Red is...

The News

Officially Mika has been spayed. Good news for us and bad news for her. The good news is we can now let her roam freely in the house in the presence of Kenji instead of confining her into the cage. Besides she don't need to worry of her monthly chores (more like our chore) to do the clean up job. The bad news is she cannot bear any puppies and will have to be confined in the cage with no bathing for 2 weeks.

Why?

Sharon had it planned out before bringing her home. We knew Kenji is around and it will be a mess to have Silky-ShihTzus walking around. Not an entirely nice breed in my opinion. You should see one of those and have a good laugh. Kekekeke!

The Procedure

The veterinary procedure is pretty simple. Anaesthetic is administered and she is allow to pass out. A small incision of 2 inches is cut on her lower abdomen near her vagina (I don't know what is canine's called). Then the womb is easily identified because it is just below the tissue and fat. Tubes are cut, vessels are partitioned and fixed. Then the whole womb is removed. The incision is 'stitched' using platlets-based adhesive liquid to allow fast recovery and mark free healing.

Have you ever played with helium filled balloons? I still remember many years back when my parents bought me one. I bought them again for my pre-wedding photograph session. A little costly for a balloon but they are reusable. The best thing I ever found. Now that the session is over, I thought of having some fun by asking Sharon to pose for me with the balloons. Here are some of the shots I would like to share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favourite picture of all...

 

 

Not an entirely smooth session though. My parents' house is under renovation and its hard to find a nice spot without the dog coming into our way. Like this one:

Have a nice time...

Well, you guys would be a little dissapointed with the previous post coming and going without any photographs to connect to. I will not disclose anymore information to my pre-wedding photographs until it is finalized and ready for viewing. Don't worry, they will first debut on my blog when the time comes.

I am extremely excited with my pre-wedding photography session which took place last Thursday and Friday. Me and Sharon first reached RedBliss bridal house early Thursday morning to meet the crew. Joey Chan was our wedding assistant in-charge of making sure everything goes according to plan and to assist us with any issues with the work crew. Then we have another Joey, a very kind hearted and patient lady who is Sharon's make-up artist. She is extremely helpful and always on standby for Sharon when she needs touching up on her cosmetics. Then our videographer Pei Ling, a tiny wonder hahaha! Everyone calls her Xiao Xiao meaning small. Finally our photographer who is in-charge of everything including the concept that I have been telling you all about. She is Apple. Yes a female photographer and an all female work crew. I was a bit skeptical when I was told a lady will be our photographer but I am impressed in the end.

This two days has kinda bonded us together although we had some language barriers initially (everyone spoke Mandarin, not my game, hehehehe!) but we manage to communicate with body gestures and some simple instructions in Mandarin. I'm not an entirely banana person actually.

The first day was an indoor photography session. Nothing really special but it was easy going and relaxing. Sharon and myself changed a few times and we took many poses together. Most of the poses were pretty simple except for a few that is more complicated. Then half way into the shooting, Sharon's parents came for the family portraits. My mom came at the same time too with Mika and Kenji, our pet dogs! How could we not take our wedding photographs without including a place for our beloved dogs. It was a moment of fun for everyone. Mika was extremely well behaved and followed through the session flawlessly. Kenji somehow knew he is getting is photographs pictured and acted like a model. Hahaha!

After the first day, we continued shopping to make sure we have all the props the photographer instructed us to buy. Second day was the big day. This was the day I am so excited of. It was our outdoor photo session at Port Dickson. Me and Sharon reached RedBliss early in the morning before sunrise so that Joey could prep Sharon for the journey. 8am sharp we departed for PD and reached there around 9.30am, well a little late but still ok according to Apple. Apple is a very talented and experienced photographer who obtain most of her skills in Taiwan before coming back working for RedBliss. She is the only photographer covering the PD location and needless to say she knows every spot of the beachline. We started at the grass plains with some pretty nice shots.Then the sun came and I got me worried. Luckily the weather has been very nice to us. Soon it became a little cloudy when we reach the beach. We had a lot of fun there playing with our inflatable boat, balloons and some props. Then we proceed to another spot where the tide was low. It was under a jetty where the rocks and shoals are. It was slightly dangerous because of the slippery surfaces but it was a good spot. The wind was strong which added a lot of drama to the ambient.

