Happy Party

Although it is summer, one of my popular colleague's birthday in July has drawn many of us together for a good reason to party. Dinner at Cat's Meow down in Granville Island was an interesting experience where we learned that no matter how great the food is, if the service sucks, then we're likely not to revisit. Of course, birthdays is also when past jokes come to haunt our birthday diva. In this case, it was a pair of thoughtful carrot earrings by our newbie teacher. We didn't eat or wear them...but we tried.

After much drinking and eating, we planned on much dancing--that didn't quite happen the way we planned. Not only did our party organizer mysteriously disappear to retaste her yam fries (long story) but the oldies were so slow to get the dancing started at Sandbar! Luckily, a few of us stuck by til the end and managed to break a sweat of fun despite the bootie pushers and cougars. All in all, it was a happy ending to a fun party night...especially with our disco soccer ball...

Anxiety

I've never been married before but the idea of marriage and the experience of planning a wedding sure brings upon anxiety for me. My wedding is more than a year away but the planning has already started. I feel like I'm literally fighting to secure spots at 'desirable' (can be subjective) ceremony and banquet locations. And then there are the gowns, photography, makeup, guest list, wedding favours, invitations, the list goes on. But most importantly, it's the budget and where the money is coming from. For a one day's worth of events, a couple can surely spend a lot. I'm sure the memories and blessings are priceless but in reality, there's a price attached to every item that helps create those memories and initiate those blessings. This price can be literal or emotional, infer yourself.

I cannot recount the times I've asked myself if there was the possibility of just signing the papers and not have any ceremony or banquet but why is it that Chinese families 'expect' such traditions? Now that we've decided to follow the traditions, we must do them well. *sigh*

Here are some dresses that I thought about purchasing...still thinking...

The wedding gown:
http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db2-13ae1722950414405ef368eeaf2d4b6d.jhtml

The traditional Chinese dress:
http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db1-ca8fc27b1739e5c5a14bbcca0a2591bb.jhtml
http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-db1-379426922850fb0d324ce14c52bd67a3.jhtml

Evening gowns:
http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-db2-c8f8d8d5534585a5dd44238b50f2a2a5.jhtml
http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-db2-98e6754c217f53507d54638d9f773f43.jhtml

Happiness is not a given

Lately, I seem to be short of this. What is happiness? I ask myself. Sometimes I feel lots, sometimes I'm in desperate search of it. I feel happier when I write; hence, the birth of this blog.

I thought the purchase of a new world would draw me into greater happiness but it also brought along greater issues that demanded difficult negotiations. Was it worth it? I'm still finding out. Happiness is not a given; it is a state of feeling that I need to constantly work hard to achieve, to deserve. When I feel it, I would know.

Are you happy?