to 1st floor for my turn for approval, only to realize that my wallet was only filled with coins. So I rushed to the 2nd tower, to withdraw cash. (Don't worry if you forgot to bring cash, like me. There's a Bank Islam ATM machine at Ground floor). That's not all. Guess what, after photostating the documents in the morning, I left the original copy of Sijil Kursus Perkahwinan & HIV test at home. Yeay. But Alhamdulillah, the sister said I need to attach the original documents later, during the actual Nikah day. Phew. Ustaz Lyros gave the approval for Kebenaran Berkahwin after gone through the forms and documents from the groom's side. Paid RM10. He then, gave another sheet of form for me to fill in, and this is required for Nikah on the actual day. This form is to be submitted to the PPN, recommended before Nikah, in case there are still some missing information. And then, finally, Ustaz Lyros said "Dah boleh nikah dah", with a smile.

The weather is extremely hot, today. Alhamdulillah, the process went on smoothly. The End.

Clock-ticking. And then it halts.

Just when you thought everything went on great, think again. I think most of the young couples getting married are so eager to get married, having fun for the preparations and buying stuffs, but ignored the fact that they are (or will be) mentally-challenged in all sorts of way. I kid you not. Getting married is indeed a new big step in your life. Yes, it's NEW and BIG. You can never imagine what your life would become after that 'SAH' is ... ~sah! I now think I understand why there were tears in brides and brides mothers' eyes soon as the procedure is done. For the brides : No more compromising for us. Your husband will be the final NO or YES in all decisions. For their mothers : It's because they have been through all those. So, that's why. Of course, there are a lot of disagreement and discussion being done before entering that different life, but your partner would usually comfort you with "Don't worry, babe. I'll be by your side and we'll go through this together". Pray harder. Maybe your partner will actually do as he/she says.

Why am I blasting all these? Because obviously I am experiencing the peak of madness+insanity in my life as a B2B. I cannot understand how a man could be more mature than us but acts as a 5-year-old kid when it's coming to arguing over an ice-cream. Some people have told me that the person's name resembles their character. For example, Aishah means Lively, and Jamilah means Beautiful. Well, I believe so. Because apparently what we speak out everyday is a du'a. So if we were to call Jamilah (beautiful) by her name (not shortforms like Jam, Milah, Jamey), I truly believe that she will turn out to be a 'beautiful' lady throughout her life, be it physically or by her characteristic. Very unfortunate for me, neither of our names (my partner & I) spell 'PATIENCE'. For those of you who are named 'Sabri' / 'Sabariah'. Alhamdulillah. Good for you and the other half.

Of course everyone's life is kinda hectic at the moment. You wish to have someone by your side to really share it with and laugh about all the stupid moves you've been doing for the past few weeks. But sometimes we have to realize, we are living in the real world. Not everyone is thinking the same as you do. No one could actually understand how it feels like being in your shoe. Yeah, who can? When there are times even YOU, yourself cannot interpret what's been going on in your own life?

Heh.

So yesterday was another progress of my preparation for my reception. But, I just do not feel like writing it down here. Simply because I do not know if it's even necessary to shout out publicly about it, when the person who I supposed-to share it with, doesn't even care or bother. Maybe I am going into that new life, alone. With an invisible man next to me. Don't get me wrong, he is there. Just that he's not really.

And you must be freaking happy right now because all your plans seem to work fine. Good for you!

p/s : this is labeled under 'Procedure'.

We've been tested!

He just got back for a while from outstation last week. So we decided to make that HIV test before he's being sent off again. First choice was Poliklinik Kesihatan Seri Kembangan in Serdang. After calling them up, we found that they only perform HIV test on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm-4pm. But he wanted to have it on Tuesday. Second choice was Klinik Kesihatan in Bangi. They do HIV tests on Monday - Thursday (if I'm not mistaken, but not on alternate days la). 2pm-4pm also. So he took a day off on Tuesday and planned out our outing.

