Jamali & Jeana - wedding website by mywedding.com

Our Story

Engagement

Sunday September 10th, 2006

I had returned to Taiwan the day before and we were at Jamali's apartment (if you could call it that...it was more like a tiny room). Jamali had arrived in Taiwan about two weeks earlier and was extremely excited that I had returned. Before I left home, he had asked me to collect something important from his sister, Jenielle. He said it was a gift from his grandmother which had much sentimental value. I had collected it, it was a pocket watch in the shape of a beetle. It sat in a little metal case on top of that spongy material they stuff in jewelry boxes.

So there we were, happy to be in Taiwan together after two weeks apart and most of the two years before that. Jamali asked me if I had brought the watch. I handed it over, still oblivious to what was coming. He asked me if I had looked in the box, to which I replied yes and commented that the watch was cute. He took it out and showed it to me again, commenting on its sentimental value. He had the strangest look on his face, and I thought he was just happy to have the watch back. Then he proceeded to remove the upper layer of the sponge in the box and it was then that I realized what I had actually brought with me.

Jamali had played me well and I was totally surprised to see the rings hidden between the two layers of sponge in the box. I don't remember what I said, but I was definitely in shock. I recall him getting down on his knee and making the cutest little speech (though I can't tell you now what he said) and somehow through my sobs I managed to answer yes. Later, he told me that he had actually thought of making an elaborate public proposal and wondered if I was disappointed. But I've always wanted a private and intimate proposal and would not have had it any other way.

Match Made in Heaven

A common love

It is often said that opposites attract. A witty response to this is that complements last. With our sometimes differing personalities, Jeana and I have as many things in common to make both statements, Opposites Attract and Complements Last, true. Below is a short list of just some of the many things that we have in common.

CHRISTIAN - We are both very active members of the church of Christ and enjoy bible studies together and with others..

BIRTHDAY - We were both born on November 9th (exactly 365 days apart)

NAME - Both our first names begin with the same letter

EDUCATION - We both attended the same primary school. Although we went to single-sex secondary schools, our schools, St.Vincent Boys Grammar School and Girls High School were sister schools located next to each other. Our collegiate paths temporarily diverged as I attended St.Vincent Technical College and Jeana went to St.Vincent Community College. As fate would have it, we both studied Mandarin at National Taiwan Normal University (ShiDa) and as of 2007 were both enrolled at National ChengChi University (NCCU).

WORK - We both (at the same time) worked in the visual media during our stint in the private sector. I worked at a video production studio, Island Koncepts Inc, while Jeana was a reporter and on-air personality at SVG TV. During this time there were many occasions where our professional paths would intersect.

CIVIL SERVICE - We again both (at the same time) worked in the media while in the civil service. I was a web graphic designer at the Ministry of Telecommunications, Science, Technology and Industry while Jeana was an information officer and on-air personality at the Agency for Public Information.

MAC USERS - We are both loyal Mac users and have no intention to turning back to the dark side. Once we went Mac, we never looked Bac. As they say the Apple ® doesn't fall far from the tree.

SHOPPING - We both love to shop for footwear, although thankfully, not the same kind.

BALLER/BAWLER - I love to play basketball and Jeana loves to cheer me on.

All in a day

November 9th

Q: What does November 9th and July 19th have in common?
A: Nothing

Q: What does, Jeana (bride), Jamali (groom), Jehann (twin sister/bridesmaid), Rohan (marriage officer) and Dev (neighbour/former classmate/wedding chauffeur) have in common?
A: We all share the same birthday - November 9th

What's Up In Taiwan

2006 • 10 • 10

On October 10th, 2006, Jeana and I sat down with Henry and Julian of What's up in Taiwan (WUiT), the best Taiwanese podcast for an interview. We really had a lot of fun and would like to again thank Julian and Henry for the opportunity to share our experience in Taiwan.

Listen to Part 1 [HERE]
Listen to Part 2 [HERE]