Then we walk a kilometre along the beachline to another spot where the mangroves are. The tide was low and it reveal some very interesting terrains. Fallen tree barks and roots. Apple made us climb those trees!!! It was so high and I can't remember when was the last time I climbed trees. Sharon was nervous too hahaha! But Joey came to her help. Then we went to a petrol station to change before proceeding to another spot. Ooh, I haven't mentioned that we change in the car several times, hahahaha! It was tough but doable. The last spot was on another beach along the coastline. The sun was already high up in the sky and it was scorching. Apple was really creative and all of us just follow her instincts and guidance. This place was where we had some of the toughest pose and moves. We worked with kites, Sharon sat on my shoulders, playing with the wind, playing with fabrics, etc. This is also the place where I got most of the sunburns. Hahaha!

But it is definitely worthed it. Apple is processing the photographs and it will take another week before things are ready. I really hope everything will turn out just excellent.  

I am so glad that last week has came and passed. It was a week where everything came in so close with each other to a point of falling apart. Imagine having the whole week from Monday to Friday filled with events and no breaks in between. Well, no big deal to some people but lets consider the following:

Monday - Wednesday daytime: Meetings to attend and issues to fix at the workplace
Monday - Wednesday nighttime: Revision for my MBA test
Wednesday night: Send Sharon to TheCurve to have her finger nails done
Thursday: Studio shooting
Friday: Outdoor shooting at Port Dickson
Saturday morning: Job interview
Saturday afternoon: Employee Relations Strategies examination!
Saturday evening: Dinner with Sharon's parents

It was something I have not attempted before. I am not someone who would risk screwing up especially when it comes to examination week. I am someone who take things one at a time, not all of it together. But I had no choice. I scheduled my pre-wedding photographs 3 months before. Things that can go wrong will go wrong when I found out 3 weeks before the day, my examination will conincide with the week. Then 2 days before the day, a company called me up for an interview! Exams!!! Interview!!! Photographs!!! Lots of stress.

However, the Lord has blessed me and answered my prayers. He guided me through each and every step of the way. There were some minor hiccups here and there but I am grateful that everything eventually went well. I've promised myself never to have such crazy arrangements again!

So towards the later part of the day, me and Daniel decided to do some shots of the most important thing of all. The wedding ring. I think this has been done by countless photographers without any sense of repetition. The point is, its the trend over and over again. The shot just doesn't get bored. So we didn't want to re-invent the wheel, we want the exact same shot. A macro product shoot based on a background of pebbles. Like this one...

This is the end result. I choreographed it all with the help of Daniel and his tools. We covered the ground with pebbles at my dad's garden. We stacked them together as naturally as possible. Took out the Manfrottoes and set it up for a low low angle shot. No flash was used because we have enough available light with the help of the sun. Cameras was on LiveView and that helps a lot of framing at such difficult angles. Av priority was used with the aperture reduced to a high aperture number, 3-second timer mode and lockup mirror mode. All was done on a Canon EOS 40D coupled with one of Daniel's fine lenses - EF 24-70mm F2.8, a classic in its own right. Results turn out quite good for a beginner like me.

 

Well, it has been 2 months? since I have updated my blog. If you remember my previous post, Sharon has finally accepted me! Ever since, both we and our family has been extremely busy in all the necessary preparations. Its really exciting for us because this is the first time my family is experiencing this. We know nothing but want to know everything. Nevertheless, we all went into the shopping mood. Guys, you never know the hole on my pants can be so wide open. I mean really wide open ripped off broke!

A wise-man once told me, why marry a cow when you can get free milk everywhere? Well, that statement kinda applies financially but in the real world of today. We don't have farms anymore. The cows walk in the polluted streets you know. You never know when you could get allergic to cow milk. Not so wise anymore, eh?

