It was a wonderful experience to attend a Russian wedding and I was invited to be part of the morning session at Inna’s place.

It was a hot day outside and we played games with the guys at the ground floor, similar to Chinese weddings but it was much simpler. I guess it was also because this is their summer wedding in Singapore and the actual one will take place in St Petersburg next year! That would definitely be a grand affair~

We had some champagne and chips before heading off to the embassy!

Arriving at the embassy…

Everyone got in line and waited patiently for the couple’s arrival.

And so, here comes the couple.

Taking their oaths…

Steal a photo with the couple!

The traditional russian wedding bread, flown in from Russia.

The couple had to pinch off the  bread and whoever gets the larger portion calls the shots in the family! haha..

After which they will dip the bread in salt and feed each other, to signify growing through happiness and woes together.

A table filled with Russian food. Cold cuts, sandwiches, tapas.

Took a shot with Inna on polaroid. Lovely bride~ I so happy for you.

The group of them headed off to the airport and flew to Bali for the wedding party while I went to school for Media Law mid-term. yes, that’s really dreadful huh….

Anyway, I’m really hoping to attend their official wedding in Russian next year! Gotta start saving mooolahhs now~

And I used the Bitaba mascara on her! heh. Check out the effect!!

The right side is mascara-ed with Bitaba.

Initially, she wanted to settle with the black dress but after hearing how her friends were dressed, I decided to give her a full makeover!

Picked a shirt to match the dress plus braided her hair and lent her the geeky specs!

She looks great yeah!

I gelled flat his hair to create that old school hairstyle and sacrifice my gel eyeliner to mark his neck with the maths equation.

They named this the teacher and student pair. lol.

I’m pretty satisfied with this round of makeover! Hope you guys had fun at the dinner!!

I wanted to make it a little more special and decided at Old Jesse 老吉士. =)

carefully hidden under my pillow and I was only informed moments before his plane took off.

did the person who designed this card read his mind?

needlessly to say, i teared so much.

and every drop was happiness.

Practically a weight-gain program.

It’s kinda boring…. except for the fireworks and the huge red packets I received. =p

Last night, we went out to get the fireworks for the strike of midnight.

This cart of fireworks cost around $700.

Preparing for the firecrackers.

Kids happily playing with the sparkles.

I had my fair share of firing the fireworks. Feels darn good. haha..

I should probably attempt firecrackers the next time.!!!

check out the bouquets of flowers on display!
been a long while since i received flowers…. *hint hint*

We had the company of the ducks for dinner!

Evelyn and Iris joined in as well. =)

We booked the swing seats and had the best ambience in the whole restaurant. The group of us attracted many people looking into the restaurant. For a moment, we felt like the animals in the zoo. Lol.

The dinner started off with an Ettusais Quiz!
which I missed because I was late due to earlier appointment.
Christine won herself a limited edition Ettusais Tote Bag!

I had lamb rack. badly done. boo….

the peach cake was unique! nice but overly sweet…

Pretty ladies! *whistles*

with sarah and christine!

Sheradine was really sweet to prepare an award ceremony!
All of us were a prize winner!

Sarah was awarded the “Ettusais Biggest Fan”! that miniature fan is so ccuuuuttee~

Christine banged the “Awesome Creative Writing”. You go girl!
The miniature newsletters are so darn lovely lah! I’m jealous!
Gonna sneak into ur house at night and steal it! Lol.

The other ambassadors with their awards:

For me, I won the “Most Print-Worthy Blog” and aside, I get 1-year free CLEO subscription!

Im feeling really honored as it was selected by the CLEO Team.
So thank you CLEO and Ettusais!!!

it was a wonderful time with the girls! Wished we had more get-togethers.

With Sheradine! I hope this will not be the last session. =X

I had a super uber great Christmas this year!!!! Hope yours was great too!

Christmas celebrations started out on the eve’s lunch with the girls.

We’re hanging out so often recently and i’m luving it!

We decided to eat home instead of standing in queues and pay for ridiculous festive menus.

Our Christmas Steamboat Feast!

Popiah + Cheese Tofu. Have you tasted it before?
I think it’s delicious! Saw it at the supermarket and though it was interesting.

Grilled Cheesy Prawns. Finger-licking goodies by Amy. =)

i lurve shhhrooomms.!

we’ve got crab claws, sotong balls, mushroom balls and sliced fish.

heheheh.. beef!

pork + chicken.

slurping away~

dessert was an adventurous one!
we had haagen-dazs ice-cream, dove amicelli wafer and nutella.
yes, our very own cold rock creamy creation~
chilled the metal bowl, crushed the amicelli wafer, added in the nutella and ice-cream.
stir & mix, stir & mix.

the ice-cream melted a fair bit. I guess we could do a ice-bowl below the metal bowl.
nevertheless, it still tasted blissful. can’t go wrong with nutella!

the christmas lunch ended off with a mini log cake.
Durian-flavoured from Emi Cakes.

