.

When God Made You

2008-01-28T23:32:00.000+08:00

Thank you very much, Noni, for sharing this song! I love it so much as well...

Sung by Newsong and Natalie Grant

Its always been a mystery to me,
How two hearts can come together,
And love can last forever.
But now that I have found you I believe,
That a miracle has come when God sends the perfect one.
So gone are all my questions about why,
And I've never been so sure of anything in my life

Oh I wonder what God was thinking,when He created you.
I wonder if He knew everything I would need,
Because He made all my dreams come true.
When God made you, He must have been thinking about me.

Ooo ooo,I promise that wherever you may go,
wherever life may lead you,
With all my heart I'll be there too.
And from this moment on I want you to know,
I'll let nothing come between us, and I will love the ones you love.
So gone are all my questions about why
And I've never been so sure of anything in my life

Oh I wonder what God was thinking when He created you,
I wonder if He knew everything I would need,
Because He made all my dreams come true.
When God made you He must've been thinking about me.

Bridge

He made the sun He made the moon,
To harmonize a perfect tune,
One can't live without the other they just have to be together.
And that is how I know its true,
You're for me and I'm for you
and my world just cant be right without you in my life

Another TRIP for 2008!

2007-12-07T02:18:00.000+08:00

Well well well, I am sure am spoilt by my husband! France is not the only destination of our holiday next year! We are planning to go HOME a.k.a BEIJING for the Easter holiday!
We've got the tickets already, going by Emirates Airlines, we will stop-over at Dubai for several hours and then fly straight to Beijing. Oh my Jesus, what a beautiful life You have planned for me... to go to Beijing, I never thought of that before, but here I am, several months to seeing my family-in-law in Beijing very soon. We will depart 18 March 2008, return on 8 April 2008.

By the sound of it, they love me so much and care of me beyond what I expected... Even Lan said I will be spoilt :P
Thanks Jesus!

France...

2007-10-19T21:18:00.000+08:00

We have planned it and everything is ready; tickets, hotels are set, thank you Jesus for great bargains we got. Now, we just have to wait for the day we fly off there. :)

I am excited to go for our honeymoon! Thanks honey for such a sweet plan you have come up with. Love you!

Dates are set, we are going on 12 February 2008, coming back 19 February 2008. Disneyland, Paris' Eiffel Tower, De Louvre Museum, Arc De Triomphe and many more to see!
Thank you Lord for such a great holiday :)

Postponed reunion

2007-08-16T17:45:00.000+08:00

I am still at home. Yes, my departure had to be postponed for a month. Why? Because my UK visa is not valid until Monday, 17th September 2007, so whether I like it or not, I have to accept the reality.

However, in a month time, I will definitely see Lan! Yes, 17th September 2007 at 18.00 pm (UK time) I will arrive in Manchester Airport and Lan will be there waiting for me. I always smile imagining that day to come true.

See you soon, my honey! I love you always!

Latest News!

2007-08-08T21:28:00.000+08:00

Thank YOU, Jesus, for abundant blessings for both Lan and I.
Thank you, Jesus, for the issued visa!
Thank you, Jesus, for me to successfully entered the Duncan Norman Scholarship shortlist.

Thank you, Jesus, for these beautiful moments, for millions supports from so many amazing people, and thank you for my wonderful parents and husband!

Love you, Jesus!

Miss you like crazy!

2007-07-30T22:07:00.000+08:00

Honey,
It has been more than 2 weeks since we parted...
Our marriage almost enters the first month ever since we said our vow...

And, now, we are thousands miles apart...
Feeling so lost without each other...
Falling in to each other deeper than ever before...

I miss you, honey.
I am missing my other half.
I pray that I will be with you very soon.

爱你，我的岚。

Pre-honeymoon story (2)

2007-07-17T22:22:00.001+08:00

Continuing my story about our prehoneymoon! Actually on the night of 07 July, after we said good-bye to Yulia, we swam for a little while. The water was so cold that both of us were shivering. Do you think it's romantic to take a swim under the starry night with your husband?! Hehehehe... Anyway it was fun! :)
The next day we had an early morning. It was Sunday, 08 July 2007, we took a taxi at 6.30 to take us to the church, GBI ROCK Lembah Pujian, that is the same church we had our holy matrimony. We have arranged to meet my parents there, so that after the service finished we went home with them.
After getting the swimming suits, we headed back to the villa. Grace and my parents swam until afternoon while Lan slept because he was so tired. As for me, I just watched TV and sometimes browsed around the Internet. For dinner, my dad took us to Pepito Restaurant (close to the Ngurah Rai International Airport). We had quite a big dinner there, that afterwards all of us had difficulty to walk hahahaha... Since the restaurant has a supermarket next door to it, we just walked around the shop to let the food go down our stomaches. During that time, Lan and Grace were always joking around, teasing each other. I am very glad to see that both of them have become good friends, there is a special bond between both of them, a big brother and a little sister. They are so cute when they are together, Lan turns to be a little boy while playing with her hehehe... And, now, with Lan far away, both of them are missing to tease each other.
Continuing, after the window-shopping, Lan insisted for both of us to watch Die Hard 4.0. So, we went to the cinema and luckily we did not miss the movie. It was a good movie, although, I shall say, it is too simple and I was having a waist pain throughout the movie so I didn't really enjoy the 2 hours seating there. >.<

The next day, 09 July 2007, we didn't do much. Just relaxing and resting. Lan watched the television almost the whole day, while I slept in for several more hours. Overall, I really enjoyed our prehoneymoon. The villa was great! *Thanks Ko Peter!* Lan was sure to return there if we go back to Bali for holiday.

