This is a photograph of Sharina Shariff. (Nina)Of course this was taken a few years ago.
This is a photograph of Sharina Shariff. (Nina)
Of course this was taken a few years ago.
Date of Birth: 20th May, 1966 (Taurus)
Time of Birth: in the early hours, err dawn
While in school she was active in sport, drama, and debate. She was from Crescent Girls' School, and very proud of it. Later she graduated from college with major in Business Management.
Presently she works in her family business: Jelco Pte. Ltd.
Hobbies: shopping, window shopping, more shopping...
This is a photograph of Haaris Chua. (Harry)
It was also taken many years ago...
Date of Birth: 30th June, 1960 (Cancer)
Time of Birth: in the early morning...
He was a very naughty young boy from Anglo-Chinese School. Fond of classical music but graduated in Mechanical Engineering, Haaris worked for a German machine tool manufacturer for more than 10 years. He is now unemployed, but planning to set up a Cyber Café/Restaurant in Bali.
Hobbies: scuba diving, playing with computer, more computers...
The time was back in October 1989, certainly many moons have passed. The place was at the Goethe Institut Singapur, a centre where German language and German culture are professionally offered to the general public.
That was still at the old premises located on the sixth floor of the Singapore Shopping Centre (the new Goethe Institut is now at the Finlayson Green, Raffles Place). We were all studying the German language and involved in a regular students' activity call:
The night when Harry met Nina was to be an OCTOBERFEST ! It was a normal night, the stars were shining and the mood was festive. We were helping out to clean up the place after most had left, and while the young man was carrying some spent paper plates to the kitchen, he walked pass a pleasant and friendly young lady. Being a nice gentleman he introduced himself and the rest were details.
The official proposal from Haaris came only on 14th February, 1996. Yes it was a long wait since the first meeting in 1989.... As that day was the Valentine's Day Haaris invited Nina to a romantic Indian dinner at the Tandoor Restaurant in the Holiday Inn Park View, he prepared a special menu just for Nina:
For Love is Heaven, and Heaven is Love.
Appetizer: Angel Hair Samosa
We planned to have our wedding in a simple way, however, as Nina being the youngest in her family and Harry being the eldest and the only son, our parents have all the traditional arrangements taken under control.
You will not understand and anticipate the level of stress and anxiety we had gone through during the preparation stage just before December 1996. Yet this good experience enhances our relationship further, we learned more about compromising and we planned almost everything together.
By the end of November most of the things were under control. And as we had a few days left of pre-marital joy our friends from OSAMA arranged a party for us. This "solemn" occasion was held in a Suite at the Changi Meridien Hotel, unfortunately we cannot load any photograph taken on that night because of regulation under censorship! However to quench your curiosity you may like to read E-mail from Ananda.
There are some other interesting accounts and very good writings from our friends, in case you are interested in Asian wedding traditions you may like to read them too under other E-mails from Victor and Ananda.
Click here to see more of our wedding photographs.
Link to other sites of OSAMA friends:
Dear Nina,
Today is an extra ordinary day.
This beautiful table is set using the best china and sparkling silver.
The lights are turned down and candles are lighted.
The fragrant of pink and red roses will certainly bring you close to the special one sitting in front of you.
Enjoy this wonderful dinner.
Indeed romance will flourish for many years to come.
The Tandoor Restaurant
Holiday Inn Park View 14.02.96
A starter like when we both first met, fresh but spicy.
Salad: Raitha (Yogurt and Mint Salad)
Then our friendship developed just like this salad mix, healthy and natural.
Entree: Roghan Josh in red sauce
The hot phaal (curry) is like our present relationship. The meat is tender and the gravy almost dry. We are ready to move forward with a big step.
Dessert: Aambu Piyali (Mango in a heart-shaped cup)
Mango is a very sacred fruit in India. It is said that Lord Shiva brought the mango tree from the heaven for his beautiful wife. This should be refreshing after our spicy courtship, now will you marry me ?
Prepared by Haaris Chua
Our marriage was registered on 9th December, 1996 (nothing to do with the WTO meeting in Singapore), at the Registry of Marriages.
This was followed by the Chinese Tea Ceremony on 14th December, 1996 -- a typical Chinese tradition, and a small Chinese Dinner on the next evening.
The big and colourful Malay reception was held on 21st December, 1996.
