fuchsia fragments

Another weekend, another wedding. Good thing I've tried to lay low the weekend before otherwise it is just exhausting (and was still exhausted by the end). Think it was the right decision to drive up the day before and spend the night at a rental (it had a real fireplace, so exciting...) and a nice little dinner with Joyce and John at the Leura Garage.

The day itself was a bit chilly but it was a beautiful day regardless. We got to sit in the gallery at the church since Jen and Joyce were playing some music and it made us feel so special / important. Haha. The reception was so pretty too with native flowers, candles, photo booth handmade napkins. I kept mine. It was all very Anna.

It was a small contingent of ex St Georgians in comparison to Cat's Kitchen tea. I'm pretty sure the Kitchen tea was the first time I've been in a room with so many girls from HS again. A little bit... strange - it's like do I say hi? Because I didn't really talk to them in HS. Oh well, that didn't say hi to me so no point in wasting time with them... not like I'll see them again after the wedding...

Very glad that we got to squeeze in a short bushwalk despite the muddy weather and that I had flats (not even walking shoes) down to Fletcher's Lookout. Nice little views of the valley and Wentworth Falls. Makes me wish I could spend more time out there.

By no means was it the best wedding I've ever been to - not even the best January wedding I've been to and I've been to many January weddings! In fact, the days leading up to yesterday's celebrations were filled with a bit of anxiousness and trepidation.  And not only because I was in charge of the cake and bombonieres but also because I've been disconnected with many of the people who would be at the wedding for many years.

I guess I shouldn't have felt so silly. It was fine however it kind of reminds me of where we were 6 or 7 years ago. Approach with caution. It was the first wedding where there were square tables. And it was also the first reception wedding where I went for drinks between the ceremony and reception and stayed and partied on till the end. I think I really enjoyed that.

The cake turned out amazing and tasted amazing (I could see it was still so moist) despite Mother Nature trying to sabotage the whole process the week leading up. Three full days of 35+ degrees and > 85% humidity wasn't exactly cake decorating weather. Thanks again to Chau who came in and saved the day. Would probably have jumped off a bridge without her.

Think it all went off without a hitch. The church was in a very bad location though - on Oxford St with no parking in the vicinity due to the one day cricket! I was very lucky to not get booked in a 1P spot! Could see the rangers circling and we headed back towards the car. So I am guessing I was off the hook by mere minutes. The parking at Walsh Bay in contract was much easier which was a good thing.

An enjoyable day and the rain clouds stayed in the heavens!

Ah... what a blessing to have little rays of sunshine, ambient temperatures and an awesome caterer (i.e. me!). Oh and each other, friends and family, etc etc. ;)

Here's a lovely shot of my sis, my cheekiest nephew and myself at the ceremony.


The hills is a long drive from St George. Add a car accident and weekend traffic and it's pretty horrendous. In both directions. Nonetheless, we were prepared and left with enough time to get there early enough to help set up the stuff I'd helped make - macarons, biscotti, cookies, cake pops and cupcakes.

All I am going to say is that their helpers weren't as helpful as required. So my sister and I stepped in like the amazing cousins that we are.

Did not expect the food to go so quickly. I made double what they asked. And I'm so bummed that I completely forgot to take a photo. Oh wells. There may be another wedding, another time, another couple (of course). A lot of people lingered so the food didn't. There was hot catering too, that went like hot cakes.

Have to say, there were so teary moments and some rather funny ones.

Reception for us was like... yep, okay, we'll babysit the kids! HAHAHA Carmen's bouquet throwing was such an anti-climax. We had full prepared (as a joke to liven things up) to jump on the other girls AFL-style and full make a hilarious scene... only for her to throw the bouquet... into the lights above and fall at the feet of the girl who most desperately and I mean desperately wanted the bouquet. Too funny! Maybe we should have tackled her? Carmen wanted to re-do it and said girl was like 'No! It's mine!'. I guess she wants to get married... like really really soon???

