The Bali Conspiracy

After like XX recounts of this story, the common refrains have been either I'm just plain daft or extremely dense. I prefer to think that Ed just knows me best. =D

Nevertheless, kudos to Ed who totally caught me by surprise with this proposal. Will also remain forever thankful for our friends' help in making this happen.

Date: 8 October 2007
Location: Seminyak, Bali
Setting: Serene Villa Frangipani

What started out as merely a relaxing holiday with our friends became a well orchestrated plan for THE proposal. Apparently, Ed had been planning this with our two friends for awhile. All the behind the scenes brainstorming even as I guilelessly continued to search for value-for-money airtickets and accommodation. *pffty*

Headcount: 1 hyper girl, 1 apprehensive guy and 1 couple excited to be part of this history-making.

The spacious villa where we spent 3 glorious days of having freshly cooked breakfasts at noon and sunbathing by the pool!

What transpired: Afte an activity-packed day, Ed told me one evening that the guys had decided on a couples night out. So we hopped off to this fabulous dinner place: Ku Dé Ta which is the bestest place ever for a romantic night especially if the weather is nice and balmy. In addition to a great view of the beach if you grab seats at the deck area, the food and wine makes this a great place to chill.

This looks way better at night!

We were ravenous by then and I do recall ordering quite abit given my usual desire for MORE variety. However, the really outstanding ones that left an impression on my tastebuds:

• Tuna and Lobster tartare appetizer was SCRUMPTIOUS!
• Truffle mash side was AMAZING!
• Twice baked Chocolate Souffle and Macademia Nut Tart desserts were a DECADENT DELIGHT!

Following dinner, we took a leisurely stroll along the beach before making our way back to our villa. At the door, I found a letter from A & S, thanking us for being such great friends and that they had organized a treasure hunt for us!

Overly excited me charged straight in to get hold of the next clue and this led to a series of 7 stops before we arrived at the bedroom. There, we were instructed to tell a story to each other incorporating the 7 items that had been retrieved (not necessarily in the correct order):

(1) "As For Me and My House, We're Going to Serve the Lord" wooden plaque

(2) Makansutra book

(3) Power of a praying wife/husband books

(4) Globe

(5) Blue and pink pacifiers

(6) 2 wine glasses

(7) A cute pink t-shirt with the words, "I am taken!"

Unfortunately, my competitive streak emerged. When Ed volunteered to tell his story first, I was too preoccupied trying to think of a better version instead of really listening. I know...have received many appalled looks when I reach this part of the story. But there was an ultimate prize to be won what! *sigh*

In my addled brain, all I could remember was him telling me he had one more thing for me before going down on one knee and popping the question. At that point in time, I was alittle bewildered still. My first response was "Say it again!" before I (of course) said YES.

It is at this juncture that many people have asked me whether I started crying.

Erm..no..but that's because I hardly ever cry and I guess I did tear when our friends came running out excitedly from their hiding place to congratulate and pray for us. I was really touched at that point in time.

Alas, I have faced accusations about being a heartless person because of this marked lack of emotion. For the record, although I didn't actually cry, I was ecstatic that Ed had proposed and I knew too in my heart of hearts that my answer would be YES.

Looking back, should I have been more alert? Nah..I'm glad that I remained blissfully unaware and this surprise proposal is yet another memory to add to our marriage bank.

Where Ed proposed.

P.S I only found out later that ALOT (and I do mean ALOT) of people were already in the know about this before I left for my trip. No wonder people kept insinuating I'm slow. *mutters*