Weddings - to KISS or not to KISS

Wedding. . . Afterall it's once in a lifetime.

So why not?

Why not spend all we have (or even if we don't have it) for that one day?

What ever happened to Keeping It Simple & Short (KISS)?

Ok - so that never applied to weddings, ever.

Since I've attended more Indian Weddings compared to any other, I know how extravagant Indians can be and how they really go all out - just so friends and relatives etc don't comment on it. Malays just have this huge kenduri party where all the kampung people come together and cook, and you have your ayam masak merah, rendang, and air sirap. Chinese would limit the guestlist inviting only the important people - i should know. (I never knew some folks in my team were married till, I saw them bring their kid to the office a year or so later) or heard from someone, or saw a wedding photo pinned up at the cube. But that's fine, saves me the ang pow money ;). The Indians however, will invite everyone. Because they think they have to. It's a question of dignity and pride.

So I got to attend 2 Indian weddings in March. The 1st of a dear friend of mine, Anushia who married a German guy, Daniel and the second a family friend's.

As simple as it gets and yet beautiful - That's how I would describe Anu's wedding.

(Anu, Premilla and I met in 2002 at a Girl Guides Leadership Training in Seremban. We've been the closest of friends since, despite Anu travelling for work and being away to do her Masters for a year in UK, and Prem located in London with PwC, we make it a point to meet whenever both of them are back, or even if either one is back in the country.) Anu had started planning for the wedding once she got back from her studies.

I remember how she wanted the wedding to be simple (we spoke about it years ago). So simple, even Prem and I weren't on the list. She wanted a wedding at the Scott Road Temple in Brickfields since that's where her parents got married. For those who don't know, it's a prestigeous temple built by the Ceylonese comminuty.

**(The word Ceylonese (The Brits used to refer to Sri Lanka as Ceylon), is usually used in Malaysia by Sri Lankan Tamils to differenciate themselves from the Indians here. Despite the fact that the Sri Lankan Tamils themselves did migrate to Sri Lanka from the southern part of India, they refuse to categorise themselves as Indians.) **

So fancy a temple being called prestigeous! It really is a nice looking temple from the outside. I've not set foot inside, so I won't be able to comment on that. Anushia found out that to have the wedding there (Simple or Not) would cost her quite a bit, just for the name. It's all in the brand isn't it? That plan went out the window.

The wedding was later held at a Golf Resort in Seremban. From her ideal guest list of only parents and closest relatives at Scott Road Temple, to a 100 something people guest list, to a 300 people guest list . . .The last number was somewhere between 200 and 250 after much drama. Lucky for her Daniel's list was no more than 20. She had a little do the night before for the neighbourhood folks who weren't invited to the wedding. Afterall her family just moved to Seremban from Sitiawan a few months before, so they weren't the neighbours you knew for years. Practical I would say.

Anu's wedding saree was a pretty red saree. That's her favourite colour. Her make-up was done by Ashwini, her sister. She hired a saree tying lady, which is, well a must if you are not a pro at saree tying. And you really wouldn't want any mis-haps tying that wedding saree. Also Anu had a few non Indian friends who needed to tie saree and Daniel's sister as well. Somehow I feel in that "I need help with my saree!" category, due to the fanciness of my saree.

The wedding and reception were held together at the same place. The ceylonese wedding was cut short to 45 minutes. (A complete Ceylonese wedding takes up to 3 hours, the bride has a change of saree and wears a veil). And you guessed it. There was no veil or saree changing involved here. Anu was thoughtful enough to have an evening ceromony so those from KL and beyond would have time to travel back before it got very late. High tea reception instead of the usual dinner was something refreshing as well. Being the very proud Malaysian that she is, Anu made sure there was a variety of Indian, Chinese and Malay food served. I've never seen Roti Jala at an Indian wedding :). Or see couples YAM SENG at an Indian wedding. . . But this one had it.

Next was an orientation session, thanks to Daniel's Scouts Buddies. This was to initiate Anu into the "Scout Circle", and as a sign of Initiation, they both received a custom made scarf with both their names on it.

What I really loved about Anu's wedding was the fact that she and Daniel took the pains to come up with a little booklet containing Details of the Ceromony and it's meaning.

Why are they walking around the fire, what's the significance of everything they do throughout the ceremony.

Something very thoughtful, meaningful for the guests, especially those who are non Indians. And yet, I dare say the Indians probably didn't know what each and every part of the ceremony meant. Because I didn't. And this was definitely something different Anu!

So to the Beautiful Couple, I wish you all the best and God Bless!

Lisa Marie Clinch

Lisa was a 11 year old girl I met, way back in 1996.
I was in New Zealand for a Jamboree.
Lisa and her family played host during my Pre Jamboree in Napier, Hawkes Bay.

