Relationships Matter!

In the month of Septmeber, I have been to two Weddings, a Baptism and have seen a premature baby girl come into this world!

April & Joey exchange their wedding vowels.

Everytime I go to a wedding, I get so overwhelmed with emotions. The raw emotions you experience at a wedding is so real and intense. The people getting married have been waiting for this moment and have been planning for this day for months or even years! They've planned the venue, their bride & groom party, the guest list, their suit & dress, the menu, the playlist and have even their lines for the exchanging of their vowels. As a guest to a wedding, you witness magical moments with the couple - as the groom first sees his bride walking down the aisle, when they exchange vowels and when the couple take their first dance together. You and you really feel what they are feeling. Its real, it's raw and it's intense emotions that you don't get to experience every day. I was invited to two weddings this month. I feel like it's my friend's way of saying, 'we've hand picked you to witness one of the most special moments in our lives..' that I did!


Daniel & Ilana have their first dance.

My nephew got Baptised this month as well, and for me, it was a new and intriguing religious experience. Growing up in a family who heavily practices Buddhism. Every detail of the Baptism had me intrigued. I walked into the church, turned to my sister's partner and said, "Angelo, is that God or Jesus?" I was so excited to be in a church! I was amazed at the stained-glass ceiling, in awe of the pews (long row of benches), stumbled upon the verses that we had to repeat after the priest and did not know which way to put the sign of the cross on my nephew's head. "Do start the sign of the cross on left or right side of my nephew's forehead?" I didn't get to learn about the practice of Catholicism this day, but it has inspired me to do research. I just finished watching 'Passion of the Christ' directed by Mel Gibson. Next, I want to watch a movie on how Jesus actually lived..



Luis Jay's with his father, Angelo, getting Baptised by the Priest.

My family - Lisa, Me, Phuong, Luis Jay, Mum, Thanh, Miguel and Sang.

Stephanie, one of my best girlfriends just gave birth to a premature baby girl. Stephanie's baby girl stayed in her womb for 7 months and just ventured into this world last month. She is truly the most beautiful baby girl I have ever laid my eyes on. Her skin tone has already set and is beige, her eyelashes are long and brown, she has a pointy nose, long hands and feet! I very much admire Stephanie's strength and to me, Stephanie is the most courageous, stong-willed and determined woman I have ever met!

Ella Maree Hayes - thank you, Stephanie, for allowing me upload this.

September has been the month for major life events that has taken place. Reflecting on all of these events, I've learnt that relationships matter. I don't know if I will ever go on the same journey as my friends but I do know that I always want to be surrounded by loved ones forever. They say that your friends and family are like a business, 'When you invest the time and effort in them, they pay you back in dividends!' This is true. It's wise to choose your friends and invest in the ones that are worth it. When you invest in the right relationships the dividends are immense and come in the form of: advice, support, love as well as being there in sharing life's greatest moments with you..

The girls on the dance floor at April & Joey's wedding

Brian Dyson, Former CEO of Coca Cola once said: "Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will irrevocably be scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life".

Balance is something that I will strive for!