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Waiting for the concert to commence. |




This is a space where thought is freely expressed for himself and the people he loves dearly.........
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Waiting for the concert to commence. |
The wedding was held at the picturesque Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, nestled by Dalit Bay, about 35Km from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The two key planners - none other than the bride and groom - were based in two different countries: Newcastle, Australia and Singapore. Apart from a brief visit to KK earlier in the year for a preliminary discussion with the hotel, all arrangements were coordinated remotely via countless emails. With the invaluable support from Paul's parents based in KK, the planning came together impressively well. On the day itself, everything unfolded smoothly, with barely a hitch - at least from the guests’ perspective.
Throughout the preparations, whenever the parents expressed concern or apprehension, the ever-composed groom would simply say, “Don’t worry, everything will work out fine!” His calm demeanor echoed the Chinese proverb, “船到橋頭自然直” - “The boat will naturally straighten itself when it reaches the bridge.”
That said, the wedding was not without its moments of suspense. It could have been just another typical indoor ceremony, if not for what seemed like divine intervention. Weather forecasts had predicted heavy rain by 6pm on the wedding day, 04.07.2015. But the rain never came. In fact, a light shower earlier in the day helped to cool the temperature to a pleasantly comfortable level, much to everyone’s delight.
The forecast prompted the hotel management to move the dinner indoors, opting for an air-conditioned restaurant over the original open-air plan. In hindsight, this precaution turned out to be a blessing, sparing guests from potential mosquito bites and stifling humidity. But as the weather held up beautifully, the ceremony proceeded outdoors as originally envisioned. Everything turned out better than hoped for - an unforgettable celebration marked by grace, joy, and just the right touch of drama.
Interestingly, all three chose distinct and meaningful wedding venues that reflected their personalities and values. Our eldest daughter, Serene, held her wedding in December 2004 at the Chapel of the Trinity Theological College in Singapore - a serene and sacred space set within a theological seminary. Our second child, Sam, opted for a more historical setting: the beautifully restored CHIJMES Chapel in Singapore, originally built in 1904 and steeped in colonial-era charm. Then came our youngest, Paul, who took a different route altogether - he chose a beach wedding by the sea at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort in Sabah.
To have two weddings within just two months was, without a doubt, a remarkable stretch for the family - emotionally, logistically, and spiritually. But now that all three children are married, I can finally say, with a deep sense of contentment, that I am a free man. The season of planning weddings and writing wedding speeches has come to a close. And what a sweet relief it is!