Unusual Christmas Present

I was in Penang for the past few days…with 2 other ex-colleagues…attending another ex-colleague’s wedding. An all expense paid trip…including meals…could you believe…well there is a small price to be paid…we need to do some coordinating and photo taking and also video recording of the wedding.

I had a great time there…can consider it a break after a hard year’s work…mind you I haven’t gone on any vacation this year. Though there isn’t much to do there…other than visiting the places of interest and the food…but it’s the welcoming break from my everyday routine life in hectic Singapore. They’ve even arranged his little brother to chauffeur us around…what more could I have asked for.

The wedding is similar to our Chinese wedding here…maybe a little difference in the ceremonies…but basically they are the same. The dinner is slightly diverse though…they’ve engaged an acoustic 2 piece band on stage…singing unplugged songs and dedications too. Some of their friends and relatives went on stage to belt out their favourite tunes which is very interesting…those seated at the tables…they stood up…sway and clap to the songs. Can’t help but think of the songs played during dinner that I’ve previously attended…couples played their favourite songs on their burnt cds…some try to be hip and played chilled out jazz tunes…some played mushy mandarin love songs…as if anyone bother…others have Kitaro and Kenny G…spare me please. I think the dedication and singing part is pretty cool…audience can participate…and when audience participate…there is bound to be comedy…with comedy…we will be entertained…maybe next time when I receive a Chinese wedding invitation card…I won’t feel so dread.

There isn’t the “yum seng” on stage…which is good…I’ve always thought that to be sort of stupidly unnecessary and time consuming. No changing of wedding gown in the middle of the dinner…and thus no second walk in. Having attended a number of wedding dinner this year…this one is something different…something I enjoyed not to mention that I was working my ass off with the view cam.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank him…his wife and his family for having me there at the wedding…the hospitality that the family shower on us…I couldn’t have imagine. An unusual special Christmas present for me this year.