Curtin Grand Ball 2005

I’m lucky. My very first prom was great!

Let me give you a detailed chronicle (Chronicles are accounts on daily occurrence and they are not designed to engage the mind, but to provide as a record that something noteworthy has happened*) of what happened that day.

*Those who have attended MCI 112 would know that I presented this topic. Hehe.

The Curtin Grand Ball 2005 was held on Saturday, 22 October, at Miri Marriot Resort & Spa Grand Ballroom. The theme was "Heaven on Earth". It sounds cheesy but it’s just the decorations that really followed the theme.

Azim called at 10.40 AM to ask if I’m ready. He inquired if I want to come with him and Dian to town. He had to ask?

Dian had to be at Marriot before 12 to help organise things. So, I had to quickly dump everything (make-ups, bag, camera, shoes etc.) inside my school bag while holding my dress. We arrived at Marriot before 12.

I got to see how things are being prepared. I’ll tell about the decorations later. Let’s just say that the Student Council spent a lot of money on the deco. Dian checked in because she got to stay at Marriot for free. We put all of our things in the room (no. 1518) and relaxed for half an hour. We were already tired.

After lazing around for more half an hour, at 2.30 PM we got our butts to the car and drove to Bintang Plaza where Dian and I got our hairs done at Serina and Alan Salon. Dian curled her hair (RM35) and I just got mine washed and blow dried (RM18). I wish I had something more fancy done to my hair… Oh well. I bought batteries for my camera. Tried to find a Nokia charger that can fit my mobile but all the phone shops don’t have them! Gasp! Why did Nokia go and manufactured their phones with different hole size for the charging?!

We arrived back at Marriot at 4.50 PM. Felix was already in the room, naked and dancing. Ok, I’m just kidding about the last part.

Muhaimin, Jun Bing and that other dude (I didn’t catch his name. Nobody introduced us!) came to the room to get ready. We were so tired so we just laze around, watching Astro and smoked (it was a non-smoking room so we had to smoke at the balcony).

Stephanie came at nearly 7 PM to get her make-up done. She wore a pretty LBD (Little Black Dress for those of you who don’t read female magazines). It was Mona’s but she looked so pretty in it! Azim and Dian have already left the room. So, when Steph came, her mother had this frown on her face when she saw Min opened the door. Her face became more disapproved when she saw the guys and only me in the room. Whoops, I didn’t tell Steph that we have the guys around. I didn’t think her mother and brother would walk her to the room. Sorry Steph! Heh.

When we are finally done, Steph, Min and I (the others have left. We took such a long time to get ready…) had to queue up outside the Ballroom. There were 2 thingy that on both side of the entrance that flaps around. I saw Ing Hui and Renee with the MNG dresses. I forgot how gorgeous the red dress looked on Ing Hui. Renee looked pretty in the black bare back dress. Both had their hair done and they looked so glamorous!

At the reception area, I was greeted with dry ice on the floor. The carpets were thick and there were small tables all around. I entered the Ballroom. There were balloons hanging from the ceiling that represent clouds to match the theme for that night. The tables and chairs are beautifully draped with white clothes. There was a stage and a banner that says "Heaven on Earth, Curtin Grand Ball 2005" in fancy fonts. There is a small dancing floor in front of the stage. There are two big chandeliers on the ceiling. The lightings were dimmed and everything looked beautiful.

My table consisted of Min, Steph, Lionel, Felix, Ing Hui, Azim, Jun Bing, that other dude and another girl which I don’t know the name (I’ve seen her around but we never got formally introduced!). Our table was at the front, near the stage and the dancing floor. I have to admit that I love my position.

The dinner was really nice. There were rice, sautéed beef, chicken with garlic, mix vegetables, fish and noodles. While we ate, Felix and the other dude (God, I really wonder what his name is) serenade us with a few songs. I’ve heard Felix sang before at Lord of the Bands but he sang a song from The Darkness so most of the time he sang in falsetto. And a Peterpan song, which I didn’t really listen because I was busy recording. And every time I hear him sing while playing his guitar at Min’s or my place, he was just mumbling the words. So when I finally got to hear him REALLY sing, I was awed. It was true what Ernest has always said repeatedly to me that Felix has a nice voice. Like Creed’s lead singer, I kid you not. Thumbs up, Lix! Can I have your autograph?

