"I haven't lost a sister, I've gained an IT helpdesk."

Goodness, gotta love Grace. Good speech, good speech.
Congratulations you two, both you nerds are made for each other, hope they're having fun on their honeymoon, heeheehee. Now I know Leach has been waiting but come on, I am busy.

Photos are up on sidebar!

So, the ceremony was held at Chinese Presbyterian Church in Surry Hills, the bride wasn't very late at all, probably 15 minutes, someone correct me if I'm wrong. So parking was an interesting experience in Surry Hills, having never driven to the city before. I've realised Surry Hills is hilly, yes indeed, and cramped, and before you go "Nah duh", Cheso is not hilly.

There was a very cute flower girl, Grace was in a light blue gown as bridesmaid, Michael was best man, the groom Cameron in a black tux with a red rose corsage and Trees, the bride in an ivory bridal gown. She walked down the aisle escorted by Mr. Au, head down, demure-likeeither that or the tiara and veil was heavy. Started off with the introduction to marriage, and opening prayer, then we sang 'Rock of Ages' (new version), then Bible readings (woohoo, I didn't trip), Address, Exchange of rings, 'O Perfect Love', Closing prayer by Cameron's granddad, and signing of the registry with accompanied item by Viv and of course, there presentation of Mr. & Mrs. Cameron Walsh!
They kissed in public!! In front of family! In front of everyone! *pretends to faint*

So we stood awhile in front of the church trying to keep warm and take photos with the bridal couple before going to the reception. Not before waving the bridal couple "See ya later", them two leaving in a white stretch limo. We were gonna meet up with the PLC peeps before the reception, but twas too cold, AND we only 15 minutes for a cuppa coffee anyway.

At Villa Rosa, predinner drinks started at 1700, up the stairs to be served with Sangria, a Midori and lemonade cocktail and Spumante. Canapes of cheese, olives, crackers, curry puffs and a very moorish chicken/veg puff??
Then we were all seated at our tables, decorated with red rose petals, a lavish rose candlestand and chairs with red sashes. The bridal couple entered of course with the usual fanfare and seated, then we started dinner.

Entree:
- Tasmanian smoked salmon, tomato bruschetta, avocado & salad
- chicken & mushroom vol-au-vant - warm and creamy, yummy
Served with deliciously salty flamed olives, and small panini, but we didn't eat any!!! Nooooo...

The husbands were very much enjoying the continuous run of beer, there was Cabernet Sauvignon and I think a Sauvignon Blanc?? for the winos. I finished off my glass of spumante and had water for the rest of the night, well until spumante for speeches of course.

Primi (not pictured):
- Fettucine alla vongole - which I liked very much, was it fresh pasta coz it was wonderfully soft
- Mixed wild mushroom risotto

There was a small break between Primi and Secundi so we got to mingle and chat, and we tried to get a photo with the bride but she ran off to have more dinner before we could.

Secundi:
- Veal alla Rosa
- Perch with lemon sauce - twas delicous!! Creamy with a noticeable lemon flavour, yum! But I couldn't finish it, for shame for shame *droops head*
Served on a bed of sweet sweet roasted capsicum, and a scoop of mashed potatoes, flanked by 2 broccoli florets

Speeches were then made and cutting of cake, then their first dance, and of course we joined afterwards.

Dessert:
- wedding cake with gelati and berry coulis - where I scored 2 gelati scoops! Wedding cake was chocolate and vanilla sponge

Then another dancing session where Trees had to change into a red cheongsam and do a mockup tea ceremony, niiiiiiice, I like the gold baby *nods, nods*
And then a tunnel to wish them well and goodbye and they ran outta there onto their new lives together.

Things she forgot:
- the throwing of the bouquet! Yea before you guys say it, shut up.


Other things:
Phil and I finally went on a date, in like 2 months. We had dinner at my place and then headed out to watch 'St. Trinian's', hey I can't help it, mmm... Colin Firth, and we both agreed that Gemma Arterton looked hot. and I added "I'd so do her if I was gay (or bi)."