As we arrived at the Napier Airport, I recall seeing families waiting, looking out at the 10 Malaysian Guides who just got off the plane waiting for their bags. I saw this girl on a wheel chair, holding a banner "Welcome Malaysian Girl Guides".

That girl was Lisa, and I later found out that I was going to live with her family before the Jamboree starts. Her parents Steve and Sharon and brother Phil were there to greet me as well. And I remember her mom saying, I hope you don't mind living in a caravan. We rented one by the beach for the summer... Imagine My excitement! Of course that left all the other girls jealous. . And I had no complaints.

The next few days was just awesome. The happy and very fun going family kept me in stitches the whole time. Steve was especially funny.

Lisa took a special liking for me, and the feeling was mutual. The red head had a cute pixie like face. We spent 9 days at camp. Though we were separated into different groups, we spotted each other, amongst the 35oo participants and managed spend time at one of the activities together, Arts and Craft. We made a dog called Harry McLarry, and we would sing Billy Ray Cyrus's Achy Breaky Heart . . . She had the cutest giggle, where she would cover her mouth.
We lost touch for a bit, and when I found her phone number, I only managed to speak to Sharon, as Lisa had moved out then. And not so long back I found her brother Phil on Facebook. I thought this was an easy way to get in touch with her. . . Finally. . .

Then I got a message in my Inbox from Phil . . .


Hi Gayathri,

Lisa's Big Brother Here.I'm sorry to have to tell you
Lisa passed away yesterday (Wednesday 12th of Novemebr 2208 @ 11:30am).

She slipped out of a chair on saturday and broke her leg (thigh bone).
She was in hospital awaiting surgery which was ment to happen on tuesday.
They had to wait as complications arose and she started forming fluid on the lungs.

By wednesday morning she couldn't get enough oxygen in so they had to put her on a breathing machine. She fought all the way but they lost her a 2nd time but she just
couldn't hang on any longer.

I know she touched many lives all over the world. I and everyone else
will miss her terribly.

Not sure if I'll be on here much in the near future but you can contact
me here or on my personal email ,if you need.

Thanks for being a friend to her I know she loved you and touched you in her
own little way.

Love her Big Bro Phil

I was completely devastated.
I never got to speak to her, or even mail her.
Phil's message brought tears to my eyes, especially the last line.
Maybe it was for the best that I never got to speak to her.
Maybe it was His way to make it that much more easy for me.
I don't know.

Rest in Peace Sweet girl.
I know you're in Good hands, in His hands.

Love you Lots Lisa Clinch. . . .

And another one Ties the Knot . . .

Was back home last weekend for a dear friends wedding.

Zairin. . .

My Bas Sekolah, Kawan Setaman, also part of the JSD 95 geng that drove the teachers Crazy!

And the Head Prefect hated us... hehe!

Ahh. . Good Ol' Days.

Now it's just the other Gayathri (GP) and Me, next in line.

Congrats girl!

That's her by the way. Syok gile berposing.

Never been the poser in our group, but i guess that baju Pengantin just brings out the poser in you! ;)

Am I Gorgeous or Am I Gorgeous!?

So i had some spare time at the office this Saturday.
Instead of Job Hunting This is what I discovered :

Aaah...
What can i Say....
All those lucky people... looking like me... ;)

Attractive

I came accross this Vid by Deepak Chopra.

"The most important key to attraction is, that you feel attractive to yourself. If you feel genuinely attractive, you will attract other people to you".

I think this is an important concept women should take note of.
Women are more critical of themselves compared to men.
Women also find it more difficult to embrace their flaws and weakness (especially the physical ones).

Of course it doesnt really help that we have all those ads with skinny, tall models flaunting they're long shiny hair, or flawless skin, wearing size 2 dresses and.... well, you get the point. The idea of beauty is really a distorted one.

Gosh Ladies! It's all make up.... Watching shows like America's Top Models and such only prooves that point. Surely you've seen those girls before the photo shoots. The freckles and moles...

Check out the movie Little Miss Sunshine.
It's about a little girl - Olive, who's got all her hopes on winning the Little Miss Sunshine pageant.
Her family practically sacrifices everything, and her grandfather's life just so she can participate.

*was just imagining myself as that kid. would my parents do the same? I think Amma will give me the "Arche vaangirathe!" or "Slap your face then you know" threat! he he he! ..

Anyways, back to the movie..
Among all the contestants, Olive seems to be the only normal kid around. While other's are all dolled up and fake looking... Eeeuurgh!
And bla bla bla.. family realises what a freak sho it is... all ends well.. go check it out!


So to all my girlfriends out there, you're my friend because you're bootyful, err, i mean beautiful by my standards!

And how do i feel right now?
I quote the wise saying words of Mr. Powers....

" I AM A SEXY BEAST!"

"YEA BABY!"