~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let’s see...I got the invitation to the event last Wednesday which I declined shortly after as I was thinking of taking the time to do my thesis (yes, everything now seems to be about my thesis). I was on a budget; thinking I had to get a cocktail dress (short dress) as compared to all the ankle long dresses I currently have. Last reason...sadly to say, I was contemplating...that I’d already butted out of the challenge earlier, what more is there for me to return and see it. But I also had the thought that...it’s the final, just finish it.
I had already decided until...a good friend messaged me a day or two before the event registration deadline, requesting for me to go. He’d been very supportive all the while and the one that enquired after me the most. His message got me contemplating on going again.
During the time I took to contemplate, other friends started to ask for me as well. So I started to clarify about matters such as the dress code, but it didn’t bother much anymore if I would look like a fool or not. My sole reason on attending now was for my friends.
Friday came and I spent my day preparing...ironing, picking choices, etc. The ensemble looked funny, I rendered. It was a blue long halter dress. Since it bares my shoulder, I decided to wear a long baggy jean jacket over it and stepped out in slippers. It gave my uncle a shock. Hahaha! He looked at me and said, “Yish...you’re not wearing that are you?!” Well, of course not. ^^’ I just didn’t want to get into trouble with the police if there were any on the road, that was all. xp
I picked up Ainul (Ann) and Sher Yee (SY) on the way and headed to the hotel, Grand Dorsett in Subang. The parking was quite empty really. We stepped out of the car next to another that just arrived. 3 guys were standing there getting themselves ready while they watch us get off the car. Well, nothing to see actually since we weren’t looking how we would be later that evening. Hahaha.
I could clearly see that things were being prepared...the carpet half rolled out, Yu Vee (UV) and the others busy preparing the registration and all. I was about to head towards them when Ann zoomed off the other way heading to the lobby looking for the washroom. Me and SY were feeling kinda odd that we both have to walk through the lobby wearing what we were wearing and walking such a long way to look for the washroom. @@
In the washroom, Ann was supposed to help me apply my makeup but before she started, she took out some blue cloth from a common plastic bag. She passed to me and asked me to try it on. I looked at it hard....how to wear?! Fiddle fiddle....uh....what is this?! Ann explained that it’s a dress she borrowed from a friend and told me to try it since days earlier I did ask her for help to get a short dress. But I can see through it! It’s so thin! Ann: Just try it la!
So ok, I changed out and into the thin dress. It fitted nicely although Ann said the design was suppose to be a little different. It was suppose to drop off my shoulders or something like that but due to my broad shoulders, it just WOULDN’T drop. It looked fine anyway.
When I got out, Ann announced...that she lied; she made the dress herself in two days for me but it was a little off as she didn’t have my measurements. She had to base it on a friend who was a little shorter than me. So technically, the dress on me was shorter than it should be and due to the design, it kept coming up my thighs as I walked. It was almost like a mini. @@ Thanks anyway, Ann. =)
Ann got my makeup and SY’s done. Since it took time, I got a look at several guests attending the same function. They looked so natural and pretty no matter what they wore. =) But Ann kinda messed up the place with all the makeup stuff hogging 3 sinks out of 4. @@
When she’s done, me and SY went out to register ourselves at the booth manned by Jolene, Su Zhen and others before mingling around with the other guests. I met back familiar faces like Vincent, Neil, Ji Kin, Andrew, Melvin, Valerie and others. It was really nice seeing them again and talking to them.
One-by-one the finalists arrived in their hired cars, ushered in and welcomed by the emcee, Chia Wei. She looked so gorgeous. =3
First came Nuraini (Aini) from Voila!. Apparently Ivan was on a university assignment trip at Ipoh and it costs him lots of marks, so he had no choice but to skip the function. Aini herself looked gorgeous. =)
Next came Cup Chatter’s (if I got the sequence right) Joshua, Navin, Nicholas and Adeline. Third was Dreamzland. As Raymond was explaining what their business does, SY keeps emphasizing how cute Pooi Mun was (looks like you can’t run =p). Qi Hong was there with them.
