Ma: (in Kelantanese Malay) So what gift did you give your friend on her wedding day? (Suspicious stare) Did you remember to buy anything, or even remember to give some money?

Me: (Pause) Oh me and my friends (sic) bought something.

Ma: What?

Me: Tuuuu (pointing upwards)

Ma: Oh.  What kind of fan is it?

Me: A ceiling fan lah.  Macam tuuu…. (pointing upwards)

So, I joined nine friends who conspired to buy Miss Dimunitive and her other half a ceiling fan for their wedding.  Why? Because they asked for it.  It kinda spoiled the anticipation bit.  However…  Isn’t it nice to actually get something you actually want?

I remember a wedding of a particular aunt, during which we were unwrapping presents. 

I remember 3 ricecookers.

I remember more than 6 sets of tall glasses.

Bowls.  Bowls.  Bowls.

More than enough bedsheets in the world.

Perhaps it is still alien in our culture, but my friends have noticed a trend in the upperclass to actually have a wish list online.  That way, they will actually get what they need.  Presents that have been chosen by other wellwishers will be crossed off the wish list, so no unnecessary excess.  Perhaps it will raise a few (hundred) eyebrows should I decide to do that on my own wedding (hey it doesn’t hurt to dream), but it’s not a bad idea.  I do have a request, though.

No big bowls.  No punch bowls.  No decorative bowls. To make it short, no bowls!

By the way, I didn’t mention to my mom we also bought a lingerie set for Miss Dimunitive.  As a girl can’t have too many shoes, perhaps a girl can’t also have too many undies?

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