It Wasn't an April Fool's Joke

This April Fool was certainly a memorable one in London. I remember pulling a fast one on people I see within vicinity last time, especially close ones, but I kind of forgot the occasion, and even the date this year! That’s the thing about being overseas when you’re just too caught up being a tourist, wanting to enjoy every single bit of the foreign country and maximising your time spent.

I finally get to blog properly, after two weeks of missing from the blogosphere, with much catching up of work after a week off. That’s the thing about advertising industry. No, let me correct myself. That’s the thing about working in Malaysia. You’ll always be overloaded with work. Plus, I was itching to share this one particular story in London. So skipping a few days as I reached London on 30 March, I’ll just zoom in straight to April Fool’s Day.

We had my yummy Pret-A-Manger for breakfast. Healthy and reasonably priced by London’s standards.

Salmon sandwich. MMmmm…yummm…

Narcissistic couple in love.

We went to Burlington Arcade to have a look at things, they sell alot of vintage items.

This is so cool – they have watches all the way back to 1920’s.

Outside Burlington Arcade. Then, I saw this rather huge building (image below) but there was no sign on it, so myjojo and I just stepped right in to find out.

We wonder why there was no huge signboard that says Abercrombie n Fitch, maybe it’s London’s policy of keeping shops clean of disruptive advertising. As a result, they all look classy and neat without a big sign that shouts its name.

“‘Scuse me maam, may I take a picture for you?” the promoter asked. *Quickly poses* while she clicked away with her polaroid camera and voila, I had just taken pictures with a naked man in Abercrombie n Fitch. I walked in, it was huge like a maze. They were model-promoters, not just any promoter. The guys were all 5″8 and above and looked good, and the girls were 5″7 and above. That was a rather interesting concept.

I couldn’t miss the red telephone booth – very iconic of London.

Not forgetting Sex and the City on the bus – reminds me of the introduction of each episode I watch before Carrie Bradshaw steps into a puddle of water in her pink tutu and high heels.

I love the vibrance of these colours.

At the Majesty’s Theatre for Phantom of the Opera.

Myjojo had booked the Royal Circle seating for us.

This chandelier was the main highlight of the night as it travels all across the room without us fearing that it might drop.

Curtain call.

In the taxi together.

The taxis there are consistent. Unlike Malaysia, they run strictly by meter and allow for credit card payment. They’re all very clean and look new.

Walking towards the London Eye past the Silver Jubilee Walkway. Here’s my trusted pair of Nose and his CK shoes.

The Engagement

I knew I was dating no ordinary Jo from last year, if I were to share how we started off, you’d find it hillarious and extraordinary, but guess I’ll save that for another day. I’ll just fast forward and zoom into the engagement part as you can see from the title. Josiah’s no ordinary Jo and you’ll see why. I said there was good news and this was it…

It all started after the Phantom of the Opera that made me sob so hard towards the end. I’m a real sucker for love stories. I even cried watching Happy Feet but not Titanic. Titanic was just plain corny - ”You jump, I jump…” Anyway, back to the April Fool’s story. Technically, that should be it - since it was on April Fool’s day. So, after the movie, we went to a Korean restaurant to have some shitake mushrooms and he excused himself to go to the toilet.

When he came out of the gents’, we proceeded to go to the London Eye where we could jump the queue and went straight for Priority Booking line where Josiah had booked the whole package to include the Phantom of the Opera and Bateaux Dinner after the London Eye.

Wolfgang was our host for the half-hour ride and we had the entire capsule to ourselves, where one capsule normally contains up to a maximum of 25 person. In Wolfgang’s basket, there was a bottle of champagne and orange juice, strawberry chocolate, glasses and some napkins. All that to be digested within half an hour. The London Eye keeps moving and doesn’t stop, so if you dream while entering, you better snap right out of it.

Me being me, I couldn’t wait to be featured against the lovely background of the heart of London on the Thames River.

It was a very nice capsule with great modern technology.

This was how it looked like on the other side.

Sipping champagne, enjoying the view from above.

Yummy pink strawberry truffels.

This one’s for those who love architecture.

