US Part 6 - New Year n Lake Tahoe

This year, we spend our New Year at San Jose aka Da Jie's House. As is a New Year, all of us wore red in color! "Hong Yun Dang Tuo" Huat La!!

Everybody is busy taking photos with Da jie's Christmas decoration at her fire place. As you can see from the photos below, is pretty!!

After our New year day at San Jose, we drove up to Lake Tahoe. Is actually quite dangerous to drive up without chains as the roads are pretty slippery. And as we drove, is getting higher and higher. Is very cold over there and it will be even colder up on the mountain, so in the end only Alvin, Er jie, Alfred and I went up to Lake Tahoe! Is very good decision as is -9degree up at the mountian. Even the 4 of us cannot take it. All our toes and fingers are all freeze. (I even wore 2 layer of socks). We went up for about 1-2hrs, took some photos and off we go. Too cold! Alfred and I actually thought of going skiling. I'm glad we never if not i think i will be standing still there just like the snowman!!

To mark the end of our US trip, let me introduce the Terrorist of this trip...

** Mr A **

After this trip...not sure when will be the next long holiday for me....fahahah

US Part 5 - Golden Gate Bridge & Fisherman's Wharf

The 2 most popular and famous landmark in San Francisco is Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. So how can we missed this 2 places!

A little history of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate. It connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin Country.Before the bridge was built, the 2 sides of the strait are separated by significant natural obstacles. Crossing the strait can only done by boat which is dangerous because of strong currents and lack of suitable landings. Therefore the Golden Gate Bridge is built in 1937.

Fisherman's Wharf



A tip to all who will be going to Fisherman's Wharf. Look out for Photo Spot at over there. Is suppose to be a good location to take photo!

** Some photos i took outside my Da Jie's hse **

US Part 4 - Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park is more than an awe-inspiring view. Its beauty and size humbles us. No words can actually describe its beauty. This Grand Canyon trip is really an experience for all of us.

Although the distance is very far but i think no one has regretted as the view is really spectacular. In order not to tired our 2 drivers, we stayed over at Grand Canyon for 2 nights as it takes about 5hrs to drive to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. We stayed in Econolodge. Not too sure whether is because of the snow or what, the lodge kind of blackout 2 times when we are there. Is very cold over at Grand Canyon but the feeling is very good when we see snow once we open our windows.

It takes about 1 hr drive from our lodge to Grand Canyon National Park. The route there is much more easy as is just 1 straight road up there.

As the scenery is so pretty over there, we took alot of photos, alot of artistics photos!!

** We shall walk hand in hand no matter how difficult the road ahead is!! **

US Part 3 - Las Vegas

Magnificent hotels glow green and gold. Pink, red, yellow, blue and white neon pulsates all around. Electric lights flash. Music plays. Volcanoes erupt. Fountains soar.

Cars create two moving streams of light, red and white. People in the thousands wearing thick clothes walking up, down and over the Strip.

This is what we see when we are step into Las Vegas - The Strip. All I can say is a beautiful place with lots of fun!

Alfred also love this place the most. (I think maybe because of all the sexy waitress in all the casinos!! =P).

Banana Muffin

Today i woke up earlier to bake Banana Muffins.

** While waiting for the muffins to rise!! **

** Nicely Done!!**

** Our Freshly made Banana Muffins **

It goes well with a cup of hot coffee!!

Ai Xin Zao Chang

Today breakfast for dear, i cook Omelette Fried Rice. Fried Rice is the left over from last night which dear did not get to eat as he got last minute dinner appointment!

The Red thingy suppose to be a heart shape but it kind of get out of shape!! =P

Chinese New Year

This year Chinese New Year is very different from all these years. I'm away from my Singapore house, missed the every year steamboat at my house, all the sweeping, mopping, pasting of new year decoration and waiting for vistors to come my house on Chu Yi.

But of cos this year is also something very special. I spend my 1st Chinese new year with my husband and not my bf at Jakarta. His mother and eldest sis's family came over here to join us as well.

My MIL is a good cook and she can really cook. She prepared alot of food for us. In all 8 dishes, cos cannot have odd number of dish!! Mostly are Alfred's favourite.

1st on the table is this ** Fa Cai Yu **

Alfred says is a must dish every year as it mean that you will Fa Cai when u eat this fish! Is very expensive especially during New Year fesival. See this fish like just normal small fish, it cost $8 per fish!!

2nd Dish -** Whole Steamed Fish **

It must be a whole piece of fish as it symbolise completeness.

There must be 2 fishes or in pural numbers as it ensure long life and good fortune.

3rd dish - ** Shuan aka Spring Onion**

Spring onions and Smart share the same pronunciation in Cantonese. So eat this will make us Smarter!!