Ps. Honey, I am missing you very much. Wait for me, I am returning soon.

Pre-honeymoon story (1)

2007-07-13T21:30:00.000+08:00

This afternoon, Lan already left to fly back to Manchester, United Kingdom. We both felt that we shouldn't even let each other go, but... he had to go, so I let him go and take my heart with him to thousands miles away. Anyway, only after Lan went, then I get the time to share with you all about the days after the wedding. As I mentioned we went to Villa Danoya on 6th July 2007 for a 4 nights pre-honeymoon trip. Yes, it's a pre-honeymoon, which means that the real honeymoon is coming up. We are still discussing the right time for it and the destination. Well, I hope it is coming really soon.

06 July 2007
We were picked up by the Villa's car at around 2 pm at that day. Going with us were Han, Erwin and Yulia. They came along for a swim. And so they swam until afternoon, while I was enjoying the free Internet facility from the Villa hehehehe... At night, after dinner at Cafe Tahu with my parents, they dropped us at Galeria 21 Cineplex. We watched Transformer. I have to say it was a very good movie! I enjoyed watching it very much! We came back to Villa at around 12 at night and feeling so tired.

07 July 2007
The second day in the villa, the day of Kuningan (Hindus ceremonial day), the day of so many weddings because of such a good date, and a day of the weekend! Well, on this day, we planned to go to Dreamland beach with Yulia. I heard that Dreamland beach is a very nice beach, white sandy beach much better than the famous Kuta beach. So, we rent a jimny car for the day. At first, it was supposed to be Yulia, who drove, but Lan insisted to see my not-so-perfect driving skill. Therefore, I drove along the By Pass road. Thank God, Lan said my driving skill is not bad at all, except that I liked to speed up hehehehe...
We arrived at Dreamland beach around 12.00 mid-day. It was so so so hot, but I really have to say that the waves were superb! The water was so clear and blue, the view was fantastic! The three of us agreed that one day we will come back for sure. I did not go into the water, as I don't really like to swim in the sea, so I just watched the waves quietly and enjoyed looking at Lan and Yulia swimming. Lan had his chance to try on the short surfing board and he gave up hehehehe... It was a very tiring effort to surf, since he is a beginner, because the wave was simply too strong.We spent several hours (at least until 16.00 afternoon) at the beach. When we left the beach, both Lan and Yulia were exhausted, tired and hungry. And so, we headed to Kuta Square... First stop was Haagen Dazs. Yes, we had some ice cream there. Our favourite ice cream so far! (Lan & I had Strawberry cheesecake, cookies and cream and baileys scoops together) After feeling refreshed, Lan said he was hungry and he suggested we ate at KFC. He was so hungry that he ate 4 chickens at that time!
Heading back to the villa, Yulia prepared herself to go to the airport and fly back to Jakarta. My bestest friend for more than 8 years now... she really took the effort to attend my wedding. Thank you very very much, my sister! Seeing you leaving, I was so sad, because I don't know when is the next time we meet again. However, my promise is true... Lan & I will definitely attend your wedding! ;) *he already said it!* And I was so glad that Lan and you became good friends!

Ok friends, this is already a long post... I will continue it in several days!

The Wedding

2007-07-06T17:48:00.001+08:00

I am -sort of- back now! It went very well on the day! It feels like a dream, but it is so so so true! A huge thanks to all of you, my dear friends, for the prayers, supports and the congratulations! We really can't do this without your precious prayers. Here is one of the wedding photos we took on the day. The others are coming soon. So, I hope you all will be patient. Right now, we are waiting to be picked up by Villa Danoya's car. Yes, we are going to have private time together for 4 nights here in Bali. However, this is not a honeymoon, Lan calls it pre-honeymoon time hehehe... We are still deciding and planning about where we should have our honeymoon. :)

Ok friends, this is a quick update from me!

And we are officially announced as... Husband & Wife
We are Mr. and Mrs. Zhang!!

From Surabaya!

2007-06-28T11:21:00.000+08:00

We, Lan & I (accompanied by Mum and Grace), were back from Surabaya last night with all the tiredness we can feel right now. This is the first time I feel so tired that all the things that I want to do for this morning I dreamt last night in my sleep!
However, I am glad that the paperwork was done easily at the Consulate of China yesterday, so tomorrow, we just go to the Civil registration office to submit the letter and sign some documents.
It's only several days away... and Jesus, we need You in our every step; Your support, Your strength, Your grace and Your favour. Thank you Jesus!

