andrehyg, Divine Mercy

How much did I spend for my wedding? Wedding gown, coat, snacks at the church, souvenir at the church, church and bedroom decoration, wedding photography, car rental, 10 tables for wedding dinner, furniture for my bedroom. I spent quite a lot considering no big reception held.

People arguing that wedding is once in a life time so spending money is fine. I don't agree because for me wedding is not a big deal and if possible, just do it normally. In fact, I have applied a simple wedding myself. Spending money is unavoidable but spend it wisely and efficiently.

I woke up at 5.00, taking a quick bath. After a quick breakfast of hot tea+milk (my favourite drink), I together with my mom and auntie directly headed to ‘Daniel Salon’ where we're going to have our hair and face done.

Back home from ‘Daniel Salon’ at about 7.30. Short afterwards, my wedding car arrived followed by a photographer from ‘Yulianto’.

At 8.30, I with my bestman plus my brother and auntie went to Santika Hotel to fetch Siu-Siu. There, we had a tea ceremony with Siu’s big family for almost an hour including photos taking.

Arriving back to my home, directly we had a tea ceremony. This time of course with my family, starting with my mom and dad, followed by uncles, aunties and latest my sister and brother in-law.

Church started at 1 pm and we arrived on time. Around a hundred guests attended my wedding mass. Happy my boss were there also. The mass was perfect, the choir of five sang with voices that needed no amplification, the decoration was filled with beautiful flowers.

The mass ended at about 3 pm. All the guests, familiar faces greeted me and Siu-Siu. After photos taking, we were ready for civil registry. It took less than ten minutes for the judge to legalize my wedding.

Dinner started at 8 pm. It should have started one hour before. I was late. There were 10 tables. Before the dinner started, we visited every table to thank our guests for sparing time for our wedding dinner by giving out chocolates. My boss arrived at about 9 pm and stayed until late.

Arriving back to hotel at 10.30 pm. I was worn out. We opened all the red envelopes and jotted down the amount. Went to sleep at about 1 am after having hot tea+milk (my favourite drink). What a day!!!!!!!

I am back to work after my wedding day 2 days ago. Exhausted but I am doing fine.

I have proven to myself that preparing a wedding is not that difficult. It is not that scary as I always imagine. Of course, it needs preparation as every event does.

I have a ring in my finger now, a ring that bind me from freedom. I miss you freedom!

Many thanks to those who have helped in preparing my wedding and also those who involved on the D day. Father Yus, Ciska & Gratia Voice, Witnesses: Thomas & Nina, Stelly, Mba Eka of church secretariat, Ci Chris who decorated the church so beautifully, my brother, Hendra, all my family from Taiwan, etc, etc.

Now I have moved to next step of my life. I will move on until another next step. Step by step until silence remains.

Is she lucky to have me as her husband? Or am I lucky to have her as my wife? Difficult to say, it’s so relative. I don’t dare to claim that I am nice and whoever has me as a husband is lucky. That will be very arrogant of me but I promise I will try my best to be a good husband or at least a responsible husband. Is it enough? Again, it’s so relative.

When you marry someone with different background, you should try to get yourself into it. If my wife-to-be is a javanese, I will try my best to understand javanese culture, if she is a chinese, then it will be easier because we will have the same background.

The best way to understand one’s culture is by learning the language. Ignoring it by assuring ourselves that we can still communicate in Indonesian is not a wise act. Nothing harm to learn a new language.

Wait for my gift…

This coming Sunday, 22 Feb shall be my big day, my wedding day. As it gets closer, my heart beats faster. I am excited, worried, happy, confused, mixed feeling but don't worry, I can handle it. Imagining what life will be scares me.

Interesting, while preparing for my own wedding, I have to help in preparation of somebody else's wedding. For me, it's interesting. It's like give and take. I give my time but in return, I learn a lot.

In fact, for my wedding, I come to the stage where I don't know what else to do. It is like things are all prepared but it is not but if it's not, how come I don't know what I should do next.

Had a long talk with Rm. Yus yesterday morning after the mass at St. Ignatius. He opened my mind on many things in relation to my marriage.

He approved the order of mass. Going to have it printed by tomorrow.

First Friday of February, first Friday of the month I am getting married. 16 days left.

I am having first Friday mass tonight and the mass will be presented by Fr. Pontoan. Singers from St. Peter and Gratia Voice will collaborate tonight. Consider it as a rehearsal before they sing together in Singapore next month on a special occasion. Hope I will be there too :), don’t wanna miss this occasion.

We both have just made a visit to our boss to hand over our wedding invitation as well as to report our wedding. We have to report as both of us work in a same company, to ask for permission and dispensation in accordance with the company’s regulation. Thanks God we’re granted permission to continue working, both of us.

Boss gave some advices and congratulated us. Hope everything works well.