Otherwise, it was a lovely night as you'd expect.

Oh and cake you ask?

AMAZEBALLS. . .

Sometimes in life, you go with the flow. Sometimes, you take an alternative route. There are winners and losers and quite realistically, life is a rollercoaster. Sometimes gentle, sometimes death defying...

It's been a very hectic week at work. One where I felt that I did not want to play office politics anymore. I just wanted to keep my head down and get my work done. Is that too much to ask for sometimes? Even with me getting into the office before everyone and leaving the latest. And taking work home with me? Are some people so petty that they want absolute control, even when it no longer concerns them?

Yesterday afternoon, I finally had a chance to chat with my new boss (potentially). And for the first time in many months, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I felt like someone would back me up when I needed it or when a salesperson crossed the line. I felt like they would look after you as one of their own and someone where I would be nurtured, grow and find a home. For 40 minutes, I felt like I was part of something big. And this is a stark contrast to my first 5 months where I never felt like my manager backed me or supported me or even genuinely cared (they may say one thing but it was always with an ulterior motive that suited them more).

I appreciate the honesty, the feedback and the willingness to share information. And especially real scenarios of what really goes on. He didn't paint a false image nor did he glorify any details and that alone would have made my decision easier.

And today, got to relax a little, put on a pretty dress, do my hair and take part in Mon & Neil's wedding. It was beautiful. We had great company on our table and the food was actually pretty good. A bit of dancing, lots of wine and a cake that I think I could have done! Smiles and a photo booth... FUN.

Hong Kong is always fun in short bursts. But it is nothing compared to home.

Always knew there would be no problems getting there, got two biz seats to myself (but still not my preferences in dining!). Thoroughly enjoyed the flight to HK. Caught a couple of winks and some good movies that I hadn't previously had the chance to watch. Dad dropped me off at the airport pretty early so had time to check my emails for a bit too.

Cleared HK customs and all that stuff by 6 so had to wait for my ride. Then went to dinner at the local Japanese place near my uncle's place and then not to waste any time, hit the shops right away until closing time! And for my ice cream mochi on the way home.

Knew i wouldn't have that much time to shop so pretty much was buying everything that I wanted as i saw it. So Friday morning and early afternoon was dedicated purely to shopping. It was good. I got all this stuff from Uniqlo, Zara & H&M. I was pretty much done after that!

Then went home to get ready for Cherry and Johnson's Reception. One of the better receptions I've been to in HK. Good activities/games. And HAHA her parents, especially her dad is so so funny. More funny when drunk. Their family isn't normal!!!


Crash at val's for the night (and night after). then went to brunch and shopping on saturday. LOL @ valerie almost dying from the crowds of people and actually have to walk through shops with donna and i. we really do appreciate it! and the hairy crabs we picked up and steamed were awesome.

Had the best meal of my trip at another Japanese place - they sold those BBQ skewer thingys. I can't remember what it's actually called but it was really really good. Especially the foie gras. Cholesterol attack on a plate but i think it was so worth it. Nom nom nom. And then cocktails and vodka sodas at the bar downstairs from vals. Where we helped her friend (who is also the owner) write a letter to a hotel requesting a free upgrade for their honeymoon trip. LOL... he was like, not sure how empathetic an accountant and lawyer can be. It took us so long to write too.

Sunday came, had breakfast with val and then time to say byes. :(

A couple of last minute items to pick up and had to go back to uncles to pack. And OMG i had no idea you can buy so much in 4 days. We had so much stuff??? (I think it's actually safe to say this time that mum had more than me!). All if my stuff fit in my suitcase... hahaha. we even bought back a box of nissan noodles.

