Wahh... long time no post :D

Well, its been 4 months since I last posted :P

A lot has been going on, and neglect is probably due to the fact that I've been feeding my Facebook addiction way too much lately. Oh, and the whole wedding preparation thing which is just taking up a little part of my time. :D I'm glad that we have most of the major things done for the wedding. Now just have to get the invites done, organise cars, music, flowers and another 1001 things to all happen on the same day. Our project plan (yes, it's a .mpp file) is on schedule (well, maybe a little behind but nothing on the critical path just yet).

We've found heaps of help (and recommendations) from the site, Sally So. Our achievement this week was the "Save the Date" email was sent to our friends... and soon to be sent to family. Jenny has been dress shopping and will find something that will be close to the budget amount. So all is well (for now!) :)

"Special Lunch"

We were invited about a month ago to a "special lunch" at a winery. Nothing out of the ordinary there as these friends do these sorts of things from time to time. At the time, I asked whether it was a "celebration" or "announcement" was the reason behind this and this was quickly dismissed as just a "lunch with some friends"...

So that lunch was today... and much to our surprise (and lack of dressing up)... it turned out to be a WEDDING RECEPTION O_o

So here is Jenny and I (both in jeans and Sunday casual, very under dressed) with the bride.


Speech/toast given with both their families (who I'm not sure understood too much of it) It was a struggle to get her to agree to just a simple speech :D


Congrats to Fiona and Ken :)

Reasons you should never playing sport...

Played tennis for the first time in about 2 years tonight. All I know is, I'm going to be like stone tomorrow. Muscles are already starting to ache... :( But it will get better as I hopefully will be doing this on a (semi) regular basis.

Oh, went to see The Phantom of the Opera last night. Great show and definitely (duh!) a classic. Seen it before but the set, the screenplay and effects were much better this time. Stage could have been bigger though for more effect (ie. the chandelier). Also didn't think much of the "slimline" seating and I sure as hell wouldn't want to be caught in an emergency in those seats. :D

Quarterly update

I'm sounding like a (now) ex-director that I worked for. Updates only come around every quarter or so. Anyways, few things have been happening in my life lately...

Jenny (finally) became a full Australian citizen.. just in time to enrol to vote for this year's election :D


Pipe band (bad photo) and all...


Friday I took my first steps out of the sheltered workshop :D

Winter weekends

Spent this Saturday afternoon at Shantell winery, a small winery/restaurant with about 8 tables. It's got a nice cosy feel to it, not like some other wineries which are over-commercialised. Food was excellent as per last time, even after the change in chef, and the Cab Sav was much improved on the vintage we tried about 2 years ago.

Oh, and for those who I haven't told yet (sorry!), we're engaged :D

The ring :)


Jenny and her main course


Me and my main course

Hiatus

Sorry for the lack of updates. Just been too busy with stuff at work and at home :D

And That's a (Holiday) Wrap

The holidays have come to an end :(

Japan was great, it is especially interesting to see the local people treat us differently when they find out we can't speak Japanese. They keep talking to us in Japanese but we have no idea what they were saying.

And they were most helpful in ensuring we were getting what we wanted. At restaurants/cafes, we mainly ordered by the usual "pointing at the picture on the menu" style. The waiter/waitress would try to explain to us what we were ordering. Must say the trip to Japan provided us what we were looking for, a chance to see the cherry blossoms, see some "touristy sights," but most importantly, we were able to experience some of the local culture from a local's perspective, away from the tourists.

Anyways, some photos from our HK/Japan trip... the whole lot are dumped here (new window)

Hong Kong:
At the Wisdom Path on Lantau Island... didn't gain any wisdom though :D


View from platform at the Tian Tan Buddha after climbing many many stairs


What kind of a Mickey Mouse train system are they running? :D


Jenny driving at Disneyland HK... not worth the 30 minute wait


Mango pudding at a cafe in Disneyland HK (not such good tasting)




Castle at night...


Castle at night getting bombed?? ;)




Castle on fire? :D


One of the european-esque buildings in Stanley


Japan
Cherry Blossoms in Ueno park


Night view over a pond in Ueno park


Cherry blossoms and vending machines... two things that symbolise Japan :D


Imperial Palace


In Yoyogi park


All aboard.... bound for Osaka


That's one big apple... (200 Yen worth)


On the way up to Kiyomizudera Temple


More cherry blossoms in the temple grounds


View from the veranda


All made from wood...


The Golden Pavillion


Very modern and out of place... Kyoto station atrium


Osaka castle... most beautiful at night...


Nara's most famous (?) symbols... they're EVERYWHERE :D


Cute?


Sagi-ike Pond


Steps leading to the five storied pagoda


Making cake... Japanese style


Old back streets of Nara


Is that a road through a building or a building built around a road?


The time tunnel.... Umeda Sky Building in Osaka


Met up with Jenny's uni friend in Osaka


Timely reminder for those high-heel wearing people (most Japanese girls)


Watching the scenery fly by at 300km/hr on the way back to Tokyo


Just cruising...


The Rainbow Bridge, seen in most drama series from the 90s


The statue of Liberty... hmmm :D