I haven't been blogging on this platform for so long. Currently blogging at dayre.me/jannpang quite regularly, but, I guess big things have to be properly blogged~

So... D proposed! Gonna describe the proposal the best that I can, from whatever I can still remember from the hazy memories from the excitement.

The story actually started a few months earlier in end January/early Feb, after we've decided that we're going to Taiwan.

Sometime in January/Febuary
D started telling me that Carolyn has this Taiwanese client, to whom she mentioned that she has really good friends who will be going to Taiwan in April. This Taiwanese client, lets call him TC for short, supposedly is a restaurant owner, and he owns a chain of fine dining restaurant near the airport. TC excitedly offered to host us while we're in Taiwan.

However, we dismissed the idea as our flight would reach Taipei in early morning, and it doesn't make sense for us to be there.

Oh, and in January, we went to Jannpaul Diamonds (aka House of Hung) to pick the engagement ring. I wanted to pick my own as we're definitely getting married anyway, we have our BTO on the way already. So I would rather spoil the ring surprise, and just get a ring that I would really love. Afterall, I'm going to wear it for the rest of my life isn't it? What if D got me something that I don't like? Will I have to pretend that I like it? Or get me a single classic round solitaire on a plain band? Too common. Wanted something different. The expected date that the ring would be ready would be the first week of April. The ring would be another blog post though. Back to the proposal story!

END Feb?/March?
D told me that Carolyn saw TC again, and told him about our plans to go Beitou first thing in Taipei. and COINCIDENTALLY (I can't believe I'm this gullible) one of the branches of his restaurant is in BEITOU. TC offered as a hotel room with an adjoining hot spring tub as well. SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. At that point in time, I was just thinking, really got someone who will actually do all this for a stranger meh? D kept drilling into my head that Taiwanese people are really friendly and they like to play host.

Ok lor, I just believe him only. HAHA. I was also a little greedy (and #auntiespirit) and was just happy that we got such a good deal. Free good food, free hotel to freshen up and put our luggage and FREE HOT SPRINGS.

I peeped at his phone as usual for all the gossips update, and saw a text to his buddies that he will be proposing on Brickland Rd.. Told him about it... and he was pretty upset. I was upset that I spoilt my own proposal for myself too! :S

The date for ring collection is approaching (First week of April). D insisted that Jannpaul did not contact him at all. Up until one day, he told me that the ring collection would be delayed, and he showed me a very apologetic text from Ranjit (who is awesome and sold us a fine diamond at a good price) who said that there's some unforseen circumstance, and the ring would only be ready by mid-April.


April
Taiwan trip is nearing, and I started telling everyone that I'm going fine dining in Taiwan and I have to bring nice clothes there. It was getting on my nerves because D insisted that he has to wear really formal (like formal pants +shoes +shirt) and I was thinking that he could just wear smart casual. Why does he have to insist on wearing his format shoes?!?! I wasn't planning to wear THAT nice, just a top and a skirt with sandals. After all I'm going on a holiday and would love to pack light.

Told Alethea about being paisei to have somebody hosting us so generously. She mentioned that perhaps we should get Singapore's food stuff, like some famous Kueh Lapis. So that we don't go empty handed. D was rather reluctant and quickly told me that Carolyn will give us some things to pass to him so we won't really be empty handed. I refused, saying that we need to get him something from us. He suggested that we could get some duty-free wine at the airport instead. He told me that Alice (Carolyn's mother) once said that the best present for anybody is wine. I thought wine is a classy gift and agreed to it. (Once again, I can't believe I didn't suspect anything.)

Throughout this half-month, D kept hinting to me that he has not collected the rings, and that the proposal will only be after Taiwan. This is the part where I start getting suspicious though. The more he said he hasn't gotten the ring, the more I think that the proposal would be soon.

The day of Proposal
Still had to work as usual, also had to get to school. D had exams (!!) that day and finished early. He went back to my place first to do some last minute packing. Little did I know that he's doing some final coordinating for the proposal set up.

During the lesson, I texted Carolyn asking her if D had contacted her regarding meeting her up before the flight. (We have not gotten her gift to TC at this point in time) She didn't reply me until D finished his paper, and said she was busy with a house viewing hence the late reply. (After the proposal she said that she freaked out when I texted her HAHAHHAA)

When I got home, he told me, "I have some bad news for you, Carolyn said that TC will be picking us up personally at the airport. We need to be presentable."

BOY WAS I MAD. I was grumbling the whole time, couldn't believe that I had to wear a dress to an overnight flight, with makeup on as well. D wore his usual formal wear, and I had a short disagreement with him regarding requiring a second formal attire for the dining itself (How would it look like if you meet the person later wearing the same clothes you SLEPT in?). He insisted there's no need for a second attire and it further fueled the fire in me.He conceded in the end though.

However, I wore my specs as I was thinking I can just pop in my contacts on the plane before the plane

D mentioned that Carolyn told TC that we'll be celebrating our Monthsary and told me to expect some special set-up. In my mind I was like thinking that he is going to propose during Taiwan trip! WHAT ELABORATE SET-UP FOR MONTHSARY. WHO WILL BELIEVE? You can see, at this point in time I still strongly believed in his fine dining story.