It was a very very anxious wait at the airport though. I have never, ever, ever had to wait so long or felt so anxious at HK before. In the end, and like 20 minutes before the plane was due to take off, we got on the Melbourne flight. P H E W. We made it!!! Had to literally run for the gate, but we got on board and the captain was like... we have been delayed due to the last bags being loaded into our cargo hold. LOLs. They would have been our bags. Sweet as that i got an exit row seat too. I was totally totally not expecting that - just wanted to get home!

Pretty funny customer service manager. He was like, 'I will be dimming the cabin lights for take off. This is to enhance the appearance of your flight attendant.' Lols.

Then there was a medical emergency on board... that wasn't good. It surprises me that there were 3 doctors on board though. Lucky girl.


Turns out the guy i was sitting next to was also trying to get back to Sydney, but that flight was mega-full. Seems a lot of people had to transfer... who knew HK was so popular? And who knows when i'll be back?

Finally get a few minutes this weekend to sit down with my laptop and just chill.

Brunch with two of my favorites in one of my favorite locations in sydney. Surry Hills! Chur & Rueben Hills. Was good although felt a little bit strange to be dressed up in such a low-key haunt. Don't think the coffee @ Rueben was all that great. Missing the one from Le Monde. Salted Caramel Milkshake and Milo Milkshake from Chur was yummy albeit a touch expensive. I still think the beef burger is the best at Chur. Although maybe next time (won't be for a while), might give the lamb one a go. Mmm. Have some new places on my list to go to!


Yesterday was Amanda & Andrew's wedding. Expected it to be a bit bigger... but it was quite a small wedding. Personally, I would never pick a place where it is in such a public location that people can just walk, sit, picnic, sunbathe, cycle and run in the background and around. Kind of ruins the moment. Not to mention the ferry horns, trains on the bridge and (just our luck) a helicopter flying over. Made it difficult to hear the vows. Nonetheless, it was definitely a beautiful backdrop and a lovely ceremony. Thank goodness it was short and sweet.


That left us with enough time to slowly make our way to the reception. We stopped at mega-tourist-ripoff Guylian cafe on the way (Janice's choice, not mine as I think I still prefer Lindt). $4.80 for a coffee? $10 for a milkshake? $16 for a tart? Come on please... the only decent and not overly expensive looking thing on the menu was this Iced Caramel Long Black. It was actually not too bad. Wasn't sweet at all... and well-priced at $5.50.

Windy day but i think it turned out okay :-)

Congrats to the lovely couple...

Morning ceremony at Curzon Hall, Garden Chateau. Excellent effort by the bridemaids and bride to brave the weather and not faint from the cold!!! It was a small intimate ceremony. I have to say that this string quartet was better than the one at my cousins back in the day!

Evening reception at the lovely and very expensive Park Hyatt.

Our table was a bit of mix of uni and high school (val and xin and I). pretty much the conversations revolved around how you met carl, where you work now and the pros and cons about working as a graduate for the big 4.......

although some uncanny connections... the girl worked at kpmg, was the audited for GE... in my division, when i was there!! I fully know all the people she was speaking about. then these other two people also worked at nab house... and another girl's boyfriend works in it security... and i now work in it recruitment... he's like.. i'm going home to do up my cv pronto! lol

anyways, it was a good night.

some good games going on.

lovely to my evening with great company too... my val's back!!! xxx

Last week was the perfect weekend.

Why can't it be this weekend as well?

Especially when Carl's getting married? Why why why why why?!?!

What am i going to wear?!?!?!!?

so we got to park underneath westfield. concierge valet parking. the guy was soooo hot and he had a french accent. i was like... you can drive my car anytime you want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eeeeeeeekkkk!!!!

got there perfect timing and even had time to go by max brenner for some chocolate loving :-)

reception was nice and simple and we made a lot of noise (hahaha much to the embarassment of the parents).

good times.

didn't get the bouquet... lol. i guess there are just always people who are more desperate than you... hahaha

and the sun came out at the right time.

it was a long ceremony and i have to admit, not the best one i've been to.

happy for them though :)

can't wait for reception tonight!