Is quite cute that we put our shoes under a christmas tree
and presents are left on top or beside our shoes
to be opened at midnight of 24 December.
The fiance and I received presents as a couple
as well as individual gifts!
Cacao set from the sisters
(Shower gel, lip balm, hand lotion)
Chinese tea cup from China
and tea leaves
from my in-laws
H&M Scarf and hat set
from my in-laws
I was looking for a thick wool scarf
but didnt want to spend money
my in-laws seems to be able to read my mind
and gave this to me!
The fiance got me a pandora bracelet!
Actually, i recommended for him to get it
so that if he has no ideas what to get for me
during anniversary, birthday etcs..
he can always head to pandora to get a charm
and i love it!
Before i left Singapore
I prepared small gifts for my nieces and nephew
didnt get much feedback about their responses
except my sister said that they were more engrossed in tearing
away all the wrapping papers!
In any case, im blessed to have many presents
but the greatest gift will be having my lovely fiance
and celebrating christmas together....
<3
Had always been a fastfood fan
for the longest time.
Nothing makes me happier
to see familar brands in Paris.
Have not tried KFC yet
but will try soon...
is has been 3 weeks that i am staying in france
feels like the longest holiday i had
for 30 years
just that is not only a holiday
but soon my new stage of life
im settling down well
for the past 3 weeks
hmm im think im quite adaptable
as compared to the first week
my skin was really dry and peeling
due to the cold wind
whenever i put make up / BB cream
the fiance thinks i look like a zombie
and now skin is better
with low temperature and less humid
there is no need for make up
just some facial cream and go
the average temperature is about 10deg and below
my wardrobe are mostly summer clothes
at first i thought im strong
and didnt thought of wearing more clothes
then i start piling more and more clothes
i think max i wore 4 tops, 1 jacket and 1 coat
now, my body seems to be able to better handle cold
so is more the appriopriate amount of clothes
as the average person on street
one of my greatest fears
was to lose my independence in france
such as losing the ability to be aware of the places
and where i can get things i required
although im still not an expert
im getting familiar with places nearby
apart from wedding planning,
it can be stressful when people ask:
whether im learning french
ask about my daily activities at home
have i been to xyz or abc places
what i intend to work as
am i bored
etc etc etc
i admit im not super active
and can be lazy and unmotivated
to achieve whatever i want in my life in france
but i guess i should just take my time
and not to be too bothered..
hehe..
will write about our apartment soon!
bisous!
Random streets around our apartment:
Since im often alone at home
for lunch
i normally heat up leftovers
or make something simple
Is still quite difficult for me to have my lunch outside
due to language barriers and is expensive
I did had french fast food (Quick) and macdonald alone
but have not tried others
Anyway making my own lunch is great
I found my favorite french food!
Confit de canard (Duck confit)
Basically is persevered duck
taste similar to our canned braised pork
Anyway it comes in a canned form
and its frying in its oil
very sinful and fattening
but taste great
Since i had leftover,
I made a simple duck confit salad
Think i overcooked the duck
is a little dried but crispy
Yummy!
Wasn't feeling well for a day
so i made a porridge
with dried scallops, chicken, salted eggs
later for dinner, added a century eggs
fiance is a great fan of chinese preserved eggs
During lunch, the porridge was cooked to perfection
For dinner, I added too much water when heating it up
and it became more congee
but still taste good
As usual
Made sushi for dinner and leftover for lunch
I think my sushi were better in my last trip
this time the rice was a little too soft
Leftover mushroom ravoilis (ready made)
bottled bolognese sauce
Hmm im hungry now
after writing this blog.
Bisous!
Fiance has been staying in the apartment
for the past 6 or 7 years
as a full time homemaker for now
i guess is my job to make the appartment
more couple-friendly
So, this was how we kept our shoes
in a random corner in bedroom
while shoes for daily wear
were just left at the entrance
Being a hardworking homemaker
i sourced around for a proper shoerack
and finally i found it
carrying it back from a supermarket
5 metro stations from home
this is the time where i miss singapore
with shopping malls everywhere
here, shopping is like playing hide-&-seek
After carrying it all the way back
and fixing it
finally, we have a proper shoe rack!
There are still boots and shoes left in the bag
however, with a christmas tree at home
space is limited
i guess, i shall wait to see how it will be after christmas
More changes coming up!