From 11am morning, we stopped by Proton showroom and picked our first ride together. :) Next, we went to AlRajhi to apply for some financial aid. Then, we dozed off to Klinik Kesihatan Bangi. We arrived there around 1.45pm. We need to wait till 2pm sharp to get the form and number. The first number of the day was 701, and both of us were 703 & 704. Weee. Yeah. For a while. We started to make noises when it was 2.15pm and #701 is still not being called yet. 2 nurses only entered room no.7 around 2.30pm. I was holding my medical checkup form (for my MEng intake) in one hand and the no. taken in another. None of my numbers (HIV test / medical checkup) were called. 2.45pm, he's fallen asleep while I'm on standby in case he falls to the other side. :P 3pm, #701 was called. Like, finally. And then after that the flow goes smoothly. We got in not long after that. When I was tested, I asked the nurse why my number was not being called for medical checkup? The doctor at the back said I should have attached my form with the number and put it in the red basket, where the HIV test form was put in outside the room. Erkhh. And how am I supposed to know that? After a few poor pleads, the nurse agreed to perform my checkup on the same day, only a bit later. Thank God my dear sweetheart did not freak out and waited patiently for everything to be over. And guess what, we left about 5.30pm. For him to wait patiently till the very last minute, was super impressive. Thanks, yoy! :)

After that, we had our lunch at about 6pm at Restoran Azura, a nearby restaurant, and it was superb! Great food with great price! Situated right behind Petronas station. I think it's somewhere in SS3, Bangi. This is a free promo. Go ahead and try if you're around the area.

Here's some tips before going for HIV test - specifically in Klinik Kesihatan Bangi (based on our experience) :

1. Arrive early - the registration starts at 2pm, but by 1.45pm many people have been waiting and soon as the counter opens, you will have to queue up and get your number. Then, you have to wait for another hour before the 1st number is called. If you are rushing off somewhere, better come early. Not too early, though. As medical centre is not a safe place, afterall.
2. When registering, you will be given a form each with your number attached. Please pay RM1 each person and proceed to room no.7 on your right (room no.7 on your left is for pregnancies)
3. Fill in the form before you drop it in the red basket (on the counter in front of room no.7) and have a seat before your number is called. No need to take another number at the counter, since you've been given one already earlier.
4. When your number is called, go into the room, sit on the chair and raise your left hand on the table. Don't panic, the nurse will take your left middle finger before she pokes you with a stapler-kinda-thingy where your blood will be dropped on the tester.
5. If 1 line appears, congratulations, you're HIV-free! If not, I hope you seek for medical advice soon.

As for medical checkups,

1. Call a day before and make appointment! (Even though the operator said you don't have to, insist on making one!)
2. Proceed to room no.7 at 2pm, print out a number from the counter and place your medical checkup form together with your number in the red box (same as above).
3. After your number is being called, the doctor will go through your form and notify if you are eligible for the checkup. A pink slip will be attached with your form.
4. Proceed to registration counter to pay stamp duty fee. In my case, RM20 only. A receipt will be attached with your form.
5. Bring the documents and proceed to X-ray room (next to room no.7), submit your form in the box on the table and wait for your name to be called.
6. When your name is called, enter the X-ray room, where you will be asked to change to a white outfit, after you've taken off everything, waist-up.
7. Wait a few minutes for the film to be ready. Your name will be called.
8. Return to room no.7 for a quick eye test. I wasn't wearing spectacles, so the guy only did a quick colour blind test for me. I passed. :)
9. Submit the form to kaunter saringan (opposite room no.7) and wait for your name to be called. Blood pressure checked. Height and weight measured.
10. Next, go to counter of room no.10. Submit the form in the red box. Wait for name to be called. Produce your specimen and submit to the counter. (",)
11. Return to registration counter and they will notify you which room to enter to see the doctor. Use the previous number when you were in room no.7.
12. When your number is called, enter the room to meet doctor for final checkup.
13. Done!

