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!

Being a Woman

Being a woman, is though.

If you're weak, you get stepped all over.
If you're strong and iron willed and hard headed, you're called a bitch.


I think from Experience I fall...... somewhere in between those two.


But you know what's worse (or at least that's what i feel for now)?
Putting all characteristics and personality aside, what about physical?


This pass few months has been though for me.
With the Weight Loss Battle, I am affraid there's going to be more to Battle.


My Weight Loss Battle has not been an easy one.
I obviously have always had hormonal imbalance issues.
Who would have thought that could be the reason for steady weight gain.
Not exercising and food intakes aside.

15 Kilo's ago, i had completely no exercise and used to indulge in my favourite fried rice, chow fan, bread and Pringles a few times a week!

And today even after cutting down on all the Carbs, I struggle to loose it all.


Asha, my pharmacist did some test and said, "Gayathri, you're a real Mistery".
And she mentioned I had a SEVERE Hormonal Imbalance! ok.. already knew that, except for the severe bit.

And I finally decided to take Asha's advice and go see a Gynecologist.

After hearing many other friends talk about taking hormone pills, and seeing a doctor and bla bla bla.. I turned a deaf ear simply because I had seen the effect of those pills.. Skinny girls looking bloated. With my already existing weight problem that's the last thing I needed. Nope! Not I! I am not gonna pop some pills just because some MBBS or MD said i should.

And a Gynecologist?! YIKES! No No No..
And finally with a little push from Asha.. i went to see him... Dr. Suresh...Handsome lad he is..
ehem..that aside..
Now Back to the point...

An ultrasound, a Vscope and a Pap Smear later, i find out there's more test to be done. for Some reason, the Uterus lining is thicker than usual (would that explain my belly). I gave up beer ages ago! i stick to tody now! mm No, not really. There's more tests to go for.. oh joy! and the Joy of being a woman..

Oh well, whatever said and done.. don't think i'd wanna trade places with a guy...
I am .. I am.. what I am..

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!"