On the plane

2007-06-24T21:46:00.000+08:00

Yes! Lan is on Singapore Airlines' flight to Singapore right now, taking flight number SQ327 (B777-200) from Manchester, arriving at 06.20 am Singapore time.
Then, he will be on the flight SQ942 from Singapore to Denpasar at 09.35, arriving at 12.05 pm.

So... I am very excited to pick him up at Ngurah Rai Airport tomorrow!

Then? Many things await for us...

Cleaning and tidying up

2007-06-22T21:54:00.000+08:00

This week, the main task in the house is cleaning and tidying things up, making sure the house is neat and looking nice for the wedding day.
Today, my mum tidied my cupboard; sorting out my clothes and taking out all the unuseful things in my cupboard. I sorted the things in my desk's drawers. Throwing out many papers, which are sitting in there, for I don't know how long and for what purpose hehehehe...
While, in Liverpool, Lan is preparing for the journey; packing up and buying some additional stuffs. I can't wait to see him very soon!

Tomorrow, we will still continue tidying... Phew... It's tiring but have to be done.

Test make up and hairdo

2007-06-20T22:12:00.000+08:00

For the whole day, today, I was occupied with the make-up artist, namely Oma Gloria. She did a make up test and hairdo(s) test, both for morning and evening events. So far, everything goes smoothly, it is just that Ce Dewi is in the hospital for almost a week now because of DB (Demam Berdarah). I pray that she recovers very soon!
Things are mostly prepared now. Only little things are left; final measuring of the gowns, the veil and picking up the groom from the airport this Monday! Hehehehe...
I am so excited to meet him again after a very long while.

So guys, thanks for all the prayers! We appreciate your prayers very much! All those prayers have helped us a lot going through this preparation. :)

God bless you all!

9 Days...

2007-06-17T00:00:00.000+08:00

The clock is ticking and the days of my waiting is reducing. It feels like a dream to realize that you will be arriving in 9 days. 9 days to hug you tightly and to kiss you again!
I miss you so much that I can't really express how I feel deep inside.

Our waiting has almost ended... Then we will start our journey together, endlessly.

Technical Stuffs: Civil Registry

2007-06-07T23:08:00.000+08:00

After hearing so many scary 'fact's about the Indonesian's marriage registration requirements here and there, finally The Lord has led me to the right person. She is Eka's (my junior-high school friend) neighbor! She is Bu Arie, the famous person, who is in charge of the International marriage (mixed nationalities marriage) at the civil registration office. We visited her house this afternoon and everything went smoothly! In fact, the fee for it is not as expensive as I heard previously. The fee is Rp. 700.000- So, it is reasonable, since the registry officer will come to the church for us and the certificate will be given to us at once at the church.

She got the application forms, all my required documents and Lan's photocopy of passport, ID and Hu Kou Ben. The only things await are our photos, the translation of the documents and the letter from the consulate which we will obtain when Lan arrives here.

The plan is we will fly to Surabaya on 26th June night or 27th early morning to go to the Chinese Embassy, pick it up in the afternoon and fly back to Denpasar. It is tiring, but I know it is worth being tired for.

Thank you Lord Jesus for another miracles to be added in my unendless list of your goodness! :)

Technical Stuffs: Church requirements

2007-06-04T20:45:00.000+08:00

Today, I went back to the church's office for the second time. This visit, I submitted all the required forms for our holy matrimony. That means one very important matter is solved, because, really, the most important event in our wedding is this holy matrimony.
I thank Lan many times for his cooperation, efforts and time. Despite being very busy, he has been very helpful and supportive. Since, I need his signatures in almost every form, I really stressed the importance of returning the forms to me ASAP. And he, returned the forms to me ontime! So, thanks to him!
Kak Rosa (the person who's in charge of the forms) was well pleased with the completed forms and all the required documents. Praise Jesus for that!

Now, one more important thing to think of is the civil registration. I am finding a way to make it not more complicated than it should be, or, it'd be better if it is LESS complicated than it should be. Why? Because... those that know, the birocracy in Indonesia is one of the worst matter to take care of in this country!

While counting the days to our union,
I think of you in each of my heartbeat...
I've missed you for so long...
Too many days to count since the day I kissed you goodbye.

In several days, I will meet you for our unseparable beginning journey of love

I was...

2007-06-02T22:41:00.000+08:00

I was waiting for Lan's call today. He made an appointment with my parents to ring and talk with them. Basically, he was saying that he is serious about his feeling towards me, his decision to marry me and to take care of me as his wife for the rest of his life. :)
Starting from today (2nd June 2007, 09.00 pm), he calls my parents dad and mom! I loved hearing him calling my parents like he calls his own parents! Thank you Jesus for such joy! :)

It's exactly a month before the wedding! I am very looking forward to meet you, my love, my beloved husband.

it is officially announced! :)

2007-06-01T22:25:00.000+08:00

In a month time, I will be a married women! In a month time, I will be a wife... If any of you ever ask me what do I feel at the moment, my answer is really blur, a simple "I don't know."
It's not because I am not happy! Oh my, I am greatly happy and joyful! However, at the same time, I am so busy with so many things that I have to finish up before D-day! And it is very tiring... Lan, please help me!!!