I was still busy snapping photos away when myjojo held my hands with his and looked at me eye to eye, he said, “Now you know I love you so much, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” So, I thought it was another love-affirmation session with him telling me how much he loves me and ditto.

He continued slowly bending down on one knee, reaching for his pocket with his right hand (he’s a left-hander), face as red as tomato, looking rather serious. He takes out a ring from a small compartment in his pocket (just the ring) and looks at me while saying, “Kim, will you marry me?” It was formalised, he called me by my name to prove his sincerity and that reminded me that it was me – that he wants to marry. It’s just like there are many dears around, and everytime he calls me “dear”, it must be for other stuff, so this was one of those moments (apart from the very initial hello), he called me Kim. Tears started to trickle down my cheeks…

I stood there with a champagne glass in my left hand, camera on my right hand and a mouthful of strawberry truffle. I looked pretty ridiculous. I went speechless but was smiling. That went on for two seconds at the most and he replied after a no-reply saying, “Dear, you must answer me ‘yes’ or ‘no’.” I replied to him instantly, “Yes!” without hesitating. It was a sure moment for me, it was real, I wasn’t dreaming. This was no April Fool’s joke.

To be honest, I knew about the London Eye and Bateaux Dinner Cruise but just thought that day would be a special date, didn’t know it was a marriage proposal day.

A re-enactment of the proposal with Wolfgang’s help. In actual fact, I was smiling more than that and myjojo wasn’t smiling at all. He looked serious, as red as a tomato, remember? I really thought he was going to propose to me only from next year onwards.

Before we knew it, the capsule next to us were waving and cheering for us – there were more than ten of them inside. I hope we didn’t take their time off viewing the landscape of London, but glad that they were there to witness myjojo and my history together. Thanks to Chris and Angela for providing this lovely picture – they were completely strangers but met us after the ride, congratulated us and exchanged namecards for us to document some pics.

I just couldn’t believe it. I had decided to drop the ‘O’ in my Ong on that very day, partially formal till our wedding day, next year. I didn’t seem to have any qualms being married at the age of 25.

Could you imagine a truffle as huge as this being stuck in my mouth while he proposed?

I was on my way to become Mrs. Josiah Ng.

Wolfgang, thanks for being there if you ever happen to read this. He said he’s seen a gazillion proposals.

We were happy and delighted after the engagement on air. When they say “Love is in the air”, they’re right.

Things I found out later from myjojo:
1. When he went to the gent’s at the Korean restaurant, he was busy calling my parents to ask them for permission, my hand in marriage. How sweet! My Superdad thought it was an April Fool’s joke and had repeatedly asked him, ”Are you sure? Are you serious?” I love a real polite and respectful guy, and he proved to me.
2. He had insisted for Wolfgang to stop explaining what building was which, where and how by showing him the ring while I wasn’t looking.
3. He guessed my finger size right on the dot as it fit perfectly.
4. He had planned this since December to make way for race competitions after that.
5. He remained so calm throughout the day, it was amazing to see his composure. I had no clue at all!
6. He took a risk to hide the ring in his smallest compartment of his pocket. Phew, very risky. It could have slipped out anytime.

He isn’t any average Jo, he’s myjojo. He cycles for miles for the love of cycling, and the main thing I love about him is his consistency in building our relationship, being ever so patient and never slacks. We make great partners in the things we do – be it looking for a shop, or even cooking together. More importantly, we communicate on a mature level with great understanding. Where there’s love, motivation for each other exists.

After the London Eye, myjojo had treated me to a Bateaux Dinner on a river cruise to celebrate the engagement.

The cruise.

Some champagne and bread.

Salmon and potatoes.

Risotto.

Elderflower sorbet to clear the palate for the next items.

Saxaphonist playing to create the romantic ambience.

The duet.

Semi-pie with vegetables?

Lamb-shank.

Chocolate ice-cream and puff.

Cheese cake.

Officially engaged.

They made an announcement of our engagement and one spark got myjojo.

The end of the fairytale-like day…and more to come. He had it all planned out. Thank you myjojo… thank you Boss at work who approved my one-week leave.

For this, I’m very sure of my decision. More to come.

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