By now, I believe everyone would know that Love and I are calling off the wedding next year. It's not because of any third party or we had any disagreement, it is because of my family situation.

There are lots of complications going on like settling my mum burial matters, finding a suitable date within the 100 days of my mum's death, searching for a suitable JP who is available for our ROM, informing M Hotel that we are not able to proceed our wedding next year, informing our bridal studio to call off the gown trying session etc.

Calling off our wedding ... ... 


It definitely doesn't feel right to go through the traditional wedding as we all know in Chinese custom, it would not be good for new couples. However, we still have to go through the Solemnization as our house would be ready next month. After settling my mum's funeral and other miscellaneous stuffs, we finally had the time to contact our coordinator, Fiona, to inform her of our situation. 

Previously, we paid the deposit of $5,000 to secure the date and banquet for next year but now, we won't be holding our wedding anymore. We called to check with Fiona if anything could be done to help us as $5,000 is not a small sum. Initially, we were hoping that M Hotel would be able to do a full refund so that we can use the money to hold a small family event somewhere else in another restaurant. But hotels are not charity, they run a business based on profit and returns. Since we redraw the wedding 6 months before our big day, M Hotel is only able to refund half the amount, which is a mere $2,500. All these were written in the contract before we signed. therefore there is no way we can argue and win this case even if we take this to court. Love and I were left with 2 choices:

1) To take back our $2,500 and  hold our solemnization somewhere else or
2) To hold our ROM in M Hotel and maximizes our deposit.

Logically, we seems rightful to go for the second choice.  After we informed Fiona of our decision, she sent a list of ROM package for our reference. For the solemnization, we can choose buffet or seat-down style, with minimum number of people or tables. We do have a 1 night stay at a deluxe room (not bridal room), free flow of tea and soft drinks and the whole of reception area. Wine and beer are charged separately but there is a waiver of corkage fee. All these are decent enough as at the end of the day, we do not hold much bargaining power. 

Fiona gave us a function room at B1, which can easily hold 4-5 tables. 1 table is estimated to be $950 ++. We are able to almost maximize our deposit, perhaps adding a few bottles of wine and canapes would hit $5.000. Carpark coupons were given based on the number of guests attending. Not sure if there would be door gift but we might be asking for it.

To us, to hold a ROM with $5,000 is way too expensive. Not at least to the people whom i know unless left with no choice. 

Alright, signing off here, will provide more update on our solemnization soon. 
About a few weeks back, I turned 27. 3 more years and I will hit 30s. As I grow older, my social circle streamlined. My friends and I met lesser and lesser but whenever we meet, we would have endless topics to talk about and time wasn't enough. Topics would evolve from gossiping other classmates in school to discussing about marriage and HDB. Our priorities change as we grow. During weekends, I would most probably spend time with my family and playing with my niece.

On my birthday, I took half day off to enjoy my worth. Work is endless and emails flows to my mailbox like water every seconds. At the end of the day, work is just work. "You never know when company stops loving you". And at noon, love picked me up from office to have brunch at The Reading Room. The Reading Room seems like a perfect place to wind down. It is located at Bukit Pusoh Road,a proximate distance to Outram Park. We chose that place because it has good reviews on the cosy ambiance.



It is a bit hard to locate The Reading Room as the entrance is just so small and so was the board. Didn't notice the board until I exited. 

A homely settings with laid back sofa, surrounded with books one arm away.


The cafe was relatively small and I would estimate that it would hold no more than 70 people. Though it was small, they serve quite a variety of western foods and wine. I ordered a teriyaki chicken and Love ordered a Lobster pasta. The fried portobello was really good and I would love to order it again if i'm back there.


I had never before surround myself with books as I am not the type of person who is into reading. During my secondary days, I read Chinese novel.. Erm, you know whose type with a picture of a pretty lady face on the book cover and one book cost like a $3-$5 in popular? Honestly speaking, those are romantic novel but some would of course contain explicit content. But apart from that, I do occasionally read decent English storybooks which are seriously famous like Dan Brown, or Harry Potter? That was perhaps the last kind of books I read. 

Caught Xiong instagram-ing

See the amount of books they have in the cafe.

You can read these books for free but remember, please put it back at the same place for the convenience of other readers. I am wondering if there are patrons who just go there to order a drink and read a book and come back another day to finish the entire content. As for us, we were just there for photo-taking. 


When lunch was over, we went over to The Cathay to catch a movie, starring Jackie Chan. Time passed quickly when we were sitting in the movie theater, staring at the big screen and doing nothing . Sometime, it is just this type of non-moving activities makes the best day rather walking aimlessly in shopping malls, hoping from shops to shops and walked out empty-handed. I have kinda lost touch with the hippest fashion where young people goes to or the popular blogshop where young adults shop. To me, everything just come from Taobao. If I need a dress, I get from Taobao; if I need a vase, I get from Taobao; If I need speaker, I get from Taobao too. 

  Alright, we took a final photo in front of the cafe. Memorable.

This photo de soft skin effect very strong. 

If you want can't locate The Reading Room, just take note of these potted plants in front of the entrance. Only then you will find your way there.

19 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089833
Tel: 6220 9019

[Cafe] The Reading Room

by on 11:12 PM
About a few weeks back, I turned 27. 3 more years and I will hit 30s. As I grow older, my social circle streamlined. My friends and I met le...