The Proposal. 결혼 제안

Yes, I am engaged to the love of my life!

I should have done this post much much earlier but due to time constraint and the lazy bug in me, I didn't. But when I was looking at my engagement ring today, I wondered what will happen if one day I forget what transpired on March 2, 2015, in Hong Kong, at 11.45pm.

I know I wouldn't want to forget such an important event, so this time, I am going to put them into words.

As a girl,  I have always wondered how my marriage proposal would be and if I would shed tears when it happened. Now, I have the answers. Lol!

Just in case you didn't know, we were in Hong Kong for a friend's wedding cum vacation when the proposal happened. And to those who knew of our engagement, but thought that I was proposed to in Disneyland, you might want to read on. 

Hong Kong Disneyland's entrance

I actually kind of sensed an impending proposal when we were in Disneyland that day, but I didn't know he would do it when we were still in HK. 

Kevin and his favourite Disney character, Woody

In Toy Storyland

Why? Because I was there when we bought the ring. And I honestly thought that he would either do it in Disneyland on the spot, or leave it till we leave Hong Kong. And since he didn't do it in Disneyland, I naturally thought, "Ahh, he's gonna wait. This isn't happening yet."

So how exactly did it happen?

Well, we entered every shop in the park that day, including Midtown Jewelry by Chow Sang Sang on Main Street. While we were there, a Mickey head white gold ring with tiny diamonds caught my eye. I fell for the ring but the price tag was bit too much for me, so I walked off to see other stuff on display.

Kevin was pretty encouraging about the ring the whole time we were there, asking me if I liked it, even saying he would get it for me as a gift. I really love the ring, but the price tag was a bit too much for me, so I told him it is alright and we don't need the ring now.

I told him I want to keep my fingers free from rings until we get our wedding bands. Lol! And that was how we walked out of the shop the first time.

However, I couldn't get the ring out of my mind, even after all the rides and fun I had. Towards the end of the day, my mind was still filled with images of the ring and how exquisite it was (it is only available at that shop in the whole world) 

I told Kevin, and asked him if it really was alright for him to buy it and he replied in the affirmative, adding that it could become my birthday gift. 

And so, we find ourselves walking back to Midtown Jewellery for that ring.

Ring trying took a while because all the adult sizes were too big for my finger. The Sales Assistant told me that my fingers were tiny and if I were to get a ring next time for my wedding, I would need to get them to either resize or have my rings custom-made, adding that I was lucky because since we were in Disneyland, they made rings in sizes for kids. Hehe. Ended up getting a kid's size ring that sits perfectly on my finger!

Shortly after the fireworks display ended, we left Disneyland. Kevin kept the ring with him in his backpack as he was worried I would drop it somewhere - being the muddle head that I am, I would worry too! Hence, I was more than glad to pass it to him. 

Once we were back in our room and after washing up, I decided to go through the items we had purchased that day from Disneyland. It was then that I remembered my ring and asked Kevin about it.

His reply was, "No, you can't see it. I am not giving it to you."

I laughed and said okay, thinking he was just teasing me like how he does everyday. At that time, it still didn't hit me that a proposal was happening. Haha!

Kevin and I in front of the millinery on Main Street, Hong Kong Disneyland 

Us enjoying our huge turkey leg in Adventureland

Since we were both still very high about the Disneyland experience, we kept talking about what happened and what we did for the day. 

Somewhere along the way, I thought he was behaving oddly, somewhat like he was unwell. He was fidgetty and would kept sighing. He had this blank look in his eyes like there was a lot on his mind or like he was worried.  I kept asking if he was alright, but he kept saying he was just tired. And because

I was very tired as well, I thought we should retire to bed.

As I was stood up to go to the toilet, Kevin turned me around right outside the toilet door, which was only 3 steps away, and said:

"Darling, I really love you very much and I would like to take care of you till the end of time. *Kneels on one leg and pop out the ring* Will you marry me?"

My Mickey head engagement ring!

And so, that was how it happened! The shortest but sweetest memory of ours. Haha! It probably happened within 10 seconds and I was engaged!

I didn't cry nor was I very touched. 

I was happy, totally! I was grinning from ear to ear and I felt a bit odd, a bit over excited,  a bit scared, a bit awkward and a lot of happiness and joy. It was a mix of everything and quite overwhelming...

But the most overwhelming moment was the next morning. I was filled with so much joy that I was smiling when I woke up! And the first thought that came to my mind was, "Wow! We are engaged! I am someone's fiancee now!!!"

Kevin, my best friend for life <3

Haha! 

I still feel that now whenever I look at my engagement ring.