Another cock up. D had "stomachache"! I was thinking that he is too nervous for Taiwan (or the upcoming proposal in Taiwan). Haha. However, I was still pretty worried for him and dug out the charcoal pills from the recently locked luggage. (Had to unlock the freaking luggage and dig through piles of clothes. >.<)

Finally, we're all set up and ready to go!

Proposal time.

Dad offered to drive us to the airport as it was a late night flight. Throughout the initial phase of the car ride, I was still grumbling about my attire. Sent a text to Carolyn:

"Carolyn, I can't believe that you're making me wear a dress and heels for an overnight flight..."

Suddenly - The. Car. Slowed. AT BRICKLAND RD.

Okay at this time I wasn't suspecting anything as my Dad is usually cautious about driving, and there's 2 cars parked by the road. Dad stopped just behind this lorry and Van.

D pulled my specs off. Dad told me to get off the car.

In my head, I was thinking, "IS THIS PROPOSAL TIME? IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING NOW? WHEN WE HAVE A FLIGHT TO CATCH?"

I walked out to this scene.



These pictures are what Carolyn sent to me. I assume this was before we reached. HAHA.

So it was lightsticks and fake candles, glistening on the running track on Brickland Rd. Love story was playing as we walked in. D led me to the center of the heart.


Happily, I hugged him as the video played on the 2 projector screens, to the music "Hero". The video is basically snapshots of our scrapbook, documenting every phase of our dating life. At one point of time I thanked him for this wonderful set up. Suddenly, videos of us at a pirate ship (at the start of our dating life) were shown. There're 2 projectors, each featuring his view while he's at one end of a pirate ship, while the other was my POV. Those videos were taken during the ride.

No idea why we took those videos back then but I'm glad we did.

Oh and by pirate ship, I meant Uncle Ringo's Pirate ships at pasar malams.

Something like that.

I was so touched at that, that he remember the beginnings of this relationship.

The song Hero was chosen, as during our first staycation, he put in alot of effort to compile love songs on his then-new iPod. The first song he chose to play was Hero, and he lead me in a slow dance in the room. :') On and off after that, he would sing Hero to me, or he would play the song for me as well.

To end it all off, words from the movie, The Vow covered the screen. (There was supposed to be cupids but I didn't realise.)

I thought that was the end, he was gonna go down on one knee to propose. I was wrong. There's a even bigger surprise.

The pink cloth between the projectors dropped, and I see a SWING, ALL DECKED OUT LIKE A MINI PIRATE SHIP. I was in awe.

He led me there, and gave me his usual long speech.

My Man loves his speeches. None of his other speeches are as well thought out as this though. He mentioned his reason for choosing Brickland Rd, for it's past (We jogged here before we got close together), for it's present (We still jogged here occasionally, and this road connects both our houses together) and the future (where our future flat will be). He mentioned being the captain of this ship, and something about wanting to spend the rest of his life with me.

His speech is so long I couldn't remember some of the details. HAHA.

After which, he told me to look at the flowers (I KNEW THIS IS THE MOMENT. WHAT A LINE. LOOK AT THE FLOWERS?)
I obliged anyway since it's him proposing though. Pretty roses, 24 roses in total (that's what the flower aunty told him to get, if not it'd be 99 roses LOL).

I turned back to him, and he had the ring out, on one knee (that's what he said lah, but I don't remember him being down on one knee) popping the question that every girl wants to hear.

WILL YOU MARRY ME.

I said yes.  

And so, he'll be my blackie and my life, and I'll be his darling and wife (to-be. But I want it to rhyme).

Here's a picture of the ring and diamond, which I will further talk about in the next post!


SO sweet luh this guy.

Special thanks to...

Carolyn - Whose name came out the most during all the lies, and who is the main coordinator for this proposal. Also part of the 4 of the drinking buddies gang. Thank you.

Shaun, Kah Hoe - for being the best drinking buddies that Chuan can ever have, and my future drinking buddies as well (according to Shaun, I'm married into the group, haha). For helping with the proposal set-up, thank you.

Raymond, Gordon - for helping out with all the works and lending your strength (physically) for the set up.

Benwei - for all the behind the scenes although you couldn't be there.

I know what could go wrong actually went wrong, and I appreciate how perfectly everything turned out (to me anyway). :)

Behind the Scene pictures!

This is during the proposal I think. When D and I were behind that cloth watching the video. HAHA.

 Group shot with the proposal crew!

 With daddy. Somehow through all the excitement, I ran to my Daddy and gave him a hug.


I suppose all these was taken after we left for the plane. LOL.

One regret, however, that Mum was not there. Initially D wanted to get the whole village down to watch. I felt that it's too much and told him not to involve anyone else, other than a few close friends he have to get to help with the set up.

After the whole proposal though. all I want was to have Mum there to let her know that I'll be marrying the man who loves me and makes me laugh everyday.

I did call her though, and she was sobbing over the phone. HAHA.

I texted the BFF, and Gee was super happy and excited for me.

I board the plane happily and when I touched down in Taipei, I had so many likes on FB.

EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO MY MAN:

Who had to wait till I'm asleep every night to plan. Who have to coordinate for the proposal during his exam period. Who had to lie to me so many times just to make sure I wouldn't suspect anything.

For loving me for who I am and not wanting to change any part of me.

And I love you for that.