Things on top of my mind:
1. Do my Mandarin homework.
2. Organising my time for: documents translation, my treatments, sending the last lot of invitations.
3. Finish up on the Church documents and forms and hand them all in on Monday.
4. and many more... hahahaha...

I love you, my lovely husband-to-be :) Several more days we will meet again :)

Tired!

2007-05-29T23:00:00.001+08:00

Since I started the wedding preparation in Febuary, this is the first time I feel like screaming out loud that I am ~~bloody~~ tired. So many things are yet to be finished, but new things keep popping up. The most annoying thing is that I get disagreement, complaints and questions over the favour I asked. It just makes me more tired, more mad and *God* I am tired.

Ps. punching holes and putting ribbons on the 'thank you' cards are done. Thanks to my Mum & Dad.

little notes

2007-05-28T22:15:00.000+08:00

Today, unexpectedly, I had no rest because I was so busy doing this and that. First thing in the morning was putting all the 'thank you' cards in the plastics and resizing the plastics. Now, all of those cards are waiting for me to punch holes on them and put the ribbon on each hole. *oh my*
Then, we *the wedding organiser team* had a meeting to discuss many things. Starting from the people who are involved, the dinner program, the timing, the preparation, the civil registration and many more. And the meeting left me with tasks:
1. Go to LP's office to ask for the marriage form
2. Go to the Civil registration office to ask for the registration form.
3. Make lists on the people that are taking photos with the bride and groom.

And probably some other things that I can't remember right now. I am tired. >.< Time to go to sleep.

30+ days...

2007-05-25T23:26:00.000+08:00

It's 31 days to Lan's arrival and I am getting excited to meet him again. The invitations are sent and, praise Jesus, miracles keep coming to follow us. The response is positive, many people are excited for us and they are making efforts to attend our wedding. Thank you Jesus!

On 2nd June, next Saturday, Lan has planned to ring and talk to my parents. I am impatient to hear his voice again! I miss him so so so so muchhhhhh!!!
Time flies like mad! I can't believe that in 38 days, I will be a married woman! Who can believe so?!

Invitation cards: ready!

2007-05-19T00:42:00.000+08:00

Today, all the invitations are officially ready to be sent. In fact, some are already sent (especially the ones for overseas - Malaysia, Singapore and Beijing) and most likely, tomorrow we will send all the out of town's invitations. For the local ones, my dad said we will send them all by ourselves.
I hope that can be done quickly, because there is a huge (well not that huge!) pile of invitations in my room ready to be sent.

One thing done, still so many of them waiting to be done. Oh Jesus, I am tired! *fainting!*

He's been GREAT to US

2007-05-17T23:42:00.000+08:00

I have to testify that our Lord Jesus Christ has been very generous to both Lan and I! Throughout March until now, miracles upon miracles has been continuously granted by Him. From the little things to the big and impossible things.
I even asked Lan, "Can you actually count how many miracles Jesus has given and blessed us with? Can we think how much blessings He has poured upon us?" For me, personally, I can't count them, His blessings and miracles are too numerous to be counted, even just for this wedding. How much more are they for the whole of my life? Simply invaluable and uncountable!

Three days ago, my dad had a meeting with many churches leader in Bali for an important event. There, my dad actually told his close friends about my 'simple' wedding that we will have a holy matrimony at the church and a simple dinner with family and close friends. To me, it is more than enough. As long as we, Lan & I, are happy with that simple but full of joy celebration, that's already perfect.
However, it is not perfect for them. They actually protested and they all said, "You choose the place (restaurant) and the food, don't worry about the bill! We will sponsor you!"
PRAISE JESUS!! What a great miracle!! what a blessing!! It has become a great wedding celebration! Thank you, Jesus, for such a great gift You have given us.

Jesus' gifts that we had received:

Our parents' blessings and supports.

Family and friends' supports and helps.

A brand new wedding gown for free

Guests' favor (souvenirs) for free

Make up and hair treatments for free by a professional

Paid dinner at one of the best restaurants in Denpasar, Plaza Bali.

AND MANY MORE...

Once again, thank you, our Jesus!

Invitation cards: solved!

2007-05-12T00:54:00.000+08:00

I am thanking God, that there is already a very good solution this morning. Praise God! So, as I was told, the wedding invitations should be finished by Monday, which means, next week I will be busy sending the invitations to the right addresses and places!

Today, I already bought the 'thank you' gifts for those who are helping Lan, my family and I in organising this wedding. It took so much time and brought headache to me for the rest of the day, but... it had to be done, no choice!

The news about our wedding has been spread out! And, as I expected already, it becomes a gossip, an explosion and a top news (hahaha) everywhere; around my parents' friends, my parents' family and relatives. Maybe, they never expected me to get marry so quickly that some of them even became angry because we hid the plan ever so perfectly hahaha...

Oh well, it's out in the news, that REALLY means, I am eager to get married to my beloved Lan. And I am seriously devoting myself for this unendless relationship. And I am excited everytime I think about it. :)

Thank you, Lord, for this joy in my heart.

