Friday, August 29, 2014

85. What makes a marriage work?

Me and the fiancé had an interesting conversation the other day.
He mentioned an article he read online, aaaand it goes something like this:
'Apparently there was this marriage counsellor, who wrote an article.. she said that nowadays the reason divorces are more frequent is due to the fact that women now are more independent compared to the olden days. Before this, women would stay at home, cook, do chores, have kids, looks after the kids, whilst the men would go out and find ways to make money. Men would be the one who cheat. Because they can. Women were more dependent on men. 
'But now, women are equally as successful, if not even more. Not all women stay at home, cook, do chores. Many women opt not to have kids. They find their own way to make money. Women are the one with the power to cheat.
'In the counselling sessions, the men had adopted more feminine traits, and the women adopted a more masculine trait. The men would be the one breaking down, crying. Whilst the women would admit, on their part, that they had cheated on their spouses. So in a way, society had switch roles,' he concluded, driving nonchalantly down Tol Sungai Besi.
'Okay, b, what is your point?' I asked.
'There is no point. Just sharing with you,' he replied.
Gender inequality or equality? 

When I thought about it, it's quite true. Women are so successful now! We are so driven and determined to forge our own career paths. And wow, my heart is full of pride to hear many females doing so well. Vivy Yusof from ProudDuck.com, Malaysia's own entrepreneur who successfully launched an online fashions store. Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCO, the second largest food and beverage business in the world by net revenue. Beyonce. Oprah. Kimora Lee Simmons. Powerful, strong women.

Sometimes, I am scared at my own determination to make my own way in the world that I tend to say yes to every opportunity I get to expand my name.

But maybe... along the way, some career women (not these mega women) got caught up in the thrill of the chase. The adrenaline. It's fine when you start dating that you experience butterflies in your stomach. When you fret for hours about what you are suppose to wear on a date. When you're so comfortable with someone, you tend to forget about dressing up. Out comes the sweats, the hoodies. Letting him see you barefaced is okay. So maybe that is when the sizzle fizzles out.

BUT! When someone else woos you, you melt and immediately that's when the relationship is in troubled waters. That is when you forget about what you and your partner for life has gone through. Instead, you start having feelings for someone who is feeding you what you have felt before.


I don't think you get married, have kids, live old together and that's it. I think a marriage is hard work. I've witnessed many people who are married, and the love just disappears after X amount of years. All the imperfections are easy to see, easy to pick out, you begin to find his quirkiness annoying. All his flaws irritate you to no end.

So, in a marriage, I think there should always be a balance between partners. But the best thing is, to never let a marriage become routine. Yes it's nice to watch Walking Dead marathons. Go for brunch. Attend weddings together. Read books together. But the key is you need to always add spice and surprises. A vacation. A date. A movie. Reading interesting articles to each other, even if the other party is yawning away. A walk in the park. Roses. Chocolates. Special, er, nights. I think many people have emphasized on how sex is an important part of marriage. Hopefully, when someone reads this, he/she realizes that I love white and pink roses ahem. With God's will, may our union be blessed and full of good surprises!


This post is a tribute to my favourite Hollywood couple, BRANGELINA, WHO FINALLY WHO TIED THE FREAKING KNOT! I still love you Angelina even though you're a homewrecker. Ho!

Friday, June 6, 2014

83. HIV test

Alhamdulillah, we did our HIV test yesterday at Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya (non-reactive for us)! For some bride-to-be's, here are some tips for you:
  1. If you're submitting your marriage forms to JAIS, the borang ujian saringan HIV is available at the clinic. If you're submitting your marriage forms to JAWI, please download the Borang Ujian Saringan HIV from http://www.jawi.gov.my/borang/borang_hiv.pdf Make sure you print 3 copies for yourself, 3 copies for your partner.
  2. As soon as your enter, turn right to "Kemasukan Pesakit Luar", counter 1, where you have to queue. No need to take a number. State that you're there to take the Ujian Saringan HIV for akad nikah; they will give you an additional form to fill in.
  3. Submit all your filled in forms; the person behind the counter will pass you a number and tell you to wait for your name to be called.
  4. Once your name has been called, collect the forms from the counter 1; they will tell you to proceed to the injections/tests area, where you place your documents in a document box next to the door.
  5. Wait for your names to be called. 
  6. When they call your name, go into the ward and have your HIV test taken. NO, it's not a big needle or syringe or whatever. They'll do an alcohol swab on the area, prick a needle into one of your fingers, then they'll swab blood from your finger into a test swatch thing (looks like a pregnancy test kit).
  7. According to the guy who took my blood test, the test response takes very fast - around 15 minutes - but waiting for the doctor to sign the test might take up to an additional half an hour.
  8. Wait for your name to be called out and receive your test results!

I was surprised that there wasn't even any charge for us (was expected to pay RM 1 per person). It was very fast and efficient (around 1 hour for everything). There's an open car park around the area for RM 3 per entry, so no worries about parking.

No need to take full day leave, half day will do. Come either morning session (not sure of the time) or noon session (2 pm - 4 pm). No appointments accepted, walk-ins only. This was my experience at government clinic, and a very pleasant and efficient one. Please note that the test is valid for up to 6 months only :)

Best of luck, future brides! This tips/advice is only for Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya, am not sure about the procedures from other clinics.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

82. One Step Closer!

Alhamdulillah, me and my fiance collected our Sijil Kursus Pra Perkahwinan (pre-wedding course certificate). It's a small feat but it's one thing less to worry about.


Honestly, there's still a long way to go. Since we have to complete the HIV test (it's valid for six months only), I thought I could get all the applications out of the way... but one person is telling me this, another is telling me that. It's too complicating...

Scenario:
Me and my fiance are living and working in KL.
Our akad nikah (solemnization/"I Do's") takes place in Putrajaya.
The lady on the phone told us that we could book the jurunikah (the guy who officiates the ceremony) from KL, no problem.

But when I met the lady to collect the pre-wedding course cert, she informed me that it would be easier to get the jurunikah from Putrajaya.
The problem is, if there are any complications, I will definitely have to take a day off work (or half day) as Putrajaya is quite a distance from my current house.

Add to that, when I called the clinic to make a booking for the HIV test, the receptionist informed me I had t otake HIV approval papers from JAKIM (the Islamic regulatory gov agency that controls all marriage application) BEFORE coming to the clinic. I prefer to do everything one shot. So, do I take from JAKIM KL? Putrajaya? 

Oh. And some other lady said I shouldn't do it too early -__- Then how the hell else do I book the jurunikah. Grrrrr. WAIIII MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT WAI YOU MAKE IT SOO CONFUSING TO GET MARRIED.