finally when all the dust has settled and im slowly getting used to referring to him as my fiance, it's time to do some debrief. u really have to give it to him for coming up with this elaborate proposal. seriously. i mean any tom, dick or harry would know tt i will probably say yes considering the fact tt the chapel is in april and saying no does not give much allowance for a second try. it was kinda like cornering myself and leaving myself with no right whatsoever to say no to the proposal.

but knowing him, the man my friends and i have full confidence in, he did not disappoint. he could have come up with some slipshod proposal, definitely; but no, i had to get the best. frankly speaking all i really required was a decent proposal and him getting on his knee before i'd say yes. no need for flowers, fanciful meals or whatsoever. and i got what i wanted. and many folds more.

while i was on the train to ikebukuro, i was astounded at the gargantuan effort he had put into planning this whole thing. the envelopes and clues were all sent to a professional printer so that it would look exactly like the ones used in the amazing race. he had to race ahead to set up everything before i arrived, pleading (as i can imagine) with random japanese folks to assist him. and the money, oh gosh, the sheer amount of money it took to put this whole thing into action. i really have nothing else to say.

why the amazing race? other than the fact tt the letters, when rearranged, became Amazin gRace, it has always been my dream to do a (real) race. on top of tt, this was supposed to be a rite of passage. i would race alone initially and when i get to the wishing well, it is where i have to make an important decision of my life - whether to continue racing alone, or to join with him as a team.

a very redundant question to ask really. but i needed the race alone to made me realise that life is not the same without him. we've been to japan together so many times and of all the times, i've never been left alone to fend for myself. i've always been sheltered, coddled, pampered and brought here and there to places i like and food i like. racing alone, to me, is pointless because to be able to share experiences with a loved one is much more meaningful. while i was alone, i can't help but feel lonely cos there was no one to laugh at my stupidity, no shoulder to nap on while i was taking a long train ride and no one to share happy moments with.

but im really glad that was the last race i'd ever have to do, alone tt is. we'll now race together, for better or for worse, towards a common future together, assisting, encouraging, supporting, building-up and being there for each other. here's to many more years ahead. thank you so much for the wonderful proposal my dearest tobs, my best friend, confidante, porter, body guard, trainer, teacher, masseur, fellow foodie, travel companion, personal shopper, tour guide, lover and now, fiance. i thank God for you:)