Cart’s last day in SG : The engagement
Without realising it, it was already his final day in Singapore. Where did all the time go?

After the pizza outing and that everyone has left, I started to feel my emotional turmoil again. And the floodgates opened. All these while, I’ve always felt sad when we had to say our goodbyes, but this time round, the feeling of sadness was more intense than ever, that it caught me by surprise. My eyes hurt and felt swollen as I went on my journey home.
Friday, 4 Jan 2008
After I left work for the day, I parked my scooter in the carpark near the Bed and Breakfast. When I arrived, Cart took out the last pack of pasta that my aunt has kindly made for him and asked me to join him for a late lunch. I was surprised as I would have been too hungry to wait for anyone. He said that he preferred to eat with me than eating alone. I thought that that was kind of sweet :)

It may not look good, but it tastes absolutely delicious!
After our lunch we decided to take the scooter to head to Sim Lim Square. We proceeded to the carpark and I was just about to rummage in my handbang to find my keys when my eyes scanned the scooter box. And my eyes went completely opened wide. Kind of like what you see in this picture below.

My keys were in the scooter box!
How could I have left it in there!?
Someone could have just taken the keys and rode away with my beloved scooter!
I must have been extremely stressed out. It was disconcerting.
Cartcart tried to calm me down and I realised how lucky I was that the scooter wasn’t stolen.
At length with Cart safely behind me, before heading to Sim Lim, we first stopped by to have coffee at Geek Terminal. It was open! We were finally here! I told Cartcart that Geek Terminal was the place where I believe serves very good coffee.

I didnt drink all that, this was what my friends had the last time we were at Geek Terminal
Here was what Cartcart had to say :
Coffee in GT from rinaz on Vimeo
After our coffee, we then continued our journey and rode past Tekka Market and I parked my scooter in an area somewhere near Chinatown and in a short time, we had a leisurely walk to Sim Lim Square.

Sim Lim Square is a famous center for electronic gadgets. It was interesting seeing Cartcart there. As we both loved electronic gadgets, we were going about different stores peering and examining anything that caught our eye.
Eventually, after comparing the prices, Cart decides to get the Creative Zen. He looked quite pleased at himself after finding out that it was duty free. :)
The gadget was spiffy. I’ve been enamored over it after seeing the guys over at Tech 65 do a review over it. I tried getting Cartcart to buy one for me too but he said no. Instead he said, “I’m getting you something else.” I stared quizzedly at him and he continued, “where is the nearest jeweller here? I want to buy you a ring”
OOH!!!
I was most excited that my mind couldnt compute momentarily. I called up my good friends Geri and Juli to ask them if they knew of any jeweller in the vicinity.

Geri adviced us to head to Parco Bugis Junction as there were a number of Jewellers there. So we walked around and sure enough, there were about 5 jewellers side by side.
We walked into one of them. It definitely was an interesting experience being with Cartcart in a jewellery shop. I asked gingerly about their engagement rings. Already in my mind I knew that I wanted. A simple but classic solitaire set in yellow gold.
And the man at the counter showed us a collection of beautiful and exquisite rings. But I didnt want any of them, they were all white gold.
So we tried going to the other jewellers, Goldheart, Lee Hwa, Soo Kee, Meyson, Citigems. And it was all the same. None of them carried yellow gold with them.
One of the goldsmith helpfully adviced us to go back to Chinatown to see if there were any jewellers there.
So we headed back to Chinatown. By then, there were a number of street buskers around. It was fascinating to see them. One of the performers were doing a beautiful piece of calligraphy using his mouth.

That was when we stumbled upon a jeweller as we passed by and I noticed yellow gold in their display case!
But when looked at their designs, I did not really liked it. The designs looked much too garish and what made it worse was that they were all very tight! Suddenly I felt very self conscious of my body type. After a while, I found one that could fit me. Vehemently, not wanting white gold and with little time left, I looked at Cartcart and said, “I think I could learn to like this one.” Cart looked at me and asked, “Are you sure?” I just nodded my head and he proceeded to take out his card.
That was when the goldsmith shook his head and said, cash only please.
we were crestfallen. Eventually, the both of us left the shop quite dejectedly.
cart : I still would like to give you a ring
rinaz : Lets go back to parco, I dont really like white gold, but I can live with it
cart : Ok. lets go
We decided to walk by the other street as we both did not want to walk in Bugis Street where it would definitely be crowded by this time. That was when suddenly, out of nowhere, pops out a man out of a jewelery shop. It was Taka Jewellery. I wasn’t very optimistic. I was sure that it would be the same as the others.
Man : Hello! Would you like to come in?
Cart : Do you have yellow gold?
Man : Oh yes we do!