Lastly was Greenergy’s couple, Jz and Chee Yee. Hohoho They made this function look more like a wedding. =p Dashing! The final team, SyCO was not around to grace the event for unknown reasons.
After the teams were all in the VIP room, the ballroom doors opened and we went in, looking for nice seats as it was free seating after certain table numbers. We sat together with unfamiliar faces who we later got to know their names but ended there on my part. I went around to the next table to talk more with Vincent who looked a little odd sitting by himself at his table.
Those were valuable minutes shared. Then Melvin and his friend joined the table. The table slowly filled up and me and Vincent had to stand up talking. Haha After I took my leave and headed back to my table, I noticed that on the other table were Ji Kin, Johnson and Sheng Yeong. Also at their table was Chen Chow who was wearing an interesting purple jacket.
Oh yes, Ann was not with us as she was busy dressing up and she called me to get her by the corridor as she had trouble with her loose shoe and also had to return things to the car. On my way, I saw the teams queuing outside waiting nervously to enter the ballroom. We exchanged short rushed gestures as I rushed off.
When I saw Ann, it was an eye opener. She was supposingly wearing corporate wear but it just looked...too nice. xD Besides, I hardly see her like that. She’d changed her wardrobe lately I think.
Later when I and Ann got back from the car, the teams were still there so I manage to stay awhile and talked to them before they got pulled into the ballroom (not literally). =)
After the speeches, DINNER WAS SERVED!! Well...more like we had to go out to grab our own dinner since it was buffet. But it was really good. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to eat much and I especially didn’t manage to touch dessert. >.< I just too busy watching what was being shown on stage to concentrate on eating.
There was a simple mind magic trick that required 8 persons from the floor to hold an envelope each. Then the beautiful assistant, Adeline in this case, would help the magician verify a random number picked from a phone directory. Sheets were pulled out of each envelope to form the number mentioned. Interesting. But I was wondering...if there was anything written behind the envelope or if the magician changed the numbers as he said it so fast beyond our memory to remember the sequence so quickly. ..nevermind that, it was still a nice watch. =)
Somewhere in the middle of the event, Rossnan (Aini’s bf) who just arrived from work and Valerie joined us at the table. =)
Then the award ceremony started with awards given to several categories (not all related to YES, but more to MoneyTree) before each team was introduced with really good videos and descriptions. Finally...time to announce the winner.... “And the winner for YES 2 is...”
CUP CHATTER!!
Congratulations! They got a trophy and RM20 grand which they would put into their business. But many emphasized that the other teams were also winners for accepting the YES challenge itself. =)
Cup Chatter gave their own impromptu thank you speech, then the other teams were called up and each individual given certificates.
That was the end of the function and they opened up the floor for partying which didn’t really happen as everyone was busy taking photos and all. Haha I was busy going around to each YES2 finalists congratulating them and catching up a bit.
Joshua was dancing around with the trophy in hand but he didn’t dare go up to the dance floor. Hahah! Navin brought his whole family and took a huge picture. Wow! I think Adeline was crying with joy for a bit on stage. Nicholas looked calm as he always was. ^^
Took another picture with Raymond, talked to Mike and....watched Jz dance to Wondergirls’ Nobody. xD xD xD Me and Chee Yee couldn’t stop laughing.
Navin invited me to join the gang to continue the party elsewhere but unfortunately I had to go. It was getting late. =) So on my way out, I manage to catch UV. He looked tired but it was job well done. He, Jo-ann and crew. =) Ann insisted that she wanted a photo with him. After that we left to go home. =)
Oh yes, there was a small social entrepreneur booth at a corner with a “Money Tree” where pledges were stuck with money donated to Rumah Nur Salam. I hope they got good response since they were a little hard to notice where they were.
All-in-all, I am very happy I went for the event. No regrets going. The one thing I forgot I gained most important through YES2 journey were the relationships and bonds created as each of us supported each other through hardship. Friends.
Thank you for being part of my life no matter how small a presence you made. =)