Top 2 things that are hard to buy in paris:
1) Minced pork
- Not minced beef
2) Instant noodles (That are cheap)
- Cheapest for now - Euro 2.50 (S$4) for 5 packets
My preciousssssssss
Is the first time celebrating christmas together
and the fiance decided to buy a christmas tree!
i think we are a little late to buy christmas tree in mid december
but we are excited to have a real christmas tree at home
although we didnt buy too much decorations
we had fun decorating the tree
while listening to christmas songs..
is nice to come home and see the tree
going to be christmas soon!
Previously we decided that the wedding will be in versailies
so, after the townhall signing of papers
we will need a venue to have lunch and/ dinner with the guests
and we finally started our search for the venue
yes, we are really late to start our search
with last than 2 months to our wedding
the good news is i think french dont really get married
and definitely not in winter (february)
added that our wedding is before valentine's day
we are glad to know that most places are still available
just that now is winter and year end
most people are away for holidays
hopefully we can still book what we want in january
anyway fiance's sister was really nice to help drive us around
for the whole saturday
even when she was not feeling well
it will be impossible for us to view any venue
without her around
since all the venues are in suburb
and is definitely helpful to have extra viewpoints
on my rate the venue scale: 1 - bad to 5-best
it was the first time i went to the suburbs
the drive seems to be movie scenes
long winding roads with trees by the side
okay, is winter so no trees with leaves
along the road we can see field patches and nice cottages
so different from paris.
The first venue was like a cottage B&B
Glass-walls function room with nice greenery view
and a fireplace!
The bedrooms are cozy and cute
the only concern is the rental price
is a little over our budget
since we need to hire a caterer for the venue
and there seems to be a lot of hidden costs
eg to use fireplace will be 50Euro more
oh and we need added charges for decoartions
For now, we are waiting for the owner to email us the overall quotation.
Rating: 4 / 5
The second venue was a restuarant
The rental price is within budget
and fiance is thrilled that everything is made and cook by the owner
a few concerns arises:
1) no nearby hotel for guests
- i dont want any drunk-driving incidents
2) it has to close early at 3am
- our wedding is suppose to end at 5/6am
3) the room has only small windows and the colors are so dull
- i think i will feel depressed to be in there for many hours
i think the place will look better in spring and summer
but now the garden and plants are just dull
Rating: 2 / 5
The third venue was a restuarant
Fiance was not keen
when he saw advertisement signs on the side of buildings
added by a not so nice owner
but the place was beautiful
it looks like is ready for a wedding
with no additional decorations
however,
1) the toilets will be shared with the restuarant
- i will need queue for toilet in wedding dress
2) nearest hotel is a 2** hotel
- fiance think is sad to stay in a 2** hotel for wedding night
3) it has to close early at 2am
4) fiance thinks the menu is just average
Rating: 4.5 / 5
The last venue was in an industrial area
i didnt even take any photos
because the place was really unsuitable
it looks like an office extended pantry area
or a function room in an old condo
Rating: 1/5
I guess we havent found the perfect place for our wedding
pray that we will find the one soon.
Growing up in asian families
most daughters should have plenty of chances
to learn cooking from their mothers
to start cooking since young
for my family,
the kitchen was my mother's guarded castle
we rarely have the chance to be in kitchen
even when she was not around
i remembered having my sister and brother
heating up prepared food
when i was young
when i have chance to cook
it was always simple instant food
like instant noodles, frozen and canned food
so at 30 years old,
i can say i dont have much knowledge of food
In my past few trips to Paris
I did have the opportunities to cook
since i was normally here for a week
we still spend more time eating out
although i did noticed i have some talent in cooking
haha
i think all thanks to internet for simple recipes
and watching too much of gorden ramsy shows
since now im here
i really enjoy the fun of planning for meals
shopping for grocery
cooking new dishes
praying that it will be fine
i do hope it will get easier as time comes!
Random lunch pasta i mde
with leftover pasta
and an instant soup as sauce
The beef was on sale for 1Euro
So i tried making my first steak
but it became overcooked and tough
the herbs potatoes were nice
so it went for dinner menu
Last night
Im very proud of my dinner
-Pan fried salmon
-Herbs potatoes
- Salad with tomatoes and tangerine
I guess what i made have been really simple
but i think is really small steps of achievement for me
Shall watch more cooking shows!
Its the first time I am truly celebrating christmas
in singapore? it was usually a simple party with family
or going dinner with friends
so i am really excited about celebrating Christmas in France.
Fiance bought me a cute gift
is actually something his parents will give him
on every christmas
is a christmas countdown calender!
