Finally Found The Time...

Its been nearly 3 months since my last post. Wow I cant believe its been that long. A lot has happen since then. Let me give you guys an update on happenings in my life, lets start with August.
Well it started as a quiet month, then suddenly erupted, as HP confirmed the acquisition of EDS (the company I’m working for). Well I know the feeling of being bought/out-sourced. Insecurity 'griped', as I did read of the job cuts when HP bought Compaq. Well, so far I’m still here. I was thinking of switching jobs but after considering the options(shift work), I decided to stay and see the developments in EDS,(now) an HP company. On the lighter side I went shopping (cant remember when was the last time I went shopping) for my Cousin sisters upcoming wedding in September.
In September the shopping continued as size is a problem for me especially for pants(length) or shoes . But just 1 week before the wedding, my car got broken into, I came out of the futsal court to find my rear passenger seat window smashed, back seat pulled down, and my company laptop along with my beloved Canon Camera gone L. Haih, there goes my plan to take loads of pictures for the wedding. Well, on the brighter side I got a new laptop, still miss my camera though. Well to start about the wedding, my sister(she’s my cousin sister but she is more like a sister to me then a cousin) married a Telegu guy named Kumar, nice guy, someone I wish she’d find as a husband (I got my wish J). This wedding was unique, it was a multi cultural wedding, it started a week before the Punjabi wedding, we had a Telegu wedding. I was chosen by my sister to become the “Mapalai Tholen”, which is a brother from the girls side who accompanies the groom, I did not know what to do, so did Kumar, we just followed what the priest said. The Telegu wedding went on without a glitch.
Finally the Punjabi wedding weekend came, my Uncle and family rented out a bungalow in Old Klang Road, “The Hideaway”, and the place fits the name, it was nicely tucked away in a quiet corner of a housing area. The bungalow was beautifully decorated. I wish I had my camera so that I can post some pictures along with the blog. Well a Punjabi wedding is like an on-going party, it started on a Thursday night, called the “Sangeet Night” (Singing night), where only ladies are allowed in the house, where they sing praises and also criticism to each other. While all the ladies are inside, the men gather outside at the Bar. The one thing that never runs out at a Punjabi wedding is Booze. Once the Sangeet is done, the Groom’s side arrives, and they are greeted by the sound of the Dhol (Punjabi drum). Then the party starts, not before dinner is served of course. I myself, drank and danced. In my drunkenness I managed to balance a glass on my head and dance, which of course I regretted doing the next day, when I sobered up. The following day was the “Mayan Ceremony”, Oil ceremony, where the bride is bathed with yogurt, tamarind and baby oil. It is said that is helps to bring out the beauty of a person. The yogurt, tamarind and oil is applied on the bride’s arms and face by her aunties and sisters while the brothers stand on four corners holding a red cloth high over her head. Once that is over, the bride goes for a well deserved shower. The next ceremony is the “Mitthay Chaul” which is sweet rice being fed between the bride and her sisters. That is followed by the Churi Ceremony, where the Father, Uncle’s and brothers put on the wedding bangle’s for the bride and she has to wear that for 60 days if I’m not mistaken. That ended the ceremonies for Friday, the rest of the day, we just rested.
As the sun rose over the OUG hill, I realised that the day had come, where my sister is getting married, a sense of sadness gripped upon me as I was getting ready. I just hugged Kiren when I saw her in the wedding outfit, she looked so beautiful, I was already holding my tears back. Well, I was given the task to drive the bride to the temple. We reached the temple and waited in the car for the groom to alight to the “Durbar Sahib” which is the Prayer floor. As the bride and groom are not suppose to see each before they enter the prayer floor. Once the groom alighted, I opened the door to let my sister out, that is my final task for now. We gathered at the entrance, Bride’s maid, which was my little cousin sister Manisha, led the way, followed by the bride and the four of her brothers. The wedding ceremony followed. Once it finished, we congratulated the Groom and his family. Lunched was served, but we the girl’s side were busy entertaining guest, passing out ladoo (traditional sweet) which is passed to guest as a sign of appreciation for attending the wedding. Once the bride and groom left, for their photo shoot, we rushed back to “the hideaway” to prepare for the “Thorna Ceremony” which is when the bride is “given” the blessing to leave her house with her husband. This is also known as the crying ceremony to many. Well as much as I held my tears back in the morning, I could not hold it much longer as I saw Kiren hugging everyone and crying, I hugged her and tears automatically followed. Once the bride and groom sat in the car, the girl’s side, especially the brothers will push the wedding car as if to say, go with happiness. It started to drizzle a little when we were about to push the car, I heard an old lady saying this is a very good sign, it’s a sign of happiness and prosperity. I just smiled.
The “Thorna Ceremony” is done. Most of us took a quick nap once the guest left, including me, as we still have a Boy’s side dinner to attend. Dinner was held in a Golf Club (cant remember the name) in Shah Alam. The dinner was a blast, the performances was great, and we danced till midnight. It was nearly 2am when we got home. Exhausted, I did not even mange to get out of my outfit and slept in it.
Well that marked the end of a wedding to remember, and my September. I took leave the next 2 days to recover from the exhaustion. Wow, I wrote a lot about the wedding huh? J. Well it was the highlight of the month.
Well in this month, I had like a post wedding dinner with Kiren, Kumar and Lin. Kiren birthday party was a blast at Waikiki’s PJ. We had fun meeting up with Kumar’s side of the family again and partying. But the events that I’ll remember October by is my first real date after more than a year. Wow, again, I cant believe myself it has been a year since I went on a date. And also the resignation of two of my direct reports, well now I have a hiring headache again and also, my life is going back to all work, as I have to cover for the two who left… haih…
Hopefully I get someone in by end of November, I’m not going to have a proper social life until then, as I’m on-call on weekends... Hopefully I can pull out some time to blog again soon..