Invitation cards: disaster!

2007-05-10T23:38:00.000+08:00

Today, after waiting for days, about 15 out of 200 invitations I reserved were sent to my house. I liked it; the colour (I thought it will be a bright red, however it became a soft orangy red, which is quite nice to go with the shiny yellow paper!), the layout and the design. I was satisfied...
Until, after the person who is in charged went home and I rechecked line by line, character by character! And I found out that there is a HUGE mistake! They wrote my Chinese name all the way around! It supposed to be 连雪莉 but they wrote 利连雪!!! I was furious, to be honest! It has became a disaster, since all the 200 invitations are already printed out, only waiting for the finishing touch (folding, gluing, etc...). Oh God...

Well, I am stressed out again all of the sudden. Let's just pray that we will find the best way to solve this problem, because reprinting 200 pieces of invitations is not cheap at ALL!

I'm stressed! I'm stressed! Jesus, be with me...

Met the artist 2!

2007-05-07T23:21:00.000+08:00

Today, I met with the lady that will do my make up and hairdo. I showed her my wedding dresses, so that she can decide on the best hairstyle for me on the wedding day and also the length of my veil, since it will be handmade by Ce Dewi.
Tomorrow, she will start the facial treatment on me and give me some options for the hairstyles that she'll think about tonight. At the same day, Ce Dewi will take my wedding dress to her house to replace the old beads with the news ones so it looks better. So, things are taking places faster now. The invitations are almost ready, so hopefully, next week, we can start sending the invitations to the guests.
I become very busy now... With 3 times a week Mandarin lessons (@ approx. 3 hours each time), I am really having difficult times adjusting my brain and learning as much as I can, plus trying to do the homework that are not that little!

Pray that I can cope with everything that I have to do! :D God bless!

Sweet News!

2007-05-06T21:42:00.000+08:00

His arrival date to Bali has been set! He has sent me the flight details, which also means that he already BOUGHT the tickets! I am very very glad to receive the news! And, another day counter should be set; for his arrival day! After so many months not seeing him (ever since middle of October 2006), my heart is pounding fastly to the day he arrives!
Monday, 25 June 2007 @ 12.05 p.m., will be the time where I'll meet him again and for the journey of union starts!

It's less than two months now... Lately, I have found myself thinking a lot about this wedding (such a huge change in my life). This is the fact that I found about marriage...

Marriage is not one-hundred-percent of happiness, really...
The reality is that...
There are things that you have to leave behind,
There are things that you gain while stepping forward into the new beginning.

Once, you belong to a family.
Now, you own your own family.
It's a kingdom that both of you, your partner and you, have to build to be strong, full of love, peace and joy.

Family, a kingdom that imparts the joys of Heaven in Earth.

- nie, 06 May 2007

Image's credit to: deviantART's Vanishing S

my wedding dress has arrived!

2007-04-30T23:07:00.000+08:00

This morning, I received a notice from the post office to pick up a package from Netherland. Voila! That must be my wedding dress!
So we quickly went to the post office and got a white box from there. The dress is nice, although we have to do some fittings again. :)

Thank you, Lord, for the dress to arrive safely.

Cute

2007-04-26T22:06:00.000+08:00

Just now, I read good news...

I got some news about my wedding dress! It wasn't sent by normal post, but by TNT courier. That makes me feel much relieved! Hopefully, in several days ahead, I will receive it.

I just received an email from Lan. He already made up his mind. He is flying straight from UK to Denpasar and we postpone the trip to his home (Beijing) until Christmas. We will be in Beijing for two weeks! So... I am counting the days to his arrival and looking forward to our Christmas holiday in Beijing!!!
I smiled throughout reading his email. As always, I feel happy receiving his email, but this particular time, he just sounds so cute to me, that I can't stop giggling :P

Loving you more and more, my sweetheart!!!

Worry...

2007-04-25T21:54:00.000+08:00

Yes, I am worried. My wedding dress from Holland has not arrived although it has been more than 2 weeks since it was sent on 10th April 2007 ago.
Please Father... Keep it safe and let it arrives as whole soon. I am very worried...

Whilst, at the moment, Lan & I are still thinking the best itinerary we should be planning...

UK - Beijing - Bali - Beijing - UK?

UK - Bali - UK?

UK - Beijing (for Lan) - Bali - Beijing (both) - UK?

Which one should we choose?! It is really complicated, the thing is whichever one it is, all of them are costly hahahaha...
I would like to go to Beijing, meet Lan's parents and his 84 years old grandfather. I am delighted when he told me they would like to meet me. I hope we can really meet up. :)

Found my wedding shoes!