And just like that, I saw the ring that I wanted. A simple solitaire set in yellow gold. It was perfect! We were both pleasantly surprised at our find.
Later on Cartcart took the ring and slipped it to my finger, and proposed. Of course I said yes! :)
We had a quick vegetarian dinner at one of the hawker center where I had the yummiest spring roll ever. For a vegetarian one, I was impressed at how flavourful it was that I went back for seconds, even though I wasnt hungry.

We went back to the scooter where I found out that my cashcard was stolen! I had forgotten to take it out of the IU-unit and someone swooped to steal it. Thats twice the blunder that I did today. I was in extreme stress that I could not even think properly.
I was so upset with myself.
We rushed back to the bnb to grab his luggage before grabbing a cab to the airport. The cabbie was cheerfully chit chatting with us, when we almost reached the airport, both of us were amazed by the long queue of taxis at the airport. The taxi driver said that he had to wait about 3 hours once while waiting in line for a passenger.
As soon as we reached there, I began to feel very sad. I dont think we spent enough time together. I really didnt want cartcart to go.

But in no time, he was in the ticketing queue and then I reluctantly let him go and waved while he disappeared off in the boarding hall. And my heart just shattered. In front of everyone, I started to have tears rolling down my cheeks. I just couldn’t help myself …
Aftermath
Its been about 3 weeks now that he’s left. Of course I do miss him alot. But life goes on. I guess I’m very lucky in that we both want to make this relationship work.
So for the moment, I’ll just try to keep being positive and hang on in there. And we’ll be planning our wedding this coming December. But as much as just thinking of the expenditures and the planning makes me stressed out, I cant wait to become Mrs Cartcart :)