I still find myself smiling like a fool each time I look at my ring.
I feel so blessed, for us, and for myself.
Nothing can express how it feels like to be in love with your best friend, much less spending a lifetime with him.
He invited me to be his partner on his life journey, and that is such an honourable task, if you ask me.

To be loved by the person I love, is indeed the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me.

And everyday, I feel thankful and grateful for that one time, 1 year, 10 months and 11 days ago, when he asked me to be his girlfriend.

Because of a chance he gave me in 2013, we are here today, because both of us chose to stick to each other for life, through good and bad.

A chance, that became a choice for us both. 

One that I will always cherish and love. 

And on our second day to Disneyland, we were back as a pair of husband-and-wife-to-be.

“10 things you will learn after moving in together”

Saw the article below and totally fell for it because I can relate! Haha.

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When I moved in with my boyfriend two years ago, I was a cowgirl who thought she’d already been to the rodeo show. I thought I knew exactly what to expect.

After all, we’d had enough sleepovers and weekend vacations by then; what more could there be to learn?

Well, it turns out, a lot. In the past two years, I’ve learned things about my boyfriend, myself, relationships and household goods, than I ever thought I would.

After verifying a few of these things with my girlfriends, I realize I’m not alone.

Here are 10 of the most curious things you’ll learn after moving in with your boyfriend.

1. Your parents will care; his won’t.

When I told my mom we were moving in together, I got an earful: “You shouldn’t be giving the milk away for free,” she said. The truth is, most people wouldn’t want to buy a cow without a sample and, really, none of us should.

Still, she was worried we didn’t have a real commitment, and I’d end up in that dreaded long-term relationship purgatory, ringless forever. After much convincing, though, she came around and became supportive.

On the other hand, when he told his mom, she said, “Great, do you need help moving?”

2. His understanding of cooking and cleaning is limited.

After moving in with your boyfriend, you’ll find yourself wondering why he thinks the microwave heating time of a piece of bread is two minutes. You’ll question how many times he’s going to use that coffee mug without washing it (many), and often find yourself answering the probe, “Do these shorts smell clean to you?”

3. He’s very good at appearinghelpful.

There’s a light bulb that’s been out in our kitchen for three months now. My boyfriend emphatically agrees to change it every several weeks or so, but somehow, it remains.

I would change it myself, but I don’t want to emasculate him (that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it). If you ask your man to do something, he’ll rarely say no. However, it may never get done.

He’ll be sure to point out if you dropped something or if you missed a spot, and he’ll also do a great job of asking if you need help just as you finish whatever chore you’re doing.

4. His razor works better than yours.

One clear bonus of living with a man is that moment when you use his razor out of necessity, then realize it works better than yours. Seriously, the female razor industry is a total sham.

5. He really does want you to make him a sandwich.

“Make me a sandwich, woman!” my man yells jokingly. Except, he’s not joking. He really does want me to make him a sandwich. His taste in food has been honed over a decade of eating bread, meat and cheese (often together).

This has its benefits, though: He’ll never ask you to make a soufflé.

6. He really has no aim.

The first time I walked into the bathroom and stepped in pee was probably a few months after we moved in together. My mind, however, clouded by that blissful honeymoon phase, led me to believe it was water.

Recently, I learned the truth. My man has since agreed to be more careful, so I’m sure I only have a few hundred more pee puddles in my future. It was also a shock to learn that in most cases, a double shake is his substitute for toilet paper.

7. He likes surprises, but he also likes his schedule.

My boyfriend likes pretty much anything that seems new or different: jewelry, an outfit, a hairstyle (even if they’re just recycled from last fall). However, he needs certain things to be consistent: his devices consistently charging, fresh coffee in the morning and your evening reality TV routine.

8. Morning wood is a compliment.

I know that his morning wood has more to do with what happens to his body when he’s asleep, but he still tries to convince me that it’s 100 percent because of waking up next to me, dreaming about me or just how hot I am in general.

This is a lie I’m willing to accept.

9. Farting becomes hilarious, for both of you.

I was convinced for a long time that my inability to fart around people would keep me from ever being comfortable enough to spend every night for the rest of my life with someone.

Thankfully, after only a few months of living together, this quickly became a non-issue. I still try not to fart at special moments, like during a hug or kiss, but for the most part, it gives us the giggles.

10. “His side of the bed” is also known as, “the middle of the bed.”

Every night, the corner I sleep on shrinks a little more.

Bonus:

You’ll also learn that falling asleep next to him at night and waking up next to him in the morning is the one of the most comforting feelings in the world.