2007-04-15T21:54:00.000+08:00

Update: I've taken the photos of my shoes. Here they are! What do you think? I am thinking to wear the 'white' ones for the wedding.
Today, when we went to Discovery Mall, I found the shoes I wanted for the wedding was on a promotion, 2 for the price of 1!! So, I got two pairs of shoes, the same style but different colours. (I was planning to buy one for me and one for my mum, but all size 40 shoes were gone :( *too bad!*)
To buy it on a normal price, the shoes were too pricey for me, you know... Everbest shoes are always expensive >.< Two weeks ago, when we visited the store, they were still on normal price, but my mum said, "Next week, it will be on sale! Believe me." I kept that in mind. Last week, we were in Surabaya, we searched through TP's Everbest outlets, but they did not have the shoes I want! However, today, when we went, surprisingly what my mum said was right! They were on sale! I really have to be careful with what my mum says hehehehe...
I tried to search for the web-picture of the shoes, but Everbest's website is under construction, so I might try later :)

That's all for now!

wedding rings & a surprised present

2007-04-10T22:54:00.000+08:00

Going to Surabaya for Easter, I received a surprised present from Dr. Roy Yapri. When I told him that I am getting married in July, he, who owns 3 wedding dress, told me to choose one of the wedding dresses that I like! So... I tried all of them on. I liked all of them, but my choice fell upon this dress. You cannot really see the details of the dress, but it is really pretty! :)
The dress has gold embroidery and a trail at the back. Nice and beautiful. I don't think I can afford to buy it. Therefore, I am really thankful to The Lord for so many blessings He has prepared for Lan & I. Even Lan was surprised when I told him this news. Onto another topic, our wedding rings are done! *Yippeee!!* Beautiful as it was designed and not as expensive as I thought hahahaha...I also have found the right pairs of gloves for Lan & I. Thank God!

83 days to D-day... Lan is sorting out the flight tickets, I am sorting out the invitation, dress, family dinner and many others... So many things and excitements and of course so much headaches :P

all the way from Holland...

2007-03-31T22:39:00.000+08:00

My wedding dress is going to be finished on 7th April 2007. Then, it is going to be sent all the way from Holland to Denpasar, Bali. I cannot wait and am really expecting a great dress! ;)

some 'bumps'

2007-03-30T01:06:00.000+08:00

I wouldn't really want to call them problems, but when you read it, you might categorise them as problems.
Well, several days ago, I emailed my friend, to whom I buy my wedding dress from to ask the progress of the dressmaking. At the beginning, she told me it was ok for me to pay later on. I really want to pay in-front, but I found out that the internet banking system of my bank account does not allow me to transfer internationally yet. So, I was in peace.
Unfortunately, in her reply, she told me there's a financial problem in her family. So, it will be best if I can pay her at front. I had no choice but to 'bother' my brother in Brighton to transfer my money using his account tomorrow. I hope, problem is solved so far!

Another bump is the invitation... I ended up designing my own invitation and had to keep reminding the person who is in charge of it. Why? Because he is so forgetful!!
Oh well... I hope things go well and successfully, even with bits of bumps.

That's all for now... and counting the days.

It gets closer... closer... and closer...

Poetic Lan

2007-03-24T23:02:00.000+08:00

Sweetie, I miss you more.
You are my day.
You are my night.
I miss you more and more.
Please show up.
God bless us.

- Lan, 24 March 2007, 2:30 pm (UK time)

Honey, you are making me sad and fly at the same time...

The wedding cake

2007-03-22T23:44:00.000+08:00

I wasn't planning to order a cake for the wedding, but this afternoon, when we went to a bakery to order a birthday cake for my cousin's sweet 17th birthday, we ended up ordering a cake for my wedding. Hehehe...
It will be a unique, simple and yet elegant 3-tier cake. I am looking forward to see the real cake, it will have various flowers and butterflies with variations of red, pink, and peachy colours. The owner gave a special price too!

Praise the Lord!

Event organiser team: formed!

2007-03-16T23:10:00.000+08:00

Today, we met Ko Eddy & his wife, Ce Vonny, at his house. We talked about lots of things for the wedding arrangements with a lot of jokes too! It was a very fun conversation!
Starting from the people involved, things needed, the wedding day's program and arrangement, the holy matrimony's details, bestman and many other things. At the same time, we met up with Ko Julius, too, to choose the colours of the invitation card. So, we've chosen the colours, just waiting for the draft. I hope we really chose the right and nice colour. :)

Things are getting organised well one by one. I am very grateful and amazed! The Lord is really the Event Organiser of this wedding! He really has prepared everything, thought about everything and provides everything. I am really thankful and feeling blessed, so much blessed.
In addition, I am grateful for my mother's involvement! She is really the supporter behind me, the one who explains and cares and thinks about the best for me. Thanks mum, without you, I will not be able to do all these things. You've taught me more than a lot. God bless you my mum.
Moreover, there are so many people behind this, that are helping me. Praise God!

Additional good news is that we might be able to do the wedding registration here in Denpasar easily (in addition to UK registration). Praise God for the help!
Doors are opening up, blessings are showing off their faces. Amen!

Ps. Today, my application for Duncan Norman scholarship has been handed in by my supervisor. Please help in prayers. Thanks.

Invitation cards: discussed!

