Maple

About a week ago, my mom decided to call me all the way from Malaysia with some special news.

She was in love. And out of impulse, she is now with child. 6 weeks old. I was speechless, shocked beyond comprehension. She wants me to think of a name. My mind was blank. 

It’s a girl. Blonde….4-legged.

She got another puppy. What were you thinking?

Say hi to Maple!

Such a poser!

 

So now good ‘ol Alfie has a new baby sister. Apparently he was not too impressed. After being the apple of everyone’s eyes for nearly 9 years, suddenly there’s a new kid on the block. Mom says he gets very restless when she attends to Maple. However, being the ever gentle big brother, he is also very excited about the new addition to the family at the same time.

 

Aaawwww.......

 

Mom says Maple jumps on Alfie, pulls his ears and chases him around the house! Poor boy! Unlike Alfie who almost never barked all his life, and is scared of cats, little Maple is hyperactive and chirpy. Mom’s already got her hands full now.

As if telling me how adorable Maple is wasn’t enough, mom decided to e-mail me photos of her. Then my sister decided to post pictures of her playing with Maple on Facebook to torture me. Aaaargh! Maple’s too cute!

Maple the bully

Look at Alfie's "tortured" face haha!

Nope, Maple won't stop

That should do it....

Apparently not.....

My sister showing off

One last shot....

Hannah And Murray’s Amazing Civil Union

16/04/2011

What makes a perfect Civil Union? White laced veils? Long white dress with a long train? Rose petals and flowers? Traditional wedding march?

For our dear flatmates Hannah and Murray’s Civil Union that Terry and I had the honour of attending, they had bubbles in place of rose petals and the theme song to Bubble Bobble instead of the wedding march. Hannah had on a pretty yellow dress in place of a white gown and made her own lovely bouquet of crocheted yellow and white roses.

I must clarify that Hannah and Murray had made the choice to have a Civil Union instead of a Marriage because Hannah was raised (and I quote) “to treat everyone as equals regardless of gender, ideology, ethnicity or sexuality”. To put things in perspective, in New Zealand, a Civil Union is a law binding contract between any two individuals regardless of gender, while a marriage (also a law binding contract) is only recognised between two individuals of opposite gender. I thought her non-discriminatory views and stand was extremely laudable.

Hannah and the bridesmaids rides

It was a very beautiful and personal ceremony, held in a little chapel at Corban’s Estate, Henderson. The theme of their Civil Union was of the popular online game that both Murray and Hannah enjoyed, Bubble Bobble! Hannah used the game’s cute theme song with her bridemaids blowing bubbles while she walked down the aisle. It was very “Hannah & Murray”

The bridesmaids

The groomsmen

As they read out their vows, I felt my eyes well up with tears. Their love and compatibility with each other shone through brightly as they stood in front of the crowd, gazing at each other’s eyes. After the vows, came the part where they read out pre-written verses – the “for richer or poorer” and “in sickness and in health” part. Only it was “for richer and more richer” and “in injury and allergies” instead! No seriously, that was what they read out, how cute! Then they kissed and sealed the deal.

The reception was held a few hours later at a community hall 15 minutes drive from the chapel. Terry and I were one of the first guests to arrive so we had the priviledge to go around taking photographs of the table settings, complete with name tags, lovely crocheted petals scattered across the tables and beautifully wrapped favours at each seat. And then there was the wedding cake that Hannah put together and decorated herself! Complete with cute Bubble Bobble characters made out of icing! Is she the most awesome bride or what?

Shortly after the newly-weds arrived, the speeches and toasts began and my, the tears started coming again! It was an incredibly warm and personal reception, one I had never experienced before although I have attended numerous Malaysian wedding dinners in the past. Somehow, Hannah and Murray made it very unique and personal…..very “Hannah and Murray” indeed. It was wonderful.

The food and dessert at the buffet was aplenty and delicious too! The highlight of the night was of course Hannah and Murray’s first dance, in which they danced to 80s disco pop! And it was fantastic! I think Hannah and Murray proved that if you put your heart to it, you can make the most perfect wedding receptions sans fancy dress and makeup or over-the-top venue decorations. This is by far the most fabulous and truly enjoyable wedding-dinner experience I have ever had.

Hannahs handmade bouquet

Here’s wishing you both eternal happiness Hannah and Murray…!

*All photographs taken by Terry, I can’t shoot for the life of me