Another Congratulations!

As some of you guys know, from one of my previous blog I've announced that 2 friends of mine (in Perth) are engaged .. and well .. I found out last month that I know 2 more people that are getting married soo ....

The first CONGRATULATIONS is to my cousin, Hong, in Vietnam :). Who I, at first, thought she was joking when she phoned me while I was in Vietnam that she was getting married at the end of this year (2011). So fingers cross that her wedding is at the end of this year (2011) so I can go :)

The next CONGRATULATIONS is to also a friend, but in Vietnam :). Her name is Hoa and I've known her for about 3 years now :). Hopefully, this wedding would turn the bad news at the start of this year into something good :). Because early this year, her twin sister's husband died in a work accident and it wasn't a good way to start a new year [in reference to the lunar new year]. And figures cross her wedding is also at the end of the year (2011). =]

So I wish both Hong and Hoa and wonderful wedding and a new life ... and fingers cross, that by the end of the year, I can attend their wedding :)

Sunny Happiness

So like I think this month has been really exciting. I mean, in the last 2 weeks I have received/ heard some really amazing news.

First of all, I want to congratulations my long time childhood friend Jennifer (Jenny for short) for getting engaged ^^. Im soooo proud and happy for her :) . We've known each other like FOREVER about like 18 years or so. And she's been there for me when we we're going up and attended the same primary and high school together. To me, she's like an older sister ^^. Even though we slowly parted like in high school we occassionally meet each other at the shops and so, hearing this news from her, I'm sooo HAPPY ^^.

Second news, is another engagement from my former confirmation classmate Anh. Even though I only known her for a few years, we still keep in touch via Facebook and Yahoo Messager. I'm sooo proud and HAPPY for her also. And can't wait for her wedding which is expected towards the end of this year.

The third news is that last night (Sunday night) I went on my date that my brother-in-law and older sister arranged for me. It was a nice date. We went to Burswood, and attended Movies by Burswood. It was an outdoor cinema :) . The nice thing about this event was that all the profits and amount that made that night goes towards a charity. Which is likely to be the annual event in October/ November Telethon. The movie we saw was HereAfter which was, to tell you the truth, the MOST BORINGEST movie EVER!!! ... I highy recommend NO ONE to see it. The reason is that there wasn't really a plot line. But I guess the underlying point of the movie was finding your soulmate ... I guess :S But the overall date was nice :) We had a few things in common and he was a nice guy to meet :)

The Royal Engagement

So if you haven't heard, the lastest yet biggest news is the Royal Engagement of Prince Harry and Kate Middleton. The they've been engaged for only about 2 days now and they are making big headlines. And now the lastest news is that they are planning their wedding. Apparently, the wedding won't be as big as Harry's mother, Diana. This is due to the economic problem that England is currently facing.

According to the interview; that Harry and Kate did, Harry wanted to propse to her early but wanted to let Kate see what "royalty life" was like before he popped the question. He didn't want to scare her with a massive change from an average girl to a princess. To me, I find it sweet that he allowed her to settle into royalty life before he popped the question. ^.^

It's so sweet that they've been together for about 7 years. They were started dating, according to the newly weds, since they moved in together, along with a few friends during the start of their university life. However, like all couples, they both went through a small phase when they both thought it was a good idea to "put on hold" their relationship and see where they were at and what each person wanted.

But there is a whole controversy with the whole engagement ring. Some say its curse, while others say it isn't. But its sweet, that he gave her his late mother's sapphire ring.

The Vietnamese Wedding experience

So, today is my cousin’s wedding and so I decided to dedicate this blog about what a typical Vietnamese wedding is like over here in Perth. From my memory, the only weeding that I’ve been to and have witnessed the whole ceremony was my older sister’s wedding about 8 years ago. So, the whole day consisted of the tea ceremony, the wedding at the church and the reception. The tea ceremony begins with my brother-in-law. His family all meets up and drives themselves to my sister’s house (aka my place). They park their car and he gets 12 guys, who he chosen before the day started, to carry the gifts. The gift consisted of 2 people carrying each 1 cooked chicken, 1 basket of fruits, 1 containers of sweet red rice, 1 bottle of alcohol (usually wine) and 1 pig that has been roasted which 4 people had to carry. Once they were lined up as partners and the 4 with the roasted pig, behind the line of 8 guys, my brother-in-law lead the crowd of people (his family) towards our place. Once he was there, the guys who were carrying the gifts lined up in a single file facing the single file of girls wearing the traditional Vietnamese costume, the Ao Dai. Both my parents were also outside along with our family and friends, whilst my older sister was inside, all dressed up in her room waiting for her queue to enter. My brother-in-law greeted both my parents and introduced them to his parents. He showed my parents what he had brought to ask for my sister’s hand in marriage. Both my parents agreed and shook his hands and his parents and everyone clapped. The guys carrying the gift stepped forward and gave the gifts to the girl who was in front of them. Then everyone made their way into the house, while the girls lined up from the back of the entering crowd. They waited outside the door entrance for their queue to place the gifts on the altar; in the middle of the living room. Once everyone was in, including my brother-in-law’s family who stood on the right hand side of him, each girl entered and placed each gift on the altar. There was a spoke person, who was asked to conduct this ceremony. After all the gifts were placed, my mother went to fetch my older sister. My brother-in-law gave her flowers and they both smiled. Then the tea ceremony began. First off was my brother-in-law family. His parents went off first, then his god parent, brothers and/or sisters and then his uncle and/or aunty. Then came my sister’s side of the family. During the ceremony, you give the gift to the couple and they invite you to drink tea with them, which was just jasmine tea/ green tea/ Chinese tea. The gifts that people tend to give are; gold jewellery and money, just to wish them luck. After that, there was quick pray and then off to the wedding mass. border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517385155223335170" /> Serving the tea The wedding mass is the typical mass, with a priest conducting the while ceremony. After that were the wedding pictures and lunch. The whole day concluded with a wedding reception in a Chinese seafood restaurant that was close to the bell tower. During the reception, the bride and groom visit each table (generally consisting of 10 people) and give their thanks for coming to their wedding. This is generally the chance for those who didn’t give their gift at the tea ceremony or didn’t attend the tea ceremony to give their gift. The gift that most people give during this time is money. After visiting every table, was the cutting of the cake and the end of a long and memorable day.