Feeling the Love

It's wedding season!! Lately, our mailbox has been stuffed with gorgeous bridal shower and lavish wedding invitations. On line I have searched for the perfect vase on Crate and Barrel, linens at Macy's and wine openers on Bed, Bath and Beyond. The measurements have been sent for my bridesmaid dress and I need to practice for a Spanish mass lectura. Oh, how I love weddings! Brides walking down the aisle with fathers and mothers having dances with grooms...tear.

Jose and I will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary next month and this summer we kick off our wedding season with 6 couples who will be joining us in the oldest tradition known to mankind. Five out of the six weddings are Mexican weddings (with one half being Argentine) and you know what that means; mariachi, banda, bailes del dolar and lots and lots of Tequila! We will also be travelling to New Jersey in late August to attend an Indian wedding!! I hope to learn a few things about the traditional customs because right now I am picturing Bollywood dancing, sequins and lots of gold!!! (We all know that cannot be it). Nevertheless, weddings are all about uniting family and friends, eating, drinking, dancing and lots and lots of love.

Here are some pictures of a Japanese wedding we attended last fall and a wedding in Indonesia we attended 3 years ago.

Japanese wedding starting at Meiji Shrine. Most weddings still take place in Shinto shrines where brides wear the traditional white kimono and a head piece that hides the "horns of jealousy" from her mother-in-law.

Japanese women like to wear the western-style white gown or can wear a red kimono to the reception. I have some friends who have worn all 3 gowns!



A guest at the reception in her gorgeous Kimono.

Even pets are invited to weddings and must dress appropriately as well!

Before entering the reception, a table is set up to check guests off a list. This is where we presented our "goshugi" or money gift in a beautiful, purple cloth envelope to the designated attendants. Another table was set up at the end of the reception where the bride presented a gift of "sake" glasses, a serving platter, delicious bread, soaps and chocolates to every guest as a thank you. As you can see, I was very excited to receive the goody bag.

Our friends Fela and Reza arriving at the altar. Reza's family is Muslim but they had a traditional Balinese wedding with a Hindu ceremony. The guests make a narrow space and create and aisle. Everyone was to wear the traditional dress-hand sown "batik" sarongs.

During the ceremony the officiant offered the couple rice and fruit from their pyramid of food. The rice and fruit represent wealth and prosperity.

All of us after the ceremony. Jose has never looked better! :-)

Ofelia and Reza watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

Whatever the culture, customs and locations, it is truly an honor to be invited to a wedding and especially to participate. As my friends start to join us in the marriage club I wish them nothing but health, happiness and lots and lots of love.

xoxo,

Betty

Deuce

There is no question that it will rain at least once a day here in Singapore. It could be really early in the morning (just as Jose is walking to the bus) or late at night and waking little Diego.
But it is only a quick downpour that we come to expect daily and Singaporeans go on with their island living. We see people play volleyball on the beach, riding bikes, or swimming. Everyone seems to be really healthy and fit. So Jose and I decided we would take advantage of the year-round summer weather and learn to play tennis.

Last night was our first lesson here in our building (sounds really posh but every building in Singapore has at least one court) and it didn't go TOO bad! We thought this activity would be a cool way of spicing things up without it always including a drink or two. Every Tuesday will now be tennis/date night.

After the first 15 minutes I thought maybe we should stick to dinner and drinks. I didn't start off that great and felt so clumsy. Those of you who know me know why I stuck to Cross Country in high school...only individual sports for me thank you. Tennis is a lot harder than it looks!! But after our first drill, Jose was talking like he was Pete Sampras. He kept interrupting the coach and telling me what he thought I should do! Of course I was so annoyed but didn't want to say anything in front of the coach...yet. I knew Jose would continue and finally I told him to stop. I yelled, "We have a coach Jose, let him do his job!" So I didn't hear from Jose again. Everytime we had an individual drill as a one-one-one with the coach, Jose would go off and really not pay any attention to me. Once I started to get the hang of things, I turned to see if Jose was watching my improvement but he wasn' t looking. He was off hitting the ball against the wall. Clearly, I was annoyed again. I wanted to show him that I was having fun but it was too late because I embarrassed him and made him feel bad when all he wanted to do was help. We talked as we picked up the balls.

Not only did the coach show us how to properly hold the racket and how to tap the ball but he also had a few words at the end of the lesson that I believe is good for tennis beginners and relationships:
"Be gentle and patient."
"If you deliver it well, she will return it."
"Ladies like it when you start off slow and the rhythm will be natural."
"Play easy and don't be to hard on each other."
and my favorite...
"Keep practicing...the more you do something, the better it gets."

Even if we suck at tennis I know we don't suck at our relationship. And I'm not going to give up on either. As a plus for both of us, Jose promised I could get a cute tennis skirt AFTER we learn to play a real game.
Wink,
Betty