lavender!

we walked by some lavenders when we walked between two subway stations. autumn has arrived in beijing and the cool wind and sun rays feels soft and soothing. we spent the weekend mostly browsing through rings at departmental stores and am now happy and proud to annouce that yes, we've found The One and The Pair. of cos it all didnt come without some arguing in front of pushy sales gals who were overly generous with their flatterings.

i'd always dreamt of a heart-shaped solitaire for an engagement ring and a pair of blue as sea sapphires set on platinum for wedding bands. but joa felt solitaires were boring and sapphire rings look too tacky. so in the end, we settled on a matt rose gold diamond band with chinese inspired design for our bands and he seletected an engagement ring that was a little more creative.

work this week will be monotonous as i embark on my final week. joa and i are really excited to head back. and we've even started to plan a simple wedding affair for 9 Nov, sun. it's my parents' wedding anniversary and it's always been a wish to be married on that day. so when i realised it falls on a sunday, i immediately claimed it. most of the nice hotels are fully booked so we're left with little choices. but mum and dad are really wonderful to help out with the inspections and bookings.

we're likely to do away with the holy matrimony and tea ceremony and just hold the ROM before the dinner/ lunch which mum prefers it to be a "family affair" that's cosy and meaningful. there's so many things to prepare and we're so pressed for time. atm, we've shortlisted Goodwood Park and Raffles Hotel. my parents are not keen on sentosa even tho both of us are. and they hope we'll have a traditional chinese fare. joa and i were talking about giving it a theme - like oriental-inspired theme. so everyone has to be dressed 'mandarin'. he even quipped about calling it 'My best friend's wedding' since we're kind-of marrying our best pal. cute.

anyway, anyone has any suggestions? i wish i cd invite a 3-man band for entertainment. but that'll be extra costs and i'm not sure. oh, and i was also tinking of my fantasty of having free-flow bubble tea. but that's just out-of-the-world funny and unglam. haha. any ideas?