Date: 27th May, 2010 (Thursday)
Event: Charmaine's Graduation
Venue: Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Welcome to Charmaine's 2010 Graduation from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Diploma in Tourism & Resort Management. This marks the end of a chapter as a polytechnic student in her life story, but also signifies a new chapter that will unfold in time to come...

And now in this new chapter, she has decided to move on, to further her studies for another year or two... before she's gonna enter the harsh working world like me~ hahaha.

But for now, let's have this blog entry to commemorate this special day, where my girl puts on her "fugly" graduation gown (according to her lips, not mine) and walks onto stage to receive her diploma certificate.

"I love what they did with the stage setup, especially with the humongous "graduation" neon lights!
So much more impressive than when I was in Singapore Polytechnic, or even NTU..."

As I check out the stage & look back on how beautiful the campus looked like as we drove in moments before, I start to think that the polytechnics nowadays in Singapore have such an engaging and conducive environment for the students to study in. The campus surroundings look great, and its facilities so extensive and well maintained. I would think it's really a blessing that Singapore kids get to study in such environments like these, and not having their schools at the top of some hill or mountain, nor need to travel on foot for half a day's journey to the next village or town to attend school like those 3rd world countries...

But OK, I'm starting to head off-track here. hahaha...

Anyway, today is Charmaine's Day! And I'm supposed to be the part-time photographer following her around to help her snap pictures with her classmates and lecturers.

That's Charmaine on stage receiving her Diploma (or what in fact is an empty case...)


Pictures of Charmaine with her Lecturers... and her course mates

Individual shots with the famous group of "Eight"... and a Class group photo

More photos with the group of "Eight"...

And last of all, photos with the parents as well as the Proud Boyfriend =)

Like I said, today is only an end to one chapter. And soon another will begin writing.

Like some quote I heard somewhere, "Life's awesomeness is not in its destination, but the journey we travel along the way". I know you have the jitters about moving on to the university - the new unfamiliar environment and heavy study load and stress that comes along with it, but I'm sure you will overcome whatever obstacles that may come your way. And whenever you need, you will always have me to fall back onto... hehe.

Relax! and have fun in Curtin~!!! Cheers, babe!

Wedding Bells Ding-a-Dong~

This time round, it's my childhood cousin, Nishi Awasthi's wedding on the 15th of May, 2010 (Saturday). Time really does fly us by, most of the time without us even feeling it until one day when your cousin, one year your senior, gets married. Today is one of those days... haha I look back at the days when the four of us were still kids, my brother (Terrence), her brother (Himraj), Nishi herself and me. We did the funniest things you can imagine. Exploring the nearby "long kang" (sewage canals). Playing with mini pocket size mahjong tiles. Playing with He-man action figures. Pretending to cross quicksand using bridges made up by bolsters and pillows which were going to fall apart any moment...

Next thing I know, two out of four of us are married. Don't worry, I'm just saying only. I'm not planning to get married anytime soon. Not yet. But I already found my 对象. Hehe

It was a Chinese + Indian style wedding split into 2 parts. Today was the Solemnization cum Wedding reception at one of the ballrooms at SIA Club, the second one sometime in October. My cousin, Nishi, being an Indian-Chinese, has to certainly go through the traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony which happened just moments before the wedding reception that evening.

I like the mood of the first picture, the groom in a Chinese suit with 'dragon' imprints & Nishi in a traditional Cheong-sum. In the second photo, seated are my late-granddad's elder brother & his wife, probably the most senior elderly at the wedding. Dun pway pway... In the background standing is my grandma. Last photo is my late-father's elder brother & wife, smiling away so happily. Haha

After the tea ceremony, the guests start entering the ballroom where the solemnization together with the dinner reception will take place.

This is the reception counter. Check out the cool bird-cage used as the Angbao money box. And Charmaine really likes the decorative twigs next to the table, where the guests get to write down their blessing for the newly-wed couple & hang them up. Quite innovative, except that I feel Singaporeans are still abit "shy" in expressing their feelings. Haha... Next, you have the walk-in of couples, followed by the groom and lastly, the bride & her father.

The taking of their wedding vows, and exchanging of the rings, presentation of wedding certificate & of course the yummmmmmm-sheng!

Dinner was Indian buffet style... Quite tasty indeed, especially with the curry, samosa's and naan! =P In the midst of the dinner buffet, there were some special programs lined up for the guests. First up, was two songs by my younger cousin, Eugenia - "A Moment like This" and "曹格 's Romeo Juliet" with Himraj. I know she takes singing lessons but this is the first time I heard her sing. Boy, did she shock me with that powerful voice of hers... haha

Next, was another of my younger distant cousin. Don't quite remember his name =P but apparently he & his partner are Singapore's Youth Champions for International Ballroom Dancing! 来头不小喔!

After the ballroom dancing, there was the Indian dancing by a group of Indian kids whom I believe are the groom's cousins. Indian music is indeed very catchy & entertaining... I found my head moving towards the music a couple of times myself... hehe =P Don't believe me? Just look at the Mother-in-Law getting up & joining in on the dancefloor yourself.

I don't know about Indian weddings, but one thing that is never left out in Chinese weddings during the dinner is - yes, the photo-taking session with the newly weds.

That's my table and that's the bride's and my side of the family. That's us, the Four Mighty Cousins at the top

That's the groom side of the family,
and then the bride & groom with Dad, Mum & Brother-in-Law and my family!

Most important of all, after all the relatives from the bride's side of family had left. Check out what the groom has in store at the end of the wedding!

Dim the lights and~
P-A-R-T-Y~!!!

While the rest of us were seated at the table at the back, chit chatting, my head, body and legs were moving to the loud Indian music~ hahah. And Charmaine dared me to go & dance on the dancefloor! Of course I didn't go out there. I wouldn't dare to do that... not without my partner, Charmaine~ hahah.
P.S. I was game as long as she dared to go out with me to the dancefloor.

Last but not least, Congrats to you, Cousin! Hope you have a blessed & blissful marriage! ^^

Leslie's (Future) Best Friend~

Charmaine sent me these pictures one morning and boy, does the Golden Retriever puppy look cute or what! I have such a soft spot for cute dogs, especially Goldies... ranked as the World's smartest dog!

My dream to own one for my family next time in the future... Time to think of some cool names to name my dog next time...

I really think that all this puppy does, is eat, sleep, play and LOOK CUTE! Hahaha...