We ate some more and got up to the reception area to get delicious desserts. There were really yummy brownies that are crunchy and soft, fruit cakes, puddings, salads, fudges, fruits… I pile some of it and ate everything, except for that fruit cake which I just leave on the plate 1/10 eaten. I never like fruit cakes. It was so deceiving. It looked so appetizing. Then there are other performance by Azie, Abel and Bay. Azie sang a Celine Dion song, My Heart Will Go On… It was weird. I mean, a Celine Dion song ?! Azie?! But it was okay.

I took pictures with dear old Wenchie. It was memorable to me. We were school mates and there we were, at Curtin’s prom night. Who would have thought…

After dinner, Ing Hui, Azim, Lionel and I went out for a smoke. Ok, just me and Ing Hui, of course. And we had fun taking pictures of us smoking, seductive pictures of us protruding our upper body, and lots of pictures with other people.

I saw Ernest! Hee hee. Didn’t get the chance to take pictures with him though. Darn it.

I finally saw Mona at the reception area with Go and Zach (taking pictures… Surprise, surprise) and hurried towards her. She had this really nice lacy dress that has cost her RM600 to rent for that one night. I have made it my goal to take pictures with Mona and Mizah that night. The men readily wanted to take pictures but us girls were so busy complimenting each other till they had to remind us that they’re waiting, hello? Took pictures with Mona, Zach and Go (pleasantly surprised that the men are eager to take pictures with me. Must be the dress. Ha-ha…).

Ran inside to get Mizah and Saiful, her boyfriend, who took more pictures of us. Mizah had this dark green dress that has little green flowers on the upper body. Steph came and we grabbed Ressa and we all had a group photo. It was a photo fest! It was really funny how the men were very eager to take pictures of the girls. Very eager. Haha.

I managed to get the prom’s official picture with Azim, Dian and Ing Hui. Renee was busy being MC with Vijay. She was a great MC. I’m impressed. Still, it’s a pity we didn’t get to take the prom’s official pictures with her.

Rining and Kimmy got nominated Prom King and Queen but Darrel won the title and that other Chinese girl which I can’t remember the name. The prize? Just the title and the Prom Queen got a tiara.

Then, we danced! The DJ put a few songs from the 70s and we did our John Travolta moves. We even strutted to Saturday Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive! The dance floor was crowded. When the DJ put YMCA, the crowd all shouted "YMCA!" while doing the hand moves. It was so much fun! We managed to drag Steph to the dance floor. It was the first time I see her dance. Steph, you should dance more often! You’re great!

At 12 AM, Azim, Renee, Ing Hui and I went back to Dian’s room. We were tired and our feet were killing us. Renee and I took our shoes off (the feeling was heavenly. I have a few blisters on both feet) and walked the rest of the way barefooted.

We saw Dian and Felix naked in the room. Ok, I’m kidding about the naked part.

We hang out for a while, even when Olga kept calling Renee and Ing Hui asking where they were (we’re supposed to go to Cherries Berries) and they kept on saying "We’re on our way! We’re on our way!" when in reality, we were smoking and taking pictures and lying on the bed.

Azim, Renee, Ing Hui and I finally left. Hugged Felix, Dian, Min and Steph. We got to CB (with our prom dresses) but since we couldn’t get in for free, we went to Balcony instead. We ordered Illusion and danced some more. Also took more pictures. The club emptied but we were still dancing like crazy. When we exited the club (the DJ put on an oldies song), we danced our way out. I loved it!

When we were out, Renee suddenly decided that she’s hungry and she wanted nasi lemak. We all wanted to go home but she was very adamant. She finally got her nasi lemak. She couldn’t eat properly, spilling her rice and everything. She was pretty drunk and kept on saying "I’m fine. I’m fine… I’m FINE!!" Haha! Took more pictures. I probably had more than a hundred pictures that night.

Finally, Azim sent me home. I hugged him goodbye. He’s gone back to Brunei the next day. Love you, Zim!

I had a blast, and I’m sure all who have come had fun too. Love you guys!

I was really tired by the time I got inside my room. But it was a very memorable night. I’ll never forget it.

P.S: I can't put any pictures here as much I want to due to technical difficulties. So check out Ing Hui's blog for lots of pictures. Or go to Azim's and Mizah's and various other people's Friendster sites.