On Christmas day, I set off early in the morning to Malacca for a relaxing retreat.
more updates to come! =)

I’m feeling so old among them! And I know none of the juniors.
But I’m back for the alumni!

with trevor. we were mistaken for a couple by the juniors. LOL.

with Sameer.

Soon Poh!

Hui Jing..

and the gorgeous Sarah.

One of the games they prepared was “Don’t forgot the lyrics”.

Laura, Soon Poh, Ben & me!

trevor and me with the juniors.

pretty ladies~

the highlight of the night – MASK ATTACK! haha..

I left early as to head down to A971 for their anniversay party!

It was a crowd with free flow of drinks and food at $40! And the $$ goes to SPH Charity Pocket Fund!

we like Asahi beer!  love my bustier dress? It’s on backorders @ Frenchfleurs.com!

we have been patrons of Kuriya for almost 2 years! It’s good to see them injecting new ideas into the market and expanding. I’m pretty excited about one of their new plans for next year. Hopefully I will be around to attend the opening!

Located at the top floor with contemporary decor, Kuriya Penthouse  spells a twist to the traditional Japanese restaurants.

Emcee for the event was Benedict Goh!

Top quality sake barrel imported from Japan…

The serving wooden cups…

one, two, three and go~ i loved the sake, smooth and sweet. *slurps*

Everyone beamed at the free flow of food.

Food was needlessly to say – Excellent!
hohoho… the toro sushi was heavenly!

Side dishes – tofu, japanese yam, grilled cod fish..

Master Chef: Koezukan-san.

Japanese musicians… They did a collaboration and cut an album named “Kuriya”.

it’s so rare to see and hear them nowadays..

Award-winning bartender from Japan performing… he’s really good at his tricks!

green, yellow, orange cocktails.

The whole team from Kuriya Raffles City moved to Penthouse.
Love them all! Always providing the best service.
With Paul, Manager.

I was put up at my dad’s cousin’s place in Wen Zhou, whom I have never met before. Felt weird initially but thankfully, they were very welcoming.
抵达温州后才知道他们把我安排在阿姨家。好像是爸爸的堂姐，我从来没碰面过。刚开始觉得有些尴尬，还好阿姨一家都很好客，非常热情。

The traditions there differ slightly from Singapore. On the wedding day, the groom will lunch together with the bride’s family, even before the tea ceremony. After lunch, he will then return home and gather his brothers and cars to head over again to get the bride and her relatives.
婚礼当天，淼先到素珍家共用午餐，之后再返回预备迎接新娘。

At miao’s place:
他们用紫色和粉红色的气球布置大门：

the couple’s bedroom
新人的卧房

the “brothers” discussing the route and strategy.
一群兄弟在讨论方策。

Miao prepared 12 Audi cars for the relatives.
淼预备了12 辆Audi汽车来接待素珍的亲戚。

I wanted to tag along but, I would be the only girl. so…. i waited at the hotel for their arrival.
我是很想跟着一起去接新娘，可是只有我一个女生，好像有些不妥当，我也只好在酒店等候。

Another group of “brothers” were preparing for the grand entry. Laying out the firecrackers and fireworks.
没开车的其他兄弟忙着准备迎接新人。

this is how a box of fireworks look like:
一箱箱的烟花：

I was really excited since there isn’t any of these in Singapore.
当鞭炮放响时，兴奋的心情难以掩盖。 气氛真棒！

the fireworks were lovely! just right above our heads…
烟花真的很迷人！

lighting up the cones..
把人行道两旁的烟火点着。

sparkles in the air…
烟火四飞。

isn’t it romantic? for the couple to walk through the fireworks…
真浪漫！

getting sprayed by everyone else.. haha..
大家都蜂拥而上，把新人喷得稀里哗啦。

heading up to the restaurant..
手牵手上礼堂。

Let’s get the ceremony started!
婚礼正式开始

Handling over the daughter to husband.
将女儿交给丈夫。

Miao was really nervous on stage. He sounded weird.. lol..
淼表现得好紧张，声音怪怪。哈哈。

They arranged for some games on stage and I got volunteered up. It’s drinking “herbal tea” contest.
他们办了几个余兴节目，我被供上台，比赛喝老王吉。

and yes, i won a plushie for my niece.
赢了个玩偶，送给甜甜。

during dinner, the couple did the usual thank you drink around the tables.

After the relatives had left, it’s time for the games and friends!

we made a hole on the beer bottle and got Miao to use his knees to pour out the beer. it was hilarious!

next was to drink the 2 cans of coconut milk dangling over the bride’s shoulder.

follow on was picking the 2 red dates in the huge bowl of beer.

then, he had to peel the logan and feed his wife.

lastly, was the choosing the right can. There’s 21 cans with only 1 empty can. For every failed attempt by him, the brothers will have to finish 2 glasses of herbal tea. And for the  bride, the sisters have to drink up 2 glasses of beer. This is a really tough game! They made 19 unsuccessfully attempts! I ended up helping the sisters with 3 glasses of beer. They only got it right when there was 2 cans left. haha..

and the night ended off with a polariod photo. =)