2007-03-15T22:32:00.000+08:00

This afternoon, as agreed, Ko Wawan, Ce Dewi & I met with Ko Julius. He came to my house, to discuss about the invitation card. Unfortunately, he forgot to bring the samples of invitations and papers. Fortunately, I had one sample (an invitation that I got from somebody else). We are thinking a simple yet elegant invitation, something that is not too expensive.
However, although we have not decided on the design, we managed to discuss the writings on the invitation, tomorrow, Ko Julius is going to give me the draft of the invitation's contents. So, we shall meet up tomorrow again at 6 p.m., then at 6.30 p.m. I am going to meet with the event-organiser (Ko Eddy).

I am really thankful to all these people, without them, I won't be able to do all these things, especially Ko Wawan & Ce Dewi! Thanks a lot!
The unbelievable thing is that, most of them are from the same church as I am and yet it's the first time we were introduced to each other. God is so amazing!!!

Ps. Maybe tomorrow I won't be able to post about the day's experience, because I might be already on the way to Surabaya, to avoid hari raya Nyepi hehehe...

Ps2. When the invitations are printed and done, I'll try to take photo and post it here as a memory :)

Met the artist!

2007-03-13T21:06:00.000+08:00

Today, I finally met with the make up artist (and the hairdresser)! Oma Gloria, she is in the same church as my family, nice lady in her fifties. We talked about many things and she explained about her make up techniques (and many other things). I immediately liked her! So, she shall be the make up artist and the hairdresser on my wedding day.
Another thing is sorted out! :)

With that sorted out, that means I will have to start my facial treatment soon with her. Her house is quite far, luckily I just have to have the treatment approximately twice a month, so should not be a problem.

Also, just now, I received a good news from Lan. He is receiving a 500 pounds blessing! Praise the Lord! I am really praying that things will go according to Lord's plan (so far it is, also sometimes the evil ones try to snatch the joy and happiness that The Lord puts in our hearts).
So, whoever is reading this, please help in prayers for our wedding.

God bless you all!

Shifted!

2007-03-10T21:51:00.000+08:00

Update: the shift is cancelled! The wedding is still on 2nd July! I hope this time there won't be anymore change!

For some important reasons, we have decided for the second time (and hopefully the last time) to shift the wedding date to 03rd July 2007.

Today, we (my family and I) went to see Pastor Timotius Arifin. We asked his permission to hire either Alfa or Omega room for the wedding. He said, he feels peace when he heard about the wedding. He also suggested me to intensively study Mandarin from now until the wedding day. (which is a great suggestion! Thank you, Om!)
I really thank God for Pastor Arifin gives a lot of blessings; I got the permission to borrow his car, even his house (for the groom), the church hall (including decoration even!!!).
Thanks a lot, Father! Thanks a lot, Pastor!

Another thing for the day, I have talked to Tante Magda regarding the wedding photo and video shoot. And, another blessing, she gives me a very special price (from Rp. 3.500.000, I only need to pay Rp. 2.000.000). Thanks, tante!
She also gave me a lot of inputs, ideas and suggestions. I am really helped by a lot of people! It's all because of the Lord's grace and favour! Amen!

So, it's 115 days to our wedding day.

Things to do for a week to come:
1. Finish up the guests list
2. Go to printing center for invitations
3. See tante Gloria for make up and hairdo consultation
4. See Ko Eddy Wijaya for event organizer

Ps. Yesterday, I've submitted my application for CSD's studentship.

The gown

2007-03-09T23:58:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, my friend in Holland told me that the dress-maker has started to make my gown, start to cut the satin and organza to make a beautiful white wedding gown with gold embroidery of mine. :)

I can't wait to see it, touch it and wear it. I am counting to the day....

115 days to my wedding day!

It's been a year

2007-03-06T23:01:00.000+08:00

It has been one year since our boyfriend-girlfriend relationship started. Lots of things happened; good and bad, some so sweet and some very bitter, but I believe all of them are parts of the process of purifying and perfecting. It is all purely in the hands of the Lord. All of these have been planned carefully by him.

Today, I am actually not very happy... A girl fancies him, a girl in the same church. I can't do much; I am far away from him, my visa expired already although I have a ticket. So, I just pray pray pray and pray "Lord, I've obeyed you by saying 'yes' for the second time to him. Now, I commit everything in your hands. I know You will not forsake me. Amen."
So, I surrender everything. The Lord knows what's best for me.

Now, my schedule this week:
1. Thursday, go to Lembah Pujian (Church), to meet the lady that will do my make up and hairdo for D-day.
2. Saturday, go to Lembah Pujian *again* to meet Pastor Timotius Arifin to ask permission for hiring one of the halls in the church.

I am soooo tired >.<

It's been a year, dear...
The journey of loving, knowing and cherishing you.
I have no regrets nor any thoughts for the others.

What about you, honey?
I pray our journey continues unendlessly.
Amen.

It's NOT that simple!

2007-03-04T23:25:00.000+08:00

"We just want a simple wedding..." We have been saying that to each other, but the reality is... organising a wedding is NOT that simple no matter how simple you want it to be. Even with some experienced people helping us, for me it still sounds so tiring and complicated!

