The Bevy of Bridesmaids

Introducing …. the Wedding Entourage!!

It’s so difficult to define my friendship with them in a single paragraph! Thinking back on these decade-long friendships, I am reminded of what a lucky girl I am to have these sweethearts in my life. (And I started remembering more things than I wanted to!)

Serene Cai
Tarbet House, Girl Guides, Orientation Group, Council

Yiling first met Serene when they were in Tarbet House performing mass display together, and she thought Serene was one of the most hilarious persons she has ever met. Serene has a natural gift of drawing people to her – charismatic leader that she is! They spent many afternoons (and sometimes in between classes) playing carrom in the Council Room, proving to be the most awesome female duo. They also share something else in common – their bedrooms are PINK! Serene’s one of the most easygoing and lovable persons, and became one of Yiling’s most trusted friends. Serene tends to wish Yiling ‘Happy Birthday’ prematurely, and on one occasion gave her a bar of ‘TimeOut’ as a birthday gift. Maybe because Yiling bought her a Powerpuff Girl soft-toy (Bubbles? Buttercup?) for hers. While Yiling pours out her heart and soul, Serene is always patiently listening with the occasional understanding nod of the head. She is now a successful scholar in a financial institution, and can be found kicking ass in softball or hockey on weekends.

Lin Xuling
Girl Guides, Council

Yiling first met Xuling as little blue Girl Guides in Secondary One. They were in the 2nd Company, and spent many Saturdays tying knots and singing songs. Their love of dance brought them together, and they had many sleepovers at Xuling’s house, tumbling over sofa cushions to get their dance moves right. She came to become Yiling’s “da jie (big sister)”, watching over her “xiaomei” all the time – whether it was sobbing while operating the smoke machine or teaching her function graphs in the Council Room. They bonded over papadum-frying, spray-painting campaign posters and tying gigantic banners in torrential rain at the old National Stadium. Yiling’s favourite gift from Xuling is a ‘Dory’ cushion. Amongst other mischevious deeds, in J1, Xuling and Yiling successfully passed themselves off as real sisters! Yiling is honoured to have been her bridesmaid just a couple of months ago! Xuling is now a successful doctor and happily married, and can be found scuba-diving with her husband when she actually has time to relax.

Tan Hian Zee
Classmates in RJC, Orientation Leaders

Amongst all her bridesmaids, Hian Zee and Yiling have known each other for the shortest period of time (that said, it’s still been a total of 9 years no less). They were classmates in RJC, and were paired up as Angel(Yiling)/Mortal(Hian Zee) in the classic get-to-know-you-game. Hian Zee discovered Yiling’s identity early on, but pretended not to know. Yiling knew that Hian Zee knew, but pretended not to know. And Hian Zee knew that Yiling knew that she knew, but pretended not to know. Through the letters written over the short span of a few weeks, Hian Zee and Yiling became firm friends in the most serendipitous way. Throughout the trying years of JC, Hian Zee was always there for Yiling, going out of her way with her support and encouragement (Yiling often feels like Hian Zee is her personal cheerleader!). Hian Zee tends to giggle hysterically at Yiling’s antics, making Yiling feel like a very humourous person. They move in different circles, but remain close, because Hian Zee makes the biggest effort to keep in touch, making long-distance phonecalls to Canada and Australia and writing letters to China (while Yiling constantly mixes up her birthday). Hian Zee is now a successful lawyer, and happily engaged to a particular ‘Mr Tickles’ (it’s not what you guys are thinking)!

Kwek Sing Cheer
Classmates in RGS, Tarbet House, Neighbour (?)

