August 25, 2012

A Different National Day

I'm hitched!

T and I got married on National Day. The date was chosen not because of patriotic reasons but for ease of remembrance. The morning begun at 5am when the makeup artiste, Norah came to my place and help my bridesmaids, my mom and I doll up. It was followed by a traditional gatecrash session led by Val and her team. The groom and his bestmen had to undergo the taste of grusome gastronomical mixes, daunting tasks and embarassing performances as a declaration of his love for me. Tea ceremony followed suit, before we solemnize our vows in the chapel with our families and friends present. It was an emotional ceremony for everyone - especially our parents and close friends. Many of whom were tearing with joy. We ended the celebration with a traditional wedding banquet at Peach Garden Restaurant, with a sumptuous spread and enternating performances.

As I recall the snippets of my 'Big Day', I must affirm that the most important thing about a wedding is not the grandeur nor extravegance. To me, the most significant aspects are the celebration of the union, the joy of having our loved ones with us, and the honouring of our friends and family members who have made a big difference in our lives and supported us through our growing up years. These give me the greatest joy on the biggest day of my life.

T and I had our honeymoon soon after at Khaolak, Thailand. It's a beautiful place with pristine and quiet beaches. Every evening begins with a spectacular sunset in the horizon and soft whispers of the waves. It's hard to imagine that 8 years ago, the whole place was a scene of devastation. We visited the Tsunami Memorial site to have a glimpse of the impact of the Tsumani that took place 8 years ago. Being an avid balloon twister, T also went to the local market to make balloon sculptures for the children. The 2nd half of our honeymoon was spent in BKK, shopping and enjoying the local cuisine. We visited different places and tried various cuisine which we had not had. It was a restful and enjoyable holiday.