He’ll strive to take care of you no matter what, and, most importantly, you’ll learn that it takes time to really get to know someone. Even as well as I know him now, I’m excited there’s even still more to learn. Excited… and also a little scared.

Beauty

To my lovely friend,

I am sorry to hear about it.
I am sorry that I was not there for you when you needed support.
I was shocked when you told me of the news, but it only sank in and hit me hard when I came home and thought about it.

You are one of the strongest people I know, one of the most faithful too. Your faith in God never wavered, even when your will was tested again and again.

I wanted so badly to tell you it is okay to be sad, but I didn't feel it was appropriate.
Instead, you kept reassuring me that you were alright.

It is always in you that I find strength and it is always through you and your faith that I am humbled, and reminded that I have so much more to learn.

I don't know how to comfort you or what words of comfort I can offer you.

But I believe that the quote from Helen Keller describes your child. Your child was the most beautiful thing that happened to you, and it still is. And like all beautiful things, it will forever live in the hearts of so many people.

Lonesome nights

It's been more than a month since I started my new role. More than a month since old friends from work had to leave...

Which means everything I do, I do it alone now.

I am usually very afraid of being alone, or so I thought... I remember myself as someone who always needs company.

Guess I grew out of it.

Eating alone doesn't scare me anymore.
Coming back to an empty house doesn't feel as bad as it used to.
Having quick lunch and dinner somehow seem bearable.
Driving to and from work alone isn't as awful as I thought it would be.

There are definitely perks of being alone.
Having my own alone time, just chilling to whatever makes me happy! Lol!

But on some nights it can get a bit too quiet... Some nights it just somehow feels a tad depressing in some ways.

But I'm glad that I have grown up so much compared to before.

Never expected myself to handle this so well... Haha!

*pats myself on the back*

My first run — 15km Newton Challenge

Woke up at 4.30am on Sunday morning for my first-ever marathon. 

It was so hard to get out of bed and it was even tougher to fall asleep last night because I was so nervous about the run I couldn't even stop thinking about it. 

Kept having the thought that I would fail in the end and give up. Lol!

Last night, I received news from my bestie that she would not be able to join the run due to her bad flu. Poor girl has been sick since Christmas and I really didn't want her to join the run. I am quite glad her bf stopped her from joining and she listened! Haha. Karen, don't be too stubborn next time! Hahaha.

I went with Felix, Kevin and Hwei Saan in the end. Knowing how fast Hwei Saan and Kev run, I made plans in my mind to run with Felix since I heard he, like me, didn't train at all!

The run kicked-off at 6.30am and Kevin and Felix were beside me. I found a comfortable pace to run at and thought it would be good to keep at that pace. 

Ran some uphill slopes and down and up again... By then I was ahead of Kevin and Felix, and I find it off that they haven't caught up with me yet since thy both can definitely run faster than I do. Lol! 

Finally Felix caught up and told me that Kev was injured and he stopped for a while.

With a worried heart, I turned back and saw him walking extra slowly. He said he was okay and that it was just a temporary muscle pain. So we walked for a while and then continued to slow jog till the first water station which was about 4-5km from the starting point. 

Everything started getting more and more grueling from here onwards. The uphill climb and downhill walk/run almost killed my will so many times!! Felt like a dead person when I finished the race lol.

Took me a really long time to finish 15km... I think slightly more than 2.5 hours. Haha. This record is even worse that Kev's record for his half-marathon at Penang Bridge run! What a shame that Kevin didn't get to run because he wanted to cheer me on and run with me. In the end he gave up on his own run, even though he could have easily clocked anytime between 1–2 hours. 

Finished the run finally at Kevin's encouragement and at God's guidance. 🙏❤️

I remembered the last uphill part at the Kinrara Residence u-turn. It was such a torturous last 3.5km for me then. And I suddenly had this urge to "talk" to God. I just had fuzzy random thoughts about why didn't I pray before I came to run and that if I should give up or continue running? My will was almost broken then. Even Kevin's cheer and encouragement seemed to have not worked well. 

About 10 seconds into my thought, at the u-turn, this uncle who ran 25km overtook me and I saw something behind his running vest, and I believe it's a sign from God. The quote behind his vest said, 

“Powered by God. Fueled by Jesus.”

And because of that I started walking faster than I already was. Haha! 

I believe my pace of run/walk was too much of a leisure for Kevin! About 2km away from the finishing line, Kevin stopped and bought newspapers and walked while reading it. Lolol!

Some runners were so amused by that they smiled and laughed a bit when they saw us buying papers. 