Then I start to think, "Maybe it is much easier for me to run away to Africa than to deal with this 'business' called wedding!". And then I think again, if others have been there and got through all those complicated things, I am sure, we will get through it too!

Kak Dewi listed all the things that we need to deal with and there are more than 20 bits of them! *I was fainting when I saw the list kept getting longer and longer!!*
Some of the contents of the list are:
1. Invitations
2. Bride's gown, etc.
3. Groom's suit, shoes, gloves, etc.
4. Snack
5. Flowers (decoration, hand bouquet, corsages)
6. Make up and hair dressing
7. Souvenirs
8. Confirmation from the Church and Daddy.
9. And the list goes on...

Wedding fever mode: ON!

2007-03-03T00:30:00.000+08:00

I am getting the excitement now! I can't wait to be able to pick on an invitation design, the hand bouquet design, and many other things...
Although it is tiring and sometimes confusing, I am still feeling so so happy!

Some more blessings I received:
1. Kak Dewi & Kak Wawan are helping with the souvenirs and with organising things.
2. Lia will be the one who's in charge of reception.
3. Om Andreas (this one might change to Om Arifin) will help with the wedding car so we don't need to hire.

Praise the Lord!!!

However, there is an important thing to note: the date is shifted to 02 July 2007, because Daddy is busy on the first Sunday of the month. Lan easily agreed with this change. :)

The Wedding Poem

2007-02-25T10:15:00.000+08:00

Yesterday,
God met us up in a sweet encounter.
Sharing days and laughters, we are bonded.

Today,
Woven by the love of God
We begin our journey of life together.

Forever,
Sweet and bitter
We cherish each of our steps.

We are...
Inseparable oneness made by the hands of God.

by me

Blessings are here already...

2007-02-24T12:23:00.000+08:00

When he took the steps in faith, God really opens the way!
My wedding gown will be especially sent from Holland, by such a nice friend, Mbak Wiwin. I know many are yet to come...

I have started the preparation; making a guests list, listing some of the main things we might need! Phew... it is so not easy, but I am managing. In addition, whenever I am online, I try to collect different ideas from the Webs. Different styles of hand bouquets, hairstyles, invitations, etc. I found some really nice ones (just like the hand bouquet on the picture above) and sometimes, I get really bored trying to find nice things hehehe...

The wedding date!

2007-02-21T15:18:00.000+08:00

We fought today... seems like it is just too hard for him to trust me. He won't listen to me, he prefers to hear from his church's friends. I feel I am untrustworthy any more in front of him.
When he said "I trust you!", I know he was lying! And it hurts to the bones to know the reality.

Father, I am too afraid... to be hurted again, to fall again from such high place. I don't want my wings to be broken again. Once is enough.

It costed me lots to ring him and to actually 'face' him. And he realised things and took the step!

01 July 2007 shall be the date!

Set the date, says The Lord!

2007-02-20T00:09:00.000+08:00

During the Chinese New Year, my family (including Papi, Mami, Tante Audrey, Oma & Pastor Wilson) and I had good talk on our wedding plan.

My fiance has financial problem. He is a PhD student, whom getting scholarship, so we can't really expect him to have so much money to be able to travel around countries. From UK, he has to go to Beijing, picks up his parents and then fly here for the ceremony.
Yes, we have discussed between the two of us. We just want a simple wedding. No reception (yet). Just the matrimony. That is the most important thing to do. I want to put God in the first place in everything.
We plan the celebration, both in Beijing and here, will happen when we have enough funding to do so. What about registration? Since the byrocracy here is so complicated, we thought it will be best to register in UK. It makes things a lot simpler.

Back to the talk, Pastor Wilson prayed for me and our wedding plan. The Lord said, "Set the wedding date and have faith for miracles upon miracles will happen!"
Amen!
That is my faith!

Surprise call...

2007-02-16T00:05:00.000+08:00

I did not expect anything special to happen yesterday for the Valentine's day. However, out of the sudden, he suddenly called.
It has been more than 2 months since the last time I heard his voice... Unknowingly, I missed that voice so much that it sounded so sweet on my ears; his laughters and his usual way of speaking. I still recognised everything, very much.

A fresh start of the journey

2007-01-30T00:04:00.000+08:00

On 26 January 2007, when I met him at Lao Pan restaurant (Surabaya), Daddy prayed for me, "This year, there are twodecisions that you have to make. And for all of them, you have to say YES." He was in a hurry and it was late as well, so I did not have time to ask him what those three things are.

28 January morning (Yesterday), on the phone, I asked Daddy and he answered, "Education and marriage." It was so definite that I did not complained. In my heart I said "I will obey The Lord, my Father and God. Nothing is too hard for Him."
Guess what? Last night, I received an e-mail from Lan. He made up his mind, he said he made the wrong decision in December, but this time, he won't give up; he will do everything to get me back. And for the second time, the question "Will you marry me?" was asked to me by Lan.

And today, I said my 'yes' to Lan. I am still shock, but joy floods my heart right now.

Thank you, Jesus!
For listening my prayers,
For knowing my heart,
For a bright future,
For everything.

- 02 February 2007