Cartcart, I love you very much. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for being the way you are. Thank you for loving me :)
In this series :
- Part 1 : His arrival
- Part 2 : Of first lessons and I am legend
- Part 3 : Of science center and yummy spagetti too
- Part 4 : Gorgeous sounds of the handbells
- Part 5 : Meeting the aunt
- Part 6 : My classmate 10th year reunion
- Part 7 : Not enough time at the Singapore Zoo!
- Part 8 : Cart’s big day
- Part 9 : Of heavenly chocolate and earthly pizza
January 31st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
This post is so sweet that it made me tear up. I haven’t cried over a post in a long time. Thank you for that touching post. My inner romantic just swooned and fainted. :)
January 31st, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Tahniah!
*Wedding bells is in the air *
January 31st, 2008 at 8:41 pm
love is in the air! Congrats on the engagement! may you always find happiness in one another !
January 31st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
awwwwwwwwwwwwww……………..!!!!
congrats mrs cart! :)
January 31st, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Oh my, I’m speechless! A really sweet post and I must say he truly did save the best for last. =)
Once again, my heartiest congratulations to you. After following your series, from day one, with such an ending to this chapter, it’s just so beautiful! =) I truly hope the next chapter of your life with him will be one that will be even more exciting, filled with bliss and happiness always!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Oh my goodness Rinaz the ring is just beautiful! Congratulations I feel so glad for you! :D
January 31st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
aww… That’s so sweet. And the ring is a beauty. :) i’m happy for you babe! Congrats to the both of you!
February 1st, 2008 at 12:54 am
you are so lucky rinaz! make sure you invite me to your wedding ok!
Hugs!
February 1st, 2008 at 1:06 am
Congratulations to both of you!!! That’s a very beautiful ring!
February 1st, 2008 at 6:51 am
Mintea
Really? Wow! *runs too your inner romantic and catches it before it falls down to the floor*
But you know, I think we both are in the same position since we are both in LDR. It can be rather challenging, but the only thing that can be done right now is to just to hang on in there.
Sha
Its the ceremony which is stressing me out. I read berita harian some weeks ago when they had a feature on malay weddings and I saw one package for 28k … and there was even more expensive ones … wah … very scary …
Clare
Thank you Clare for sticking with us all these years :) I do hope for that too, and I believe that it will be :)
Malique
Mrs Cartcart sounds good doesnt it? Hehehehehe! And then he can be Mr Rinaz :P
VaniaClaire
I hope so too, with this chapter about to end, a new story will unfold. As much as I will probably miss the old stories, I do am looking forward to the new one as it unfolds :)
Farinelli
Thank you for the congratulations! And yes, I love my ring! :D
Myztika
I’m tempted to shine it at everyone and make them momentarily blinded by the sparkle :P ROFL!
Thank you for the congratulations :)
Musxzart
Of course I will invite my blogger friends. It will be so awesome :)
Moby
Thank you :) I love the ring too :):)
February 1st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
hi kak…
congrats… the ring is indeed a wow.. so cantik…
dec.. jangan lupa jemput hor…
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 am
CONGRATULATIONS! =D
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:06 am
For whom the wedding bells toll (I am a cinephile)…
Congratulations for Mr. & soon-to-be Mrs. Cartcart!! ;)
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:17 am
Zanariah
Mestilah jemput … hehehe
Miza
THANK YOU! :D hehehehe
a_x
I’ve never watched that show. Is it good? And thank you for the congratulations :)
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 am
hi marina… congratulations!!! *hugs*
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Hi Rina,been your silent reader for a while now but forget silent today as I’m going to congratulate you on your engagement.Like you I met my spouse in cyberspace and I am just so thrilled for you and Cart Cart.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:01 am
Tini
Thank you :) *hugs*
Frauneimeyer
You met your spouse online? More and more people meet new people that way and I think thats inevitable that we’d have feelings for another person eventually :)
Thank you for dropping in the comment box and thank you for the congratulations! :)
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
congrats rina~!! :)
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
Yes,I mean what are the chances right when there’s millions of people online..but guess allah has destined it to be this way for us-for me,for you and many others.Anyway,do continue to update us all here on your wedding preps and rina,thanks for updating about all the wonderful places to eat and have coffee.Makes me feel at home whenever I read about the updates of whats happening in singapore,you’ve done a really good job….and I have to say when I read about cart cart’s conversion…im just so touched.I wish you guys all the best!
February 4th, 2008 at 7:32 am
auwww..this is very touching. and congrats!
btw…got here via moby’s blog. :)
February 4th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Hi There Marina!
I’m not a fren of urs neither am i an acquaintance. I actually stumbled upon ur blog around 5-6months ago when I googled about ayam penyet. lol. But since then, I’ve been an avid reader of ur blog.
Really happy for you and ur cartcart. Congrats on ur engagement and semoga berpanjangan girl! ;o)
This post is the most sentimental post I’d read from you and it really touches my heart. Now, when will such a wonderful thing happen to me??
I so envy u now, can?? hehe. But seriously, may God bless u n cartcart for eternity. ;o)
February 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Ophelia
Thank you so much :)
Frauneimeyer
Were you from Singapore previously? Where are you now, may I ask?
Yes, God willing, I will try to update the blog as best as I can. I love blogging and I enjoy sharing my experiences with others :)
It may not be the best, but I try my best.
And thank you so much for reading. Its lovely people like you that gives me the motivation that blog more … hehehehe!
SheSays
Aww … hehehe :)
Thank you for dropping in to comment!
Ida
Avid reader? *head swells*
Wow, thank you so much for stopping by in the blog all these while :) Thank goodness for ayam penyet, hehehehe!
And thank you for the congratulations. Sometimes it feels kind of unreal with the whirlwind last day with the ring search and the proposal :)
And I’m sure you’ll experience the same thing too. The funny thing about love is that you meet it when least expect it :)
February 5th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Rina..I am a singaporean.do you have an email perhaps I can drop you a line and we can chat more.
And when I say I really do enjoy reading your blog,i really mean it!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Hi Congrats!
I have been a silent reader too. I had sent you and email before and you replied to it once. I am so happy for you!!!!!
April 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
[…] The Engagement […]