I am amused by my own boyfriend too! Haha 

Kevin ran ahead of me when we were nearing the finishing line to take this picture of me running like an aunty. Lol!

Super happy that I finished the race! 

And super honored and glad that it was my friend/colleague, Yiing Qian who gave us the medals. 

This was me trying to steal her from her duty for a shot. Hehe.

Yiing Qian is an avid marathon runner herself and she runs half-marathons. But she sat out of #NewtonChallenge this time to work as a crew instead. 

I secretly thinks she knew about the uphill route that's why she sat out! Keke!

Noob Kevin and Hwei Saan, who probably finished 1 hour before Kev and I arrived at the finishing line. Lol! 

Hwei Saan is an awesome runner and she has been running for 3 years plus now. She's actually Kevin's running partner. Feel so bad she had to run alone this time because Kevin accompanied me. 

Finally, a picture with my noobie Kevin! 

I can't thank him enough for always being there for me and with me, through ups and downs and thick and thin. 

It's not easy to find a best friend and confidante in someone, and it's even harder to find a bestie, a confidante and a lover in one. 

I feel happiness and real joy, knowing that he didn't give up and ditch me when he could have easily done so. He spurred me and encouraged me endlessly, all the while keeping in mind it was my first run.

Kevin is someone who never gives up nor say "No" in times of troubles. He also doesn't believe in weaknesses. But throughout our time together, he has learnt to accept my weaknesses as his own, and see the positive side of all my flaws. Even I think that sometimes I can't find a tinge of positivity in my flaw.

The usual him would have probably been mad because we walked for most part of the last 10km, but he was so awesome today he just kept walking with me and telling me to take it slow.

I have an awesome best friend and boyfriend. And the nicest part of it is they are the same person!!!

My first and last run of 2013. And probably my greatest achievement for my personal growth this year! 

 I don't think I'll stop running now. Haha! It's highly addictive!

But I will start small and not choose runs like the one today. Probably something on flat land tqvm hehe! 

Quite glad that they got my full name correct. Next time I shall register with just my first and last name. Either that or my middle name and last name. 

Eunice Ho or Rui-yi Ho? 

Stronger, happier and wiser.

People always say that with time, you know how great you can become. I used to think that the word "great" carried a lot of weight. "Great" to me was being successful, earning big bucks and living the life everyone dreams of. And "great" was something I never really pursued nor thought that I would be.

Then, things changed 9 months ago... Which indirectly changed me. I realised soon after that "great" doesn't have to be measurable nor tangible. "Great" to me now, means being able to do a lot more than before, feeling satisfied, and getting the things I deserve that makes me so much stronger and wiser. 

9 months ago, a broken soul posted this here: 

Today, I have someone whom I deserve so much... Someone who will fight for me, live for me, love me unconditionally, stand up for me and support me. 

I exchanged a loser months ago for a huge God-fearing fan. 

To me, that is the best bargain I have ever gotten. 

Missing you... My tiny little man.

There are moments that I thought I could live fine without him. That I will be better with lesser baggage and that I will grow to forget him...

But maybe I was wrong. 

For the moments I pretended to not care and to not be affected, I actually miss him terribly much. 

It has been almost 6 months since we were separated. I can still remember that night when he was taken away. I cried. I cried like a kid, bawling my eyes out because I had to part with him.

My tiny little man, who loved me like no other. In his tiny world, I was his strength and his hero. I was the one he would run to every morning if I was around. 

I was the one who allowed him to sleep with me, under the same comforter. 
I was the one who comforted him, hugged him, and showered him with care when he was sick and tired.

I remember how frail and weak he was when he fell sick. How he could barely even walk and how it broke my heart so much that I cried when he fell into my arms after trying so hard to stand on his stick thin legs. 
I remember how when he was first brought home at only 6 weeks, one day after my 24th birthday, he was shivering and wailing the whole night, and he only stopped when I put him in my hands and kept him warm. He was only slightly longer than the size of my palm then. So tiny but so full of energy.

I taught him how to sit, how to lie down, how to give high-five, how to play dead, and how to jump.
I bought him all his toys. His favourite drumstick plush toy, which I had replaced so many times with new drumsticks because he only likes drumstick, and nothing else. 
I did research on all his food, kept tab of his allergies and things that will cause him to be sick. 

Now, I don't get to do any of these for him anymore. It is no longer my duty to care for him. No longer my responsibility as a "mother" to make sure he is well at all times.

He was my tiny man. 

My tiny furry companion. 

I miss you, Alffy. 

And I hope you have not forgotten me ... and that you will always have that special place for me, just like I have for you. 

"...love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."