4th Dish - Roasted MeatsNew Year must have some meats. Since we have so many dishes so we just bought some roasted meat from the restaurant as added dish!

5th Dish - ** Steamed Prawns **

6th Dish - ** Wu Xiang **

This is made by my MIL in Singapore and fly in specially for our Reunion Dinner

7th Dish - ** Pig organ Soup**

I forget to take photo of this soup. Well Pig stomach look like the pouch that people used to keep their "Tong Qian" in the old old time. So eating this help us save money!!

8th dish - Last and not least ** Red dates **

Red dates bring the hope for prosperity. So suppose to eat on the 30th day aka New year eve till new year day!

Thats is, our "Feng Fu" Dinner!

Beside all these dinner, we also must sure the Rice Jar, Salt, Sugar and oil are all full as it means we always have enough food!

US Part 2 - Disneyland

I'm not too sure about other gals out there, but at least to me, I'm pretty excited about Disneyland. Dear even joke that he should take a photo of me running like crazy to the entrance so that i can put it up for you guys to see. =P

Disneyland is so big that 1 day is not enough!! Of cos all those queueing and waiting for our turn you need at least 2 days there! As for us, we went there for 3 days! =P

There are 2 parts of Disneyland. 1 is the Disneyland Park and the other is call Disneyland Adventure Park. Adventure Park is the place where the exciting and thrilling rides are.

First day, we went to Disneyland Park, something not so scary and more 3D shows to watch then 2nd day is off to Adventure Park.

Surprisingly, my dad pretty enjoyed Adventure Park as he really enjoyed those scary rides. He even take the "Giant Drop" together with Da jie(Who drove down together with Tom to LA to join us), Er jie and Alvin. Only these 4 dares to ake this ride. Oh, Dear say he is ok if i want to take but then, i think my heart cannot take it,better not!!

Our 4 heros of the Trip!!

For me, most of the rides, I usually hold on tight to dear's arm if not is screaming like crazy. I think age is getting up, not as daring to take all these kind of rides anymore.
The one I enjoyed most is The Hollywood Tower Hotel. This ride is about this hotel that is being haunted and so the lift is not working properly. First we are being welcomed by the lift operator who will lead us to the lift that is suppose to bring us to our "rooms". Then we are asked to sit down with only a belt over our waist!! The lift suddenly move up to a floor where we see a mirror reflection of ourselves becoming ghost figures then the lift suddenly shoot up to dunno how many floor then come down suddenly and then shoot all the way up to the top and open door where we can see the scenery (But who cares!!) then drop all the way down. Scary!! I was like screaming all the way but it was fun!!

We are very determined to take a nice photo with all of us in!

1st try Failed!

I really got pose for the camera before I put down my hand to hold on the handler!!

2nd try, Succeed!!
I hold onto my pose real long before i put down. But if you realise, i'm still holding to the handler using another hand! =P
This is not the first Disney I been to. The first will be the one located at Hongkong. But guys, if you have been to the one at LA, don't even think about going to the Hongkong one and if you have been to Hongkong Disney, you better go to LA Disney cos is as if you never been to any!!

LA Disney is so much better!! We are so impressed on how they do all the interior decoration of every attractions. Even the simple walkway to the rides or even those rides for children, they did it very impressive. Hongkong Disney no fight at all!!

US Trip Part 1 - San Jose to LA, Universal Studio

After staying in San Jose for a day, we set off to our next destination, LA where Universal studio and Disneyland is located. A must must go place if not is as if you never been to West Coast of US!

On the way to LA, we saw snow!! All of us are over thrilled. As most of us never see snow in our whole life, the longest year is abt 50+plus years?!?

After playing and taking some photos, we moved on. We stayed in an Inn over at LA. The hotels in LA are all very expensive especially those that are near to Disneyland. But lucky for us, er jie manage to find tis inn which is like less than 5 mins drive to disneyland and the price is pretty reasonable.

First place we go the very next day is Universal Studio. As is a weekday, the crowd is still ok not too crowded. Da jie and Tom have told us some must try ride and attractions, so we have already planned our route well.=P. So the first stop is the Simpsons Ride! Is graded * by Tom.

We tried to go most of the recommended attractions on the first day, 2nd day is just simply touching those we never go. We tried to finished the 2nd day by noon so that we can go Premium Outlet for shopping! Girls!! =P

Dear with 5 pretties!! (Look at where his hands are!!) Oh, 1 good thing about going honeymoon with family is that you will get to take lots of couple photos which include "Romantic Photos!" KeeKee

Farewell To Contact Lens & Spec - 10 Jan 09

On 10th of Jan, I went to Lasik Surgery to do pre evaluation tests to see if I'm suitable to do lasik.

