Matt's Best Friends

After the wedding, we drove up to London to meet Matt's closest friends.
We decided not to go to the actual rugby game, instead, went to a pub to watch it.
First we had lunch at an Italian restaurant where they greeted us with Champagne, then we went to a pub, England won and happily we went to a lounge for more drinks, then we went to Rules restaurant http://www.rules.co.uk/restaurant/ which was established in 1798, the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food and I had rabbit meat- a wonderful meal, then we went to an Oyster bar for more champagne and a gulp of an oyster.
Such looseness and merry good time.
Vicky, Jim, Ginge and Kiwi - said they will come to our wedding in August, which is really nice to know. They miss having Matt in London and Matt's finally missing living in London.

Horsham, West Sussex

Before and after the wedding, we stayed at Matt's parent's place in Horsham and also drove down to Brighton on the last day.
In Horsham, we went to the O'Leary's favorite pub, had wholesome home cooked food (oh, how Matt misses his sausages...), walked around the arcades and went to the family's hairstylist who keeps cute chickens that hatch lovely eggs!.
It was nice to get to know Matt's home town again.
Matt's brother Paul and wife Lucy and baby Ned came to visit us too.

Ashley & Jacky's Wedding

Matt and I took another short 5day trip to UK in March.
This time was for Matt's colleague's wedding, thus Matt's parents were also invited, and to Matt it was a reunion with his fellow Citi colleagues from London.
We It was a proper English wedding in a Georgian Palladian mansion that dates back to 12th century. http://www.handpicked.co.uk/opencms/sites/default/HPH/hotels/buxted_park/about/history.html

The mansion has turned into a luxurious hotel and all rooms were occupied by the guests on the wedding night, courtesy of the newly weds.

Wedding Planning

.....the pressure is too much on the one day. 

Matt and I am 'checking out' potential restaurants and bars for our venue. 

We dine and wine as often as we can and it's really cool knowing these new places, but it's definitely not working well with our fitness plan. 

I think we finally chuck the word [detox] out of our lives.

Then yesterday Yayoi-san said a good thing to me.

She said, "Sutoresu ni naranai teedo ni" - plan within your means.

As simple as that. 

After all, it's my family and dear friends who are coming and I know it's going to be great anyhow!

- Having no expectations is such a powerful tool in being happy and contented.

Taking a Plunge

So Matt and I decided to get married.
I think it's because there's no reason not to.
And once we agreed and announced the news officially, it feels like we are on a whole new level of a loving relationship.
Our families are happy to hear the news and both sides are coming to Singapore to celebrate the day with us, which I'm so grateful.
We don't want a big fat wedding.
But we want to make it a memorable day for us and also for our guests from overseas as a token of appreciation for making their way to share our big day.
It's getting slightly bigger than what we first imagined (BBQ and drinks at our pool side. sounds familiar).
But we are enjoying every aspects of the planning together.