Sing Cheer and Yiling are friends of convenience, as Yiling often likes to joke. With both of them staying in the lush greenery of Bukit Batok, they hung out at each others’ homes, went to the gym, mugged for exams and basically did everything in the West together (and sometimes in other parts of Singapore too). They share similar backgrounds, although personality-wise they could not be more different. Sing Cheer is extremely driven while Yiling tends to take things as they come. As a result, Yiling often ends up languishing behind her friend, such as when she was coaxed into doing a 10km run together. She also attempted to demonstrate the difference between covalent and ionic bonds to Yiling, which unfortunately the latter never understood. Sing Cheer is a tough cookie and usually means serious business, unless you bring up her soft-toy bunny/dog/mutant of 20 years. Steely exterior aside, she’s a big softie at heart. Yiling’s especially honoured to be able to give a speech at Sing Cheer’s wedding early in 2009. She is now a successful doctor and happily married, spending her free time aspiring to be a tai-tai.

Tang Zhi Hui
Classmates in RGS, Tarbet House, Peer Support Leaders, Council

Zhi Hui and Yiling have known each other for 12 years. There have been ups and downs in their friendship, and Yiling reckons it is because of their extreme similarities and differences. Often times, Yiling and Zhi Hui can read each other’s minds when others cannot, leading to many shared secrets. On one occasion, they ended up talking for so long in the MRT station that they were denied exit by the station staff, who thought they had snuck in without paying the fare. In Year One of university, Yiling took a 16-hour train-ride from Toronto to Chicago to visit Zhi Hui, where the latter fed, clothed and sheltered her. Zhi Hui was there at Yiling’s lowest point, going through her tears and heartbreak together. She has the uncanny ability to ‘rationalise’ Yiling’s often erratic emotions. Zhi Hui gave Yiling her first Bible, as well as much needed encouragement for a young Christian starting out, for which Yiling is forever grateful. She is now a successful scholar climbing the ranks in the Civil Service!

Wong Hui Ling
Classmates in RGS, Tarbet House, Girl Guides, Council

Hui Ling is often Yiling’s partner-in-crime. Whenever someone starts to contemplate something ridiculous, Hui Ling will usually be the first to say, “Eh! Let’s do it lah! Why not??” Sometimes her gungho-ness scares Yiling, but most of the time, it has resulted in some of the most hilarious moments. Hui Ling used to call up Yiling’s house and ask for “Cai Tau Kueh,” to the amusement of Yiling’s family who wondered when they started a catering business. She has the memory of an elephant, and Yiling is often shocked by how Hui Ling can remember so many details. She loves cherry tomatoes and edamames. Once upon a time, Hui Ling was (is??) a Backstreet Boys fan, with Nick Carter being her favourite. Hui Ling is one of the most loyal friends Yiling has. She might not come across as a big softie, but she stands up for who and what she believes in, and if someone picks on you, you’ll bet she’s the one who’ll kick his or her ass. And remember, her name, got -space-. She is now a successful lawyer kicking ass in the legal world!

Wu Bei Di
Classmates in RGS, Peer Support Leaders

Amongst all her bridesmaids, Bei Di and Yiling have known each other the longest. Probably because on the 1st day of Secondary One Orientation, Bei Di unabashedly came up to Yiling and another classmate and asked if she could share the cheer booklet. And that’s the way Yiling loves her dear friend – forward, full of energy and unpretentious (and mushroom-headed – whoops!). Bei Di has been steadfast in her friendship – despite Yiling’s shortcomings, Bei Di stood by her always, giving in to her ridiculous moodswings and quirky thoughts. Bei Di is also credited for teaching Yiling how to sing from the diaphragm. She is half-Taiwanese but insists she is nothing like a “台湾美媚”. Yiling’s best memories with Bei Di are their bus rides home on Bus #66, when they would catch up on their day at school, their hopes and dreams. They also share an interest in saving the environment, and would often bring stacks of newspapers down to the ‘recycling shed’ together when Bei Di was the class environment representative. Bei Di is now a successful bacteriologist, and can be found dancing the night away on most weekends!

So there! Hopefully, that gives you guys a better picture of these lovely ladies!

Next up, the boys!!