Phew~. FYI, medical checkup is not needed to get married. It's only for my university intake.

What a looooong day.

Oh, by the way. We are HIV-negative! Alhamdulillah...

3-in-1

My family and I attended the food tasting at SACC today. I was quite disappointed as Niwa forgotten my add-on menu, which was Buttered Prawn. The original menu was :

Nasi Minyak

Daging Rendang Tok

Ikan Masam Manis

Ayam Masak Merah

Dalca Sayur/Pajeri Nanas

Sirap Selasih

Kuih Melayu

Buah-buahan

Kopi/Teh Tarik

So before the food tasting, I've requested to swap 'Daging Rendang Tok' with 'Daging Dendeng' and add-on 'Buttered Prawn' to the menu. And to have Dalca Sayur, not Pajeri Nanas. Unfortunately, Niwa only swapped the Daging, and she promised to conduct another food tasting for the Prawn. Oh, well. We'll see. But fortunate for me, she said that Dalca Sayur and Pajeri Nanas will both be in the menu. Weee. Well, luckily I brought some 'good' food tasters as I am not expert myself. But personally, I did not like the Daging Dendeng, which like K.Maz said, "Daging Dendeng should be dark and red..", which it wasn't. So I'm hoping the 2nd attempt of food tasting will not frustrate me again. And LadyBoss suggested to change the Dalca Sayur to Mix Vege. Hmm. But we absolutely love the presentation, especially the cutleries (I know, just wait and see, than you'll know what I'm talking about) and the dessert. :)

Right after that, I met the wedding planner, assisted by Niwa & Yahdina, to discuss about my pelamin. I explained to Mr Dinzuiz about my dress colour (light turqoise-greenish) and my idea to have the decorations in peach. He paused, and gave his honest opinion about it, and I absorbed it nicely. As I know I,myself, am not excellent in nothing (;c), so I accepted his suggestion to mix a little bit of pink touch to the flowers. And then, came in K.Maz to give her own piece of mind, and ... I have to agree that they know what they're saying and I am sure the outcome would be great. So the decorations turned out to be pink-peach kinda.

In the end of the session, I sat down with Niwa, accompanied by Ms Tinkris, who's new at SACC, but seemed good at what she's doing, (prolly coz she's new?), or from her previous work experience. Niwa agreed to set up another meeting with the person-in-charged for the sound system so that we could discuss further on the PA system for the band and stuffs.

Next, I picked him up and we went to collect our sijil Kursus Kahwin which we previously attended a week ago at Pusat Kejiranan Presint 16, Putrajaya. The price for the course is a standard amount of RM80 (at least we think it's standard through some surveys). The place was OK, and overall the speakers was not so bad either. Only that, how we wish that the free meal (included in the package) would be a little bit more ... satisfying. We both thought the Teh O was super sweet but the air Sirap was tasteless (which was supposed to be sweet since it's ... SYRUP!). Karipap was nice, though. But all in all, Alhamdulillah we've done it. Next!

All right. And then, came the best part of the day...

We went for our 1st shopping for hantaran today. The total damage was RM1184. *ngeee* Here are the details :

Shirt & Tie

Budget cost : RM150

Actual cost : RM79 (without tie) - after using RM20 cash voucher

Watch

(for him)

Budget cost : RM300

Actual cost : RM300 (after 10% discount) + free watch stand!

(for her)

Budget cost : RM(not in the list!) LOL.

Actual cost : RM320 (after 15% discount) ♥ the box!

Perfume

(for him)

Budget cost : RM(not in the list 2!)

Actual cost : RM250 (free DKNY travelling bag)

(for her)

Budget cost : RM300

Actual cost : RM235 (free DKNY document bag)

Calculator check = I'm soooo gonna do OPP everyday, starting right NOW! *errrkkk*

As a bonus, he got himself some stuffs, and also, he bought me a pair of Nike Dunk-Hi! (not in the list 3!!!) Weeee. Absolutely love it!

Who says we need an occasion to buy a present? ;P