So from 1st to 24th december
i am to open a window for a chocolate!
i think is so cute
maybe we have it in Singapore
but i never seen it
Something new for me :)
Yes..Im finlly home!
Is strange how unreal it is to be home
after 6 months gap
i was really nervous on the day of departure
i cant sleep
and panicked about my luggage
whether my wedding dress will be fine in luggage
so i repacked my luggage at 8.30am
before going to sleep
when my friend saw me
with 2 luggages
he asked how much to check in extra luggage
and i panicked
because my boarding pass didnt show that i have extra luggage
and i begun to think did i really buy extra luggage
or it was my imagination
as i cant find a reciept for the purchase
finally i found an email indicating 2 checked-in luggages
at the check-in
the person checked whether i was flying back in march
and checked again whether i can do that
panicked again but all was fine
i was still worried for my dress
and the person offered to put priority tags
on my 2 checked-in luggages
my phone was going low batt
and i was worried that when i arrived france
i have no phone to contact fiance
if i cant find him
i remembered that my last flight
had an usb port
so i should be able to charge my phone
but end up there was no usb port
as fiance need to be at work at 930am
if my flight was delayed
i will need to get a cab home alone
and bring 2 luggages up 3 storey
I arrived on time
made it to custom fast
before the rest of the crowd
and the priority tags worked
my luggages came out fast
thank god everything went well
i am still not used to the cold weather
but the fiance was able to leave work early
and we went for late lunch, grocery shopping.
So, after all the panicking, anxiety, worrying...
im glad its all good.
and today, i start my routine of making breakfast
More than a year ago
I never thought I will be married
And definitely never expected to marry a french.
Life works in strange ways.
I was speaking to a close friend,
laughing at how we always mentioned
that marriage is not for us.
Yet, he registered his marriage this year
and will be having his chinese wedding in January 2014.
So, we concluded..
Marriage and love comes naturally,
we cant force it to happen.
This year has been tough
In my job
In our days apart
and im glad that end of tunnel is finally here!
6 more days,
Ill be leaving on a jetplane
to start a new life and a new stage of life.
:)
Finally is coming real soon!
And im glad to complete the required..
Something old:
My mum's bracelet & necklace
Something new:
Wedding dress sponsored by sister
Something borrowed:
Necklace from rosita (my classmate)
Hmm what should i get for something blue?
Since my graduation from university
I think the longest i ever been unemployed was a month
I never had the chance to take long holiday
or not worked for a more than a month.
And today marks the start of my unemployment.
I dont know when it started
but my worth seems to be tied to my career achievement
and now on,
i will be zero.
Its a scary thought
but i believe my self worth is more than just about job.
Uncertainty of the future
for now, i shall just follow the flow
and get used to having monthly allowance
haha.
last look of my empty office
On my 30th birthday
I gave myself the best gift!
That is to complete the painful process of
marriage application documents.
Despite my bad experience and phobia of France Embassy
It was quite a smooth procedures to certify the french documents.
Thursday morning was the only day for consulate services
and no appointment was required
that was what the website said
and i was fearful that i need an appointment
when i arrived
however, I did not required an appointment.
So, i went into an empty waiting room.
It was more like an office.
When a staff came out of the office,
she did not spoke a word,
a man who was waiting before me went in.
I start wondering where is the queue system
how will i know is my turn?
as more people came into the waiting room
i think everyone was having the same thoughts as me
how will we know is our turn?
Then the smart thought came to me
i realised the security card that was handed to me
had a number!
and it was in sequence
when i compared to people who arrived later.
So, when the staff stepped out
I just went in
without her speaking
hmm, i must made others curious about
how i knew it was my turn
haha
anyway it was rather fast
she asked why i required the documents
and i mentioned is for my marriage application.
She just looked at the translated documents
without comparing to the original English documents
and proceed to certify them as true copies.
thereafter i made payment
I paid about S$30+ per document
It was rated at Euro18 per documents
but the embassy charged based on the exchange rate for the day
and it was done!
Finally, all documents are ready!
1)Birth certificate
- new copy from ICA
- Translated into French
- Certified true copy (English)
- Certified true copy (French)
2) Single status
- Certified search result from ROM
- Translated into French
- Certified true copy (English)
- Certified true copy (French)
3) Marriage laws statement
- Fiance collected from Singapore Embassy in Paris
4) Proof of residence
- My bill with address
- Copy of my identity card
- Copy of passport
5) Witness detail
- Copy of identity card
- Copy of passport
It started as a long scary journey
and now im still anxious whether in left out any documents
whoever says marriage is a easy process
Tell them to try marry a French in France.