This is a very tiring and long day. Reached the clinic at 10.40am. After register with the receptionist, we have to wait for our names to be called and do various tests. Is a long wait as there are alot of people. If you are wondering how long is that, oh well i finished all the tests and consultation at 3pm.

The whole process goes like this:-

First is the Optometry which consist of

1. Eye Power Test
2. Eye Pressure Test (The machine will blow some air into ur eyes)
3. Corneal Thickness Test
4. Manual Eye Power Test
5. Dilation Eye Drips instilled
6. Video about Lasik Treatments
7. Repeated Eye Power Test
8. Repeated Manual Eye Power Test

Then is the Counseling Session (Which they will tell you about the precautions for lasik and you want to do the lasik under no pressure or forces)

Next is the consultation by the Doctor and when everything is ok they will arrange the surgery date with you. (Usually is the day u do the evaluation)

So my surgery date is on 10 Jan 09, Saturday at 5.30pm.

I quickly go lunch with dear and after shopping for a while, i got to go back to clinic to report.

If I say I'm not scared who will believe? Eyes are one of the most important thing. Without them I also don't know what will I become.

Alright, before going in to the clinic, 1 last pic with the spec is a must do thing lar.

While waiting for my name to be called, dear took another pic of me.

Then my name is called. Off I go to the surgery waiting area. Super nervous!

Over at the waiting area, they will first give you the concent form then explained to us on all the medication that will be given you us.Then we will be ask to sit at a sofa which is so much more comfortable. The girl then helped me to put on the surgery gown, cap, shoes and clean my eyes. Then is continue waiting....

After about 45mins, a girl came in and bring me to the surgery room.

In the room, i was asked to lie on my back on an inclined bed.A numbing drop will be placed in my eyes. This numbling effect is immediate so no need to wait). Dr Tay will first got to cut a flap on my cornea. An instrument called a lid speculum is used to hold my eyelids open. Then a ring will be placed on they eyes and a very high pressures will be applied to create a suction to the cornea. A cutting instrument, microkeratome is attached to the suction ring to cut the flap in the cornea. Then the doctor will lift the flap and fold it back on its hinge.This process took only about 20sec for each eyes

After repeating the same thing to the other eyes, the doc juz push the bed to laser machine. Dr Tay actually on the laser to let me know what sound will i be expecting later and so I wont be scared. After position my eyes with the laser, i was asked to stare at a light. The doctor then start the laser. As the laser removes cornea tissue, there is a burning smell which is very normal. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position. Then Dr Tay check eyes and everything is good. Ta dah....end of the surgery

The nurse outside then put a shield over my eyes to prevent me from rubbing my eyes and prevent the eyes from being hit or poked until the flap healed itself.

**Me after the surgery **

There are no pain at all. Just that tears will keep dropping and the vision is still blurry. So all I do is go home and eat the sleeping pill that is given by the clinic and sleep all the way to the next morning.

And surprisingly, I can see clearly. Without my spec or contact lens. If you all never know, I'm a blind mouse without my spec or contact lens! I can see nothing unless you are like 30cm from me. No Joke!

Then this morning is back to the clinic for test and reveal with the Doctor. The doc say everything is good and my vision is back to 75%. So off to the next reveal which is about 1 week away bah.

Wedding Photos

After a long wait, we finally collected the actual day photos taken by Andy (My photographer of the day).

He developed 200 pics and put them nicely in a photo album for us and the rest he burned all into a dvd for us.

I will love to show you all the pics I have but in total there are 1000+ of photos which I dun think I want to load all up for you. Will just show you some of the photos that Alf and I look nice. Keekee. Enjoyz.....

** Yeo Family **

** The Guy who tried to steal our Sharon's Kiss **** Gwen, this is the guy who pull you up and be a "Pole" **** Dear, remember your promises!! ****Juz Us **

** Us wif my MIL **

** Leek Family **

**Nice bubble effect for my flower gals n Page boys **

** But not much bubbles for us !!**

** Yes I do! Sealed wif a Kiss **

** Us wif Dr Phua ** Those who came to our wedding which i think most of you did should know that this solemizer of mine Dr Phua is a very "Luo Suo" guy. He talked and talked and drag our 10mins session to like 30mins thingy. Haiz..But then again he is very nice cos he waited for us like 30mins before our dinner start.

** My 2nd walk in** - Rose petal effect!

** UQ Rock!! **

** My Chief Wedding Coordinator - Gwen Seow **

** RE **

** Wonder what this 2 girls are doing? **

Competting whose nose is more "Qiao" or whose eyes are bigger??

Erm....I really wonder.........** High Sians **
** Poly Mates **
** RE ** ** Wif my lovely cousins ****My 2 lovely sisters!! **

Thats all....stay tune for our honeymoon posts........