So it's been incredibly busy these past few months, there's so much I have to do and always feel too tired to start.
Need to:
- call a glazier to fix the whole in my parents' window - I noticed something different when I drove home from work one night, there was a hole, either by a rock being thrown or someone trying to get in (the almost perfect circle in the corner gets me concerned), but they couldn't do anything anyway, coz there's a gigantic cupboard an derssing mirror where the window is, as well as a table and ceiling to floor blinds so it's a one way passage and you'd get stuck between the blinds and window. Just thinking.
- go to a podiatrist - feet are killing me, it's absolutely nonstop in ED, of course, but I've never woken up and considered calling in sick so not to go to work. But here, I have, but I still go to work. It's been a flogging everyday. I can completely understand the extremely high turnover and high sick leave in the place. It IS HELL ON EARTH. Unless you personally work in the military, policing, YOU CANNOT COMPREHEND HOW BUSY AND STRESSFUL IT IS. I really need to find a healthy way to deal with stress: going home, having a shower, packing up for the next day and falling asleep at 1700 is NOT a healthy habit. Nor is alcohol, crazy sleep patterns (ha!) or illicit drugs.
- go to the dentist
- go to the gym
- go to the doctor - my follow-up blood test, and of course, my predicted going on Atorvastatin 20mg or maybe Simvastatin 20mg (less adverse effects)
- go to the vaccination clinic - see if I need the dpta
- find some time to spend with Phil
- find some time to spend with you ladies - I miss you guys. At least Phil and I are having dinner at Kat & Dave's on Sunday, watch out, I'm making Moroccan.

GOTTA:
- go grocery shopping - was gonna pop into Aldi on Thursday but I ran outta time and now I'm drinking my backup soy milk.
- laundry and it looks like the dryer again this week
- vacuum
- pack up room - it's a mess and I cringe whenever I look at my table

As you've waited for an update...

Cat's Hens - Rowda Ya Habibi in Newtown, oooooooh baby delicious!! Chicken and lamb kebabs, tabouli (very fresh), hommous, babaganoush, Lebanese bread, crispy oooh very good falafel, fried eggplant, green beans, rice & crispy warm ladies' fingers. We were entertained by a belly dancer and wild shaking of our bride Cat & various others. Much talking, laughing and discussion re: the future weddings and marriage in general. Unfortunately Trees & I had to go early, coz I had to go to work the next day :(

Trees' Hens - a lunch held at Bar Galante's in Leichhardt, a delicous lunch of pasta, eggs benedict, bowls of chips (quickly devoured by one bride), antipasti, deliciousness all around. Lena having a sip of my macchiato and much preferring Karen's mocha. Trees and party went indoor rockclimbing afterwards, even battling sinue problems. However I headed off early as well dropping people off in Strathfield, needing to go back to Phil's for dinner.


Cat & Andrew's wedding - yes you have been waiting for it, photos are up on the sidebar. Held at All Saints Anglican Petersham at 1200, the bride came considerably later, definitely past 1230 (that was the last time I looked at the clock). The bridesmaids looked absolutely gorgeous and amazing. The bride was stunning, very formfitting gown, how did she get into it?? She looked so beautiful *tears welling*. The whole time, Cat & Andrew had eyes only for each other, meeeeep!!
Afterwards we went to Kat & Dave's to wait between the ceremony and reception. Sophie, Nagisa, Kat, Dave, Karen, Viv, myself, Phil, Alex, Alan and Trees & Cameron joined us afterwards. Phil & Dave went to get a meat pie, while we had Turkish bread, hommous & basil pesto as a pre dinner snack.
Our trip to Mosman was interesting, thank God other people knew directions, it was set up beautifully inside, cozy but airy (when not dancing). Canapes were served with pre-dinner drinks (sweetcorn fritters and hoisin duck tarts), and dinner was served at our tables self-serve style.
Speeches were given by David Croaker, Mr. Strange, Sylvia, Enoch & Luke and the Bride and Groom. Then the dancing!!
Van Morrison - Moondance, I love you Catriona!! There wasn't too much pushing to be done to get Phil to the dancefloor and we danced!! *heart cries with joy*
We missed out on taking a group photo with Cat but we had one of our own after the bridal couple left. Then the wonderful Philip drove my car up to the entrance of the gallery and picked up Sophie, Nagisa and I to take on home. We dropped Sophie & Nagisa off in Leichhardt and Phil dropped me off at home.
The hotel and honeymoon is a mystery, Cat wouldn't tell us where, but I'm sure they're having fun. I'm missing Leach and Wong a lot, I hope you guys are having a good time overseas, you guys better be back when I get hitched!

Anyways back to work, ED is hell on earth, frustrating, I'm learning a lot, by frustrating. But I'm getting more money! Yays!