The week when I arrived
We will be applying for the marriage
hopefully it can be on the 8 February 2013
and all is well.
We always seems to have strange luck
Everytime when we tried our best to search
We will not find it
When we feel we will settle for second best
We will find what we want
Maybe fiance is the one with strange luck
He always managed to appear at a right time
To skip queues...even at disneyland
To walk when rains stops
To catch a bus
Always at right time and place
Hmm...to meet me? Haha
like how we found my engagement ring in paris
It was quite a nightmare
Is not like in singapore
where a mall have many jewellery shops
Each shop is just so far apart
And shopping hours are short
But every ring we saw was just not right
Too expensive
Not worth the prize
Poor quality diamond
Ugly design
No size
Etc etc
Ordering online takes too long
And uncertain about quality
Just when we were thinking to give up
Maybe settle for 2nd best or delay purchase
We went to an unlikely street
The "branded" champs les elysees
On a sunday
Where shops are unlikely to be open
And at a shop where we thought its too expensive
We found it!
A little over the budget
But both of us just feels its the right one..
Other rings always made us think "is okay"
But this was different...
And everything went well...
Fast forward to now buying of wedding bands
I persuade the fiance to buy them in singapore
Since more shops and
Should be cheaper with exchange rate and tax refund
Okay i am wrong
Its not really cheap and we cant find the one
Too expensive
No sizes
Wrong cut
Wrong color
Bad designs
Etc etc
It doesnt help when we have a tight budget
Fiance has huge fingers
I want a diamond-less plain white gold ring
Its fiance's first and only ring that he wants it comfy
And we were like searching everyday -,-"
Same thing happened
Going to different shop
Thinking there is something wrong
While we were thinking to settle for second best
Or even getting different-similar design rings
We found it...
Although mine has diamonds..
It was on 50% sale that made it cheaper than his
Although they dont have his size..
They can resize the ring
I thought of a white gold ring
But it was rose and white gold..
However i like the design and diamonds..haha
but the mosy deciding factor..
when his first immediate response was
"I like it... it represent the union of us.."
And i knew it was the one...
We had strange luck again. :)
When the fiance was in singapore
We briefly discuss our wedding date
Although we can only confirm the date
After we apply it at townhall in december
But we planned for 8 feb 2014
Thereafter most of our discussions
was planned at this tentative date
Today i set a countdown on my phone
I have plenty of countdowns on my phone
Ranges from last day of work
To me flying off
To my birthday
So i set a countdown to 8 feb 201
4And it shows "101days left"
I think its a good sign :)
We never had a proper discussion about our wedding color
except that we both liked the idea of a grey suit for him.
My "something borrowed" friend has asked me the same question
so that she can lend me something of the color scheme
but I have no answers.
Anyway, with his sisters (bridesmaids) helping out for wedding preparation
the question return: what is our color theme?
For now, I do like the idea of a black and white theme for the restaurant
but with dash of red (roses?) so that is not too funeral lookalike
But for the bridesmaid and best men, they do need a color theme to work around
Maybe because in Singapore, with summer throughout the year
the color theme tends to be pastel (spring/summer colors)
where bridesmaids wear pastel colors
but with my wedding in winter
it seems a little strange for them to be dressed in pastel colors
and should be in dark colors (winter colors)
Im texting everyone for their comments
it seems that most people actually think dark colors are better
with consideration that is winter
My sister says that if others wear dark colors
I will stand out as a bride in white
Being the only Asian, with twins as bridesmaid and smaller size than me
I think I don't really need dark colors around me to let people know im the bride..
haha
The fiancé was in Singapore for around a week
We were very efficient in shopping!
Well, most things will be cheaper in Singapore
due to us being the city of shopping, the exchange rate
and the important reason of me helping him to shop!
Is interesting to see how the fiancé was resistant about shopping
and end up modelling around in the store in suits
and excited that he can fit into "slim-fit"
hehe
And for the wedding the groom is almost done:
- Suit (Yes)
- Shoes (Yes)
- Socks (Yes)
- Cuff-links (Yes)
But we have not decide whether he should wear:
- a tie or
- a bow- tie or
- a vest
Considering that the suit is not really thick
Nobody will sell winter suit in Singapore
and our wedding will be in winter
I guess he can wear a not sexy thermal wear inside!
haha.