So lets fast forwards, and tah dah!!! There pops up the My Registration of Marriage. We chose The National of Registration (JPN), Putrajaya because I have been there before on a business field trip and I find it quite a pleasant place to be. Most importantly they had individual rooms to conduct the signing ceremony as oppose to some branches which was held on a open hall accessible by the general public. This is more private.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My dogs were extremely excited too!

We finally reached National of Registration Department, Putrajaya - an entire 45 minutes of monotonous drive along the highway. The weather was extremely cooperating. Usually the sun over there would scorch like it own the whole place. Surprisingly it was cloudy and cooling.

We went straight to the registration counter to report ourselves. Earlier in the month of April, we went to apply for ROM. Things was smooth and in 5 minutes, we got our queue number. We had some free time do we decided to do some shots. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel, my best man proposed a pose like the above for Sharon. Its really dramatic and full of love. I however decided to check it out what was so special about it. Mine turn out quite good - foolishly though.

Few minutes later, our names we finally called.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything was done and completed in just 1 hour! How smooth was that. Anyway it was too early for lunch so we drove around Putrajaya for some photographic moments.

Of course this is not what we took. It was a test shot.

Not bad, eh! Hehehe!

Anyway many thank to my best man and fellow photographer, Daniel. You deserved to be mentioned over here. This is the one behind all the scenes you saw above.

Aint that a pretty smile of his. Hehehehehehehe!

Last Tuesday, me and Sharon took a day off from work to do some planning and making the first few steps of our special day preparation. Actually we already had most of the ground work done thanks to my equally excited parents. We were all first timer in these things and we sought a lot of advices from friends and relatives. The excitement actually began in the middle of last year. That time, me and Sharon was still in the blur but yeah, we know we are getting married. I'm not gonna reveal more information regarding this till later stage or episodes of 'Wedding Preparation' series that will be on the run from today onwards.

So back to topic, we took a day off so that we could go to the Civil Registration Department, Putrajaya to make a reservation for an official date of our civil marriage registration. Things very smooth on that day and I had my GPS set to bring me to where I should go. Was so prepared only to realize we didn't had our Passport Sized Photo done! Haha! So we had to stop by Presinct 8 to get it done. Fast forward, we made it to the counter only for the building fire alarm system to run off! No way! No fire is gonna stop us! We didn't give a *shoot* about it so the official in charge lock our data into the system. There done. Now the fire can start. Burn. Do it...do it... do it... Kekeke! Ok I was joking. The fire alarm was joking too at least.

Next on the 'to do' list was to head to SS2 Petaling Jaya to pick our bridal services for our wedding photos. Well, we already knew what we want so it was easier this way. GPS all the way, 30 minutes later, we're there. We selected RedBliss Bridal Services. Reason is simple, concept. We wanted a unique concept that is timeless and none other than what we usually see from other bridal services products. Remember those wedding photos taken of beautiful couples only to be spoiled by pictures of them in Japanese, Korean, Chinese Emporer, my gosh... ok STOP. We wanted something that is natural, in monotones, abstract and minimalist. Most importantly we want a concept that best descbribe me and Sharon. That concept will ultimately flow to my wedding theme and its derivative concept. Yes, I am very picky but its really a pretty simple. Fortunately simple is easy these days.

So if you guys are interested, please head on to www.redbliss.com.my for the details. Each and every client will be on a different concept based on the RedBliss concept. If you want something funny and in digital art, then RedSense should suit you more. They're all under the RB Marriage Services Group.

Again, I'll share with you the concept probably next month when we have our picture session taken. More information till then. Good nite.

Well, I can't possibly express how happy I am at the moment because I am speechless! Sharon finally accepted me. After 3+ long years of walking life together, we've reach a new step in life. I am really happy! Both of us are really happy. Actually my family have accepted Sharon as a 'daughter' all this while. It is until today that I have finally have the courage to tell her how much I love her.

I bought Sharon some flowers and I thought of sharing with you some of the pictures I took of the bouquet.

 

Our special day will be on the 7th September 2008 (Chinese Lunar Calendar 08/08/2008). Stay tune on more updates about our special day preparation and other details.

4 months ago...

 

That man is not me. It is impossible to me. How could it be?